by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:50 AM ET, Tue February 25, 2025
Bill Hornbuckle. (Photo Credit: U.S. Travel Association)
WHY IT RATES: The travel figurehead
takes on a larger role in the advancement of the industry.—Donald Wood,
Breaking News Senior Writer.
The U.S. Travel Association announced on Tuesday that
William (Bill) J. Hornbuckle, Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM
Resorts International, was selected National Chair of the association’s board
of directors. His appointment to a two-year term was formalized with a
membership vote.
“I’m grateful for this honor and excited to be joining U.S.
Travel at such an important time. America remains at the forefront of travel
and hospitality, and it’s vital that we do all we can to keep our industry and
economy thriving,” said Bill Hornbuckle. “We are entering a period of
once-in-a-lifetime events and opportunities unlike anything our country has
seen in recent years. I’m proud to join this storied organization and look
forward to helping the industry and the country succeed.”
“We are grateful for Bill’s leadership and expertise as U.S.
Travel pursues a bold agenda of growth and improvements to the traveler
experience,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel
Association. “Bill’s prior leadership of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s
Travel and Tourism Advisory Board provides him a unique understanding of key
issues and the levers that need to be pulled to achieve success in Washington.”
Hornbuckle will succeed Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of
Hilton, whose term as national chair has concluded.
“We express our sincere thanks to Chris Nassetta for his
outstanding leadership and contributions during his tenure as our national
chair,” Freeman said. “Chris shaped and sped our transition into a focused and
sophisticated trade association.”
Hornbuckle will work with association leaders to enact
industry priorities, including maximizing a mega-decade of events like the 2025
Ryder Cup, 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.
The National Chair of the U.S. Travel Association leads an
Executive Board comprised of 30 members representing all segments of the travel
industry, and a board of delegates who support and advise the association. In
this role, Hornbuckle will work closely with U.S. Travel’s Freeman and the
executive leadership team to achieve the association’s mission of increasing
travel to and within the United States.
The new slate of U.S. Travel Executive Board members and
elected officers for the upcoming term is available online.
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Travel Association
represents the collective interests of more than 980 industry organizations,
including a diverse variety of travel companies and businesses both large and
small, and destinations across the United States.
SOURCE: U.S. Travel
Association press release.
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