Destinations International Announces 63 CDME Recipients

Certification represents tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA (July 9, 2025) – Destinations International announced that 63 industry leaders earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation in 2025.  They were recognized at the association’s Annual Convention taking place July 9-11 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

“We congratulate the new recipients of the CDME credential, which represents the pinnacle of individual accomplishment in the tourism sector,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “These distinguished leaders have enhanced their professional expertise and prepared themselves to navigate the evolving challenges and competitive dynamics of our industry.”

“Earning the CDME designation marks a significant professional milestone. It challenges destination leaders to innovate and adapt within our ever-changing sector,” noted Brett Oetting, CDME, Chair of the CDME Board. “In today’s fast-paced, complex and competitive environment, it is crucial that senior executives possess the strategic skills needed to advance their communities and organizations.”

The CDME program is the only industry certification program specifically designed for destination management professionals and is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement. The program is designed to prepare destination organization professionals to leverage their experience and to apply their knowledge with a focus on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies.

2025 CDME Recipients:

•    Amanda Carrier, CDME, President & CEO, Experience Ruston 
•    Amanda Smith Rasnick, CDME, Destination Engagement Director, Shores & Islands Ohio
•    Amy Lukasik, CDME, Executive Director, Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches
•    Angie M. Brady, CDME, Executive Director, Visit Clarksville
•    Ann Bruzewski, CDME, Vice President, Go Great Lakes Bay in Michigan 
•    April Romero, CDME, Director of Communications, Visit South Padre Island
•    Ashley Baer, CDME, Marketing Director, Explore Butte County
•    Brett Stawar, CDME, President & CEO, Port Aransas Tourism Bureau
•    Camila Clark, CDME, Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Visit Lauderdale
•    Carrie Westergard Hughes, CDME, Executive Director, Visit Boise
•    Christina Majdalani Lokey, CDME, Economic Development Manager, City of Beaumont 
•    Christy Burns, CDME, Executive Director, Visit Corinth
•    Colten Miller, CDME, Sr. Director of Brand Marketing, Visit Lake Charles
•    Cynthia Bartley, CDME, Owner, Sunfish Cove Studio
•    Danielle Morgan, CDME, Executive Director, Mississippi Tourism Association 
•    David Wright, CDME, VP, Partner Relations, Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA)
•    Emily Shorrock, CDME, Sr. Director of Industry Partner Relations, Experience Kissimmee
•    Emily Stuck, CDME, Director of Visitor and Partner Services, Visit Fort Wayne, Indiana
•    Erin Wright, CDME,    Chief Operations Officer, Bermuda Tourism Authority
•    Gary Wheat, CDME, President/CEO, Visit Macon 
•    Harriet Carter, CDME, Vice President, Customer & Partner Services, Visit Detroit
•    Heather Kouns, CDME, Vice President of Strategic Sales, North Little Rock Tourism 
•    Jacqueline D. Hightower, CDME, Independent Consultant
•    Jakai Franks, CDME,    Vice President of Operations, Bermuda Tourism Authority
•    Jeffrey Blom, CDME, President, Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau
•    Jenissa Meredith, CDME, President & CEO, Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism 
•    Jill S. Boggs, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Fort Wayne, Indiana 
•    Jill Delaney, CDME, President & CEO, Discover Albany
•    Johanna Fein, CDME, Executive Director, Visit Highlands, NC
•    Josiah Jones, CDME, Chief Operating Officer, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
•    Julia Fielding, CDME, Executive Director, Travel Drumheller
•    Justin Laferriere, CDME, Senior Visitor Services Manager, Visit Central Florida
•    Kasey L. Summerville, CDME, President & Chief Experience Strategist, Summerville Enterprises
•    Kate Lieto, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Experience Grand Rapids 
•    Kathryn Shea Duncan, CDME, Sr. Director of Social Media/Communications, Visit Lake Charles
•    Kay Galloway, CDME, Chief Marketing Officer, Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
•    Kelly Curtin, CDME, Executive Vice President Membership & Destination Services, New York City Tourism + Conventions
•    Krisilee Murphy, CDME, President & CEO, Explore Elgin Area
•    Kristen S Paul, CDME, Executive Vice President, GoRockford 
•    Luke Wiggins, CDME, Director of Sales, Destination Rogers
•    Mariles Krok, CDME, Chief Convention Sales & Services Officer, Visit Sacramento
•    Mark Kowalewski, CDME, Director of Sales, Visit Prince William
•    Megan Knott, CDME, CEO, Tourism Kingston 
•    Melody Burnett, CDME, President, Visit High Point
•    Michael Bell, CDME, Executive Director, TASC, Visit Topeka
•    Michelle Day Miles, CDME, Executive Director and Chair, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden/Tourism Lethbridge
•    Michelle Thomson, CDME, President & CEO, Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association
•    Miranda Ji, CDME, Executive VP of Sales, Destination Greater Victoria
•    Nancy Bowman, CDME, Vice President of Branding, Visit High Point 
•    Nathanael Saldaña, CDME, Director, Brand & Content Studio, Experience Kissimmee
•    Neil MacKenzie, CDME, CEO, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA)
•    Nicole Olivares, CDME, Chief Sales Officer, Visit Corpus Christi
•    Paula Port, CDME, Vice President, Global Marketing, Destination Toronto 
•    Peggy Coleman, CDME, President & CEO, Tompkins Chamber & Visit Ithaca
•    Scott McCrea, CDME, President and CEO, Explore Fairbanks
•    Sharon Wyman, CDME, Chief Operating Officer, Discover Long Island
•    Sydnie A. Furton, CDME, Client Experience Director, Datafy
•    Tanya Leader, CDME, Vice President of Sales & Services, Visit The Northshore
•    Taylor Beard Stanley, CDME, Vice President of Sales, Visit Lake Charles
•    Tiffany Ahalt, CDME, Director of Sales & Community Engagement, Hagerstown/Washington County CVB
•    Traci Moon, CDME, SVP Marketing and Communications, Visit KC
•    Trina Flack, CDME, Vice President of Sales, Catch Des Moines
•    Tyson Steiger, CDME, Director of Sales, Visit Rapid City

For more information about CDME or Destinations International, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.