A Bloomington native will return to her hometown next month to lead tourism in the Twin Cities.
Melissa Chrisman joins Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau [BNACVB] as its new president and CEO. She most recently was vice president of marketing and communications at Trinity Metro in Fort Worth, Texas, and has 20 years of experience in community relations.
"It is an honor to be chosen as the president and CEO of the CVB,” said Chrisman in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside the board, BNACVB team, and my hometown community on the future growth of our visitor economy. Bloomington-Normal is a great place to be, which is why I was eager to return to the area and join this dynamic organization."
Chrisman succeeds Crystal Howard, who resigned last August after more than 20 years at the head of the agency. Former Illinois High School Association director Marty Hickman served in an interim capacity during the nationwide search.
“Melissa’s love for the community, leadership expertise and professional experience all stood out in the selection process,” said board chair Beth Whisman, who led the search committee and directs cultural arts for the Town of Normal. “This is a great community organization, and we know Melissa will take it to the next level by building strong relationships and positioning Bloomington-Normal as THE central Illinois destination while fostering our quality of life and place for current residents.
Chrisman joins the organization in early February as preparations ramp up for the Route 66 centennial, anticipating millions of tourists traveling the Mother Road in 2026. BNACVB’s web presence, VisitBN.org, hosts a digital events calendar and provides marketing support for local businesses in addition to the organization’s primary role drawing tourism and conventions to Bloomington-Normal’s hotels and attractions.
