HAMILTON, Bermuda
Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has announced the appointment of Bill Hanbury as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which became effective January 27.
An industry veteran with over 25 years of senior management experience, Hanbury will be responsible for leading the newly created BTA and will report to its board of directors.
From 2009-2013, Hanbury was the CEO of the United Way of the National Capital Area. During his tenure, he rebuilt the internal operating structure, implemented a development strategy that improved financial stability and rebuilt the organization's marketing, communications and digital capabilities.
Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of Destination DC and the American Experience Foundation from 2001-2009. While there he oversaw domestic and international marketing and sales for one of the world's top tourism destinations. The organization was responsible for selling the Washington Convention Center and positioning the U.S. Capital as a first-tier convention, tourism and events location.
His key accomplishments included: significantly improving DC's status in the international tourism marketplace, helping lead the economic recovery of the hospitality industry after 9/11, re-designing Destination DC's management and marketing functions, plus leading the sales team that booked over a million room nights annually. He also provided logistics leadership for: international forums, economic summits, presidential inaugurations, national celebrations, plus memorial and museum dedications.
Convention and Sports Event Experience
During his tenure as CEO at various convention bureaus and chambers, including Greater Milwaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau and Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hanbury led an industry trend to use sporting events as economic development tools for communities. A sampling of these events included: PGA Golf events, USA Triathlon Championships, World Championship Boxing, the National Sports Festival, National Softball Championships, Empire State Games, US Olympic Marathon Trials and National Balloon Festivals.
David Dodwell, Chairman of the BTA, says, "Bill brings tremendous marketing and management expertise that will assist Bermuda as we re-energize the island's tourism economy to compete in the global marketplace. He has led the rebuilding of other organizations with similar challenges and we look forward to having him form and lead the team at Bermuda Tourism Authority."
Hanbury notes, "I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with the new Board of Directors, private sector partners and government officials to build a world-class organization representing Bermuda's extraordinary tourism assets. Bermuda is one of the globe's premiere tourism destinations and to have an opportunity to work here is an honor and a significant professional challenge. I look forward to implementing the National Tourism Plan with the intention of creating jobs, increasing tax revenues and improving the overall tourism figures and its input to the Bermuda economy."
Hanbury holds a graduate degree in public administration from Harvard University and an undergraduate degree from Wilkes University.
More About BTA
BTA was created in December 2013 as a result of the Government determining that the management of tourism should be placed in the hands of an independent authority, with long-term priorities. As a dynamic enterprise, free from political interference, the Bermuda Tourism Authority is responsible for the management of Bermuda's tourism product. The transition from the Bermuda Department of Tourism to Bermuda Tourism Authority will be completed by April 2014.
