News Release

Today, Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, announced John Herrington, the first Native American astronaut, as one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural Brand USA Travel Week Europe in London from Sept. 9-12, 2019. Herrington will be part of Brand USA Travel Week Europe’s inspiring Enrichment Series, bringing attendees an engaging program of speaker sessions designed to encourage fresh thinking and stimulate discussions.
 
On the opening day of the event on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, at County Hall – a large, multi-use event space situated on London's Southbank with views of The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye – Herrington will address 100 U.S. exhibitors about his love of America’s great outdoors. A proud supporter of the USA’s National Parks and green spaces, in 2008, Herrington completed a three month 4,300-mile cross-country bicycle ride through the U.S. from Cape Flattery, Washington, to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Herrington will also be featured as one of the inspiring U.S. trailblazers exploring the United States in Brand USA’s third film for IMAX® and giant-screen theaters – “Into America’s Wild” (working title). Produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in association with Expedia Group, the film is scheduled to premiere in Washington, DC in Feb. 2020. The film will take international audiences on a journey across the United States, exploring scenic byways, ancient homelands, little known trails, and hidden gems that form the natural tapestry of America.
 
During his 22-year career, Herrington became the first member of a federally recognized tribe (Chickasaw) to travel to space, taking part in a historic 13-day NASA mission to the International Space Station in 2002, which included three space walks. Prior to his space adventures, he was a naval aviator. He also supported the Center for Space Studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and returned to further his education by earning a doctorate in education before embarking on a career in motivational public speaking.
 
“Sharing his stories of challenges, leadership, motivation, and mentorship, John Herrington will both educate and entertain attendees at the inaugural Brand USA Travel Week Europe. I couldn’t think of a better person to kick off our inspiring speaker series,” said Christopher L. Thompson, Brand USA president and CEO. “Offering our exhibitors, buyers, and sponsors a unique insight into his world is sure to set the perfect tone for what is set to be a game-changing week.”
 
Brand USA Travel Week Europe 2019 will be an immersive celebration of the United States, showcasing the diverse range of travel experiences available throughout the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia. The event provides a revolutionary business platform for U.S. suppliers to engage with key buyers from the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe, who have a strong interest in leveraging opportunities to grow arrivals to the USA. The event will focus on B2B appointments, a series of enrichment workshops and seminars, as well as networking opportunities and evening receptions. Brand USA Travel Week will act as a vehicle to support growth in the U.S. travel sector and will create more opportunities than ever before to inspire UK and European travelers to visit the USA to, through, and beyond the gateways.
 
For more information on Brand USA Travel Week, visit BrandUSATravelWeek.com.

-ENDS-

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Hills Balfour 
Mark McCulloch
Public Relations Senior Director, UK, Ireland, & Europe
+44 (0) 207 593 1715
MMcCulloch@TheBrandUSA.co.uk
 
Brand USA Consumer Media & Public Relations
Monica Ceballos
Director, Consumer & Trade Public Relations
+1 202.735.2320
MCeballos@TheBrandUSA.com

Brand USA Corporate Communications
Colleen Mangone
Director, Media Relations
+1 202.793.6376
CMangone@TheBrandUSA.com