TRAVERSE CITY — Two Tourism in Traverse City executives were recently recognized for completing advanced training in the travel industry.
Destinations International, the global association of destination management organizations, announced that Trevor Tkach and Whitney Waara earned their Certified Destination Management Executive certifications at the annual convention recently held in Tampa, Florida.
The CDME program is the tourism industry's highest level of individual training for destination management professionals. It is designed to emphasize vision and leadership when creating business strategies.
The two were among 68 people from across the country who earned the certification.
Tkach is president of Traverse City Tourism and said hospitality in northern Michigan is dynamic and ever-evolving.
“If we want to have a positive impact on the communities in our region, we must stay current with trends and effective techniques for managing this evolving industry,” Tkach said.
Traverse City Tourism is an independent, non-profit destination organization that promotes the greater Traverse City area as a leisure and business destination.
Waara is the CEO of the tour operator and said the certification process is challenging but rewarding.
“The leadership skills gained from this training will play a critical role in the development of the hospitality industry, both within our market and with our partners across the state,” Waara said.
CDME Board Chair Brett Oetting said achieving the CDME designation marks a significant professional milestone.
“It is critical that senior (travel industry) executives have the strategic skills needed to move their communities and organizations forward,” Oetting said.
Destinations International is one of the world's largest resources for travel destinations with a focus on supporting education, leadership and providing resources to travel professionals.
More information about the organization is available at: www.destinationsinternational.org.
