Aug 27, 2026
The following announcement was taken directly from the BrandUSA newsletter, fully accessible here.
Dear Industry Partners,
On behalf of the Brand USA Board of Directors, I am honored to have been appointed to serve as Chair for a one-year term.
In that capacity, we are writing to share important news directly with you, given the strength of our partnership and your role in supporting inbound travel to the U.S.
As you may be aware, Fred Dixon has made the decision to step down as President and CEO of Brand USA, effective November 13, and will return to NYC Tourism + Conventions as President and CEO.
We thank him for his leadership during a pivotal time for the organization. Without question, Brand USA is stronger, more focused and more effective today thanks to his contributions and those of the talented team.
Brand USA remains firmly on track and focused on its program of work. At its July meeting, the Board approved a budget of $165 million for FY27 and the accompanying business objectives, which remain unchanged and will continue to guide the organization’s strategy and priorities going forward.
The strength of Brand USA’s proven ROI and robust support from the industry, combined with increased awareness within Congress and the administration, positions us well for the reauthorization process next year.
For your reference, our media statement follows:
“Today, newly elected Brand USA Board Chairman Todd Davidson announced that President and CEO Fred Dixon has made the decision to step down effective November 13, returning to NYC Tourism + Conventions as President and CEO.
We thank Fred for his extraordinary leadership over the past two-plus years and the significant momentum Brand USA has achieved during his tenure. We congratulate him on his return to NYC Tourism + Conventions and wish him continued success.
Brand USA's mission to grow inbound travel to the United States has never been more important, and the organization enters this transition from a position of strength.
Fred will continue to lead Brand USA through November 13, ensuring continuity. The Board has full confidence in the depth and strength of Brand USA's leadership team and is committed to a thoughtful, timely transition that keeps the organization focused on advancing its mission.
A search plan for Fred's successor is already in development, and the Board will share details as they become available."
We thank you for your continued partnership and investment with Brand USA. Your support of this work is more important than ever.
Sincerely,
Todd Davidson
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Brand USA