U.S. Travel Association Names Geoff Freeman Next President and CEO

Freeman, who currently leads the Consumer Brands Association, will replace Roger Dow on Sept. 1.

The U.S. Travel Association has selected Geoff Freeman, an experienced association leader and former COO of U.S. Travel, as its next president and CEO. He will rejoin the association as of Sept. 1, replacing Roger Dow, who is stepping down after 17 years at the helm.

Freeman served as senior vice president for U.S. Travel from 2006 to 2011, then as chief operating officer through May 2013. During his tenure, Freeman’s strategic work led to the establishment of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 and creation of Brand USA. He also led the industry’s efforts to create TSA PreCheck and the Meetings Mean Business coalition.

Nearly a decade of association leadership followed. As CEO of the American Gaming Association from 2013 to 2018, Freeman led an industrywide campaign to legalize sports betting and expanded the organization’s membership to include tribal gaming entities. As CEO of the Consumer Brands Association since 2018, he has effectively established a new organization identity, grown membership and strengthened the leadership team, among other successes.

"We are proud to welcome Geoff Freeman back to lead the U.S. Travel Association," said Christine Duffy, national chair of the U.S. Travel Association and president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Geoff is highly regarded in Washington and well known across our industry for his strategic work to conceive campaigns and programs that opened new pathways for growth in the travel economy. Now, returning to lead the association, Geoff will continue bringing a fresh and strategic approach to advancing the mission of U.S. Travel in its next era."

Freeman is looking forward to the opportunity. "I am eager to get to work on behalf of this incredible industry, which has long held a special place for me," he said. "There are few industries more essential to the nation’s economy, more connected to consumers and more critical to bringing Americans together than the travel industry. I believe U.S. Travel’s talented team can continue to raise the bar, and I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get started."

Added Freeman: "I’m proud and honored to succeed Roger Dow, who has been a profound leader and important mentor to me. I give Roger my sincere thanks for all he has done, for me and for the travel industry."

The nationwide search to identify the association’s next president and CEO was guided by a nine-member search committee representing core segments of the travel industry, led by Duffy and supported by Heidrick & Struggles.

Source: Northstarmeetingsgroup.com