Destinations International Unveils 2018 30 Under 30 Class

May 30, 2018

Destinations International Foundation Chair Stephanie Pace Brown and President and CEO of Explore Asheville and Destinations International President and CEO Don Welsh unveiled the 2018 30 Under 30 class, which will convene for the first time at the association’s 2018 Annual Convention in Anaheim July 10-13.

The 30 individuals, 30 years of age and under, will have the opportunity to engage in professional development opportunities throughout 2018 and beyond.

“The 30 Under 30 program recognizes the up and coming talent of destination organizations nationwide,” Brown said. “The Foundation created this initiative to develop the future leaders of our industry and is proud to have supported the 210 professionals who have participated in the program the past seven years.”

The honorees originate from a variety of destination organizations of all sizes, including Brand USA, Visit Panama City Beach, Tourisme Montréal and Choose Chicago.

“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s 2018 30 Under 30 class to our Annual Convention in Anaheim,” Welsh said. “Attendance to the convention will be the first of many educational and professional development opportunities offered through the program.”

Program benefits include:

Complimentary registration and three nights’ accommodations during Destinations International's 2018 Annual Convention in Anaheim, California
Complimentary registration for Fundamentals in Destination Marketing, the first course of Destinations International's PDM program
Year-round professional development focus, including regular interactive webinars and an online community to share ideas
Opportunity to apply to attend the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux's Annual Conference

“Each year our convention attendees are inspired by the astute, creative minds in the 30 Under 30 program,” said Tammy Blount-Canavan, Destinations International Chair and President and CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The program provides the best and the brightest additional insights, opportunities and tools for success in destination marketing and management. These young leaders give us a glimpse into a very bright future for our industry.”

This year’s class includes:

Liana Acevedo, Richmond Region Tourism
Sarah Alexander, Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
George Bansah, Brand USA
Amber Burns, Visit Philadelphia
Jeremiah Cook, Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau
Colleen Costello, Newport Beach & Company
Nick Cusick, Visit Saint Paul
Barry Draper, DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau
Carleigh Dworetzky, Destination DC
Jonathan Eckelberg, Travel Wisconsin
Alexa Gallagher, Choose Chicago
Nancy Gordy, Edmonton Tourism
Calista Klein, Travel Tacoma + Pierce County
Ali Lechlitner, Visit South Bend Mishawaka
Sarah Justine Leduc-Villeneuve, Tourisme Montréal
Ruida Lu, Tourism Toronto
Fidel Mitchell, CMP, Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau
Randi Morritt, Visit Aurora
Ashley Patton, Visit KC
Kristen Pepper, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Brianna Prasloski, Tourism Vancouver
Brendan Pringle, Visit SLO CAL
Elizabeth Robinson, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
Chris Robinson, Visit Salt Lake
Robert Row, Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Michaelean Stewart, Visit Panama City Beach
Cameron Teske, Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tamara Thorhallsson, Visit Seattle
Krystle Whitlock, Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau
Christine Zetzl, Visit Indy

The 30 Under 30 program is supported by founding program partner, SearchWide and sponsored by IMEX and Northstar.

“In its eighth year, SearchWide is still thrilled to sponsor such an incredible program,” said Mike Gamble, President and CEO of SearchWide. "We’re looking forward to connecting with the 2018 recipients at Destinations International’s Annual Convention as well as offering our mentorship to these rising stars as they continue their career paths.”

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