Hospitality Industry Veteran And The Ben General Manager Named To West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority Board Of Directors
August 22nd, 2024
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 22, 2024) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the appointment of Bernardo Neto as a member of the DDA Board of Directors. The appointment was made by West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James. As general manager, Neto led the successful grand opening of The Ben, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, which has become a social epicenter in Downtown West Palm Beach for both locals and visitors. He has more than 20 years of hospitality leadership experience in top travel destinations including Las Vegas, Hawaii and Lisbon, Portugal.
During his career, Neto was named by industry titan MGM Resorts International to lead its $550 million rebrand and transformation of Las Vegas’ Monte Carlo into Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas. He reimagined visitor experiences and the property’s VIP program and streamlined check-in processes at the 3,000-room hotel – a significant feat for one of the busiest properties on the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel’s Park Theater has attracted performances from superstars including Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Aerosmith.
Additional experience includes roles at Starwood’s Princeville Resort in Hawaii and Four Seasons in Portugal, Spain. In 2010, Four Seasons appointed Neto to the role of front office manager at the Four Seasons Palm Beach, which saw revenue increases in its first year under his leadership.
In addition to his new role with the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, Neto serves as an active board member with Discover the Palm Beaches and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.
The DDA is governed by a seven-member board of directors which includes downtown property owners, business owners, and/or residents. Board Members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Commission of West Palm Beach.
About the Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities. For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.