Cleo Battle

President & CEO

Biography: Cleo has worked in the hospitality industry for over 35 years. Prior to coming to Louisville, he spent 12 years as Vice President of Sales & Services of the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau in Richmond, VA. He held the positions of Director of Sales and Sales Manager at the Richmond CVB.

Battle began his hospitality career in the hotel industry working for Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn and Sheraton Hotels. Battle is a native of Denver and a graduate of Metropolitan State University in Denver with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. He earned his Masters of Business Administration in 1997 from Averett University in Virginia. He is both a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE).

Battle has earned numerous industry accolades, including the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) 2026 Industry Leader Award, MPI50 Most Influential Members in 2022, Business First Louisville's Power 50 annually from 2021-2026, Events Industry Council's 2020 Social Impact Award and designation as one of The Courier-Journal's 12 People to Watch in 2021.

Battle is currently on the Destinations International Professional Credential Program Committee (CDME Board) and has a board position within One Louisville, Kentucky State Fair Board, Louisville Regional Airport Authority, Fund for the Arts and the Ed Hamilton Studio & Visitor Center. He is a Past Chair of MPI, the Destination & Travel Foundation, Destination International Sales & Services Committee and the Virginia State University Hospitality Department Advisory Board.