Destinations International and Visit Detroit have launched the first-ever Destination Professionals Day — February 19 — to celebrate CVBs and their destination-related sister organizations and people.
We all need something to celebrate during the dog days of winter, and Destinations International (DI), in collaboration with Visit Detroit, have launched one near and dear to the meetings and events industries. February 19 is now officially Destination Professionals Day, a time to celebrate and honor the people and organizations around the world that promote local tourism and economic growth.
Why February 19? That’s the day when, back in 1896, members of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Manufacturers Club got together at Detroit’s Cadillac Hotel to form the Detroit Convention and Businessman’s League. This league was the forerunner of what we now call convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) or destination management organizations (DMOs) — the first to take charge of marketing a destination to visitors and businesses to drive both tourism and commercial growth. And, of course, meetings, conventions, trade shows and social and cultural events.
After all, its first mission was “hustling for conventions,” according to DI and Visit Detroit. And hustling for conventions remains one of the main pursuits of the more than 10,000 destination organizations that have since cropped up around the world, especially the CVBs and DMOs, who are joined in celebration by sister organizations such as tourism boards, sports commissions and film offices.
“February 19, 1896, was a defining moment for the travel and tourism industry,” said Don Welsh, DI President and CEO. “From that meeting in Detroit to today’s vast network of destination organizations, professionals have played a vital role in shaping thriving communities and economies around the world. Destination Professionals Day is our opportunity to celebrate their contributions and inspire future generations to join this exciting and impactful field.”
Those contributions have swelled along with the ranks of destination organizations. The travel and tourism industries they support now contribute an estimated 10% of global GDP — more than $11 trillion — in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
But all too often that economic success story remains unsung, as do those who contribute their time and energy to continuing to grow the travel and tourism industry, including the meetings and events that lie at the heart of much of this success. The idea behind creating a day to celebrate the people and organizations in these destination organizations is to raise awareness of their vital contributions to both the local economy and local community life, as well as celebrate their achievements and inspire future destination leaders of the interesting and rewarding career opportunities this sector can provide to the next generation.
“As the birthplace of the destination organization industry, Detroit is honored to be recognized on this momentous occasion,” said Claude Molinari, CDME, President and CEO of Visit Detroit. “The legacy of those early pioneers continues to inspire us as we champion our incredible region, and as other destination organizations worldwide promote their own communities as hubs of innovation, culture and economic opportunity.”
It’s not too late to share your stories and celebrate the destination organization teams that contribute to the local and global economy. The organizers offer more information, as well as a toolkit and a webinar with more about Destination Professionals Day , on the DI website.
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