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Newly named USTA President & CEO Geoff Freeman
The search is over! The US Travel Association (USTA) announced that Geoff Freeman has been named as its newest president and CEO, a search which began last year upon the upcoming retirement of longtime current President & CEO Roger Dow. According to the association, Freeman is a proven leader who has a track record of building talented teams and delivering game-changing results for varied industries. He re-joins USTA after nearly a decade of association leadership—first as president and CEO of the American Gaming Association and as the current president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association. His tenure will begin September 1.
According to a press release from the association, Freeman has built an approach to association leadership that is centered around industry unity and transformational change over the past 20 years. In his previous leadership role at USTA, Freeman’s strategic work led to the industry’s signature bipartisan legislative victory establishing the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 and creating Brand USA. Other accomplishments included leading the industry effort behind the creation of TSA PreCheck and establishing the Meetings Mean Business Coalition.
“We are proud to welcome Geoff Freeman back to lead the US Travel Association,” said USTA National Chair and President of Carnival Cruise Line Christine Duffy. “Geoff is highly regarded in Washington and well known across our industry for his strategic work to conceive campaigns and programs that opened new pathways for growth in the travel economy. Now, returning to lead the association, Geoff will continue bringing a fresh and strategic approach to advancing the mission of US Travel in its next era.”
Freeman said: “I am eager to get to work on behalf of this incredible industry, which has long held a special place for me. There are few industries more essential to the nation’s economy, more connected to consumers and more critical to bringing Americans together than the travel industry. I believe US Travel’s talented team can continue to raise the bar, and I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get started. I’m proud and honored to succeed Roger Dow, who has been a profound leader and important mentor to me. I give Roger my sincere thanks for all he has done, for me and for the travel industry.”
The nationwide search to identify the association’s next president and CEO was guided by a nine-member Search Committee representative of core segments of the travel industry, led by Duffy and supported by Heidrick & Struggles.
Visit ustravel.org for more information.
[06.24.22]
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Blacklane COO René van Olst
Global chauffeur service Blacklane named René van Olst as its new COO. He oversees the company’s guest-facing Customer Care department and chauffeur-facing Partner Management team, which he has run for more than three years.
According to Blacklane, monthly ride and revenue volumes now exceed pre-pandemic levels and continues to grow month over month. In his new role, van Olst will align rising guest demand with chauffeur supply, customer service staff, and their technology needs.
Additionally, he will guide Blacklane’s evolution to an electric vehicle (EV) fleet. The company offers EV rides in more than 30 cities, with a goal of 75 percent of all rides to be in EVs by 2025.
“The reset of the global travel industry has upended travelers’ expectations. They value safety, quality, and sustainability more than ever before,” said Blacklane Co-Founder and CEO Jens Wolthorf. “René’s team has rebuilt our network of top chauffeurs in more than 50 countries. René knows how to meet travelers’ pent-up demands for premium trips and lay the foundation for a greener future.”
The team has nearly 200 people across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.
“Scaling a high-quality service for the most discerning global travelers requires exacting standards in chauffeur partners, customer care staff and the digital experience,” said van Olst. “We must sustain that excellence to maintain growth, while electrifying our fleet to best protect the environment.”
Visit blacklane.com for more information.
[06.21.22]
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Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus took delivery of 10 new Prevost H3-45 buses
During a recent visit to the Prevost headquarters in Sainte-Claire, Quebec, Prevost customer Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus, a family-owned and -operated business and leading provider of passenger transportation in Eastern Canada, took delivery of 10 Prevost H3-45 coaches, the first of 50 contracted for completion over the next five years. While on-site, the Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus team toured the Prevost manufacturing facilities and met with employees to share the story of how they got into the motorcoach industry, their plans for the future, and why they chose Prevost.
“Prevost is well-regarded in the industry,” said Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus President Matthew Cassidy, “a company with a reliable product, and a tremendous support team to keep our buses on the road.” The 10 new coaches were put into service Tuesday, June 7, Cassidy reported. “We had everything lined up,” Cassidy said. “We wanted those coaches on the road this Tuesday. Not in three weeks. Tuesday.”
Coach Atlantic Maritime H3-45 bus at Prevost HQ
During the meeting, Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus Owner Mike Cassidy remarked on the personal and business COVID stress all the stakeholders in the motorcoach industry have endured. He recounted a visit to the company’s Moncton location where he stopped to thank employees for their support and commitment through the pandemic. When Cassidy offered thanks to the head mechanic, he responded with a counterthanks, “Thanks for buying Prevost.”
Prevost President Francois Tremblay concluded the meeting by acknowledging the Cassidys as valued members of the Prevost family. “We are very fortunate to be part of your family,” Mike Cassidy responded. “Our customers, ourselves, Prevost, Volvo. We should all feel very good with this relationship. Our industry is looking forward to rebounding this year, and into 2023.”
Visit prevostcar.com for more information.
[06.21.22]