Download photos and press releases from the Annual Convention here.
Anaheim, Calif. (July 13, 2018) – Destinations International Chair William Pate and President and CEO of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and President and CEO Don Welsh today announced final attendance numbers for the 2018 Annual Convention held July 10-13 in Anaheim, Calif. More than 1,620 attendees engaged in general sessions and over 55 disciplined-focused concurrent sessions and networking.
Throughout the program, leadership at the association and the Destinations International Foundation recognized and celebrated those that have demonstrated commitment and promise towards the continued success of destination marketing worldwide. This year, 18 industry representatives received their CDME certification; 33 destination organizations were honored for their DMAP accreditation and reaccreditation; four industry leaders were inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the 2018 Class of 30 Under 30 was introduced.
Tammy Blount-Canavan, FCDME, President and CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau turned over the association’s leadership role to William Pate, President and CEO of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
In his new role as Destinations International Board Chair, Pate will work alongside Don Welsh and the global trade association's executive team to continue the organization’s work on education, certification and advocacy opportunities for destination organizations around the world. Pate will focus on three key areas during his time as Chair including retiring the association's debt, improving the industry’s diversity and inclusion representation, and defining the value proposition for destination marketing organizations.
Next year, the Annual Convention will be held in St. Louis, Missouri July 23-26, 2018.
The 2018 Annual Convention is presented by Destinations International with the support of the Destinations International Foundation. Destinations International is grateful for the support of our Pinnacle Partners: Brand USA and Simpleview; our Premier Partners: Miles Partnership and Tempest; and our Annual Convention 2018 sponsors to date: ADARA, Arrivalist, The Center for Association Leadership (ASAE), BCF, CFO By Design, Civitas, Crowdriff, Destination Analysts, Expedia Group Media Solutions, Fuseideas, HelmsBriscoe, Homeaway, IMEX Group, International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Lonely Planet, Longwoods International, Lou Hammond & Associates, Madden Media, MMGY Global, Northstar Meetings Group, Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Saffire, SearchWide Global, Sojern, SpotX, STR, TripAdvisor, Ultimate Data, a division of Wiland, Inc. and Visit Anaheim.
For more information on Destinations International visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
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About Destinations International:
Destinations International (formerly Destination Marketing Association 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 more than 4,700 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 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.