Eric Terry Eric Terry, a graduate of the Hospitality and Tourism Management School at Virginia Tech, has more than three decades of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. As President of VRLTA, he leads a membership of over 1,500 from across the Commonwealth in efforts before the General Assembly and with Congress on national issues. He works closely with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, local DMOs and the business community on legislative, marketing, workforce and educational initiatives.
Eric joined VRLTA from Redstone Companies Hospitality with a background of success in the entertainment, hotel, casino resort, and events industries. Prior to joining Redstone, Eric was Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Benchmark Hospitality and the President of Xelerate Group, a company he launched in 2002. He grew the Xelerate Group into an organization with a recognized specialty in national events marketing, sponsorship partnering, media buying, and celebrity appearances including partnerships with NASCAR, Chuck Norris, The Food Network, and Indy Racing League. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Malibu Entertainment Worldwide, Inc. and also served as Corporate Marketing Director and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Hollywood Casino Corporation/Pratt Hotel Corporation. In addition, Eric has held leadership positions with Bristol Hotels, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
He is a past Chairman of the International Society of Hospitality Associations (ISHA), former president and vice president of the Crowne Plaza Marketing Association, and past board member of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA). In 2020 and 2021, Eric was recognized as one of the “Top 500 Power List in Hospitality/Tourism” in Virginia Business Magazine.