Contact:
Catherine Brandt
202-712-2054
[email protected]

"The arts sector is a foundation of our nation's tourism economy, and I'm pleased to represent all those who work hard to provide a creative experience," said Mr. Lynch. "I look forward to working with Secretary Bryson and the rest of the Travel and Tourism Board to further advance the Board's mission and to advance cultural tourism and the arts in America."
 
This announcement builds on Mr. Lynch's long-standing dedication to advance and enhance cultural tourism. Through partnerships with The United States Conference of Mayors and the Destination Marketing Association International, he has made strides in boosting support of tourism and the arts and developing research and training tools that can be used by local arts agencies and destination marketing organizations around the country to strengthen tourism programs. In addition, he has  spearheaded national economic impact studies on the impact of culturally-specific tourism on regional and local economies, as well as policy mechanisms, revenue generation strategies, cultural districting, capital improvement and cultural infrastructure projects that help local municipalities and state governments enhance liveability and attract new businesses and tourists.

The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The Board consists of up to 32 members that advise the Secretary of Commerce on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems.

"This Board represents the eyes and ears of our nation's travel and tourism industry and I am committed to working with each of the esteemed members to bring more visitors to the United States," U.S. Commerce Department Secretary John Bryson said. "I appreciate the Board members' dedication to our economic recovery and look forward to working with Mr. Lynch to put ideas into action to bolster job creation in this critical economic sector."

For more than 30 years, Mr. Lynch has devoted himself to working to advance the arts and the work of cultural organizations in America. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Americans for the Arts since 1996. Prior to his current role, Mr. Lynch was the executive director of the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies for 12 years. While serving in that position, he managed the successful merger of that organization with the American Council for the Arts to form Americans for the Arts in 1996. Under his leadership, the services and membership of Americans for the Arts has grown to more than 50 times its original size. Mr. Lynch has overseen the mergers of the Arts and Business Council, Inc. and the Business Committee for the Arts into Americans for the Arts. He also has created the Americans for the Arts Action Fund and its connected political action committee to engage citizens in advocating for the arts and arts education to ensure arts-friendly public policies. He has personally reached audiences in over 1000 locations spanning 49 states and more than a dozen nations, ranging from Native American tribal gatherings to the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe to the President of the United States.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.