Media Release

CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. is Sixth Canadian to Earn Certified Destination Management Executive Designation

August 1, 2012: Winnipeg, MB – Marina R. James, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW), can now be counted among a select few professionals after earning a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation. One of only six Canadians and just 200 worldwide to have ever earned this designation, the CDME program is recognized within the industry as the highest educational achievement for destination management professionals.

“I’ve always been a firm believer in the importance of education and professional development,” James said. “My recent designation gives us a formidable base from which to launch the initiatives we’ve identified to grow the tourism economy. I’m genuinely excited to lead our efforts as we unleash innovative new ideas to mobilize community efforts to execute our master tourism plan.”

Offered via Purdue University by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI)—the world’s largest and most respected resource for official destination marketing organizations, with 3,500 members in over 20 countries—the CDME program encompasses an advanced curriculum designed for veteran and career-minded executives seeking senior-level education. The program focuses on vision, leadership, productivity and the implementation of business strategies.

Following an intensive two-year process, James completed the CDME program by exceeding the already rigorous requirements necessary to graduate after taking several additional electives she felt would markedly enhance her ability to market the city to increase visitation to Winnipeg. The specialized set of courses covered such diverse topics as strategic issues in destination management, Internet and social media marketing, destination positioning and branding, product development, and tourism information and research. James’ previous education includes a master of business administration from the University of Guelph and a certificate in hotel real estate investment and asset management from Cornell University.

“The significance of Marina’s various educational accomplishments as an aggregate benefit to Winnipeg’s tourism industry cannot be overstated,” said Mary Jane Loustel, chair of EDW’s board of directors. “Along with my colleagues on the board, I am confident this latest milestone puts EDW in the perfect position to move Tourism Winnipeg’s marketing platform ahead in a way that will promptly showcase best practices and maximize economic returns to our city.”

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About Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW) is the lead economic development agency for the city of Winnipeg. Led by a private-sector board with core funding from the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba, EDW is a not-for-profit organization that leads and facilitates investment, capacity building, partnership, tourism development, marketing and the management of market information for Winnipeg. EDW facilitates targeted sector development, promotes Winnipeg’s diverse economy and high quality of life, and leads global business attraction, and local business retention and expansion with its Yes! Winnipeg business development team. Through its Tourism Winnipeg division, EDW also facilitates a healthy, prosperous, responsible and fully-integrated tourism industry that further enhances the city of Winnipeg’s economic growth.

www.economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com    

About Tourism Winnipeg
Tourism Winnipeg is the city’s official destination marketing organization. A division of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., Tourism Winnipeg’s mission is to facilitate a healthy, prosperous, responsible and fully-integrated tourism industry that enhances the city of Winnipeg’s economic growth through the acquisition of meetings, conventions, events, group travel and leisure tourism, while increasing visitation and delivering the best possible visitor experience.

www.tourismwinnipeg.com 

For further information please contact:

Croft Petersmeyer, Project Manager, Marketing & Communications
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Phone: 204.954.1961
E-mail: croft@economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com

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