64 | TRADE NEWS


Brand USA ANNOUNCES New Board Members and Leadership


BRAND USA has announced its new leadership and members who will make up its 2025 board of directors. Elliott Ferguson, chief executive officer of Destination DC, will serve as board chair for a one-year term. Ferguson was first appointed to the board in 2022 and most recently served as Treasurer. In addition to Ferguson serving as Chair, he will lead alongside Vice Chair Lauren Bailey, Treasurer Kristen Esposito, and Secretary Allen Orr.


Brand USA has also announced the appointment of two new directors: Danny Hughes,


president, Americas, Hilton


(representing Hotel Accommodations); and Gus Antorcha, president, Princess Cruises (representing Land or Sea Transportation). Additionally, Ferguson, Bailey and past-chair Todd Davidson were all re-appointed to serve second three-year terms.


The 11-member board is appointed by the


U.S. Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the U.S. Secretaries of State and Homeland Security. Each director represents a travel and tourism industry sector and can serve a maximum of two consecutive three- year terms.


“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,” said Alex Lasry, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade


Administration. “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.”


www.nitravelnews.com


Nicki Tempest- Mitchell Appointed as Managing Director of


Barrhead Travel


January 2025


The Advantage Travel Partnership and BTA Announce Corporate Travel Summit Details


THE Advantage Travel Partnership and the Business Travel Association (BTA) have announced a joint event, Corporate Travel Summit, scheduled for Thursday, 6th March at the Novotel London West. This inaugural collaborative initiative will bring together two significant industry conferences: the BTA Spring Conference and the Advantage Business Travel Symposium. The


one-day event represents a


strategic partnership aimed at creating a comprehensive platform for business travel professionals. It will feature approximately 100 partner suppliers, providing a unique opportunity


for


BARRHEAD Travel has named the group’s Sales & Marketing Director, Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, as Managing Director. The


appointment follows Jacqueline


Dobson’s promotion in June 2024 to the President of Internova Leisure, a division of parent company Internova Travel Group. Dobson remains President of the Barrhead


Travel Group as part of her divisional remit while Tempest-Mitchell will oversee the group’s day-to-day operations in the newly- created position of Managing Director. Jacqueline Dobson, President of Internova Leisure, said:


“Since joining the Barrhead Travel Group, Nicki has played a pivotal role in elevating our business to operating at the top of our game. Her strategic approach has ensured we’ve maximised both existing and new opportunities, and we have greatly benefited from her extensive industry experience. “Most


importantly, she’s incredibly


business – I’m looking forward to working together in what is set to be the Barrhead Travel Group’s most exciting year yet.” Nicki Tempest-Mitchell,


Travel Managing


Director of Barrhead Travel Group, said: “I feel very privileged to be stepping


into the MD position at what I believe is the UK’s most dynamic travel agency group. My journey with the business has taken me from supporting our expansion to navigating the perils of Covid and most recently, to celebrating the success of two consecutive record-breaking years. “I’m fortunate


that we have such a


talented team here, with a strong leadership team that has a vision for real success and innovation. This year, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of retail travel – I can’t wait for this new chapter that lies ahead.” Tempest-Mitchell’s remit will incorporate Barrhead Travel’s retail network,


its passionate about our people and our specialist brands, as well as Brilliant Travel.


partner suppliers


and to


network, share knowledge, and


explore


innovative industry solutions. T hi s collaborative effort underscores a


shared


commitment to


addressing c r i t i c a l


challenges in the travel management sector. By combining their collective expertise, resources, and industry networks, both organisations aim to deliver meaningful insights and opportunities for their members and the broader travel community.


Management Companies (TMCs), buyers


NI Travel News’ Christine attended the Stubash in the Merchant Hotel, Belfast.


NI agents enjoyed a delicious afternoon


tea with the team at Stuba, Don Clarke and Angela Muir, while they chatted everything Stuba for 2025.


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