© 2026 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Jackson County Tourist Development Director selected for Industry Services Committee

Three women in business casual attire pose with a plaque highlighting Leadership Northwest Florida Legacy for Kelsi Jackson in the middle.
Jackson County Commissioners Office
/
Mary Smith
Kelsi Jackson (middle) has served as a member of the Jackson County Tourism Development Council since 2022 and will stay on during her time with Visit Florida.

Jackson County will soon have a bigger voice when it comes to promoting tourism in the state. Kelsi Jackson, who oversees the county’s Tourist Development Council, has been selected to serve on Visit Florida’s Industry Services Committee.

“I am excited for the opportunity to bring rural Florida’s voice to the table as Visit Florida develops its next strategic plan,” Jackson said in a statement. “Visit Florida has done a tremendous job recognizing that some of our state’s most special experiences can be found beyond our traditional tourism destinations, including the hidden gems within our rural communities.” 

Visit Florida is the state’s tourism marketing arm. The Industry Services Committee, where Jackson will serve, focuses on small business development and rural development. Jackson says she hopes the position will allow her to highlight rural tourism in statewide discussions.
  
“I look forward to contributing that perspective, learning from tourism leaders across the state, and helping ensure Florida’s diverse destinations and tourism partners are represented as we shape the future of tourism in Florida,” Jackson said. 

 Jackson says she also hopes to bring back information, ideas and industry insight that she can apply to her work with Jackson County’s Tourist Development Council. 

Randall Vuxta is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a focus on narrative first journalism. With eight years of experience covering the Orlando area, Randall brings an experienced eye to the Rural News Service team. Whether it's covering a local trivia league or scrambling during a spontaneous bus fire, Randall makes sure to cover stories the community cares to hear. Randall lives by a mantra: everyone has a story, go out and find it!