Linda Nelson knew The Woodlands would be her family’s forever home when they moved from Houston in 1992. Since then, she has wholeheartedly dedicated herself to her community, taking on pivotal roles with Leadership Montgomery County, The Woodlands Township, March of Dimes and The Woodlands and Conroe Chambers of Commerce, among others. Her passion shines through in her work overseeing Memorial Hermann’s Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center.

Linda Nelson brings a decade of experience working alongside Visit The Woodlands and her employer, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, for numerous events such as Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas and the Chevron LPGA. As Chairman of Visit The Woodlands she is committed to building on existing initiatives while cherishing and preserving everything that makes The Woodlands her beloved home.

A woman with a classy blonde bob smiles at the camera. She is wearing a solid white blouse with a high neckline; small gold hoop earrings; and professional, natural-looking makeup.

Linda Nelson, Director of Business Development and Marketing for Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center | Photo courtesy of Linda Nelson

The camera faces the Memorial Hermman The Woodlands Medical Center's "Proud Souls" art bench, which looks like two large metal waves or wings spreading inward over the bench. Sitting on the bench is Linda Nelson and her husband. Behind and around them are their three children with their partners and seven children. Everyone is dressed in dressy-casual clothes in some shade of white, gray, or pale blue, and everyone (except a few runaway toddlers) is smiling and waving at the camera. In the background is The Woodlands Waterway and a beautiful wooded area on the opposite shore.

Linda Nelson with her Family | Photo courtesy of Linda Nelson

WHY DID YOU INITIALLY BECOME INVOLVED IN VISIT THE WOODLANDS?

My position on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors allowed me to take on the role as Vice Chairman of Visit The Woodlands for the past two years. My role with Memorial Hermann over the past 28 years as Director of Business Development & Community / Physicians Relations has allowed me to collaborate with Visit The Woodlands on many community events, such as Red, Hot & Blue, the Fourth of July Parade, the Lighting of the Doves, and especially the Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas, which provides a significant economic boost to our community. It is a perfect match.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL PROJECTS YOU WORKED ON AS VICE CHAIRMAN?

We’re proud to have increased The Woodlands’ hotel occupancy by seventeen percent, which is absolutely amazing, ending this past year with a hotel occupancy tax of $10.3 million. This is the first time in our history that we have exceeded $10 million. Other initiatives included rebranding Visit The Woodlands, wrapping The Woodlands Express busses with messaging about The Woodlands, hosting hundreds of event planners and welcoming the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE), a group of more than 540 association professionals who plan conferences in Texas.

HOW DO YOU HOPE TO BUILD ON THIS IMPACT AS CHAIRMAN?

I am pleased to share an exciting Visit The Woodlands initiative for the coming year that encourages our local businesses and residents to invite their member organizations to host conferences and events right here in The Woodlands. With so much to offer, we have the opportunity to welcome local, state, and national organizations in our own backyard. We proudly call it The Naturals campaign. Tourism brings our residents’ property taxes down through the collection of sales, hotel and mixed-use tax, which make up nearly 60 percent of The Township’s budget.

A young white woman in a red and black athletic suit (Kat Matthews) raises her arms in celebration as she crosses the finish line of the Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas. Linda Nelson and other crowd members cheer for her as confetti rains down behind them.

Linda Nelson cheers on IRONMAN athletes as they cross the finish line | Photo courtesy of Kyle Rivas

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MEMORIAL HERMANN IRONMAN TEXAS? 

My favorite part occurs around 11:30 at night, watching athletes who have been out on the course for sixteen and a half hours. They only have thirty more minutes to make it across the finish line so that they can be called an IRONMAN. The excitement of the community lining the streets is just incredible. We also have “Hippie Hollow,” which is made up of mostly past IRONMAN finishers. They understand better than anyone that the athletes need a little extra passion, energy and excitement to give them that extra push – and that is an iconic part of IRONMAN Texas.

WHAT KINDS OF SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT ATHLETES AND SPECTATORS?

I serve on the “Medical and Safety Agency Council” for both The Chevron Championship and Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas. To sit in the room with over 10 different agencies being represented by 25 of their leaders discussing how to keep our athletes, visitors and community safe during these international events is both reassuring and heartwarming. These agencies include the Constables, Sheriffs, Emergency Management, Toll Road, Township officials, Commissioner, Fire, Bomb Squad, etc.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE?

During my campaign for The Woodlands Township, I emphasized that relationships are everything. We would not be able to host the outstanding events we bring to The Woodlands without the incredible collaboration among all entities, including healthcare providers, business leaders, elected officials, and others who contribute resources to make these events happen for our community.