1. WELCOME

2. PRESIDENT & CEO DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL
DON WELSH
PRESIDENT & CEO DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL

3. ABOUT US Who We Are Destinations International:
Together with our members and partners, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people, and elevating tourism to its highest potential.
Destinations International Foundation:
The Destinations International Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destination marketers globally by providing education, research, advocacy and leadership development.
600 Destination Organization Members in 15 Countries
5,000 Destination Professional Members

4. FOUR CORNERSTONES OF DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL
Community
Advocacy
Research
Education

5. VISION, MISSION & VALUE PROPOSITION
Our members are essential to the success of destinations worldwide.
MISSION
We empower our members so that their destinations excel.
VALUE PROPOSITION
We inform, connect, inspire and educate our members to drive destination economic impact, job creation, community sustainability and quality of life through travel.

6. GEORGIA MEMBERS Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Columbus GA Convention & Visitors Bureau
Convention and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody
Explore Gwinnett
Golden Isles CVB
Visit Macon
Visit Sandy Springs
Visit Savannah
Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau
ATL Airport District Destination Marketing Organization
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Braselton Visitors Bureau Authority
Cobb Travel & Tourism

7. HIGH PERFORMANCE DESTINATIONS
ELECTED OFFICIALS
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS
CIVIC LEADERS
TOURISM INDUSTRY

8. STRONG BOARD LEADERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS

9. DESTINATION CHALLENGES
Destination Organization Challenges
DESTINATION CHALLENGES
Natural Disasters
Terrorism
Overtourism
Sustained Funding
Trump Administration
Weaponization of Travel
California Boycotts: 9 U.S. States
North Carolina – HB2 (“Bathroom Bill”)
California Government Travel Ban Targets:
Alabama
Kansas
Kentucky
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Oklahoma - Newest
ADVOCACY &
RESEARCH

10. CVB VALUE PROPOSITION Destination Influencers Community Connectors
Intellectual Capital
Economic Impact
Client Vision Advocates
Randi will do this slide…set up top 2, and bottom 3 that need the most work.

11. THANK YOU! communications@destinationsinternational.org
@destintl

12. How Does Georgia’s Tourism Marketing Budget Rank?

13. Georgia’s Tourism Marketing Budget FY10. $6. 0 million FY11. $5
Georgia’s Tourism Marketing Budget FY10 $6.0 million FY11 $5.1 million FY12 $4.9 million FY13 $4.7 million FY14 $4.8 million FY15 $4.7 million FY16 $5.1 million FY17 $6.4 million FY18 $6.4 million FY19 $6.5 million (Source: GDEcD)

14. Georgia - $6.5 million Pigeon Forge - $10.1 million

16. Southeastern States Tourism Marketing Budgets Florida
Southeastern States Tourism Marketing Budgets Florida $76 million Virginia $21 million Louisiana $16 million North Carolina $13 million Arkansas $12 million Alabama $12 million South Carolina $12 million Tennessee $9 million West Virginia $6 million GEORGIA $6.5 million Mississippi $5.6 million Pigeon Forge $10 million! (Source: Google)

17. Return on Investment. $6. 4 million spent $63. 1 billion $3
Return on Investment? $6.4 million spent $63.1 billion $3.3 billion state and local taxes

18. New leadership … New opportunity. Its not about the last 10 years
New leadership … New opportunity Its not about the last 10 years Its about the NEXT 10!

19. Thank You

20. GACVB 2019 State Legislative Agenda
1.Oppose legislation that allows discrimination
2.Protect Georgia’s lodging taxes from redirection
3.Increase investment in Georgia’s tourism marketing
4.Establish new school-start and school-end date policies