The US Travel Association announced that William (Bill) J. Hornbuckle, the Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM Resorts International, has been appointed as the National Chair of the association’s board of directors. His two-year term was confirmed through a membership vote.
Hornbuckle will succeed Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, whose term as national chair has concluded. 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.
“I’m grateful for this honor and excited to be joining US 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 US Travel Association. “Bill’s prior leadership of the US 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.”
“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.”
The National Chair of the US Travel Association oversees an Executive Board consisting of 30 members who represent various sectors of the travel industry, along with a board of delegates that provides support and guidance to the association. In this capacity, Hornbuckle will collaborate closely with US Travel’s Freeman and the executive leadership team to fulfill the association’s objective of promoting travel to and within the United States.
Additionally, a new group of US Travel Executive Board members and elected officers for the forthcoming term was also revealed.
2025 US Travel Executive Board
National Chair: Bill Hornbuckle, CEO & President, MGM Resorts International
Immediate Past Chair: Chris Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton
Vice Chair: Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, Visit California
Vice Chair: Casandra Matej, President & CEO, Visit Orlando
Treasurer: Michael A. Massari, Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment Inc.
Secretary: Julie Coker, President & CEO, New York City Tourism + Conventions
Doreen Burse, SVP, Worldwide Sales, United Airlines
Paul Cash, EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Annika Chase, SVP, Commercial Strategy, Disneyland Resort, The Walt Disney Company
Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
Melissa Froehlich-Flood, SVP, Global Corporate Communications and Public Policy, Marriott International, Inc.
Nate Gatten, EVP, American Eagle, Corporate Real Estate, and Government Affairs, American Airlines
Stephanie Glanzer, Chief Sales Officer & SVP, MGM Resorts International
Jim D. Hagen, Secretary of Tourism, Travel South Dakota
Christian Hempell, Chief Commercial Officer, Herschend Enterprises
Helen Hill, President & CEO, Explore Charleston
Laura Hodges Bethge, President, Celebrity Cruises (Royal Caribbean Group)
Deana Ivey, President & CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Brett Keller, CEO, Priceline (Booking Holdings)
Walt Leger III, President & CEO, New Orleans & Company
