Destinations International Announces 2019-2020 Planner Influencer Board

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
[email protected]
1.202.835.4202

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 7, 2019) – Destinations International today announced its Planner Influencer Board for the 2019-2020 year.  

As a strategic initiative of the association, Destinations International works to elevate the critical role CVBs have on the event planning process and work to educate CVB members with tools, resources and best practices to successfully deliver that value. The Planner Influencer Board will contribute 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. They will be presenting at key Destinations International and industry events to educate both planners and CVBs on the important roles CVBs play in the event planning process.

“CVBs are the key to every successful event and are an extension of a meeting organizer’s team,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “This group of influential industry leaders

will continue to help us refine key strategies and services event organizers have identified as critical for the industry.”

The overall goals for the Planner Influencer Board include:

  • Gaining a better understanding of the trends, drivers, and priorities shaping destination organizations and exploring how CVBs can become a more valuable partner with meeting professionals in light of these influences.
     
  • Validating the CVB value proposition, ensuring destination organizations are aligned with meeting professionals’ needs and expectations.
     
  • Reviewing, assessing, and brainstorming product direction and opportunities for improving solutions, interaction and customer satisfaction.
     
  • Collaborating on shared business issues, thereby strengthening the relationship between CVB members and customers.

The 2019-2020 Destinations International Planner Influencer Board Roster:

  • Dean Armintrout, Director, Event Marketing, T-Mobile
  • Michael Barratt, CMP, Senior Vice President, Meetings and Events, Auto Care Association
  • Matt Burruss, CMP, Event Director, SmithBucklin
  • Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM, CASE, Global Meetings & Tourism Specialists, LLC
  • Windy K. Christner, CMP, Senior Director, Meetings & Expositions, American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
  • Deirdre Clemmons, CMP, Vice President, Meetings, Education and Partnerships, DELP Scholar, Airports Council International
  • Jenna Cummins, CMP, Director, Strategic Accounts, Experient, Inc
  • Jill Gately, CMP Director of Event Operations, National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC)
  • Bobby Heard, MBA, CAE , Chief Operating Officer, American College of Emergency Physicians
  • Michael Jordan Vice President, Events and Experience, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
  • Kate Kurkjian, CMP, Event Operations, Zillow
  • Katia McKennon, Principal, Meeting Management Services
  • Garland Preddy, CGMP, Education and Training Consultant, Society of Government Meeting Professionals
  • William Reed, FASAE, CMP, Chief Event Strategy Officer, American Society of Hematology
  • Matthew J. Wales, CMP Vice President, Member Services & Events, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
  • Alex Zapple, CMP, CEM, Associate Director for Meetings and Member Experience, American Society of Nephrology

For more information visit meetings.destinationsinternational.org.

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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. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with almost 6,000 destination professionals from around the globe from nearly 600 destinations in 13 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.