WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Forsyth County Tourism Development Authority (FCTDA) Board has unanimously approved the appointment of Stephanie Pace Brown as the new president of Visit Winston-Salem.
A tourism industry veteran of more than 30 years, Brown was selected through a national executive search initiated by SearchWide Global and a Winston-Salem-based search committee.
Brown assumes her new role officially on July 1, 2023. Visit Winston-Salem’s current president Richard Geiger will retire effective June 30 after leading the organization for the last 13 years.
“Stephanie’s experience, expertise, and thoughtful, goal-oriented approach to destination marketing stood out,” says Dana Lu Bryson, board chair of the FCTDA. “She is an ideal choice, bringing her energy and vision to lead Visit Winston-Salem and build on the momentum of this outstanding destination.”
Brown was recently executive vice-president of Strategic Marketing and Research Insights (SMARInsights), a leading national tourism research firm. She is the former president of Explore Asheville for the Buncombe County TDA and held executive positions at The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association, Mount Vernon: George Washington’s Estate, and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
She has served as chair of the Destinations International Foundation and on the board of directors of the U.S. Travel Association and North Carolina Travel & Tourism Board. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in Personal Administration of Higher Education from Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio.
In her new role with Visit Winston-Salem, Brown will oversee 17 staff with the mission of generating overnight leisure, convention, and sports visitation to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County.
