MGM Resorts President, CEO Bill Hornbuckle to Lead U.S. Travel Association

Posted on: February 26, 2025, 01:36h. 

Last updated on: February 26, 2025, 02:39h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle will lead the U.S. Travel Association
  • The trade group promotes travel within the United States
  • Hornbuckle succeeded MGM CEO Jim Murren in March 2020

Bill Hornbuckle, the president and chief executive officer of MGM Resorts since 2020, has been tapped to lead the U.S. Travel Association.

Bill Hornbuckle MGM Resorts U.S. Travel Association
MGM Resorts International President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle will lead the U.S. Travel Association for the next two years. Hornbuckle has run Nevada’s largest employer since 2020. (Image: MGM Resorts International)

The U.S. Travel Association announced on Tuesday that the MGM boss will serve as national chair of the organization for the next two years. The trade group represents the collective interests of nearly 1,000 industry organizations, “including a diverse variety of trade companies and businesses both large and small, and destinations across the United States.”

America remains at the forefront of travel and hospitality, and it’s vital that we do all we can to keep our industry and economy thriving,” said Hornbuckle. “We are entering a period of once-in-a-lifetime events and opportunities unlike anything our country has seen in recent years. I’m proud to join this storied organization and look forward to helping the industry and the country succeed.”

Hornbuckle’s company runs more casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip than any other firm.

MGM Resorts is Nevada’s largest employer and the seventh-largest gaming company in the world with a market capitalization of $10.5 billion. MGM is also the controlling stakeholder of MGM China, its holdings subsidiary that does business in Macau and has a market cap north of $5 billion. MGM is currently building Japan’s first casino in Osaka and is exploring investments in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. 

Travel Association Has Deep Gaming Ties

Among the U.S. Travel Association’s members are some of the country’s biggest players in the gaming industry. Along with Hornbuckle’s MGM Resorts, they include Caesars Entertainment and The Venetian Resort.

The American Gaming Association (AGA), which represents the interests of commercial and tribal gaming operators in Washington, DC, and in state capitals, is additionally a U.S. Travel Association member. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is, too.

Geoff Freeman is the president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. Before heading up the organization, Freeman was the top official at the AGA.

Freeman was only the second president and CEO of the AGA, a role he assumed in 2013. He exited the gaming industry in 2018, a month after the US Supreme Court struck down a federal law that had limited most forms of sports betting to Nevada.

Freeman is excited to have the Travel Association led by a prominent gaming industry executive.

We are grateful for Bill’s leadership and expertise as U.S. Travel pursues a bold agenda of growth and improvements to the traveler experience,” said Freeman. “Bill’s prior leadership of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board provides him a unique understanding of key issues and the levers that need to be pulled to achieve success in Washington.”

Freeman left the AGA to lead the Grocery Manufacturers Association (today, the Consumer Brands Association). He departed in 2022 for the U.S. Travel Association. 

What U.S. Travel Does

The mission of the U.S. Travel Association is to increase travel to and within the United States.

In 2023, travelers in the US spent $1.3 trillion, which produced an economic footprint of $2.8 trillion, the trade group said. The travel industry supports more than 15 million American jobs.

“When the travel industry thrives, America thrives,” the U.S. Travel Association’s website reads.