The U.S Travel Association has named a successor to take over from Roger Dow as
Chief Executive. Geoff Freeman, who currently leads the Consumer Brands
Association, will replace Dow as Chief Executive starting in September. Dow has led the
group for nearly a decade, and announced his retirement last month.
This new position marks a return for Freeman, who left U.S Travel back in 2013 to lead
the American Gaming Association, which represents the casino industry. During his
time at U.S Travel before his departure in 2013, Freeman helped establish the Travel
Promotion Act of 2009 and the creation of Brand USA. He also helped the industry
create TSA PreCheck.
Freeman will take over for Dow after a disorderly past few years for the industry, mostly
due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought travel to a halt. According to Politico, the
association has spent the last year trying to recover the industry from the pandemic.
U.S Travel’s national chair and president of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, said in
a statement that Geoff is “well known across our industry for his strategic work…and
programs that opened new pathways for growth in the travel economy.”
“Geoff will continue bringing a fresh and strategic approach to advancing the mission of
U.S Travel in its next era,” Duffy continued.
After his hire, Freeman released a statement saying “I am eager to get to work on
behalf of this incredible industry, which has long held a special place for me.”
“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,” Freeman continued.
