FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va.—Visit Fairfax announced today that longtime national sales manager Dean Miller will retire at the end of the year, closing out a two-decade tenure with the organization and a 35-year career in Fairfax County’s hospitality industry.
Miller began his career in 1990 at Embassy Suites Tysons Corner before moving into sales roles with Hyatt and Hilton properties in Fairfax County. He joined Visit Fairfax in 2005 as the organization’s first salesperson, helping to establish many of the sales strategies and internal systems still used today.
During his tenure with the organization, Miller helped raise Fairfax County’s profile within state and national association markets, as well as in the family and military reunion sectors. According to Visit Fairfax, his work has generated more than $100 million in economic impact through meeting and event bookings.
Miller brought numerous associations to Fairfax County for the first time and helped coordinate in-market hosted-buyer programs with national partners, including The Overseas Brats and The Military Reunion Network. He was also involved in the early stages of bringing the 2015 World Police & Fire Games to the county.
In 2009, Miller created Visit Fairfax’s annual Family Reunion Workshop, a program held through 2020 and later replicated by destinations across the country. His contributions to the reunion market have been recognized in multiple industry publications.
Miller also helped reshape the organization’s trade show strategy, steering it toward hosted-buyer formats and leading Visit Fairfax’s presence at the Virginia Society of Association Executives Fall Expo for 20 consecutive years. His creative marketing efforts supported major milestones, such as the openings of the Washington Metrorail Silver Line extensions and the National Museum of the United States Army.
Beyond his work with Visit Fairfax, Miller served on the board of the Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organizations from 2008 to 2019, including a term as president from 2013 to 2015.
“Dean’s impact on Visit Fairfax and on the Fairfax County hospitality community has been nothing short of exceptional,” says Barry Biggar, president and CEO of Visit Fairfax. “From helping lay the foundation of our sales program to elevating Fairfax County’s presence on state and national stages, he has approached every challenge with professionalism, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. Dean leaves a legacy of integrity and ingenuity that will continue to shape our organization for years to come, and we are profoundly grateful for his service.”
In addition, Miller has been a longtime industry partner of ConventionSouth and served on our Editorial Advisory Board in recent years.
Miller will remain with Visit Fairfax through Dec. 31.
