Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) announced that Don Welsh, CEO of Choose Chicago, has been chosen as its new president & CEO. DMAI retained the executive recruiting firm SearchWide to manage the search process for a new CEO last fall.
“After a thorough search process that included a stellar group of candidates, we are thrilled that Don has accepted this position,” stated Bob Lander, chairman of DMAI's board of directors and CEO of the Austin CVB.
Welsh is a seasoned tourism executive with more than 35 years of experience in the industry. Prior to his role in Chicago, Welsh held the CEO positions at both the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. Welsh also has extensive hotel experience from previous roles within Westin Hotels, Ritz-Carlton and the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas.
“I am incredibly proud of what the Choose Chicago team and Chicago’s visitor industry have accomplished in just five years. Chicago is experiencing an unprecedented travel boom that promises to deliver immense economic benefits,” Welsh said. “While this is a bittersweet day for me and my family, I remain 100% confident in the Choose Chicago leadership team to continue to move this industry forward.
"Opportunities such as this don’t come along often, and I am incredibly grateful for [it]. I share Bob’s vision to elevate DMAI to the next level and I look forward to working alongside my global counterparts in one of the fastest growing segments within the global economy.“
DMAI is the world’s largest resource for official destination marketing and management organizations (DMOs). A passionate advocate for its members, DMAI is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of more than 4,200+ destination professionals from over 600 destinations across 15 countries.
