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Hospitality | Tourism 2025: RITA MCCLENNY
PRESIDENT AND CEO, VIRGINIA TOURISM CORP., RICHMOND
Virginia Business //September 1, 2025//
Hospitality | Tourism 2025: RITA MCCLENNY
PRESIDENT AND CEO, VIRGINIA TOURISM CORP., RICHMOND
Virginia Business //September 1, 2025//
A Southampton County native, McClenny has been working to bring tourism and film productions to Virginia since 1991. She ran Virginia Film Office, a division of the Virginia Tourism Corp., for two decades before becoming president of the state agency in 2012.
As Virginia Film Office head, McClenny was responsible for bringing high-profile TV and movie projects like Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” to the commonwealth.
Tourism in Virginia generated $35.1 billion in visitor spending in 2024, with the tourism industry directly supporting more than 229,000 jobs in the state and driving $2.5 billion in state and local tax revenue.
The agency recently awarded more than $2 million in matching grant funds to 197 local tourism programs, supporting tourism marketing campaigns to increase visitation and traveler spending through 2026.
McClenny is part of the VA250 Commission, which is organizing statewide events commemorating the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
ON INTEGRATING AI: Must do. It saves time and supports visitation to Virginia with itinerary development.
WHAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT ME: I’m a polo player.
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