Douglasville CVB Welcomes New Tourism Director

The Douglasville Convention & Visitors Bureau announced its new tourism director, Chantel Ross Francois, started her new position on Sept. 16.

Francois, a native of Canada, earned an associate’s degree in accounting from the State University of New York and a branding certificate from Emory University. She has over 20 years of combined experience in tourism and managing convention and visitors bureaus.

In her most recent position as sales manager for the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Francois managed sales and marketing activities for the newly developed East Point DMO (destination marketing organization) and the reunions market for the City of Atlanta.

Her experience is enhanced by her impressive international accomplishments in the travel and tourism industry. Francois was personally recruited by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and the Ministry of Tourism to market the twin island and to lead the marketing and promotional efforts for its inaugural and ongoing Delta nonstop service to Atlanta.

In this position, Francois hosted and worked with prime ministers and heads of state from around the world. She also worked with the United States Secret Service on high-profile visits of world leaders to Atlanta. Other international project highlights include her involvement in the Fifth Summit of the Americas attended by President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and other heads of state, as well as her contribution to the Commonwealth Heads of State Conference (CHOGM), hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and attended by Heads of the Commonwealth member states.

In her new role as Douglasville CVB Tourism Director, Francois will lead efforts in the development and advancement of tourism in the Douglasville community and will also be responsible for the overall leadership of the Douglasville CVB and Welcome Center staff.

One of her short term objectives is “to embark on an aggressive awareness campaign utilizing my past relationships as well as nontraditional and innovative methods to get the word out about Douglasville and all of the remarkable amenities we have to offer,” said Francois. “We seem to be a well-kept secret and definitely a hidden gem in the tourism industry.” Her future goals are to “position Douglasville as a premier destination for small-market meetings and conferences as well as an attractive leisure destination located only 20 minutes from the world’s busiest airport (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport) and the city lights and attractions of downtown Atlanta.”

Francois is a member of the Atlanta Airport Rotary Club where she serves as director of public relations. “I really enjoy being a Rotarian and giving back to the community,” said Francois. Aside from being a community advocate and developing and promoting tourism, Francois enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with family.

— From submitted press release

Photo: New Tourism Director Chantel Ross Francois brings over 20 years of experience to the Douglasville Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)