Fairfax County, VA – December 3, 2025 – Visit Fairfax today announces the upcoming retirement of Dean Miller, the destination marketing organization’s National Sales Manager, who will step down at the end of 2025 after two decades with the organization and an extraordinary 35-year career in hospitality sales for Fairfax County.

 

Miller began his hospitality sales career in 1990 at the Embassy Suites Tysons Corner, later holding key sales roles with both Hyatt and Hilton hotels in Fairfax County. In 2005, he became the first salesperson hired for the newly established tourism organization of Visit Fairfax, helping to build the foundational policies and procedures that still guide the sales team today. His contributions have shaped the organization’s approach to lead generation, client communication, site inspections, trade show engagement, site visits/familiarization tours, and the development of internal sales systems.

 

During his tenure with Visit Fairfax, Miller significantly increased Fairfax County’s visibility within both state and national association markets, as well as the family and military reunion sectors. Through his individual sales efforts, he has driven well over $100 million in economic impact to Fairfax County through meetings and events bookings, an achievement that not only underscores his skill as a sales professional but also leaves a measurable legacy in the hospitality community.

 

Over the years, Miller has attracted numerous state and national associations to meet in Fairfax County for the first time, as well as helped facilitate various in-market hosted-buyer programs in conjunction with national industry partners like Smart Meetings, The Overseas Brats, and The Military Reunion Network. He also assisted in the early stages of attracting the 2015 World Police & Fire Games to Fairfax County.

 

In 2009, Miller established Visit Fairfax’s annual Family Reunion Workshop, a signature event that was held through 2020 and has since been replicated at destinations across the United States. He has been widely recognized in various publications for his lasting contributions to the reunion industry.

 

Miller has played a pivotal role in evolving Visit Fairfax’s trade show strategy, leading its transition from traditional booth programs to more targeted hosted-buyer platforms. He organized and led Visit Fairfax’s presence at the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) Fall Expo for 20 consecutive years, consistently creating standout booth displays and coordinating participation with Fairfax County hotel partners.

 

His out-of-the-box creativity has elevated Visit Fairfax’s visibility during major tourism milestones, including the openings of the Silver Line extension of the Washington Metrorail system (2014, 2022) and the National Museum of the United States Army (2020). In order to enhance client experiences in the county, Miller has also curated and developed creative value-added experiences, such as a life-size “Fairfaxopoly” game and “Save the Date!” postcards.

 

Miller served on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (VADMO) from 2008 to 2019, and as its president from 2013 to 2015. He has also served on the Editorial Advisory Board for Convention South Magazine and has written a longstanding column on hospitality for Reunions Magazine.

 

“Dean’s impact on Visit Fairfax and on the Fairfax County hospitality community has been nothing short of exceptional,” said Barry Biggar, President & CEO of Visit Fairfax. “From helping lay the foundation of our sales program to elevating Fairfax County’s presence on state and national stages, he has approached every challenge with professionalism, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. Dean leaves a legacy of integrity and ingenuity that will continue to shape our organization for years to come, and we are profoundly grateful for his service.”

 

Visit Fairfax extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dean Miller for his leadership, commitment, and immeasurable contributions to the success of Fairfax County’s hospitality industry. Miller will be in the office through December 31, 2025.

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Visit Fairfax (www.fxva.com) is the official tourism organization for Fairfax County, Virginia. Charged with destination marketing and tourism promotion, it is directed by many of the County's top tourism and hospitality leaders. Find travel inspiration at www.FXVA.com or join the conversation on social media at Facebook and Instagram (@VisitFairfax.) Hashtag: #FXVA