Destinations International Foundation Chair Stephanie Pace Brown and President and CEO of Explore Asheville and Destinations International President and CEO Don Welsh today announced the 2018 30 Under 30 class, which will convene for the first time at the association’s 2018 Annual Convention in Anaheim, CA 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 honorees originate from a variety of destination organizations of all sizes, including Brand USA, Visit Panama City Beach, Tourisme Montréal and Choose Chicago.
 
“The 30 Under 30 program recognizes the up and coming talent of destination organizations nationwide,” said Brown. “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.”
 
“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s 2018 30 Under 30 class to our Annual Convention in Anaheim,” said Welsh. “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.”