State Tourism Association Task Force

The State Tourism Association task force is an appointment only volunteer group, compromising of Executive Directors from US State Tourism Associations who are members of Destinations International. The group will guide Destinations International’s engagement with destination organizations in their state with particular insight in assisting smaller organizations not currently members of Destinations International. The group will work together to assist in their own organizations growth and strengthen Destinations International’s engagement from a professional development perspective. The group is tasked at growing membership from additional State Tourism Associations in the USA.

2024 State Tourism Association Task Force Members

• Amanda Dyson-Thornton, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
• Barbara Newton, President and CEO, California Travel Association
• Carrie Lambert, Executive Director, Indiana Tourism Association
• Danielle Morgan, Executive Director, Mississippi Tourism Association
• Julia Hertel, Executive Director, Destinations Wisconsin
• Kathleen Davis, CEO, Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (Chair)
• Kristen Jarnagin Reynolds, President & CEO, New York State Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
• Larisa Draves, Executive Director, Michigan Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
• Melyssa Reeves, President and CEO, One West Tourism Alliance
• Monica Smith, President and CEO, Southeast Tourism Society

• Robert Provost, President & CEO, New York State Tourism Industry Association
• Suzanne Hurst, Deputy Director, Destinations Florida

Destinations International Staff Liaison

• Julie Holmen, Vice President of Membership Engagement