FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Ellie Westman Chin, President and CEO of the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been named to the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors. Nominated by Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, and approved by the US Travel Association Board of Directors, Westman Chin will serve as an at-large delegate for a two-year term.
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of America’s travel industry that generates $2.3 trillion in economic outputs and supports 15.3 million American jobs. Nationally the U.S. Travel Association prioritizes the high-impact issues that affect tourism across the nation and world. It advocates for policies that advance and elevate the tourism industry on the national level and empowers its members with tools, research, and resources that are needed to influence change at the state and local levels.
“It is an incredible honor to serve on the U.S. Travel Board of Directors,” said Westman Chin. “Throughout my career in the tourism industry, the U.S. Travel board has included some of the most influential people in the industry and helped shape national tourism policy. It makes me incredibly proud that the work we have been able to do in Franklin and all of Williamson County stands out in a way that now gives us a seat at the table when critical decisions affecting the direction of tourism at the national level are being decided.”
Westman Chin has served as President & CEO of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau since July 2014. In that time Franklin and the communities of Williamson County, Tennessee have evolved into a true year-round destination known for a unique blend of music, history, and southern culture.
During Westman Chin’s tenure, she has helped spearhead development initiatives that have set the WCCVB up as a local, regional, and national leader in the tourism industry.
A few of those include the creation of an international Music Tourism Convention in partnership with United Kingdom-based partner Sound Diplomacy, helping partner Franklin as the pilot city for Mars Petcare’s national Better Cities for Pets program, serving as chair of the Franklin Public Arts Commission, and helping launch Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, Williamson County Sports Authority, Masters & Makers Trail, and the Americana Music Triangle.
Combined with increased sales and marketing efforts under the direction of Westman Chin the WCCVB has increased the number of meetings, events, and youth athletics tournaments held in the county by 26 percent since 2015 while also garnering unprecedented national and international media attention for Franklin and Williamson County. Visitor spending in Williamson County now exceeds $425 million annually, with an increase that exceeds $10 million annually since 2014.
ABOUT THE WCCVB : The Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) is the official destination marketing organization for Franklin and the unique communities of Williamson County, Tennessee. The WCCVB stimulates economic growth through the promotion of travel and tourism assets such as history, music, attractions, entertainment, the arts, and events to visitors from around the world. For information on Franklin and Williamson County, visit us on the web at VisitFranklin.com.
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Matt is the guy who is always ready to share a story with you.
With a passion for new experiences, taking the back roads, and seeing everything possible, Matt serves as Visit Franklin's Senior Director of Public Relations connecting the many unique stories in the Franklin community with great journalists and storytellers worldwide. When not pitching a story idea to travel writers, you’ll likely find him working as a photographer on the sidelines of college and professional sports events across the Southeast.