It's easy to see why the search committee firm asked Stephanie Brown to submit her application for the position of CEO of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Bureau. Brown, who at the time was serving on the search committee while serving as the Associate Director of Public Affairs at Historic Mount Vernon, says, "It's really funny, it's like I've just fallen into these wonderful jobs."

That savoir faire doesn't do justice to the varied but focused career of a tourism expert.

Brown and I met in the conference room of the ACVB on King Street, where we could look out the window at the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers and folks tending to their daily work routines. It's that mix, of retail, business and tourism that Brown is most excited about in the city of Alexandria. "It's wonderful to be part of this larger community. While I was at Mt. Vernon, which I loved, we knew what it was about – George Washington. But here, my scope is much broader, it's a real opportunity to take statistics and be able to articulate them in a way that has broad appeal."

Dressed in a conservative suit, set off by a holiday-red turtleneck and a pin bearing a photograph of her three-year old daughter, Brown shares that she wasn't always determined to go into ‘tourism' as a career. "I grew up in a small town and then really had the most unfocused college experience! When I started I had a double-major in physics and accounting." Her eyes light up as she elaborates. "By the time I graduated I had a self-designed major – essentially business in the social sciences. I took a number of business classes, stuck with the accounting and added in lots of psychology and sociology courses as well." After completing her undergraduate degree, she went on to graduate school with the intention of becoming a Dean of a College.

It was a temp job that morphed into a lifetime career. She started as a temp in the Ohio Tourism office and was encouraged by her boss to apply for a permanent position. Soon thereafter, they created a position that comprised her desire to use her research background, "Director of Research." While Director of Research at the Ohio Tourism Office, she met her husband Mark, who at the time held the same position at the Virginia Tourism Office.

If there were any questions of whether she should continue in the realm of tourism, they were soon quashed. While attending an event with her fiancé, conversation turned to her current occupation. When the querent learned of her background he exclaimed, "I'm creating that very position here in Colonial Williamsburg." And soon Brown was the incumbent. She and Mark lived on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg for five years. They relocated to Alexandria just days prior to the attacks of 9-11.

"I felt certain that there weren't going to be any opportunities for me to work in tourism here after that," Brown explains. But her ability to be in the right place at the right time continued. "I was speaking to a group on the topic of tourism, and there were 8 people in the audience. One of those people was a representative from Mt. Vernon. He encouraged me to apply for the Special Events position that had just become vacant. I did and I got the position."

While at Mt. Vernon, she became a very hands-on marketing and special events director. At Colonial Williamsburg, her budget and the sheer size of the advertising campaign meant that her job was more managing and overseeing what the advertising firm did. Through her tenure at Mt. Vernon she learned how to do it all. "I had the opportunity to create the ads, interact with the media and do it all! Emily Dibella and I generated $8 million of publicity. We had a two year plan and through sheer will and determination we pulled it off."

It seems that all her many hats in the tourism arena have ably prepared Stephanie Brown for her role in Alexandria's next step. "Look, it's clear that not everyone wants more tourists, but I know that there's a win-win here. There's a way to manage tourism so that's economically feasible for all." How does she deal with the naysayers? "I'm a big believer in listening," she responds.

The three things foremost on Brown's agenda include the changes to the tourism dynamic by the new National Harbor, revamping the brand and slogan of the ACVA, and introducing the new products in the city, that highlight the unique combination of history and modern sensibility.

"We're actively creating plans to respond to the new environment that National Harbor will usher in. The trolley will be a great asset to move our visitors throughout the city and provide greater exposure beyond the lower four blocks of King Street. We're working on implementing visitor kiosks and directional signs. Even something that simple can provide the visitors with information about the countless venues and activities within the city and expand their enjoyment of Alexandria."

Brown leans forward across the table and shares, almost conspiratorially, "ACVA has done a lot with, and had the same slogan for a long time. We've taken time to assess the brand and just completed a brand image study. We're looking forward to articulation the results in a new, creative way." The re-branding will include a brand new website which, among other things, will really engage the potential visitor and help them plan their visit to Alexandria.

Finally, the key to Alexandria's one of a kind appeal, "is the combination of contemporary shopping and dining with historic ambience. It provides every visitor with the ability to do what they really want to do, all in one place – from visiting historic sites to spending a weekend at a luxurious spa!"

What better enticement to visit Alexandria do you need?

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