Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Chairman Bob Lander and President and CEO Don Welsh today announced a strategic realignment of the organization in preparation for a renewed commitment to focus on member and partner needs. Effective today, DMAI has vacated nine positions for further evaluation as it moves forward with the realignment. Charles Jeffers, COO and interim CEO since September 2015, will remain with the organization through the end of May 2016 to assist with a seamless transition.

“Following significant analysis, discussion and deliberation, the timing of this organizational realignment is appropriate and essential,” said Lander. “The executive committee fully supports the strategies and initiatives that Don plans to implement in the very near future. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Charles for his commitment to DMAI and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

As competition continues to increase on a global scale, the DMAI Board and leadership team are committed to providing its members and partners with the essential resources, including, but not limited to education and accreditation, and relevant and insightful data.

“This organizational realignment will allow the team to accomplish the key tasks that will help take DMAI to the next level,” said Welsh. “We exist for the benefit of our members and moving forward, we will provide the services and products that they want, need and are willing to financially support. I echo Bob’s thanks to Charles and look forward to working with him over these next few weeks.”

As a result of this immediate organizational realignment, the DMAI leadership team currently includes Welsh; Christine Shimasaski, Managing Director of empowerMINT and EIC; Julie Hart, Chief Financial Officer; and Paul Ouimet, Executive Director of DestinationNEXT.