U.S. Travel Inducts Roger Dow, Elliott L. Ferguson, II & Peter F. Herschend Into Hall of Leaders

(L to R) Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta, Roger Dow, Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman.

Travel industry leaders Roger Dow, former president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association; Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC; and Peter F. Herschend, co-founder of Herschend Enterprises, were inducted into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders recently.

Dow was the 2022 inductee while Ferguson and Herschend were the 2023 honorees. Dow, Ferguson and Herschend were honored at a dinner attended by more than 100 U.S. Travel board members and guests in Washington, DC.

Distinguished individuals are named to the U.S. Travel Association’s Hall of Leaders for sustained, noteworthy contributions that have positively impacted the travel industry and raised industrywide standards. To date, 106 individuals have been named to the Hall of Leaders, U.S. Travel’s highest honor.

Dow has led U.S. Travel as chief executive for 17 years. Prior to his appointment in 2005, Dow served for 34 years at Marriott International.

Ferguson has served as president and CEO of Destination DC since 2009, having previously held the role of senior vice president for seven years. He also led U.S. Travel’s board of directors as National Chair from 2019 through 2020. Prior to joining Destination DC, Ferguson was vice president of sales at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau for 10 years.

Herschend and his family grew a small cave tour in Branson, MO, into the internationally acclaimed Silver Dollar City. More than 70 years later, the company, known today as Herschend Enterprises, is recognized as the world’s largest family-owned themed attractions company.

For more information, visit ustravel.org/press/us-travel-inducts-roger-dow-elliott-l-ferguson-ii-and-peter-f-herschend-hall-leaders.