FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
1.202.835.4202
WASHINGTON, D.C. (JULY 19, 2022) – Destinations International announced that 23 industry leaders earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation in 2022. They were recognized at association’s Annual Convention which takes place July 19-21, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.
“Congratulations to those who have earned their CDME credential, the tourism industry's highest individual achievement." said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “These leaders have invested in their education and are now equipped with the knowledge needed to adapt to and manage the increasing change and competition facing our industry.”
“As the industry’s highest professional achievement, the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program pushes destination leaders to think differently in this constantly changing environment,” said Gary Sherwin, CDME, president and CEO of Newport Beach and Company and chair of the CDME Board of Directors. “It is more important than ever for senior executives to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to serve their communities in the greatest capacity.”
The CDME program is the only industry certification program specifically designed for destination management professionals and is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement. The program is designed to prepare destination organization professionals to leverage their experience and to apply their knowledge with a focus on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies.
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
For more information about CDME or Destinations International, 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.