The U.S. Travel Association Wednesday announced that Geoff Freeman will be its next president and CEO.
Freeman, currently president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association and formerly the American Gaming Association’s first president and CEO, starts his new position September 1, 2022.
Freeman succeeds Roger Dow, who has led the USTA for 17 years.
“Geoff Freeman 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,” said USTA National Chair Christine Duffy in a statement. “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 worked at the U.S. Travel Association between 2006 and 2013. During that time, he helped design bipartisan legislation that resulted in the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, creating Brand USA. Freeman also led travel-industry efforts to create TSA PreCheck and the Meetings Means Business Coalition.
As CEO of the American Gaming Association, Freeman actualized an industry campaign to legalize sports betting and expanded the organization’s membership to include tribal gaming entities.
“I am eager to get to work on behalf of this incredible industry, which has long held a special place for me,” Freeman said. “Few industries are 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.”
“I’m proud and honored to succeed Roger Dow, who has been a profound leader and important mentor to me,” Freeman added. “I give Roger my sincere thanks for all he has done, for me and for the travel industry.”
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