Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, has been appointed to the Destinations International Board of Directors, joining destination leaders from around the world to help guide the future of destination organizations and the global visitor economy.
Destinations International (DI) is the world’s largest trade association representing official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), and tourism boards. Based in Washington, D.C., and representing over 700 member organizations across 26 countries, its goal is to empower destination professionals to drive economic impact, job creation, and sustainability in their local communities.
The new board of directors was announced during the Destinations International Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon, where industry leaders gathered to shape the future of travel and tourism.
“I am deeply honored to join the Destinations International (DI) Board of Directors,” said Mr. Herrell. “Our industry’s global association continues to deliver for destinations as well as for the thousands of professionals that serve their communities and organizations. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside my colleagues and peers and DI’s talented professional team while representing the Quad Cities. DI has an extremely positive trajectory, and I am committed to serving its mission, members, and partners to help ensure its success.”
As a member of the Destinations International Board of Directors, Mr. Herrell will help provide strategic leadership and advocate for the Quad Cities in the world’s largest association representing destination organizations, working alongside industry leaders to advance destinations and drive economic growth, community impact and long-term sustainability.
Since joining Visit Quad Cities, Mr. Herrell has helped position the bi-state region as a nationally recognized premier destination. Under his leadership, Visit Quad Cities has earned recognition for their marketing, collaboration, advocacy efforts, and commitment to enhancing quality of place through tourism. The globally accredited organization has generated substantial economic impact through tourism development and marketing initiatives, successfully advocated for new statewide tourism legislation to grow prosperity, enhanced regional identity and storytelling, and advanced collaboration to support a $1.38 billion visitor economy.
The 2026 DI Board of Directors (three-year terms) include:
- Amir Eylon, president and CEO, Longwoods International.
- Beth Erickson, president and CEO, Visit Loudoun.
- Bethanie DeRose, Hunden Partners.
- Dave Herrell, president and CEO, Visit Quad Cities.
- Domenic Bravo, executive director, Wyoming Office of Tourism.
- Kalene Griffith, president and CEO, Visit Bentonville.
- Kireem Swinton, president and CEO, Visit Baltimore.
- Kristin McGrath, Executive Director, Visit Pasadena.
- Peggy Williams Smith, president and CEO, Visit Milwaukee.
- Ron Price, president and CEO, Visit Phoenix.
