Destinations International and Destinations International Foundation thrives on the dedication of its volunteer leaders, with committee members playing a vital role in the association’s success. From shaping new tools and research to overseeing accreditation programs and recommending industry best practices, these volunteers collaborate with peers and staff to enhance member benefits and create essential resources for destination organizations worldwide.

Committee service is for a one-year term, starting in January and ending in December, and any destination member or partner in good standing is eligible to serve.

At Destinations International, our commitment to social impact extends to all aspects of our work, including volunteer leadership. We believe that committee service should be accessible to every member, regardless of location, background, or time zone. In alignment with our mission of fostering an inclusive global community, we always work to ensure that committee meetings and committee work are structured to welcome participation from all members and partners, offering equal opportunities to contribute and shape the future of our industry.

While appointments are accepted year-round, an open call to our global community takes place each September and October.

CDME graduates can earn two credits per year toward recertification by serving.

For more information, please contact Chelsea Welter, SVP of Governance & Administration, at [email protected].

Standing Committees

Destinations International has the following standing committees per the Association’s bylaws.

• Advocacy Committee - Recommends partnerships, best practices and resources to communicate the value and impact of destination organizations to their leadership, stakeholders and community. Working with staff, assists in the prioritization and development of advocacy related content and resources for Destinations International members.
   
• Audit Committees (Destinations International and Destinations International Foundation) - Oversees the annual audit and monitors the process in which the financial practices are carried out by the Association and Foundation.
   
• Awards Committee - Recommends recipients for the Hall of Fame Award, Destination Organization Leadership Award, and Destination Organization Award for Global Impact.
   
• Canadian Destinations Leadership Council - Represents Canadian membership within Destinations International and provides strategic guidance to the Association for how the Association can best serve our Canadian members.
   
• Convention Sales & Services Committee - Reviews and develops strategies and best practices to deliver the value proposition on why its critical to work with CVBs when planning meetings and events.
   
• Development Committee (Destinations International Foundation) - Committee shall have the responsibility for the strategic planning, development and implementation of the Foundation's annual fundraising and development initiatives and goals.
   
• Finance Committee - The Finance Committee is responsible for overseeing the association's budget, financial statements and financial practices of the association on a monthly basis.
   
• Global Leadership Committee - Advises the Association on strategies for development and growth of its leadership role worldwide while serving as ambassadors in areas where membership is in need of development.
   
• Governance and Nominating Committee - Advises for ongoing board development, leadership development, board and board member assessment, board education, and for ensuring that the board is equipped with proper guidelines and structure to do its work.
   
• Governance and Nominations Committee (Destinations International Foundation) - Advises for ongoing board development, leadership development, board and board member assessment, board education, and for ensuring that the board is equipped with proper guidelines and structure to do its work.
   
• Grants Committee (Destinations International Foundation) - The Governance and Nominating Committee of the Foundation shall annually analyze the present composition of the board of trustees.
   
• Marketing Committee - Focuses on the sharing of knowledge, identification of issues and the development of marketing solutions as they relate to the professions involved with the business operations of a destination organization.
   
• Membership Committee - Provides input on strategies to increase membership engagement and involvement and identifies means to measure membership satisfaction and priorities.
   
• Organization Accreditation Program Committee (DMAP Board) - Serves as the governing board for the destination organization industry's highest organizational achievement, known as the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).
   
• Professional Credential Program Committee (CDME Board) - Professional Credential Program Committee (CDME Board) - Oversees the policies and procedures that govern the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program.
   
• Professional Development Committee (Annual Convention Program Planning Committee) - Creates, provides and reviews session proposals and curating Annual Convention concurrent session content that is engaging, relevant, and valuable to the industry.
   
• Public Relations & Communications Committee - Focuses on advocating for and advancing issues as they relate to the profession across the travel and tourism sector.
   
• Social Impact Committee - Leads strategic planning and programmatic initiatives that will impact structural social change for the benefit of destination organizations and their communities globally.

Advisory Councils & Task Forces

In addition to the standing committees, the Chairman of the Board, with the approval of the Destinations International Board of Directors, can appoint other committees, advisory councils or task forces that are felt to be necessary.

• Business Operations Professionals Task Force - Focuses on the sharing of knowledge, identification of issues and the development of solutions as they relate to the professions involved with the business operations of a destination organization.
   
• Community Connection Professional Task Force - Focus on the sharing of knowledge, identification of issues and the development of solutions as they relate to community engagement and destination development. The task force will work with Destinations International to advance relevant content and professional development.
   
• Small Destination Organization Sub-Committee - Reviews the current benefits and programs offered by Destinations International from the perspective of organizations with budgets of $3 million or less.

Additional Volunteer Leadership

Destinations International maintains additional advisory groups of professionals for the purposes of advancing the Association's work in different segments of the industry.

• Advisory Leadership Board - To provide strategic insights and support workforce development, retention, and leadership growth, while enhancing DI’s mentorship program and addressing industry challenges.
   
• European Stewardship Council - A volunteer group of champions who support Destinations International to “set the agenda” for Europe. Create cohesion, content and thought leadership while driving membership growth. 
   
• Large Market Roundtable - Enhances Business Events Strategy by providing guidance on the top issues that are impacting the convention sales cycle and overall CVB sales production in the largest markets within the US and Canada.
   
• Partner Advisory Council - Provides guidance regarding programs, activities and policies affecting the supplier community, for the greater benefit of the entire organization.
   
• Planner Influencer Board - Contributes to the Association’s overall business events strategy by helping define the key elements CVBs need to deliver on their promise of helping make events successful.
   
• State Tourism Association Task Force - The State Tourism Association task force is an appointment only volunteer group, compromising of Executive Directors from US State Tourism Associations who are members of Destinations International. 
   
• 30 Under 30 Alumni Council - The 30 Under 30 Alumni Council supports the growth and evolution of the Destinations International Foundation's 30 Under 30 program. Council members assist in the development of professional development opportunities, organize networking opportunities, facilitate mentorship connections with the current class, and help drive educational content and thought leadership for the tourism industry at large. Participation on the Council is limited to 30 Under 30 honorees from the classes of 2011-2023.