The 2025 Brand USA 11-member board of directors have been appointed with a mission to focus on enhancing U.S. travel and tourism.
Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC, will serve as board chair for a one-year term, working alongside Vice Chair Lauren Bailey, Treasurer Kristen Esposito, and Secretary Allen Orr.
The board’s mission is to market the United States as a premier destination while driving economic growth and job creation through increased international visitation.
With a goal of welcoming 90m visitors by 2027, Brand USA aims to achieve this milestone a year early.
The board will prioritize safe and accessible travel experiences, collaborating closely with government officials to boost international tourism efforts.
Gus Antorcha, president of Princess Cruises and Danny Hughes of Hilton have been appointed as new members.
Alex Lasry, deputy assistant secretary for travel and tourism, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration shared: “secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has selected five outstanding industry leaders to join the Board of Directors and help guide Brand USA as it markets the United States as the premier travel and tourism destination around the world. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Brand USA to advance the goals of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy and bring more international visitors to the United States to drive economic growth and support jobs across the country.”
Elliott Ferguson shared “My priorities align with Brand USA’s mission to welcome the world to the U.S. and generate incremental economic development. We want the global community to know that the U.S. is welcoming, and we’re prioritizing all things tied to making travel safe and easy for visitors to come here. I will work with the amazing team at Brand USA to focus on growth opportunities tied to international meetings, the recovery of the Asia market and areas of the world that haven’t been as emphasized. The diversity of our marketing is important from a competitive standpoint as we aim to reflect the U.S. as a welcoming destination with broad appeal.”
- Gus Antorcha, President, Princess Cruises
- Lauren Bailey, CEO and Co-Founder, Upward Projects
- Todd Davidson, CEO, Travel Oregon
- Kristen Esposito, Principal, Esposito Global Partners
- Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO, Destination DC
- Danny Hughes, President, Americas, Hilton
- Mike Mangeot, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Tourism
- Tim Mapes, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Delta Air Lines, Inc.
- Hari Nair, Global SVP & General Manager, Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
- Allen Orr, Founder, Orr Immigration Law Firm
- Stephanie Young, President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions, and Disney Institute for Disney Experiences
