Joe Collier’s Journey in the Hospitality Industry
April 11, 2024
Joe Collier’s journey in the hospitality industry began practically at birth. A native of Miami, he was raised in Florida, the world’s top tourism destination, immersing himself in the world of hotels and restaurants at just 13 years old. Fueled by his early passion for the industry, Joe earned his degree in Hotel Management and Marketing from Florida State University and completed his internship in the European Hotel program in Leysin, Switzerland. He spent 15 years with Marriott International, honing his considerable skills in sales, marketing, and development before forming Mainsail Lodging & Development in 1998 in Tampa. As Founder and President, Joe set the tone for Mainsail and, together with his leadership team, built an award-winning company where innovation thrives, and all stakeholders are valued partners.
In 1999, less than one year after its founding, Mainsail opened Mainsail Suites Hotel & Conference Center, its first lodging complex located near Tampa International Airport. Under Joe’s visionary leadership, Mainsail was selected to develop and operate the property as the world training headquarters for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The resulting $50 million complex included a 130,000-square-foot training building and 360-unit hotel under a 10-year master lease. With Joe at the helm, Mainsail has since flourished, evolving into an award-winning company specializing in hotel, furnished living, and resort property management and development, marketing and sales, and an impressive portfolio of top-branded properties on the east coast of the United States and Caribbean. Mainsail is consistently recognized for excellence in the travel industry from esteemed publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, MICHELIN Guide, Southern Living, Tripadvisor, Wine Spectator, and U.S. News & World Report.
Mainsail Lodging & Development and its properties have also earned several prestigious awards from Marriott International, where Joe began his professional career. Among the most recent accolades are the 2023 J.W. Marriott Jr. Guest Experience Award, the Marriott Bonvoy Luminary Award, and the 2023 Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service for Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers, Florida. The company also received Marriott International’s Partnership Circle Award (2017), the highest honor bestowed by Marriott to its owners and franchise partners for hospitality excellence and has been inducted into the Partnership Circle Award’s Hall of Fame. In 2019, Mainsail also earned the Marriott International Excellence in Food & Beverage Award for consistently upholding outstanding culinary standards that enhance guests’ experiences at Mainsail’s Autograph Collection and Tribute Portfolio hotels.
Joe’s commitment to excellence extends beyond business success; he is a dedicated advocate for his community, spearheading initiatives to elevate Tampa’s tourism industry. He personally oversaw the restoration of the historic Leiman Home, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and an architectural gem in South Tampa. As Chairman of Visit Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay Sports Commission, he played a pivotal role in bringing both the National Football Championship and Super Bowl LV to Tampa. Joe is an executive board member of the Hillsborough County Hotel Motel Association, Visit Tampa Bay and VISIT FLORIDA and serves on the Advisory Council of Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels. A member of the Tourist Development Council since 2005, Joe was awarded the Gonzmart Family Tourism Ambassador of the Year award by Tampa’s hospitality industry. He has ensured Mainsail remains a model of corporate social responsibility, supporting numerous local organizations such as Feeding Tampa Bay, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, The Giving Kitchen, and Leap for Literacy. In 2022, the company entered a multi-year partnership with the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business to provide funded student fellowships benefitting the School of Hospitality and Tourism.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Joe is the proud father of three children and lives in South Tampa with his wife, Camille. Both are devoted philanthropists and share their love of travel through skiing, sailing and other adventures.
With a legacy marked by innovation, integrity, and a profound commitment to service, Joe continues to leave an indelible imprint on both the hospitality industry and the communities Mainsail serves.