BARBARA BOWDEN

AREA MANAGING DIRECTOR, LOEWS HOTELS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO, ORLANDO

At a young age, Bowden traveled with her family and loved looking around hotels and wondering how they worked behind the scenes. She doesn’t have to wonder anymore. Starting as a front desk clerk, she has worked her way up to overseeing the operation of Universal Orlando’s premier and preferred hotels, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Prior to joining Loews, she was general manager of the Orange County Convention Center. Earlier this year, she became board chair for Visit Orlando, the area’s tourism agency. She’s also on the board of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association as well as the UCF Rosen College Dean’s Advisory Board.