Discover Puerto Rico Taps Jorge L. Pérez as its New CEO

Discover Puerto Rico (DMO) has announced the appointment of Jorge L. Pérez as its new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive search that evaluated more than 100 executives and interviewed over 20 candidates from Puerto Rico and abroad. Pérez will officially assume the role on September 15, 2025.

With more than 20 years of experience in economic development, destination management, events, and entertainment, Pérez is widely recognized for his transformative leadership in Puerto Rico’s tourism and events sector. Most recently, he served as Regional General Manager for Legends/ASM Global, overseeing the management of key venues including the Puerto Rico Convention Center, the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, the Coca-Cola Music Hall, and the Antiguo Casino. He also holds the Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).

Under his leadership, these venues earned multiple awards for excellence and ranked among the top global facilities for ticket sales and world-class events, according to Billboard and Pollstar. In 2022, Pérez was named an “All Star” by VenuesNow magazine for his leadership during the Convention District’s most significant period of growth.

“Jorge’s professional experience is extensive and impeccable. I am confident that, as leader of the organization, he will stimulate travel demand for our destination and continue the tourism boom we have seen this decade,” said Raúl Bustamante, Chairman of Discover Puerto Rico’s Board of Directors.

During a three-month transition period, Pérez will provide strategic external oversight while finalizing his current role, ensuring alignment between the DMO and the management of Puerto Rico’s convention and group facilities. This model mirrors practices seen in U.S. destinations such as Orlando, Anaheim, St. Louis, San Antonio, and Ontario, where DMOs actively collaborate in convention facility management.

Taking on his new role, Pérez expressed enthusiasm for the challenge ahead: “I recognize the DMO’s vital role in Puerto Rico’s economic development and the importance of facing today’s industry challenges. Tourism has experienced a renaissance in recent years, and Puerto Rico is in a privileged position to establish itself as a global destination. With the support of our DMO team, government, and private sector, I am confident we will achieve our goals.”

Governor Jenniffer González Colón praised Pérez’s appointment, calling him a “proven leader in the entertainment industry” whose expertise will be invaluable in positioning Puerto Rico as a premier destination for tourism, business, and investment.

As CEO, Pérez will lead Discover Puerto Rico’s mission to market the island worldwide as a top destination for leisure travel, business tourism, and conventions, while strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors.