WHY IT RATES: This year's talented honorees hail from 30 unique destinations across four countries.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor
The Destinations International Foundation and Destinations International, the global trade association for official convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards, today announced the 2024 30 Under 30 class, which is a group of highly talented young professionals in the destination organization industry. To learn more about each honoree, click here.
Destinations International is committed to investing and preparing the leaders of tomorrow and developing future industry leaders that represent a diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives. Each year, 30 individuals under the age of 30 are selected to gain valuable industry networking opportunities and increased thought leadership throughout the year. This year’s honorees hail from 30 unique destinations across four countries and were selected from a competitive pool of 96 applicants.
“The 30 Under 30 program remains critical to our organization’s vision and mission,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “As our industry moves toward recovery, we are especially excited to announce these young professionals as they are the future of the travel and tourism industry.”
“The Destinations International Foundation believes it is important to empower future leaders,” said Ellie Westman Chin, CDME, president and CEO of Destination Madison and chair of the Destinations International Foundation. “We are thrilled to see the 30 Under 30 Program enter its 14th year, and we are thankful for the foundation investors who make programs like these possible for our industry through their contributions. We look forward to engaging with this group of emerging leaders through professional development, educational opportunities and networking with industry peers and leaders throughout the year and in the years to come.”
“We are pleased to honor this year’s 30 Under 30 class of bright and talented young leaders,” said Mike Gamble, President and CEO of SearchWide Global. “Year after year, I am consistently impressed by the caliber of individuals we welcome into this program, representing destinations worldwide. We remain committed to helping our young leaders shape the future of our industry.”
The 2024 30 Under 30 Class Includes:
- Alexandria Eady, Content Manager, Richmond Region Tourism
- America Segura, Public Relations Manager, Visit Corpus Christi
- Andrew Lawrence, Assistant Director, Arlington Sports Commission, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Brittany Jones, Marketing Project Manager, Discover Durham
- Caitlin Neal, Marketing Director, Gilmer Chamber/Pick Ellijay
- Catherine Streater, Senior Coordinator, Brand USA
- Cristina Fernandes, Leisure Sales Coordinator, Discover Puerto Rico
- Fallon Tullier, Research and Technology Manager, Visit Baton Rouge
- Hailey Post, Destination Data Manager, Visit Raleigh
- Ian Wallis, Sales & Marketing Manager, Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Tourism
- Jessica VanDeMar, Marketing Manager, Visit Finger Lakes
- Kasmara Freiderich, National Sales Manager, Experience Rochester, MN
- Katie Clarke, People and Culture Coordinator, Destination Vancouver
- Lee Prutsman, Senior Marketing Manager, Visit KC
- Luke Alexopoulos, Senior Public Relations Manager, Visit Eau Claire
- Macy Dolton, Content Marketing Specialist, Destination DC
- Maggie Carter, Creative Marketing Manager, Visit Baltimore
- Martin Garneau , Senior Manager, Systems Architecture and Application Development, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
- Mary Coryell, Manager, Partner Relations, Discover Lehigh Valley
- Megan Myers, Digital Media Director, Hocking Hills Tourism Association
- Megane Simone, Bid & Communication Manager, Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation
- Millie Stewart, Director of Sales, Visit Ogden
- Nathaniel Sweetman, Sports Marketing Coordinator, Visit Sarasota County
- Orla Moule, Business Events Assistants, Fáilte Ireland
- Samantha Green Ewald, Destination Services Manager, Visit Charlotte/Charlotte Regional Visitor's Authority
- Sheridan Powell, Communications Specialist, Visit Colorado Springs
- Sydney Macapagal, Digital Content Strategist, Visit Galveston
- Sydney Patterson, Marketing Manager, Visit Fort Worth
- Wayne Stewart, Director of Marketing & Communications, Visit Casper
- Wesley Sosa, Graphic Designer and Brand Manager, Visit Stockton
In addition to the 30 Under 30 class, Destinations International is also honoring the first cohort of its young professional leadership development program. In an effort to provide networking and leadership development opportunities to industry partners as well as destination organization members, the program allows staff members of Pinnacle and Premier partners of Destinations International to join virtual leadership development and networking sessions alongside the 30 Under 30 class throughout the year.
The 2024 young professional leadership development program cohort Includes:
- Justin Koroneos, Customer Success Manager, Simpleview
- Lauren Fox, Marketing Manager, Miles Partnership
- Jessica Franzen, Associate Media Manager, MMGY Global
Now in its 14th year, the 30 Under 30 program is supported by founding program partner, SearchWide Global and sponsored by Fired Up! Culture and IMEX.
The Destinations International Foundation is also grateful for the support of USAE for the “Anne Daly Heller USAE 30 Under 30 Scholars Fund.” The fund is intended to provide exceptional continuing educational opportunities for participants of each year’s class of Destination International’s 30 Under 30 honorees. To learn more or donate, please click here.
For more information on the 30 Under 30 Program and the 2024 30 Under 30 class, please visit destinationsinternational.org/general-information/30-under-30.
SOURCE: Destinations International Foundation press release.
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