During its fall board meeting, taking place Nov. 21-22 in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Travel Association will induct travel industry veterans Randy Garfield and Mike Gallagher into the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders, it announced last week.
Garfield, who is executive vice president of worldwide sales and travel operations for Disney Destinations and president of Walt Disney Travel Company, is a “passionate advocate” for travel and tourism, according to U.S. Travel, which cited as proof his more than 25 years of service on the organization’s board of directors, as well as his contribution in helping to create the “Meetings Mean Business” campaign to promote the value of face-to-face meetings following the AIG scandal of 2008.
Gallagher, co-founder and now co-chairman of CityPASS — the company that packages discounted admissions to cities’ top attractions — has likewise demonstrated a strong commitment to travel-industry advocacy as a U.S. Travel board member. Having grown his business to 11 North American destinations, he recently donated his time — without pay — as a loaned executive to Brand USA, the national agency formed to promote international travel to the United States.
Both Garfield and Gallagher — along with 86 previous Hall of Leaders inductees — were chosen for their “sustained, noteworthy contributions that have positively impacted the travel industry, stimulated greater achievement and raised industry-wide standards.”
“Randy and Mike represent the best of travel businesses large and small in their never-ending commitment and engagement to advance travel and its vast benefits,” U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said in a statement. “Beyond their leadership for two great success stories at Disney and CityPASS, they have volunteered their time to regularly engage with policymakers and other industry leaders to ensure travel is recognized as vital to our economy and well-being. This is well-deserved recognition, and I look forward to joining the rest of the travel community in honoring them.”