Roger Dow - President and CEO

Roger Dow is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Travel Industry Association (TIA), the national umbrella organization representing all segments of the $740 billion U.S. travel and tourism industry.   

Among the many honors he has received, Dow most recently was recognized by his peers as the 2008 Association Executive of the Year, according to Association Trends.  The honor reflected Dow's success in taking steps to unify the travel industry and greatly increase its effectiveness on Capitol Hill.

TIA promotes and facilitates travel to and within the United States through a substantial advocacy effort that communicates industry interests to policymakers and the media.  TIA also continues to host several major events to provide travel industry professionals with expert information that gives them an advantage in the competitive marketplace.  TIA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with an active presence in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Dow has served in his present position since January 1, 2005.  Prior to joining TIA, Dow rose through the ranks at Marriott International in a career that began as a summer lifeguard at the sixth Marriott hotel and spanned 34 years.  Most recently, he was Senior Vice President, Global and Field Sales, leading Marriott's 10,000-person worldwide sales organization.  His many accomplishments for the company included development of Marriott Rewards, the world's leading frequent traveler program.

In addition to being named Association Executive of the Year, Roger Dow has also been named to the Convention Industry Council's prestigious Hall of Leaders, was recognized by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) as one of the industry's top leaders, was selected by MeetingNews as one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry, and has been honored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) with its Academy of Leaders Award.

Dow frequently speaks on leadership, sales, marketing, and management at conventions and corporate meetings.  He has co-authored two books: TURNED ON -- Eight Vital Insights to Energize Your People, Customers and Profits and THE TRUST IMPERATIVE – The Competitive Advantage of Trust-based Business Relationships. 

He serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors of ASAE, PCMA, ASAE Foundation, MPI Foundation (Chairman), GWSAE, the Travel Institute, RE/MAX International and on the Advisory Boards of Arizona State University's Center for Services Leadership and the University of Richmond Robins Schools of Business.

Dow served in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, where he received the Bronze Star and other citations.
A native of New Jersey, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Seton Hall University, where he was senior class president, captain of the varsity wrestling team and secretary of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.  He was named TKE alumnus of the year for 1991 and was presented with the award by President Ronald Reagan.

Dow resides in Potomac, Maryland with his wife, Linda, and two children, Blake and Devon.