In addition to terms as Vice Chair and Chair, Matt - a travel ‘veteran’ of 50 years - also served as interim COO of Visit USA (UK) for a short time in 2012, helping the Board deliver re-organisation of the Association at that time. Currently Chair of the Finance Committee, focusing on budgetary and legal matters, he represents the heartland state of Oklahoma in the UK and Ireland, working with travel sector and media to build destination awareness and develop leisure travel product.

Ivan started in Aer Lingus in the 90’s and has worked in many areas of Aer Lingus since then. For the past 16 years he has been working in sales, selling USA to Tour Operators and Travel Agents all over Ireland and UK by organising trade events in both countries. Representing Aer Lingus at many trade events all over the UK & Ireland to highlight their product & services on offer, Ivan has a great interest in travelling to USA and supporting most US sports.

Kevin brings to the table nearly 30 years of relationships and commercial experience in the US outbound sector in tour operating, hotels, and theme parks/attractions. Beginning with Best Western Hotels in 1994 and then Walt Disney Parks & Resorts rising to the position of Commercial Director UK & Europe. Founding HAT Tourism Marketing in 2003. Kevin has built his success on innovation, and strong relationships within the travel industry, not only in the UK, but also across Europe, Canada and the United States where HAT Marketing operates.

Ruby joined North America Travel Service in 1976, progressing after a couple of years from typist and book-keeper to Assistant Manager, then Manager. In 1986 she became Sales & Marketing Director before taking the role of Managing Director in 2006. Having spent 45 years with North America Travel Service Ruby has an immense passion, in-depth understanding and wealth of knowledge of the USA marketplace. Ruby has been a Board Director of Visit USA since 2008 and a member of the Visit USA Finance Committee since 2017.

Federica graduated in Business Economics, and started her career in Italy before moving to the UK 8 years ago. With ten years’ experience in luxury hotels, Federica returned to Hyatt as Global Sales Director in August 2022, in charge of the UK and Scandinavia portfolio of clients and 1200+ hotels globally. She oversees global distribution agreements, global leisure strategy for Tour Operators/Wholesalers/DMC and luxury accounts/agencies, and organises brand event activations and client events. When Federica’s not working you’ll find her on an airplane traveling somewhere, trying out new recipes in the kitchen or volunteering as a Girl Guide leader.

Nadia Clinton joined Delta Air Lines in November 1995. She is currently responsible for maximizing Delta’s profitability in the UK market across all segments and overseeing Delta’s growing network in UK and Ireland. During this period Delta has experienced a total transformation of its business in the UK by cementing strategic joint venture partnerships and its expanded network. Her expertise includes: airline passenger sales, distribution policies and commercial joint venture implementation. Throughout her 25 years with the company, Nadia held a variety of positions in Delta’s organisation, including sales operations and sales development.

Lisa has worked in the North America market throughout her 32-year travel industry career, starting with Virgin Atlantic, where she worked her way through the ranks to head up the leisure sales team, working with tour operators and agents. She has a wealth of understanding of the North America market and its commercial realities and has been on the Visit USA (UK) board for the last six years.

At KBC, she cut her teeth in public relations working on the Florida Keys and Capital Region USA; but the travel trade is where her heart lies, moving into sales representation and has headed up the KBC trade team since 2010, developing the luxury and corporate markets.

Brendan joined the UK travel industry over 14 years ago, working in tour operation prior to joining destination representation. He has always worked and had a love for the USA, specifically the West Coast, which has helped him in garnering a full understanding of the travel trade ecosystem.

Brendan joined Black Diamond over 8 years ago and during that time has worked on managing and developing the travel trade side of the agency, specifically their West Coast destinations including Visit California. Brendan’s current role as Black Diamond’s Travel Trade Director has him developing the travel trade strategy, managing tour operator and airline relationships, developing the West Coast destinations in the UK.

Kirsty has been in the travel industry for over 25 years. A Classics graduate, Kirsty started her career working in marketing and public relations for a tour operator.

Kirsty joined TTM 20 years ago, and now leads the Communications team across its client portfolio. Kirsty has served on the Visit USA events and PR committees during this time and in March 2020 became a Board Director of the Visit USA (UK), continuing to work on the PR committee.

Andy has worked in the travel industry for 28 years in a variety of roles, starting as a youth trainee with Thomas Cook retail in 1993. Andy’s career progressed with Thomas Cook, working in several contracting, product, sales, and commercial roles over a 20-year period. Andy started his representation journey in 2015 managing the day-to-day relationships for the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Alabama Tourism Department for Global Travel Marketing. Andy owns and manages 5F Marketing that was launched in 2020.

Julie has a wealth of experience and knowledge within her career in the UK Travel Industry and she has worked in a variety of sectors including inbound sightseeing tours, traditional and e-commerce tour operators and representation for many areas of the USA.

Julie now represents the distinctive areas of Philadelphia and The Countryside of Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New Jersey. She has been a Board Director for two years and is the Chair of Visit USA (UK).

Steven Harris joined Rocky Mountaineer in Spring 2018 following ten years at MSC Cruises and before that Thomas Cook and My Travel Retail. Throughout Steve’s career, he has established substantial experience in sales leadership, commercial negotiation, key marketing campaign delivery, partner relationship management and people management skills.

Since joining Rocky Mountaineer, Steve has shown enthusiasm, innovation and passion for the product. Together with the other members of the team, he has taken sales in this region from strength to strength, winning the company’s global sales region of the year award and, since then, contributing to double-digit growth year-over-year. The region is currently on track to deliver its best-ever sales performance for the 2023 season.

James’ introduction to travel began in 1995, what was originally meant to be short-term stop-gap resulted in a career change spanning over 25 years.  James has widely travelled across North America and built extensive knowledge during his time at Virgin, to the point he regards the US as his second home. 

Today, James is responsible for contracting key regions within the USA, managing strategic partnerships, working closely with national and state tourist boards as well as product and route development for Virgin Atlantic Holidays.

Tracy is the International Sales & Marketing Manager for Cruise America & Canada RV Rentals, North America's largest motorhome rental company. In this role representing over 35 locations in every major North American gateway, Tracy has built on Cruise America & Canada's overall exposure in the markets she has responsibility for, including most major Operators' programmes.

Tracy has 25 years’ experience in the Travel Industry which began with an airline and later for Tour Operators specialising in the North American market.

Claire has 28 years of experience across tour operators, agencies and airline environments. She has been with United Airlines for 18 years and works in a dynamic team of sales professionals, partnering with the trade to help optimise their air travel programs. She is responsible for developing and implementing the sales and marketing strategies across 8 US gateways and 220 onward destinations, working closely with travel distributors and joint venture airline partners.

Claire has welcomed the opportunities her experience has brought such as launching new routes, an airline merger and managing the unprecedented events of the pandemic. Claire has established strong working relationships, bringing together industry knowledge, experience and contacts to build strong partnerships and drive business growth.