HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — November 19, 2025 — Visit Huntington Beach (VHB) today announced the appointment of John Urdi as its new President & CEO, following a nationwide search. Urdi, an accomplished tourism and destination management executive with more than three decades of leadership experience, will officially assume the role on January 1, 2026.
Urdi will be responsible for advancing VHB’s mission and long-term strategic goals, while working closely with partners, stakeholders, and the Huntington Beach community. His priorities include leveraging major large-scale events coming to Southern California, safeguarding and optimizing VHB’s funding structure, and refreshing and positioning the Surf City USA® brand to further strengthen overall destination performance.
Urdi joins VHB after serving as President & CEO of Mammoth Lakes Tourism since 2010, where he built the organization from the ground up as its founding CEO and transformed it into a nationally recognized model for sustainable growth and destination stewardship.
“Urdi is a proven leader with the vision, experience, and community-focused approach needed to take VHB to the next level,” said Justin Simpson, Chair of the VHB Board of Directors. “We look forward to seeing him build on our award-winning organization’s success and further strengthen the positive impact of tourism across our community.”
Prior to his time at Mammoth Lakes, Urdi held leadership roles at Grand Targhee Resort, Colorado Ski Country USA, and Attitash Resort. He has served in governance roles for Visit California, the California Travel Association, U.S. Travel Association and Destinations International.
“Huntington Beach is an iconic destination with a strong identity and a passionate community,” said Urdi. “I’m thrilled to join VHB and work with our team and partners to elevate Surf City USA®, capture new opportunities and ensure tourism continues to benefit both residents and local businesses.”
Urdi and his wife Erin, who were married in Huntington Beach in 2024, are excited to make Surf City USA® their new home.
About Visit Huntington Beach
Visit Huntington Beach is the official destination marketing organization of Huntington Beach, California. As a private, non-profit organization, it is dedicated to promoting Surf City USA® as the quintessential Southern California beach destination for travelers from around the world. Located along Pacific Coast Highway with convenient access from four airports, Huntington Beach boasts 10 miles of wide-open beaches, endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and a laid-back welcoming community known for its vibrant surfing history and culture. To learn more about Huntington Beach, visit SurfCityUSA.com.
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