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Destinations International and Destinations International Foundation Announce New Board Members and Officers for 2024-2025
TAMPA, FLORIDA, USA (July 18, 2024) – Destinations International today announced its association Board of Directors and foundation Board of Trustees for 2024-2025. Scott White, president & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs, assumed the role of Chair of Destinations International. Amir Eylon, president & CEO of Longwoods International, assumed the role of Chair of the Destinations International Foundation. The announcements were made at the association’s annual business meeting during the Destinations International 2024 Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida.
“Destinations International and the Destinations International Foundation are driven by the experienced volunteers who serve on our boards and committees,” said Don Welsh, President & CEO of Destinations International. “We are very fortunate to be able to rely on their exceptional expertise and are grateful for the time, counsel and service each of these individuals dedicates to our industry. We are delighted to welcome our newest directors and trustees to the boards for the coming year.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be elected Chair of Destinations International,” said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. “I look forward to working with the board and staff to further propel the success of DI, which in recent years has significantly expanded its global membership. The association is a critical resource for destinations through its work on community, advocacy and research, professional development and destination tools, and in the key areas of social inclusion and community shared value. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Fred Dixon, former President & CEO, New York City Tourism and Conventions, and I congratulate him on a successful year as chair. I look forward to collaborating with Fred in his new role as president and CEO of Brand USA.”
“I am honored to serve as chair of the Destinations International Foundation for 2024-2025,” said Amir Eylon, President & CEO of Longwoods International. “The Foundation’s focus areas – including research, advocacy, workforce initiatives and social inclusion – are critical to the work destination organizations do every day. I look forward to helping continue the growth of the Foundation and expanding its ability to deliver timely research and programs for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.”
Association Board Directors for 2024-2025
• Cody Chomiak, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Travel Manitoba
• Craig Compagnone, President, Americas, MMGY Global
• Erin Francis Cummings, CEO, Future Partners
• Monica Smith, CDME, President & CEO, Southeast Tourism Society
• Rickey Thigpen, PhD, President & CEO, Visit Jackson
• Sara Toliver, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Odgen
• Zeek Coleman, Vice President, Americas, Tourism Economics
2024-2025 Association Officers
• Chair: Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs
• Chair-Elect: Leslie Bruce, President & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau
• Past-Chair: Al Hutchinson, President & CEO, Visit Baltimore
• Treasurer: Kyle Edmiston, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Lake Charles
• Secretary: Rickey Thigpen, PhD, President & CEO, Visit Jackson
• At Large: Beth Erickson, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Loudoun
• At Large: Monica Smith, CDME, President & CEO, Southeast Tourism Society (STS)
• At Large: Fred Dixon, President & CEO, Brand USA
Foundation Board Trustees 2024-2025
• Adam Burke, President & CEO, LA Tourism & Convention Board
• Angela Nelson, Vice President of EDI & Community Engagement, Travel Portland
• Barbara Karasek, CEO, Paradise - a partner for good
• Gregg Shapiro, President & Chief Creative Officer, Tempest
• Kara Franker, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Estes Park
• John Percy, CDME, President & CEO, Destination Niagara USA
• Milton Segarra, CDME President & CEO, Discover The Palm Beaches
2024-2025 Foundation Officers
• Chair: Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Longwoods International
• Chair-Elect: Martha Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston
• Immediate Past-Chair: Ellie Westman Chin, CDME, President & CEO, Destination Madison
• Treasurer/Secretary: Steven Paganelli, CDME, Americas Partnerships Lead at TripAdvisor
• At Large Office: Adam Burke, President & CEO, LA Tourism & Convention Board
Please visit the Destinations International website for a complete list of the Association Board and Foundation Board for 2024-2025.
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About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
About Destinations International Foundation
The Destinations International Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations globally to excel through innovation and resource incubation. The foundation innovates new ideas and ways of doing things and incubates new tools and resources to improve the efforts of DI members. It launches and manages future-facing programs and initiatives, develops next-generation professional development and tools, and fosters short- and long-term cooperative relationships around the globe on behalf of the association.
About the Author
Tim Smith has 20+ years of strategic communications experience spanning roles in government, industry, agency and association settings. Most recently, he led corporate communications for Delaware North, a global leader in travel, hospitality and entertainment. Previously, he was Managing Director – West Coast at APCO Worldwide and Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Edelman, providing clients with senior communications and public affairs counsel. He has lived and worked outside the United States for more than a decade, including as a U.S. diplomat tasked with promoting trade and investment.
As Vice President of Communications, Tim is responsible for development and execution of strategic communications to support the association’s mission, enhance and elevate brand, and strengthen impact. He serves as primary contact for media and manages communication with global stakeholders, including association leaders, members, policymakers, media, academia, tourism industry and staff.
Tim is active in civic and professional organizations and has served on the boards of the Public Affairs Council, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and PRSA Puget Sound, among others. He has three grown children and currently resides with his wife outside of Buffalo, New York.