Dave Kirk, with Visit Owensboro, has earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential from Destinations International. According to Visit Owensboro President and CEO Mark Calitire, it’s the highest individual achievement in the destination management industry.
Kirk is now one of only two professionals in Owensboro — and fewer than 15 in the entire state — to hold the designation. Calitri said he is also the youngest recipient of the honor.
The CDME program is a rigorous, multi-year certification process focused on strategic leadership, destination planning, stakeholder engagement, performance measurement, and crisis communication. It also connects participants with a nationwide network of destination leaders and peer cities.
“Earning the CDME isn’t just a milestone—it’s the result of years of commitment to the highest level of strategic thinking for communities just like ours,” said Mark Calitri, president of Visit Owensboro. “Very few professionals complete this certification, and it speaks volumes about Dave’s dedication to his work and this community.”
Maura Gast, executive director of the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau, echoed a similar sentiment.
“The communities that we serve can’t afford to stand still, and neither can we as destination leaders. The CDME program pushes us to ‘think beyond our mandate and act beyond our tenure’ and to see our roles in our communities’ viability as something much bigger, and something much more integral to the community fabric.”
Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International, sent her congrats.
“Congratulations to those who have earned their CDME credentials. These leaders are now equipped with the knowledge needed to adapt to and manage the increasing change and competition facing our industry,” she said.
The certification is designed to help senior destination professionals become more effective leaders and better respond to the constant changes in the industry.
“What I’ve learned through the CDME program will stay with me throughout my professional career. The connections throughout the industry I’ve made through this program will help me position our marketing and sales efforts to fall in line with some of the most innovative methodologies,” Kirk said.
