FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
[email protected]
1.202.835.4202
Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2019) – Destinations International Chair, William Pate, President and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and Destinations International President and CEO, Don Welsh, today announced that Dawn Holden will join the association as the Vice President of Membership Engagement. Her first official day with the organization will be May 6, 2019.
In her new role, Holden will develop and implement the overall strategic direction of the organization’s membership operations including the recruitment and retention of members, member services and engagement. She will also work in tandem with the senior executive team to develop planning, logistical, and budgetary strategies to contribute to the overall success of the organization and membership base.
“Our members are why we exist,” said Welsh. “This position is charged with promoting and establishing Destinations International as the industry association where members feel known, understood and supported and given the tools they need to excel in their industry and communities. Dawn has been a member of Destinations International for many years and knows first-hand how to help our members around the world excel.”
“I started in the CVB industry in 2001. Very early on I was introduced to IACVB, now known as Destinations International,” said Holden. “Destinations International has served as a reference for education, career paths and major events happening in the industry throughout my career. I am elated to join the Destinations International team and look forward to working collaboratively to achieve goals, strategic objectives and providing next level value proposition to existing and prospective members.”
Most recently, Holden was the Vice President of Partnership Development for VisitPITTSBURGH, the official tourism promotion agency for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. In this role, she was responsible for supporting VisitPITTSBURGH’s sales and marketing efforts by increasing overall partnership levels through new partnerships and programming, including display and web advertising and partnership events. Holden was a sales executive for Hargrove Inc., selling custom rental exhibits to C-Suite executives at associations, destination marketing organizations, corporations and organizations. From 2005 to 2013, she was employed by Destination DC and worked in partnership and convention sales.
Holden is a graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Communications. She also has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College.
###
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.