Over the weekend, as wildfires continued to blaze through Southern California, representatives across the meetings and events industry pondered how they could give back and help their neighbors to the west recover.
The answer came through the creation of the Destinations International LA Wildfire Recovery Fund, which was launched on Sunday by the Destinations International Foundation with a donation of $10,000. Destinations International (DI) matched the first donation with a $10,000 contribution of its own, and more than $100,000 was raised in the first 72 hours.
Don Welsh, president and CEO of DI, shared details about the effort with partners and members through an uncommon weekend newsletter on Sunday. After communicating with Board Chairs, Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs, and Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Longwoods International, as well as Immediate Past Association Chair, Al Hutchinson, President & CEO, Visit Baltimore, and Michelle Mason, President & CEO of ASAE and Board Director, the group suggested and endorsed a destination investment fund to support the residents and communities impacted by the fires.
Since its launch, the Destinations International LA Wildfire Recovery Fund has received contributions from:
- Visit Baltimore: $10,000
- Visit Greater Palm Springs: $10,000
- IMEX Group: $10,000
- Visit West Hollywood: $10,000
- Visit Anaheim: $10,000
- Visit Newport Beach: $10,000
- Hunden Partners: $10,000
- Longwoods International: $5,000
- Meet Boston: $5,000
- Visit Seattle: $5,000
In his email, Welsh said that Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, shared that LA Tourism will match all donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000.
“We are deeply moved by the outpouring of support from our members, partners and the broader tourism industry,” Welsh said. “This recovery fund underscores the strength of our community and our shared commitment to standing with Los Angeles in its time of need.”
To make a donation, visit https://login.destinationsinternational.org/donate-now.
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