Photo courtesy of Visit Fairfax
Visit Fairfax President and CEO Barry Biggar
Visit Fairfax President & CEO Barry H. Biggar is the 2024 recipient of the Committee for Dulles’ prestigious Tower of Dulles award, which will be presented at the Committee’s Annual Awards Gala on Nov. 15. This award is presented annually to individuals (or organizations) whose meritorious service provides for the betterment of Washington Dulles International Airport and the Dulles Economic Corridor.
Since joining Visit Fairfax in 2008, Biggar has been a driving force behind the growth of the tourism economy in Fairfax County, which has since doubled, and annually contributes more than $3 billion to local businesses, leads to significant state and local tax revenue, and enhances the quality of life for residents.
Biggar has remained a fierce advocate and steadfast supporter of the Dulles Economic Corridor as the gateway to international tourism and overall visitation for the Washington, DC metro area, continually working to bring awareness to Virginia and Dulles International as an entry point to the United States. By participating in international economic development missions, ongoing discussions with leaders from emerging markets with the intent of opening up additional flights, and working with state and local business leaders, the region continues to see the impact of these efforts.
One such accomplishment of Biggar’s was being instrumental in securing the 2015 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) for Fairfax County, the second largest multi-sport amateur sports event in the world (next to the Summer Olympics). This international event brought over $86 million in economic impact to Fairfax County in just 10 days, immensely benefitting the Dulles Corridor and entire region, while simultaneously recognizing and uplifting the first responder community.
A respected community leader, Biggar is internationally recognized as a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), has served on the Board of Directors for Destinations International (DI), the Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (VADMO), the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association (VRLTA), the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Workhouse Arts Center, and is currently a Board of Director for ArtsFairfax and the Treasurer of the Northern Virginia Tourism Partnership. He has served as President of the Washington, DC chapter of Skål International and was a founding member of DI’s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, Fairfax County’s Economic Development Commission, and Fairfax County’s Sports Tourism Task Force. He was also recognized by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) as one of its “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization, and Distribution.”
The Tower of Dulles Award has been presented annually since 1994 and is the highest recognition offered by the Committee of Dulles. Biggar joins a list of impressive past recipients, some of whom include the architect of Washington Dulles Airport, Eero Saarinen; the namesake of Fairfax County’s Smithsonian museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy; the past president of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Jack Potter; former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe; and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, among others.
See more information here on the Tower of Dulles Awards reception. For more information on tourism in Fairfax County, please visit https://www.FXVA.com.
