The U.S. Travel Association named William Hornbuckle national chair of its board of directors. Hornbuckle is president and CEO of MGM Resorts International.
Bill Hornbuckle
Hornbuckle was appointed to a two-year term, succeeding Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta, whose term has concluded.
Geoff Freeman, CEO of U.S. Travel, said Hornbuckle's prior leadership of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Travel and Tourism Advisory Board gives him a "unique understanding of key issues and the levers that need to be pulled to achieve success in Washington."
Freeman thanked Nassetta for his tenure as national chair, saying he "shaped and sped our transition into a focused and sophisticated trade association."
Hornbuckle said, "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."
He referenced the upcoming decade of events to be held in the U.S., including the World Cup, United States Semiquincentennial, Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics. "We are entering a period of once-in-a-lifetime events and opportunities unlike anything our country has seen in recent years."
The national chair of 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. Hornbuckle will work closely with Freeman and the executive leadership team to push the association's mission to increase travel to and within the U.S.