Destination organizations from around the world descended on Florida’s Tampa area for Destinations International’s Annual Convention, drawing record crowds to tackle the biggest trends in the tourism industry.

Mike Waterman, new president and CEO of Visit Anaheim, picked an opportune time to join a DMO that operates the largest convention center on the West Coast in a destination that boasts one of the top visitor attractions in the world, Disneyland.

Longtime Explore St. Louis president Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe is set to step down August 31, almost 10 months ahead of her contract expiration in June 2025. 

Scott Beck, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel Association, abruptly resigned his position after only seven months on the job, citing personal reasons.

Visit Anaheim announced that Mike Waterman will take on the role of president and CEO of the organization effective April 29, 2024. 

NYC Tourism + Conventions announced that its president and CEO, Fred Dixon, would be leaving the organization in June to lead Brand USA, the United States’ DMO.

Under the management of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, the former Loews Minneapolis Hotel was rebranded as The Lofton Hotel under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton flag, making it the first Tapestry Collection hotel in Minnesota. Plus, in late February, the Bloomington Minnesota CVB revealed it will adopt a new name and brand expression in strategic phases over the next several months.

Destinations International makes a conscious shift from equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) to social inclusion, and names Sophia Hyder-Hock as chief inclusion officer.