Helen Hill is the President and CEO of Explore Charleston (also known as the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau). The nonprofit organization represents over 900 member businesses and 12 local governments in the tri-county region with the mission to create overnight visitation and support responsible development through travel and tourism strategies. Growing up in Charleston provided Hill with unique insights she has drawn on throughout her 40 years of promoting the region as a leisure and business destination.
Under Hill’s leadership, Explore Charleston has developed industry-leading programs that have assisted the Charleston area in becoming one of the most acclaimed destinations in the country. Accolades include 14years as Best City in the United States as voted by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler and 12 consecutive years being named Top U.S. City by Travel + Leisure. In 2024, the local travel and hospitality industry generated a record $14.03 billion economic impact for the Charleston region and accounted for nearly 55,000 local jobs.
In 2019, Hill was elected the first female Board Chair of the Charleston County Aviation Authority, a position she still holds today. Her efforts in air service development over the last decade were instrumental in expanding Charleston International Airport’s route map, including the recruitment of Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest, JetBlueSpirit, Allegiant, Frontier, and British Airways.
Hill serves on the U.S. Travel Association’s Executive Board and is Chair of the Association’s Nominating and Membership Committee. She is a member of various other boards, including Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Beacon Community Bank, Rivers Performance Hall Foundation, and multiple statewide tourism organizations.
For her record as a civic and community leader, commitment to the tourism industry, and contributions to South Carolina’s economic development, Hill was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor. In 2023, she received the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The prestigious accolade celebrates visionary leaders who do extraordinary work to strengthen the community, are outstanding volunteers, and have demonstrated a lifetime of leadership. Ms. Hill also received an honorary doctorate from the College of Charleston for her work in the community.
Hill is a faithful alumna of Ashley Hall School and Clemson University. She is married to Charlestonian Burrow Hill, a retired contractor, and has three sons, Charlie, Martin, and Turner.