Manny Stamatakis Announces Retirement as Visit Philadelphia Chairman, Anthony Conti to Take Helm in 2025

Friday, September 27, 2024

Manuel N. “Manny” Stamatakis has declared his retirement as Chairman of the Visit Philadelphia Board of Directors, set to conclude at the end of December 2024. Effective January 1, 2025, current Board member and Finance Chair, Mr. Anthony J. “Tony” Conti, will assume the role of Chair of the Board. In recognition of his more than two decades of leadership, Stamatakis will be honored as Chair Emeritus.

Since joining the board in 2003, Stamatakis has been a pivotal figure in driving growth and securing critical funding for Philadelphia’s tourism industry, particularly during periods of economic recovery and challenges such as 9/11, the 2008 economic downturn, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his guidance, the city saw a significant rise in visitor-generated revenue, with $387 million recorded in 2023, marking a 50% increase from revenue during the 2008 recession.

“Manny has been an unwavering and vital leader who Visit Philadelphia has turned to for more than 20 years, guiding our evolution to become the region’s official tourism marketing agency that our city and nation know today,” said Angela Val, president and CEO at Visit Philadelphia. “Our sector and city would not be the same without Manny’s leadership; he has long been a champion of tourism and hospitality, with overnight leisure visitation to Greater Philadelphia increasing by 48% between 2003 and 2023. As he transitions to Chair Emeritus, Manny’s impact will continue to be felt in the work we do everyday.”

“Manny Stamatakis has worked for decades to promote the city of Philadelphia and all it has to offer – and he has helped build Visit Philly into a world-class organization that will thrive for years to come. I’m grateful for his service and we’ll continue to follow his lead as we show millions of visitors why Pennsylvania is the Great American Getaway and as Philadelphia plays host to the nation and the world in 2026,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

“Manny Stamatakis has served Visit Philadelphia and the broader issue of our tourism economy in the Philadelphia region incredibly well for so many years,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Manny has always understood the vital importance of tourism to our city – tourists come to Philadelphia, shop in our stores, eat in our world-class restaurants, and enjoy our arts and cultural institutions. Manny has been my friend and ally for so many years, both here and in Harrisburg. On behalf of all of Philadelphia, we thank him for his dedication and public service.”

“Visit Philadelphia is stronger today than it’s ever been, equipped with an excellent team and Board that sees our city’s potential and organizational mission for Philadelphia to be the ultimate go-to, must-visit U.S. destination,” said Manuel N. Stamatakis, current chair of the Board of Directors at Visit Philadelphia. “Our city would not be the renowned destination it is today without the power of collaboration, and I have been honored to be a collaborator to shine a light on the city I love. This is the perfect time to make a transition to my friend and colleague, Tony Conti, an outstanding asset and leader who will continue to support the organization’s efforts to show how special Philadelphia, its neighborhoods and offerings are with the world.”

Beyond his role with Visit Philadelphia, Stamatakis serves as Chair of the Board and Interim President and CEO at MISTRAS Group, and as Founder and CEO of CME Benefits Consultants. His broad expertise has bolstered Visit Philadelphia’s position as the city’s premier tourism marketing body, navigating leadership transitions and fostering resilience and innovation within the organization.

Mr. Anthony Conti, set to succeed Stamatakis, brings extensive financial and audit expertise from his distinguished 36-year career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and his civic leadership roles, including positions with Ametek and The Philadelphia Foundation. His collaborative work with Stamatakis has been vital in maintaining the financial health and strategic direction of Visit Philadelphia.

“I’m still carrying the excitement of when I was asked to join the Visit Philadelphia Board of Directors nine years ago — and today, that excitement is as strong as ever, bolstered by the incredible team who works here and their love for Philadelphia,” said Anthony J. Conti, incoming Chair of the Board of Directors, Visit Philadelphia (effective January 1, 2025). “After having the pleasure of working alongside Manny and the outstanding Board that supports Visit Philadelphia, I am humbled to play a larger role in the organization and its impact on our community and the travel sector at large.”

The organization will formally bid farewell to Stamatakis during his final board meeting in December 2024, celebrating his enduring impact and leadership. The Visit Philadelphia Board, comprised of 17 distinguished members, remains committed to enhancing the city’s tourism sector under its new chairmanship starting 2025.