Visit Roswell Names New Executive Director

ROSWELL, GA — Visit Roswell will have a new leader with the start of the new year. Andy Williams, a recognized star in the industry, has been named executive director of the organization, and will formally take on this new position on Jan. 1.

Williams will replace retiring Executive Director Dotty Etris, who has served in the position since 1992.

Williams is the director of sales at Atlanta-based Destination South Meetings + Events. He is a certified meeting professional through the Events Industry Council and a travel marketing professional through the Southeast Tourism Society.

With an associate's degree from Young Harris College and a bachelor's degree in tourism and commercial recreation from Georgia Southern University, Williams began his tourism career in 2007 as a project coordinator with the Madison-Morgan Convention and Visitors Bureau. In 2011, he became a sales manager for the Dunwoody Convention & Visitors Bureau and later became the agency's director of sales.

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“Andy has the technical skill set, creativity, and energy to move us forward in our effort to bring more visitors to Roswell,” said Ken Davis, chair of the Visit Roswell Search Committee and president of the North Georgia Region for Renasant Bank. “Coupled with his career experience in destination marketing, we are excited to have him lead our team.”

Williams has received several awards throughout his career, including Rookie Rotarian of the Year, Historic Heartland Travel Association Member of the Year, Meeting Professionals International - Georgia Chapter’s Rising Star of the Year in 2013, and Special Events Magazine’s 25 Young Event Pros to Watch in 2018.

"Roswell is a destination made up of a growing number of amazing assets in terms of tourism – a
community with a great story to tell," Williams said. "I look forward to building upon the foundations that have been established by Dotty. With new hotels scheduled for construction in Roswell and the mix of existing venues, I believe there is an excellent opportunity to grow the economic impact of Visit Roswell."

Williams and his wife, Ryan, have two children. They live in Cumming, but have plans to move to the Roswell area next year.

“The Search Committee led a very organized and transparent process to find the right executive to serve in this role,” Davis added. “We had candidates from across the United States and Canada apply for the position. Now our focus will be on a smooth transition from Dotty to Andy.”

Image via Visit Roswell