FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
[email protected]
1.202.835.4202
Destinations International and Destinations International Foundation Announce New Board Members
DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (July 19, 2023) – Destinations International today announced the new 2023-2024 association Board of Directors and foundation Board of Trustees. Fred Dixon, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions assumed the role of Chair of Destinations International. Ellie Westman Chin, CDME, president and CEO of Destination Madison, assumed the role of Chair of the Destinations International Foundation.
“Destinations International and the Destinations International Foundation are driven by the experienced volunteers serving on our boards and committees,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “We are truly grateful for the time, counsel and service these individuals dedicate to our industry and we look forward to their leadership during their time as a board member and beyond. It is our pleasure and honor to welcome our newest directors and trustees to the boards for 2023/2024.”
“It is a tremendous honor to assume the role of Chair of Destinations International, “said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions and chair of Destinations International. “I look forward to supporting DI’s excellent work on behalf of destinations: their continued commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion; growing membership internationally; and continuing to propel the meetings and events industry forward. It is a pleasure to follow in the footsteps of my dear friend Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, and I’d like to congratulate him on a successful term as chair.”
“I am honored to be serving as the 2023/2024 Destinations International Foundation Chair,” said Ellie Westman Chin. “The foundation’s focus areas including research, advocacy, workforce initiatives, DEI and many other important and impactful programs is critical to the work destinations around the globe do each and every day. I look forward to continuing to grow the Foundation to be able to deliver timely research, programs and crisis response for the tourism and hospitality industry.”
Association Board Directors For 2023/2024:
• Beth Erickson, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Loudoun
• Bethanie DeRose, CDME, Senior Vice President, JLL
• Domenic Bravo, CDME, CEO, Visit Cheyenne
• Julie Calvert, President & CEO, Visit Cincy
• Kristin McGrath, CDME, Executive Director, Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Kyle Edmiston, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Lake Charles
• Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, CQIA, President & CEO, ASAE
• Victoria Cimino, President & CEO, Visit Williamsburg
• Yrjötapio “YT” Kivisaari, CEO, Visit Oulu
2023/2024 Association Officers:
• Chair: Fred Dixon, New York City Tourism + Conventions
• Chair-Elect: Scott White, Visit Greater Palm Springs
• Immediate Past-Chair: Al Hutchinson, Visit Baltimore
• Treasurer: Leslie Bruce, President and CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau
• Secretary: Kyle Edmiston, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Lake Charles
Foundation Board Trustees For 2023/2024:
• James Jackson, President & CEO, Tourism Jasper
• Jerad Bachar, CDME, President & CEO, VisitPITTSBURGH
• Jessica Ireland, Founder, Sunshine & Bourbon
• Katherine O'Donnell, CDME, Executive Vice President, Richmond Region Tourism
• Martha Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston
• Todd O'Leary, CDME, CTIS, VP, Marketing & Communications, Sonoma County Tourism
• Victoria Clarke, CDME, CEO, Tourism Mississauga
2023/2024 Foundation Officers:
• Chair: Ellie Westman Chin, CDME, President & CEO, Destination Madison
• Chair-Elect: Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Longwoods International
• Immediate Past-Chair: Vail Ross, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development & Marketing, STR
• Treasurer/Secretary: Martha Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston
• At Large Office: Steven Paganelli, CDME, Head of Destination Marketing, Americas, TripAdvisor
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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. With more than 6,000 members and partners from over 600 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.