WATCH LET’S TALK TOURISM: Space Coast Area Transit’s ‘Ride With Jim’ Features Peter Cranis
By Space Coast Daily // March 22, 2019
Starring Assistant Brevard County Manager Jim Liesenfelt
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Space Coast Area Transit invited citizens and local leaders to “Ride With Jim,” and Space Coast Daily’s Alan Zlotorzynski hopped aboard. Jim Liesenfelt, Assistant Brevard County Manager and former S.C.A.T Director, is the host of the ride. The special guest was the new director for the Brevard County Office of Tourism Director, and Brevard County native, Peter Cranis. Zlotorzynski spoke with both Peter and Jim about the relationship between the TDC and Space Coast Area Transit.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Space Coast Area Transit’s next “Ride With Jim” event will be held on Wednesday, March 20 and will allow you to share coffee and conversation with the people who help shape the Space Coast Office of Tourism.
This “Ride With Jim” event will feature Assistant Brevard County Manager Jim Liesenfelt, along with and Peter Cranis, the recently appointed Director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism.
Cranis was selected as the new Space Coast Tourism Development Office Director in February and begin in his new position on March 4.
A Space Coast Area Transit bus will pick up you and your tourism associates at the Melbourne Square Mall Transit Stop outside of JCPenney, Pole #4. You’ll then ride to a local Bagel 13 for a chat over coffee and a bagel with Liesenfelt and Cranis.
Riders must check in at 8:45 a.m. and the bus will depart at 9 a.m. The bus will return to Melbourne Square Mall at 10:30 a.m.
Space is limited, CLICK HERE now for more information and registration.
WATCH: Peter Cranis Bring Strong Leadership and Marketing Savvy to Space Coast Tourism Efforts
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Peter Cranis has been selected as the new Space Coast Tourism Development Office Director. Cranis’ confirmation was made by the Board of County Commissioners during a Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12. He is expected to begin his new position on Monday, March 4, and will earn $115,000 a year.
After an extensive search process, Brevard County has selected veteran Florida marketing executive Peter Cranis as its new head of tourism development.
Following the confirmation of his appointment on Feb. 12 by the board of county commissioners, Cranis, who has roots in Brevard County, takes over March 4 as executive director of Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism, which is based in Cocoa.
County Manager Frank Abbate selected Cranis for the new post.
“Peter Cranis comes to us with an exceptional track record of leadership and growth, having led highly effective and expansive marketing programs that have stretched around the world,” said Abbate.
“We look forward to working with him on advancing the mission of the Space Coast Office of Tourism.”
Cranis is widely regarded for his expertise in strategic planning and in positioning products and services for growth, profitability and global success. His skill set ranges from organizational leadership and executive management to strategic marketing and international market development.
Related Story:WATCH: Tim Deratany Unanimously Elected Chairman of Brevard County Tourist Development Council
Cranis has spent his entire professional career in various marketing and related communications positions in Florida.
He most recently served as Head of Marketing and Sales for ICON Orlando (formerly the Orlando Eye), the 400-foot observation wheel in the heart of Orlando’s tourism district, where he positioned the attraction as the iconic image for all news related to Orlando, much like the London Eye has been for that city.
From 1999 to 2016, Cranis was vice president of global consumer and convention marketing for Visit Orlando, the city’s official tourism association.
At Visit Orlando, Cranis was responsible for delivering record-breaking advertising and marketing programs worldwide, including campaigns in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.
He last oversaw a $25 million marketing budget that produced more than $14 million in ticket sales, while generating more than $5 million in partner revenue.
“I am honored and excited to be stepping into the role of executive director of Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism,” Cranis said.
“The Space Coast is an amazing place to live, work and play, and it has so much to offer its visitors. Tourism is critically important to the economic health of Brevard County – essential to job creation, business growth, keeping taxes low, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. I look forward to promoting the Space Coast as a premier vacation destination that benefits both visitors and the community.”
Related Story:Space Coast Tourist Development Council Announces New Board Members, Searches For Permanent Director
Cranis graduated from Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne and received an associate degree from Brevard Community College before earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s in communication from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
A member of the UCF Nicholson School of Communications Hall of Fame, Cranis was a longtime adjunct professor at UCF and is a former chairman of the UCF Alumni Association board of directors.
Cranis replaces Eric Garvey, who served as executive director of Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism for nearly four years before abruptly departing last July.
Bonnie King, the office’s deputy director, has been acting as interim executive director and will retire in June 2019.
CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS
