Lawson joins Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission as Director of Destination Development

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission is thrilled to welcome Megan Lawson as the new Director of Destination Development. A seasoned marketing and business development professional with 15 years of experience, Megan has built a career on fostering relationships, amplifying brand stories, and driving meaningful growth for businesses and communities.

A long-time resident of the Eastern Shore, Megan’s family moved to the Shore from Alaska in the mid-1990s. After graduating from Northampton High School, Megan went to Virginia Tech where she earned a degree in Communications specializing in Public Relations. Megan began her career in the hospitality industry, where she developed a deep understanding of guest experience, event planning, and destination marketing. She later worked in corporate marketing, managing investor and corporate events for a leading healthcare IT company in Maryland, where she built relationships with key stakeholders and executed high-level strategic initiatives.

Her passion for storytelling, business development, creativity, and community brought her back to the Eastern Shore, where she spent nearly a decade as the Marketing Director at New Ravenna, where she led national marketing campaigns and brand strategy for the luxury design company. In this role, Megan worked closely with clients around the world, meeting with them both in-person and virtually to strengthen partnerships, develop training and promotional programs, align on business objectives, and collaborate on growth strategies.

In her new role, Megan will focus on enhancing visitor experiences, strengthening tourism partnerships, and fostering sustainable growth that benefits both residents and travelers. She is excited to collaborate with local businesses, government leaders, and community organizations to further establish the Shore as a premier destination.  “Megan will be a tremendous asset to the Tourism industry on the Eastern Shore.  Her knowledge and expertise will aid many businesses on the Shore, and I am thrilled for her to join the Tourism Commission team” stated Robert Sabbatini, Executive Director, ESVA Tourism Commission.

“The Eastern Shore is home, and I’m honored to help share its story with the world,” Megan said. “From our breathtaking coastline to our rich history and incredible local businesses, this region has so many untold stories to fall in love with. I look forward to working alongside the community to promote and preserve everything that makes the Shore so special.”

Megan lives in Nassawadox with her family. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, son and pets, exploring unique local adventures (most recently pickleball), traveling, and developing creative projects whenever inspiration strikes.

Megan officially begins on April 1.  If anyone needs any assistance you can reach out director to the ESVA Tourism Commission at 757-787-8268.