USAEXtra
Destinations International
30 Under 30
V O L U M E 4 | ISSUE 3
J U LY 2 0 , 2 0 2 6
Meet Minneapolis hosted “The Power of Place: Minneapolis Shapes the Story” on July 14 at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Shown here (left to right) are the evening’s speakers: Diane Moua, Chef/Owner, Diane’s Place; Jamie Martin, Director of Conference and Event Services for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Melvin Tennant, CAE, President & CEO, Meet Minneapolis; Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey; Reuben Kitto Stately, Dakhóta from the Santee Sioux Nation and a tribal member of Red Lake Nation, recording artist; Rosalind Dixon, Associate Director of Business Development, Meet Minneapolis; and Andrea Mokros, Secretary/Treasurer, Meet Minneapolis Board of Directors, former special assistant to President Barack Obama and former director of strategic planning for Michelle Obama. Photo by Nikolas Liepins/Ethography for Meet Minneapolis
The Power of Place and the Journey Ahead By Don Welsh, President & CEO, Destinations International The Destinations International Annual Convention in Portland arrives at a pivotal moment for our industry. Whether through the conversations that take place there or the work destination professionals continue in their own communities long afterward, one thing is increasingly clear: amid geopolitical uncertainty, economic pressures, and evolving traveler expectations, the role of destination organizations has never been more important. Travel has always been about more than moving people from one place to another. It creates understanding, builds relationships, broadens perspectives, and reminds us of what we have in common. Whether someone is attending a meeting, reconnecting with family, or exploring a destination for the first time, travel fosters curiosity, encourages cultural exchange
and creates experiences that stay with us long after the journey ends. Its value extends well beyond economic impact. Travel strengthens communities, inspires innovation, and brings people together in ways few other industries can. This year’s FIFA World Cup provided a vivid reminder of that power. Across North America, supporters transformed city streets, restaurants, and public spaces into celebrations of culture and community. Scottish fans filled (and drained!) Boston’s pubs, Norwegian supporters did the “Viking row” on New York City’s Times Square, Lionel Messi’s memorable performances energized Kansas City, and passionate Mexican and Canadian supporters brought unmistakable excitement to host destinations. These moments were more than sporting highlights—they demonstrated how travel creates authentic human connections while allowing destinations to share their unique
identities with the world. The momentum continues. America250, the Route 66 Centennial, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Utah present extraordinary opportunities to showcase travel’s ability to connect people, strengthen communities, and create lasting economic and social value. Their legacy should not simply be measured in visitation or headlines, but in stronger communities and deeper global understanding. None of this happens by accident. Today’s destination organizations have evolved well beyond traditional destination marketing. They are strategic conveners, trusted community partners, and advocates for long-term prosperity, bringing together government, business, residents, and the hospitality industry around a shared vision for the future. They attract meetings, conventions, sporting Please turn to page 21
Inside
Page 3 TravelAbility to Launch Grant Lab, Accessibility Catalog at 2026 Summit Page 4 ASAE Announces Power of Associations Summit Awards Page 5 Get to Know Destinations International’s 30 Under 30 Honorees Page 21 Sarah Hughes Tapped to Lead VisitNorfolk Page 22 The Story of Meet Minneapolis’ Event at the Obama Presidential Center