CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

“Out of the future that is not yet, into the present that is
just beginning, back to the past that no longer is.”
-St. Augustine-

COMMENTARY: Although Dr. Edgell’s career spans some thirty-five years, following are brief highlights of a few of his special experiences in the tourism industry.

National Tourism Policy: In the middle 1970’s, one of Dr. Edgell’s responsibilities was to help develop legislation to expand the role of tourism in the U.S. Government. Most countries of the world at that time, and certainly the developed countries, had large governmental tourism programs usually headed at the cabinet level by a Minister of Tourism. In the United States, domestic governmental tourism activities were housed in each state under the direction of a “state tourism director”; some states with major programs and others with very limited offices. The U.S. Government had a small international tourism program to help the states promote their tourism abroad. Several studies, congressional hearings, private sector meetings, and other gatherings suggested the need to expand the U.S. Government’s role in international tourism policy, marketing, and promotion. Dr. Edgell participated in these studies and discussions which led to the passage of the National Tourism Policy Act of 1981. Among other policies and programs under this legislation, the leadership for U.S. governmental involvement in tourism was elevated to the rank of an Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism (U.S. equivalent of a Minister of Tourism). It created the United States Travel and Tourism Administration (USTTA) and established eight international regional tourism program offices. First, Dr. Edgell served as the Senior Executive Director for Tourism Policy in the USTTA and then in 1993-94 as the Acting Under Secretary.  He received special recognition for his successful efforts in bringing to the United States, for the first time, the World Cup, titled World Cup USA ’94. 

Vice President for Strategic Marketing: In late 1996 Dr. Edgell accepted a position as Vice President for Strategic Marketing with a major marketing firm that only marketed travel, tourism, and hospitality. As part of the arrangement he also served as Executive Director of the Tourism Division for a separate target marketing company in order to encompass a broader tourism marketing perspective.

Tourism Consultant: In 2001, in an effort to enhance and enrich his interests in tourism, Dr. Edgell began consulting on tourism projects both nationally and internationally. Projects ranged from helping communities, cities, and businesses develop and expand their tourism programs to advising on international tourism activities.