Don Welsh, 66, is the president and CEO of Destinations International, a professional organization representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus worldwide. He's based in Washington, D.C.
How I got here:
I have a deep passion for aviation and started my career as a baggage loader for United Airlines in Baltimore. That led to an opportunity in Seattle to be a part of a start-up team for Horizon Air. That opportunity led to me being hired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, based in Seattle, which led to other opportunities in the hotel and casino industry with the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta, Wyndham in Dallas, and MGM in Las Vegas.
I had a brief stint in the world of sports with Isiah Thomas and the Continental Basketball Association, which unfortunately didn’t last long.
That all led to my opportunity to join the CVB world with Visit Seattle, Visit Indy, and Choose Chicago, where I had the privilege of serving as president and CEO of all three organizations before joining Destinations International. Clearly, these industries are connected and play a vital role in the success of destinations.
Greatest career accomplishment:
Helping lead the transformation of Destinations International over the past six years. With the unwavering support of our board of directors, board of trustees, members, and partners, we weathered some serious financial and legal storms. We persevered and built a new organization, now serving the global tourism industry.
A specific improvement I’ve made:
We have built a culture of transparency, which has earned trust. From the most challenging times to the stable environment that we operate within today, we shared all of the steps along the way.
I believe I continue to surround myself with a very diverse group of teammates who bring different thoughts and perspectives, which makes us a better employer and a better organization for our members and partners.
The biggest change I've observed in the industry:
The speed of change is in all aspects of our industry.
What I do outside of work:
I have an obsession with music, although I don’t play a note. I make it a point to see as many live shows as possible. I also enjoy biking with my wife, Jean, and cooking and enjoying wine... and tequila.
My No. 1 piece of career advice I'd give my younger self:
Be true, be authentic, and don’t expect to please everyone. That last part, I am still working on!
Connect with Welsh on LinkedIn.
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