FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
[email protected]
1.202.835.4202
Washington, D.C. (June 21, 2018) – Destinations International Chair Tammy Blount-Canavan, FCDME and President and CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau and President and CEO Don Welsh today announced Caroline Beteta as the 2018 Destination Organization Leadership Award recipient.
This annual award recognizes outstanding individuals who, through their work and achievements, have made a major contribution to our industry and a significant impact in the communities they serve.
Caroline serves as President & CEO of Visit California and simultaneously serves as the Director of Tourism in California’s Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz). Beteta is responsible for implementing Visit California’s $126 million global marketing program and serves as the lead spokesperson for California’s $132.4 billion travel industry. She has shepherded the growth of Visit California into a global marketing franchise delivering millions of visitors and billions of dollars of economic growth to the state every year. Beteta will be honored on Thursday, July 12 at the 2018 Annual Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
“Caroline’s leadership over the past 25 years has certainly grown California’s tourism economy to the benefit of our residents,” said Blount-Canavan. “But more than that, she has been a true visionary in crisis management and recovery. Caroline has provided critical support for destination organizations in California not just during the good times, but through horrific natural disasters, when we’ve needed her most.”
“I am honored to receive Destination International’s 2018 Destination Organization Leadership Award,” said Beteta. “Destination marketers are uniquely positioned to inspire their communities, and I’m proud of the difference California’s tourism industry makes in the lives of every Californian.”
“We are thrilled to honor Caroline Beteta with the Destination Organization Leadership Award this year,” said Welsh. “Caroline’s leadership has been evident throughout the significant challenges the state of California has recently faced. She is highly respected in our industry and throughout the world and we look forward to honoring her for her extraordinary contributions to the travel and tourism industry.”
For more information about the Destination Organization Leadership Award or the 2018 Annual Convention, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
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About Destinations International:
Destinations International (formerly Destination Marketing Association International) is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with more than 4,700 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.