BOARD OF DIRECTORS BIOGRAPHY
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Alisa Bailey
President and CEO,
Virginia Tourism Corporation
901 E Byrd St Richmond, VA 23219

Sana Keller, Canadian Public Relations & Marketing Manager
Virginia Tourism Corporation
sanak@sympatico.ca, (416) 231-5692
Or
Julia Scott, International Public Relations Manager
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Jscott@virginia.org, (804) 545-5575

Alisa Bailey is the President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. As such, she oversees the $20.9 million agency's marketing programs and its 74 employees, including 20 at Virginia's 10 Highway Welcome Centers and two at the Bell Tower on Capitol Square. Tourism in Virginia is an economic generator of $16.5 billion in annual visitors' spending, which provides more than $1 billion in state and local taxes and more than 207,000 jobs for Virginians. In 2005, the tourism industry in Virginia grew more than nine percent over 2004 and Canadian visitation increased 6.7 percent over the previous year.

During her tenure at VTC, the agency has received national awards including receiving twice “Best Marketing Campaign” from the Travel Industry Association of America. Ms. Bailey successfully lobbied for and established the Department of Tourism Development, which assists communities and tourism entrepreneurs with business planning and capital access. She serves on the Travel Industry Association of America's (TIA) Board of Directors and is on the Board of Directors of the National Council of State Tourism Directors. She previously served as Chairperson and currently serves on the boards of Travel South USA and Southeast Tourism Society, the nation's largest and oldest regional tourism organization.

Prior to assuming the position in Virginia, Ms. Bailey was State Tourism Commissioner and Chief of West Virginia's Bureau of Commerce. She served on Governor Bob Wise's cabinet coordinating the activities of eight state agencies.

Ms. Bailey has held many positions since earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from West Virginia University in 1979. Her previous positions include Administrative Assistant to U. S. Senator Robert C. Byrd; Marketing and Communications Director for a regional law firm; Public Information Officer and Administrative Assistant to the West Virginia Attorney General; and Communications Consultant to The West Virginia State Bar.

A native of Charleston, WV, Ms. Bailey is the mother of two adult children.