Tennis Icon Venus Williams Will Headline ASTA’s 2024 Global Convention

Seven-time Grand Slam tennis champion Venus Williams will keynote next year’s Global Convention for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) in Dallas, Texas.

ASTA announced on Tuesday that Williams will speak on her entrepreneurial journey as a female leader across wellness, fashion, design, and more during her time on stage at the convention, which takes place from May 29 through the 31 at the Hilton Anatole.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Venus Williams speak at our annual Global Convention next year,” said Zane Kerby, President and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors.

“Not only has Ms. Williams inspired countless people with her play on the tennis court, but in her second career, she has embraced the exact same hardworking and innovative spirit that drives our travel advisor community as well.”

Williams is regarded as one of the all-time great professional tennis players and aside from the seven Grand Slams (five at Wimbledon and two at the U.S. Open), she also won four Olympic gold medals.

She is still an active tennis player but has also developed a career off the court. She is the founder of V Starr, a residential and commercial design firm; EleVen by Venus Williams, a fashion-forward lifestyle brand; and plant-based protein company Happy Viking, along with a New York Times bestselling author and Executive Producer on the Academy Award-winning film King Richard.

For travel advisors wanting to attend next year’s Global Convention, Southwest Airlines is offering a 30% discount on flights through a code distributed to attendees this summer.