18 Nov 2016
Visit California's Beteta and Hilton Worldwide's Nassetta Receive Travel Industry's Highest Honor

U.S. Travel Association

WASHINGTON (November 17, 2016)—Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, and Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, were inducted Wednesday night into the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders, at a dinner marking the association's 75th anniversary. Beteta and Nassetta will join 92 previously inducted industry luminaries in the Hall of Leaders, which was established in 1969.

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow presents Beteta and Nassetta with the Hall of Leaders Award. Nassetta, who joined Hilton as president and CEO in 2007, also serves on the Executive Committee for the World Travel & Tourism Council, promoting the value of the travel industry worldwide. During his service as chairman of U.S. Travel's CEO Roundtable, he has focused on actively engaging policymakers in efforts to recognize the importance of the travel industry. In addition to leading Visit California, Beteta serves as the Director of Tourism in the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. As national chair of U.S. Travel, she guided the merger in 2009 of the Travel Industry Association and the Travel Business Roundtable.

Ten past U.S. Travel presidents and national chairs were among those in attendance at the dinner. From left to right: Todd Davidson, U.S. Travel National Chair; Rossi Ralenkotter (U.S. Travel National Chair 2012); David J. Humphreys (U.S. Travel National Chair 1990-1991); Randy A. Garfield (U.S. Travel National Chair 1997); Barbara Richardson (U.S. Travel National Chair 2005); Bruce Wolff (U.S. Travel National Chair 2004); William S. Norman (U.S. Travel President 1995-2004, U.S. Travel National Chair 1987-1988); Fred Lounsberry (U.S. Travel National Chair 2002); Caroline Beteta (U.S. Travel National Chair 2008-2009); Roger Dow, U.S. Travel President and CEO; Edward R. Book (U.S. Travel President 1989-1994, U.S. Travel National Chair 1981-1982)