Chamber News

Alisa Bailey Re-Appointed as President of Virginia Tourism Corporation

This is from Gov. McDonnell's announcements and appointments announced on Dec. 17, 2010

Alisa L. Bailey*, President and CEO, Virginia Tourism Corporation Alisa Bailey is the President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) where she oversees the agency’s $18 million annual budget and its 71 employees. Tourism in The Commonwealth makes a $17.7 billion economic impact, providing $1.2 billion in state and local taxes and more than 204,000 jobs for Virginians. Prior to assuming her current position at VTC in January of 2003, Ms. Bailey was the first woman appointed to serve as both Bureau Chief of Commerce and State Tourism Commissioner in the State of West Virginia. In that capacity, she coordinated the activities of eight state agencies: Economic & Development Office, Division of Tourism, Department of Natural Resources, Water Development Authority, Division of Labor, Geological Survey, Division of Forestry and Miners’ Health & Safety. During her tenure in Virginia, VTC has won numerous awards for its marketing and advertising efforts including Best Marketing Campaign twice, Best International Marketing, Best Cooperative Advertising, Best Video, Best Electronic Marketing, Best Travel Guide and Best Niche Marketing Campaign twice from the Travel Industry Association of America. Most recently, VTC was named Best Tourism Office by the Southeast Tourism Society. VTC has set records for Internet visitation, travel guide requests, and leveraging private-sector investment in VTC programs, thus, extending Virginia’s marketing reach. Bailey serves on the board of directors of the United States Travel Association and is a member of the National Council of State Tourism Directors. She currently serves as Secretary of Travel South USA, the nation’s largest and oldest regional tourism organization. In addition, she is a member of the boards of the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau, Capital Region USA, Southeast Tourism Society, Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission and Virginia Civil War Trails. Bailey has held many positions since earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from West Virginia University in 1979. A native of Charleston, West Virginia, she is married and the mother of two adult daughters.