Local leaders weigh in on death of Daytona tourism leader Bob Davis
Bob Davis extols the value of hospitality workers in Daytona Beach
Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County, touts the value of hospitality workers in Daytona Beach.
- Longtime Volusia and Daytona Beach tourism leader Bob Davis died on Sunday, July 13, at age 87 after a battle with cancer.
- Davis’s career in Daytona Beach tourism began in 1966 and spanned decades, impacting the hospitality, business, and education communities.
- Colleagues and friends remember Davis as a passionate advocate for the hospitality industry, a philanthropist, and a mentor.
- He is remembered for his tireless work ethic, compassion, and commitment to the Daytona Beach community.
News of the death of longtime Volusia and Daytona Beach tourism leader Bob Davis sparked an outpouring of reaction on social media from an array of Daytona Beach area tourism, education, business and government leaders, all touched by Davis’ commitment to community.
After a long battle with cancer, Davis died on Sunday, July 13. He was 87.
Due to Davis’ ongoing health issues, news of his death didn’t come as a surprise to his many longtime colleagues, admirers and friends throughout the area’s hospitality, business and education communities.
Still, there was a sense of shock and sadness on Monday as reaction flooded social media.
Here’s a look at how Davis is being remembered:
County Council’s Reinhart: Davis was ‘a true believer in the power of community’
Volusia County Council member Matt Reinhart posted on Facebook that “Bob Davis was more than just Volusia County’s most passionate advocate for the hospitality industry — he was one of the most sincere, generous, and dedicated individuals I’ve ever had the privilege to know.”
Reinhart also serves as chair of the county’s Tourist Development Council, an advisory board on tourism issues.
“A mentor, a philanthropist, and a true believer in the power of community, Bob didn’t just love the hospitality industry — he cared deeply about our schools, our students, and their future,” Reinhart stated. “He believed in education, in opportunity, and in the importance of lifting others up, especially through literacy and learning.”
‘The world lost a really good man’ in Bob Davis
“The world lost a really good man,” said John Betros, the Daytona Beach hotel manager who serves as chairman of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County. “Hundreds, if not thousands of students have owed their education to Bob.
“All those students have benefited from Bob’s service, his scholarships, his work on the various foundations. There are hundreds of people here who owe their careers to Bob. Former waiters who are now professionals, general managers, lawyers, bankers. We’re all just devastated.”
Lori Campbell Baker: ‘Bob Davis was truly an icon in our community’
“Bob Davis was truly an icon in our community, and an absolute legend in the hospitality industry,” said Lori Campbell Baker, executive director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “He fought battles — political, educational, and finally, health — with a tenacity that is hard to fathom.
Baker alluded to Davis’ habit of firing off “all caps” emails about industry updates and news of the day by 5 a.m. daily as a reflection of his devotion to anything that earned his passion.
“If it was important enough for him to pursue, he gave it 100% effort,” she said. “He was doggedly determined and tough as nails to the end — and yes, with a heart of gold and an unmatched compassion. Bob will be dearly missed.”
Volusia tourism ‘has lost one of our biggest supporters’
“So sad to hear that my dear friend and colleague Bob Davis passed away over the weekend,” Georgia Turner, executive director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority, posted on Facebook. “I’ve lost one of my biggest fans and the tourism industry has lost one of our biggest supporters.”
Sheriff Chitwood: Davis was a ‘relentless advocate for Volusia community’
“Bob Davis was a relentless advocate for our community, a respected leader in the tourism industry, and a mentor to future generations,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood posted on Facebook. “In addition to all of that, he was a great friend.
“Bob was one of the first people I met when I came to Daytona Beach,” Chitwood added. “He helped form the Daytona Beach Police Foundation, which raised money from private donors to fund technology and education for our officers.
“Beyond all of his contributions to hospitality and tourism in our region, Bob understood that prosperity starts with public safety.”
Chitwood also acknowledged Davis’ gregarious presence, stating that “talking to Bob Davis always brought a smile to your face. There was no one like him, and he will be sorely missed by all of us who knew and loved him.”
Davis was ‘totally dedicated’ to hospitality
Costa Magoulas, dean of Daytona State’s College of Hospitality and Culinary Management, had worked closely with Davis for decades training future hospitality industry employees.
“Bob was a legend in his own time, which does not happen very often,” Magoulas said in an email to The News-Journal. “Bob was totally dedicated to the hospitality industry.
“He personally touched the lives of others with his own life in a positive way helping students in the Volusia County Schools, Daytona State College and Bethune-Cookman University to achieve success in hospitality. I will sorely miss his daily emails, and the passion he exhibited at all times. But, most of all, I will miss a dedicated friend.”
B-CU: Davis was ‘a tireless advocate’ for education
“Mr. Davis was more than a community leader; he was a tireless advocate for hospitality education and a fierce supporter of our students at Bethune-Cookman University,” said Ruth Annette Smith, Department Chair & Associate Professor of Hospitality Management at Bethune-Cookman University.
“Through the countless scholarships he awarded, he changed the trajectory of so many young lives, giving them not just financial support but hope, opportunity, and belief in their potential.”
Davis ‘irreplaceable’ presence in Daytona tourism
“He was the quintessential Brooklyn boy,” said Evelyn Fine, president of Mid-Florida Marketing & Research, a Daytona Beach company that provides travel industry data.
Fine met Davis shortly after his arrival in Daytona Beach.
“He came here full of excitement from his previous career, where he was something called a tummler, someone who created excitement and entertainment at Catskills resorts.
“His personality was vivid. Every time you came across Bob, he was excited and passionate about what was going on, and he very quickly became a part of the community.
“He always cared about the people who worked for him. Yes, the industry was important, but he knew it came down to people and their families, and that’s why he got so involved in education. He knew that was how people really grew and made things happen in life.”
His legacy?
“He’s irreplaceable. That’s the word. No question about it.”
Deb Denys: Daytona Beach, Volusia has ‘truly lost a champion’
“How can you not smile when you remember Bob Davis?” posted former Volusia County Council member Deb Denys on Facebook. “Bob’s love and tireless energy for what he believed in was truly epic! I can still hear his raspy voice, ‘Hey kid, what’s going on?’ Knowing he already knew. Our community truly lost a champion.
“Leadership like his took years to build, and build he did. Thanks, Bob, for your friendship. May those that you poured into build on your foundation.”
Hilton GM: Davis was ‘wonderful steward’ of Daytona Beach community
“Bob was such a wonderful steward of our entire community, and his touch went beyond the hotel business,” said Jim Berkley, general manager of the 744-room Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, the area’s largest hotel. “He and I texted daily, and it now will be a missing bright spot, not talking hotels and baseball with Bob.
“He has left his wonderful legacy in our great destination. He not only touched the lives of thousands, but made so many people’s lives better and he asked nothing back in return ever. He truly cared about our industry and our city.”
Davis instilled ‘sense of civic duty’ in Daytona Beach
“He got me involved in the board seats of the hotel and lodging association, United Way the local colleges, the HAAA board, to name a few,” said Manoj Bhoola, president and CEO of Ormond Beach-based Elite Hospitality Inc.
Elite’s roster of area hotels includes the three properties near the Speedway — the Best Western Plus International Speedway; Hampton Inn by Hilton Daytona Speedway Airport; and the Hilton Garden Inn at Daytona Beach International Airport.
“The legendary salsa dancer will be known for instilling a sense of civic duty in all of us. I will truly miss him.”
Davis leaves ‘rich legacy of involvement’ in Daytona Beach
“He leaves a rich legacy of involvement, advocacy and determination about everything that is hospitality for our destination,” said Domien Takx, chief operating officer of Ormond Beach-based Premier Resorts & Management.
The company owns and operates a roster of hotels that includes the Hilton Garden Inn; Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites; and the Best Western Daytona Inn Seabreeze; all in Daytona Beach; the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Daytona Beach Shores; and the newly opened $50 million, 11-story, 190-room Renaissance Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel.
“His tireless crusade to improve the lives of all that work in the industry, to improve business conditions for owners and operators, to fight for the legal rights of hospitality was always his main objective.”
Davis made ‘everyone feel seen and valued’
Primrose Cameron, founder of the Sisters Build Network for Girls Inc., a nonprofit devoted to leadership mentoring for teenage girls.
“Bob had a special way of making everyone feel seen and valued — especially children, families and the community,” Primrose Cameron, founder of Sisters Build Network for Girls Inc., a nonprofit devoted to leadership mentoring for teenage girls, posted on Facebook.
“His commitment to community, his warm smile and his vibrant spirit will never be forgotten.”
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