Destinations International and Destinations International Foundation Announce New Board Members and Officers for 2025-2026
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA (July 10, 2025) – Destinations International today announced its association Board of Directors and foundation Board of Trustees for 2025-2026. Leslie Bruce, CDME, president & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau, assumed the role of Chair of Destinations International. Martha J. Sheridan, president & CEO, Meet Boston, assumed the role of Chair of the Destinations International Foundation. As a past chair of Destinations International, Sheridan is the first woman to serve in both capacities. The announcements were made at the association’s annual business meeting during the Destinations International 2025 Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
“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 grateful for the time, counsel and service each of these individuals dedicates to our industry. We welcome our newest directors and trustees to the boards for the coming year and are delighted to have two accomplished women executives from the United States and Canada serving as chairs.”
“It is an honor to be elected Chair of Destinations International,” said Leslie Bruce, CDME, president & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau. “I look forward to working with the board and team to further the success and impact of DI as it continues to expand its global membership. The association is a critical resource for destinations through its work on community, advocacy and research, professional development and destination tools. I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of Scott White, president & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs, and I congratulate him on a successful year as chair.”
“I am honored to serve as chair of the Destinations International Foundation for 2025-2026,” said Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston. “The foundation’s focus areas – including research, advocacy, workforce initiatives and social impact – 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. I congratulate Amir Eylon, president & CEO of Longwoods International, for his leadership and impact over the last year.
Association Board Directors for 2025-2026
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Bennish Brown, President & CEO, Destination Augusta
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Jill Delaney, President & CEO, Discover Albany
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Kristen Reynolds, CDME, President & CEO, Choose Chicago
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Laura Libby, President, Destination Marketing, Miles Partnership
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Michael Crockatt, President & CEO, Ottawa Tourism
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Norbert Kettner, CEO, Vienna Tourist Board
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Rose Noble, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Spokane
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Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
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Sonya Bradley, Chief Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer, Visit Sacramento
2025-2026 Association Officers
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Chair: Leslie Bruce, CDME, President & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau
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Immediate Past Chair: Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs
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Chair-Elect: Kyle Edmiston, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Lake Charles
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Treasurer: Rickey L. Thigpen, MCTP, Ph.D., President & CEO, Visit Jackson
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Secretary: Beth Erickson, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Loudoun
Foundation Board Trustees 2025-2026
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Alex Michaels, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Lehigh Valley
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Jayne DeLuce, CDME, President & CEO, Experience Champaign-Urbana
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Julie L. Gilbert, CDME, President & CEO, Destination Door County
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Mya Surrency, Founder, Digital Edge
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Paul Nursey, CEO, Destination Greater Victoria
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Renee Areng, CDME, President & CEO, Explore Brookhaven
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William Pate, President & CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Zac Craig, President & CEO, Visit Oklahoma City
2024-2025 Foundation Officers
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Chair: Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston
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Chair-Elect: Steven Paganelli, CDME, Senior Director, Head of Americas Partnerships, Tripadvisor
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Immediate Past Chair: Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Longwoods International
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Treasurer/Secretary: Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
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At Large Officer: Katherine O’Donnell, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Richmond VA
Please visit the Destinations International website for a complete list of the Association Board and Foundation Board for 2025-2026.
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About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most trusted 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.
Tim Smith is a strategic communications leader with over 20 years of experience across government, industry, agency, and association sectors. He has held senior roles at Delaware North, APCO Worldwide, and Edelman, and served abroad as a U.S. diplomat promoting trade and investment. As Vice President of Communications, he leads strategy to elevate brand, support the association’s mission, and engage global stakeholders. Tim is active in civic and professional organizations and has served on multiple boards. He lives outside Buffalo, New York, with his wife and has three grown children.