Congratulations to all from among our own ranks of peers in the wonderful world of destination tourism. The Destination Organization Leadership Award from Destinations International went to three individuals this year who “through their exceptional work and achievements, have made a significant contribution to the destination marketing industry and a profound difference in the communities they serve.” Hailing from Arizona, Alaska, and Massachusetts, they are:
Twenty-three industry leaders earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation in 2022. They were recognized at Destination International’s Annual Convention this week in Toronto. Well done, everyone.
2022 CDME recipients:
- Vanessa Bechtol, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Visit Tucson
- Kelli Brown, Interactive Producer, Miles Partnership
- Kelli Carter, Director of Marketing, Walton County Tourism Department
- Emily Cassell, Director, Arlington Convention and Visitors Service
- Jennifer R. Chance, VP Finance and Operations, Visit Jackson
- Victoria Clarke, CEO, Tourism Mississauga
- Brady J. Closson, Deputy Executive Director, Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Sondra Corbitt, Executive Director, Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Sean Dixon, President, Visit Topeka
- Andi Dzilums, Tourism Investment Manager, Travel Alberta
- Rebecca Engum, CEO, Great Falls Montana Tourism
- Nichole Farley, Director of Public Policy and Economic Opportunity, Visit Salt Lake
- Mandy Grant, Director, Finance & Administration, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
- Nathan Hermiston, Senior Vice-President, Convention Sales & Services, Visit KC
- Jon Hunsberger, Executive Director, Elkhart County, IN CVB
- Nancy Jackson, Manager, Destination Development, Explore Edmonton
- Alex Michaels, President and CEO, Discover Lehigh Valley
- Heather Savoie, Sr. Vice President of Finance, Visit Lake Charles
- Andrew Schmidt, President and CEO, Visit Greenville, NC
- Susan M. Smith, President/CEO, Visit Bastrop
- Tina Valdecanas, President and COO, Clarity of Place
- Ashley S. Woitena, Senior Vice President, Sales, VisitColumbusGA
- Rachel Wood, Chief Marketing Officer, Explore Branson
Twenty-four destination organizations received a Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) designation in recognition of their destination organization’s commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination marketing organizations around the world.
New Accreditations:
- Discover Long Island
- Houma Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Visit Bastrop*
4-Year Renewals:
- Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau
- Cobb Travel & Tourism
- Coastal Mississippi
- Destination Augusta
- Discover Green Bay
- Discover the Palm Beaches
- Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau
- Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission
- Louisville Tourism
- Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Springfield Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau
- St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau
- Visit Spokane
8-Year Reaccreditations:
- Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau*
- Meet Chicago Northwest
- Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority
- Visit Baltimore
- Visit Huntington Beach*
*Designates DMAP With Distinction
About Destinations International:
Destinations International is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards.
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