FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
[email protected]
1.202.835.4202
Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2022) – Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards, today announced the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees and the Destination Organization Leadership Award recipients.
The Destination Organization Leadership Award was created in 2017 and is amongst the association's most prestigious honors, recognizing those outstanding individuals who, through their exceptional work and achievements, have made a significant impact on the destination organization industry as well as a profound difference in their communities.
The Hall of Fame, started in 2014 during Destinations International’s 100th Anniversary, was created to recognize individuals who have changed the future of destination marketing and management for the better, made significant contributions to the advancement of the industry and shaped travel marketing and management.
This year, the association has updated the Hall of Fame and Destination Organization Leadership Award criteria to fit different categories. You may learn about the Hall of Fame criteria and categories here and the Destination Organization Leadership Award categories and criteria here.
“These leaders have made tremendous contributions to our industry and their respective destinations,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. “These visionaries have been responsible for the evolution of our industry and have had a profound impact on its healthy future. Thank you to the Destinations International Awards Committee for their hard work and dedication in naming this year’s Hall of Fame and Destination Organization Leadership Award recipients.”
Hall of Fame Inductees:
- Modern Era Inductees:
- Greg Ortale, former president and CEO of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Paul Astleford, former president and CEO of Visit Jacksonville
- Reyn Bowman, former president and CEO of Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Robert “Bob” Lander, former president & CEO of Visit Austin
- Shelly Green, CDME, former president & CEO of Discover Durham
- Development Era Inductees:
- William “Bill” McGowan, former president and CEO of Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association
- Charles Lapointe, former president of Tourisme Montreal
- Major J. Gordon Smith, former director of the British Columbia Government Travel Bureau
- Industry Contributor Inductees:
- Anne and Ross Heller, publishers and executive editors of USAE Weekly Newspaper
- Christine “Shimo” Shimasaki, CDME, CMP, managing director of 2Synergize, a Simpleview Company
Destination Organization Leadership Award Recipients:
- Bonnie Quill, CDME, president and CEO, Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Marc Garcia, CATP, president and CEO, Visit Mesa
- Martha Sheridan, president and CEO, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau Incorporated
For more information about the Hall of Fame or the Destination Organization Leadership Award, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
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About Destinations International:
Destinations 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 6,500 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 14 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.