Asheville Chamber announces new Executive Director of Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the selection of Stephanie Pace Brown as Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau (Asheville CVB).

As Senior Vice President & Executive Director, Brown will direct all aspects of the Asheville CVB and will produce and administer the program of work for the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA). “We had a very talented slate of candidates.  We are excited about the leadership and expertise that Stephanie will bring to this position.  Her track record of accomplishments during 20 years in the tourism industry, combined with her research and management experience greatly impressed us and contributed to the decision to hire her,” said Ron Morin, vice president and managing director at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa and chair of BCTDA.   

Brown currently serves as President and CEO of the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association in Alexandria, Virginia where she has led a team of 22 with a budget of $3 million since 2007. During her tenure, membership has increased 40 percent, and visitor spending in the city has doubled the growth rate of the surrounding area. 

“I am thrilled to join the Asheville CVB to promote this thriving mountain city,” said Brown. “Asheville’s tourism marketing program is nationally respected, and I’m excited to join this successful team.”

Brown will begin working June 15th and replaces Kelly Miller, who led the Asheville CVB from 1999 to 2011.

A seven‐member team comprised of tourism community leaders served as the search committee.  Mike Gamble of SearchWide, a firm that specializes in the hospitality industry, was the recruiter for the process.

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