To celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, Brand USA, the new tourism marketing entity responsible for promoting the United States to world visitors, has organized its first-ever, multi-itinerary familiarization trip for nearly 100 influential international travel agents, May 9-16.

Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort, today announced Donald Richardson has joined the organization as chief financial officer. In this critical leadership role, Richardson is responsible for developing and leading the financial strategy for the organization in a way that is responsive to Brand USA’s key stakeholders, ensures compliance with policies and operating controls, and enables the organization to make strategic decisions and accurately measure performance and return on investment of its core initiatives.

Brand USA, the new tourism marketing body for the United States of America, has announced the launch of a travel agent photo competition in the UK and Ireland.

As part of the competition, the website www.famphotousa.co.uk, has been launched where agents from the UK and Ireland can upload photographs they have taken on recent familiarization (fam) trips in the USA. Travel agents have the option to ‘like’ their favorite photos, generating a peer-to-peer social element.

The Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and Brand USA has announced the launch of the Japan-U.S. Tourism Exchange Year. The nationwide one-year initiative runs from September 2012 through August 2013 to jointly stimulate tourism between the two countries. The goal of the Japan to U.S. effort is to generate 3.75 million inbound travelers from Japan to the United States by the year 2016.

On August 27, the Preferred Hotel Group™ (PHG), including Historic Hotels of America (HHA), joined the ranks of Brand USA’s inaugural supporters with the announcement of an in-kind commitment of $700,000. The funding commitment is made with the expectation that the funds will be devoted to general operations and advancing Brand USA’s mission to increase international visitation to the U.S. and in turn drive local economic growth and job creation.

Brand USA today announced preliminary results of its national tourism marketing efforts. The announcement follows today’s release of a progress report by the Departments of State and Homeland Security on the advances made in travel facilitation since the announcement of the Executive Order on travel and tourism on January 19, 2012. The 180-day progress report outlines progress made by the departments to increase the flow of safe travelers to the United States.

U.S. Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank today appointed four travel and tourism industry leaders to serve on the Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP) Board of Directors, including one new member and three reappointments. Established by the Travel Promotion Act (TPA), which was signed into law by President Obama in 2010, the CTP is a non-profit corporation that promotes business, leisure, and scholarly travel to the United States, and helps communicate U.S. entry policies to international audiences. The Corporation for Travel Promotion launched Brand USA earlier this year, an effort to market the United States to visitors from all over the world.

The metrics for the first stage of the ‘Land of Dreams’ campaign are in and they demonstrate show the national marketing effort is paying off – intent to visit, consumer engagement and sentiment significantly higher in the campaign launch markets.

On August 27, the U.S. Department of Commerce released data showing international visitors have spent an estimated $82.2 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date, an increase of 11 percent over the the same period last year. These numbers indicate that the first half of 2012 set a new record for U.S. travel and tourism exports, and, if these trends continue, international visitors could end up injecting close to $170 billion into the U.S. economy by year-end.

On August 20, a new element in President Obama’s initiative to leverage travel and tourism as a key generator to fuel the economy and create jobs was unveiled with the announcement of a new design, improved navigation tools and expanded content for Recreation.Gov, the interagency website that guides visitors to 90,000 sites on federal lands such as national parks, wildlife refuges, waterways, forests and recreation areas.

The Brand USA Pavilion at leading international trade shows brands, positions, and promotes the U.S. as the world’s premier travel destination and offers destinations and suppliers unique and cost-effective opportunities to interact personally with their primary buyers. To facilitate strong industry participation in this unparalleled platform a website has been launched to detail the trade show the Pavilion is hosting at and information on how to exhibit.

Brand USA today announced British Airways as the organization’s first founding airline partner. The founding partner level is the highest offered by Brand USA and represents commitments valued at $1 million or more.

As a founding partner, British Airways will work with Brand USA on a number of initiatives to promote the United States as a premier travel destination, including industry and travel agent activity and advertising campaigns in UK trade and consumer press.

There’s only a few short weeks left to maximize industry contributions to Brand USA. Under the Travel Promotion Act, Brand USA is eligible to receive a 2:1 match on the industry contributions only through its first year of operations, after September 30, 2012 contributions will be matched at a rate of 1:1. September 17 is the last day to submit in-kind contributions and supporting documentation to Brand USA that will qualify for the 2:1 match. Cash contributions must be received by September 19 in order to qualify.

Brand USA, the new tourism marketing entity responsible for promoting the United States to world visitors, has organized its first-ever travel mission from September 9 to September 14, 2012 in India. The mission, which sold out within 30 days of being offered to U.S. travel organizations, consists of 50 delegates representing 35 U.S. destinations and companies who will visit New Delhi and Mumbai.

Mike Gallagher, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of CityPass, has joined Brand USA as a loaned executive for three months beginning August 24.

Brand USA, the new tourism marketing body for the United States of America, has announced the launch of a website dedicated to television programme idea submissions.

TV.thebrandusa.co.uk has been built specifically to accept confidential television ideas from production partners. In September, a shortlist will be put before a Television Advisory Board comprised of Brand USA management from the organization's offices in the United States and the United Kingdom. The advisory board will then evaluate the submissions and the potential to create the programme(s) in partnership with the selected production partners.

Change Reflects Transition from Start-Up Venture to Fully Functioning Marketing Organization

Brand USA Chief Executive Officer James Evans is stepping down and will be replaced in the interim by Brand USA Chairman-elect Caroline Beteta, it was announced today. The year-old organization’s Board of Directors has begun a search for Evans’ replacement. The agreement was reached in consultation with the Board, and comes as the organization pivots from a start-up endeavor to securing its place as the nation’s destination marketing organization (DMO). Beteta is the highly regarded CEO of Visit California, and a longtime industry veteran.

Brand USA CEO Jim Evans testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation and Export Promotion in a hearing titled "Tourism in America: Moving Our Economy Forward."

With international travel accounting for 7% of total U.S. exports and 25% of U.S. services exports, it is more important than ever to promote international visitation to the United States.

Original Song by Rosanne Cash Invites Visitors to “Come and Find Your Land of Dreams”

Brand USA, the new tourism marketing entity responsible for promoting the United States to world visitors, unveiled the USA’s first-ever comprehensive marketing campaign today during a press conference at International Pow Wow, the largest U.S. travel trade show held this week in Los Angeles. The campaign showcases the diversity of experiences available in the United States in a fresh and unexpected light, inviting visitors to “Discover this land, like never before.”

Brand USA, the national marketing entity charged with promoting the U.S. to international travelers, announced today that Marriott International, the Walt Disney Company and Best Western International have each committed to investing $1 million in cash – along with in-kind commitments. The contributions are especially significant because in FY2012 the federal government will match private sector contributions 2-1, which means these investments will yield $21 million in new funds for Brand USA’s growing marketing budget.

Brand USA applauds President Obama’s announcement of the creation of a national travel and tourism strategy aimed at growing the U.S. economy through increased international travel to the United States. Today’s announcement in Orlando demonstrates the administration’s commitment to strengthening America’s competitiveness in the growing global travel marketplace by improving travel facilitation for international visitors and improving visa processing times in important growth markets including China and Brazil.

The organization responsible for marketing the United States to world visitors today unveiled “Brand USA,” America’s first-ever global consumer brand. Formerly known as the Corporation for Travel Promotion, but now doing business as Brand USA Inc., the group introduced its global brand positioning and strategy before an international audience of travel professionals and destinations in London. The creation of America’s new global brand is the first critical step in the development of the nation’s first unified marketing effort. Brand USA Inc. will launch their first official advertising and marketing campaign in the spring of 2012 to invite world guests to visit America for leisure, business and scholarly purposes.

The Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP) announced today that Randy A. Garfield has joined its Board of Directors, representing the attractions sector of the travel and tourism industry.

Mr. Garfield is currently the President of Walt Disney Travel Company and Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales & Travel Operations of Disney Destinations. In this capacity, Mr. Garfield leads the worldwide sales and distribution marketing efforts for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line. He joined Disney in 1993 and played an integral role in the launch of Disney Cruise Line and in developing the sales strategies for the company's significant resort expansion and major global celebrations.

The Corporation for Travel Promotion announced today that Paul Cerula will join the organization as Chief Business Development Officer.

The Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP) was established by the Travel Promotion Act passed by Congress on February 25, 2010 and signed into law by President Obama on March 4, 2010. A non-profit entity, CTP's mission is to promote leisure, business and educational travel to the United States, stimulating economic growth and jobs creation.

First CEO Pledges Strong Collaboration with Partners to Achieve Maximum Return on Investment.

The Corporation for Travel Promotion announced today that they have named JWT agency of record to lead America's first ever global marketing campaign to attract international travelers. JWT won the business partnering with WPP sister agencies including Mediacom, The Brand Union and Hill & Knowlton in a pitch against two undisclosed global agencies.

Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP) CEO Jim Evans made his debut before international media on-site at U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow on Tuesday. During the press conference, Evans pledged to have marketing plans in place by the fall and to work in collaboration with partners from around the country and the world.

Today the Corporation for Travel Promotion named Jim Evans, a longtime leader in the hospitality industry, its first CEO. Evans will be responsible for leading the Corporation’s efforts to promote the United States as a travel destination and strengthen the U.S. tourism industry. Each overseas visitor to America spends an average of $4,000 per trip on hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail and other activities.

The Board of Directors for the Corporation for Travel Promotion held its first public meeting of 2011 in Texas.

Brand USA, the new tourism marketing body for the United States of America, has announced a Ryder Cup campaign in conjunction with Your Golf Travel, the largest golf tour operator in Europe.

A bespoke 32-page Destination USA supplement dedicated solely to the promotion of the leading golf travel destinations in the United States, making full use of engaging editorial, mind blowing photography and a wealth of exclusive Your Golf Travel special deals.

The board of directors of Brand USA today announced the appointment of Christopher L. Thompson to president and CEO of the public private partnership responsible for spearheading the United States’ first nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort.

Prior to Brand USA, Thompson led the state of Florida’s destination marketing efforts as president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, one of the nation’s most successful destination marketing organizations. He will succeed Caroline Beteta, who has been interim president of the organization since June 21, 2012, in addition to her role as president and CEO of Visit California and her role on the Brand USA board of directors.