Gregg Shapiro Appointed to the Destinations International Foundation Board of Trustees

PHILADELPHIA, PA (AUGUST 13, 2024) — Gregg Shapiro, President and Chief Creative Officer of Tempest — a leading digital solutions provider for the destination marketing industry — has been appointed to the 2024-2025 Board of Trustees for Destinations International Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations globally to excel by providing innovation and resource incubation through investment in research, advocacy, talent development, global engagement and exchange. This announcement was made during Destinations International's business meeting at the 2024 Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida.

“It’s an honor to join the Board of Trustees and build upon our longstanding partnership with Destinations International,” shared Gregg Shapiro. “This role is a natural evolution of Tempest’s collaborative efforts, and I’m eager to contribute to the foundation’s mission of driving innovation in the global tourism industry.”

The appointment expands on the established partnership between Destinations International and Tempest, which recently launched The Destination Effect — an advocacy campaign aimed at educating policymakers, officials, media, and the public on the importance of destination organizations.

“We are delighted to welcome Gregg Shapiro to the board,” said Jack Johnson, Chief Advocacy Officer of Destinations International. “Gregg and Tempest have been strong partners, and we look forward to having his perspective and expertise on the board to support Destinations International as it continues to provide destination organizations with the essential information and tools they need to help their local communities thrive.”

“Destinations International thrives on the dedication and expertise of our board members, who play a crucial role in guiding our strategic direction and strengthening the global tourism industry,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. “We deeply appreciate the commitment and insights our new and returning board members bring, and we are excited to work alongside them as they help us navigate the future.”

Newly appointed directors for 2024/2025 term include:

Association Board Directors for 2024/2025:

• Cody Chomiak, CDME, VP of Marketing, Travel Manitoba
• Craig Compagnone, President, Americas, MMGY Global
• Erin Francis Cummings, CEO, Future Partners
• Monica Smith, CDME, President & CEO, Southeast Tourism Society
• Rickey Thigpen, PhD, President & CEO, Visit Jackson
• Sara Toliver, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Ogden
• Zeek Coleman, Vice President, Americas, Tourism Economics

2024/2025 Association Officers:

• Chair: Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs
• Chair-Elect: Leslie Bruce, President & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau
• Past-Chair: Al Hutchinson, President & CEO, Visit Baltimore
• Treasurer: Kyle Edmiston, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Lake Charles
• Secretary: Rickey Thigpen, PhD, President & CEO, Visit Jackson
• At Large: Beth Erickson, President & CEO, Visit Loudoun
• At Large: Monica Smith, President & CEO, Southeast Tourism Society (STS)
• At Large: Fred Dixon, President & CEO, Brand USA

Foundation Board Trustees 2024/2025:

• Adam Burke, President & CEO, LA Tourism & Convention Board
• Angela Nelson, Vice President of EDI & Community Engagement, Travel Portland
• Barbara Karasek, CEO, Paradise - a partner for good
• Gregg Shapiro, President & Chief Creative Officer, Tempest
• Kara Franker, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Estes Park
• John Percy, CDME, President & CEO, Destination Niagara USA
• Milton Segarra, CDME President & CEO, Discover The Palm Beaches

2024/2025 Foundation Officers:

• Chair: Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Longwoods International
• Chair-Elect: Martha Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston
• Immediate Past-Chair: Ellie Westman Chin, CDME, President & CEO, Destination Madison
• Treasurer/Secretary: Steven Paganelli, CDME, Americas Partnerships Lead at TripAdvisor
• At Large Office: Adam Burke, President & CEO, LA Tourism & Convention Board

For more information, please contact: 

• Kyle Huff, Director of Growth Marketing, Tempest, [email protected]

###

About Tempest:

Tempest provides Software, Web and Digital Marketing solutions that empower innovative Destination Organizations to grow and make a positive impact in their communities. For more information, www.tempest.im.

About Destinations International:

Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.

About Destinations International Foundation:

The Destinations International Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations globally to excel through innovation and resource incubation. The foundation innovates new ideas and ways of doing things and incubates new tools and resources to improve the efforts of DI members. It launches and manages future-facing programs and initiatives, develops next-generation professional development and tools, and fosters short- and long-term cooperative relationships around the globe on behalf of the association.