‘Impressive level of experience and leadership.’ VisitColumbusGA names finalist to be CEO
The search for VisitColumbusGA’s next CEO has ended.
The hospitality organization announced Tuesday that Ashley Woitena, senior vice president of VisitColumbusGA, is the sole finalist to be president and chief executive officer. Woitena would replace 21-year CEO Peter Bowden, who retired from the convention and visitors bureau at the end of 2024.
“With her extensive background in destination marketing and economic development, Ashley brings an impressive level of experience and leadership to this role,” Pace Halter, chairman of the VisitColumbusGA Board, said in a news release. “Her deep ties to Columbus, combined with her ability to drive tourism and strategic partnerships, make her an outstanding candidate to lead VisitColumbusGA into its next chapter.”
The VisitColumbusGA board used an executive search firm, The Chason Group, to lead the selection process, Halter told the Ledger-Enquirer. They identified five candidates who were presented to the search committee, which interviewed three of them.
Woitena started as an assistant on the sales team at VisitColumbus in July 2007, while pursuing her master’s degree in business administration at Troy University, and steadily has advanced in the organization over 17 years.
“It hasn’t even felt like it’s been 17 years, because it’s flown by,” Woitena told the Ledger-Enquirer. “It’s an amazing career and opportunity that I’m very thankful for.”
According to the news release, Woitena has been essential in the execution of tourism campaigns, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders and managing high-impact events. Woitena said she looks forward to continuing her work in this new leadership opportunity during a pivotal moment in Columbus’ economic development through growth in tourism, construction and business opportunities.
“It’s a perfect time to hopefully step into this role and really put a spotlight on Columbus for drawing more people to our community through tourism, meetings, conventions, working and just leisure travelers coming in,” she said.
VisitColumbusGA is funded by the city’s hotel and motel tax, so there is a public part of the process to hire its CEO. Georgia law requires that Woitena’s resume and application be available for public review for 14 days before the board can vote on her appointment as CEO, according to the news release. If approved, she will begin her tenure as CEO on March 3rd..
In fiscal year 2024, Columbus had an estimated 2.07 million visitors travel to the city and spend an estimated $377 million, according to the VisitColumbusGA analysis in partnership with the Butler Center for Business and Economic Research at Columbus State University.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 12:09 PM.