News provided by Destinations International (www.destinationsinternational.org ).

48 Destinations Receive DMAP Designation at Destinations International’s Annual Convention

Destinations International announced that 48 destination marketing organizations received a Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) seal in recognition of their destination organization’s commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination marketing organizations around the world.

The accreditation program requires a destination organization to successfully comply with a multitude of mandatory and voluntary standards that span a variety of performance areas to gain this momentous achievement. The standards cover nearly all aspects related to the management and marketing of destination organizations including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research.

Several organizations achieved accreditation with distinction, an honor reserved for those destination organizations that went beyond meeting the required standards of accreditation to truly showcase the breadth of their operation and their commitment to advancing the destination they serve.

“We are pleased to have these organizations join our distinguished group of DMAP organizations,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. “The industry distinction defines quality and performance standards for destination organizations and I look forward to welcoming them to the DMAP community.”

"Destination accreditation provides a visible differentiator for these special organizations as an independent review board assessed their specific operations, leadership and policies to determine that they meet or exceed the standards of the industry,” said David Holder, Vice President – Tourism of JLL - Hospitality and Tourism Group.

The following accreditations and re-accreditations were announced at Destinations International’s Annual Convention:

Initial Applications:

• Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Aspen Chamber Resort Association
• Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau
• Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Destination El Paso
• DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Discover Flagstaff (With Distinction)
• Gaston County Travel and Tourism (Go Gaston)
• Tourism Whistler
• Visit Casper
• Visit South Bend Mishawaka (With Distinction)
• Visit Tampa Bay (With Distinction)
• Visit Tuolumne County
• Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation

4-year Renewal Applications:

• Bermuda Tourism Authority
• Destination Cleveland
• Discover Durham
• Fresno/Clovis CVB
• Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Louisiana Office of Tourism
• Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau
• Visit Buffalo Niagara
• Visit Great Lakes Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Visit Mesa
• Visit Oakland
• Visit South Walton
• Visit Tulsa

8-year Re-Accreditation Applications:

• Albany County CVB
• Anaheim/Orange County
• Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
• Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. (With Distinction)
• Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission
• Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Tourism Saskatoon
• Tourism Winnipeg (With Distinction)
• Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Visit Colorado Springs (With Distinction)
• VISIT FLORIDA
• Visit Frisco
• Visit KC
• Visit Lake County
• Visit Lubbock
• Visit Newport Beach, Inc. (With Distinction)
• Visit Quad Cities
• Visit San Antonio (With Distinction)
• Visit Sarasota County (With Distinction)
• VisitGreenvilleSC

Destinations International Announces New Board Members

Destinations International has announced new 2019-2020 Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees. Craig Davis, CDME, President and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, assumed the role of Chair ofDestinations International. John Groh, CDME, President/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, assumed the role of Chair of the Destinations International Foundation.

“As a member of Destinations International for the past 18 years, I’ve been fortunate to have held several volunteer positions within the organization,” said Davis. “I look forward to working closer with our extremely talented board of directors and Destinations International staff to advance the initiatives and strategic goals of our industry”.

“As we all know, the role of destination organizations is rapidly shifting and changing,” said Groh. “Fortunately, the Foundation helps us all stay ahead of the disruption and in turn relevant in the communities we serve. As we roll out a refreshed direction and multi-year workplan, it’s clear the year ahead is an important one for our foundation. I’m honored by the opportunity to serve as chair and appreciate the board’s confidence in me to do so.”

“Destinations International and the Destinations International Foundation are driven by the volunteers serving on our boards and committees,” said Welsh. “We are truly grateful for the time, counsel and service these individuals dedicate to our industry and we look forward to their leadership during their time as a Board member and beyond.”

Association Board of Directors (New Board Members):
New Board Officers:

• Craig Davis, CDME, VisitPITTSBURGH, Chair
• Butch Spyridon, Nashville CVC, Chair-Elect
• William Pate, Atlanta CVB, Immediate Past-Chair
• Gretchen Hall, CDME, Little Rock CVB, Secretary/Treasurer
• Julie Coker Graham, Philadelphia CVB, At Large Officer
• Scott White, Greater Palm Springs CVB, At Large Officer

New and Returning Board Members:

• Brad Dean, Discover Puerto Rico
• Brian Ross, Experience Columbus
• Chris Thompson, CDME, Brand USA
• Chuck Davison, CDME, Visit SLO CAL
• Dario Flota Ocampo, Quintana Roo Tourism Board, Mexico
• David Burgess, Miles Partnership
• Julie Coker Graham, Philadelphia CVB
• Leslie Bruce, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
• Matt Clement, CDME, Arrivalist
• Paul Nursey, Destination Greater Victoria
• Ryan George, Simpleview

Foundation Board of Trustees (New Board Members):
New Board Officers:

• John Groh, CDME, Rockford Area CVB, Chair
• John Lambeth, Civitas, Chair-Elect
• Jason Fulvi, CDME, Visit KC, Immediate Past-Chair
• John Percy, CDME, Destination Niagara USA, Secretary/Treasurer
• Vail Ross, STR, At-Large Board Position

New and Returning Board Members:

• Amir Eylon, Longwoods International
• Annette Rummel, Ph.D., CDME, Great Lakes Bay Regional CVB
• Bill Geist, DMOproz
• Bryan Grimaldi, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
• Cara Frank, Simpleview
• Jorge Pesquera, CDME, Discover The Palm Beaches
• Kellie Henderson, Searchwide Global
• Leonard Hoops, Visit Indy
• Stacy Ritter, Greater Ft. Lauderdale CVB

For more information visit www.destinationsinternational.org.