Elliott Ferguson and Peter Herschend (l to r)
Destination DC president and CEO Elliott L. Ferguson and Herschend Enterprises cofounder Peter F. Herschend will be inducted into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders, the organization has announced. U.S. Travel will officially recognize the honorees at a dinner on Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C., where last year's honoree, former U.S. Travel president and CEO Roger Dow, also will be celebrated.
U.S. Travel names honorees to the Hall of Leaders each year for "sustained, noteworthy contributions" that help to raise standards industrywide.
"Elliott and Peter each have created a lasting impact across the travel industry, while successfully leading organizations that better the communities they serve," said U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Geoff Freeman. "We are proud that both will receive U.S. Travel's highest honor this year in recognition of their invaluable contributions to strengthening travel."
Elliott Ferguson
Ferguson has been with Destination DC for 21 years, serving as president and CEO since 2009. He was the national chair of U.S. Travel's board of directors from 2019-20, providing guidance to the industry through a pivotal and challenging period. Not only was Ferguson a prominent advocate for federal assistance for travel organizations throughout pandemic shutdowns, he also led critical industrywide discussions about race in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that followed.
Ferguson also focuses on Destination DC's affiliated nonprofit, the American Experience Foundation, which introduces local students to hospitality and tourism careers through real-world experience. He is on the executive board of U.S. Travel and the board of Brand USA, he serves as chair of the Event Leaders 100 think tank, and he is the immediate past chair of Tourism Diversity Matters.
Peter Herschend
Herschend cofounded his company more than 70 years ago, along with his brother and their family, growing it from a small cave tour in Branson, Mo., to an international tourism conglomerate. What's now known as Herschend Enterprises is widely recognized as the world's largest family-owned themed-attractions company, employing more than 12,000 people and welcoming 15 million guests every year at more than two dozen entertainment brands across North America. Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and the Harlem Globetrotters are among the company's well-known brands.
A prominent advocate of tourism development, Herschend was an early proponent of what would become Brand USA. He has worked to improve transportation infrastructure, advance environmental concerns and helped shape public education in Missouri. He founded the Ozarks Water Watch and the Upper White River Basin Foundation, and has served on the Missouri Board of Education since 1991.