82: Staying Passionate About What You Want to Achieve with Don Welsh

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today we are happy to speak to Don Welsh, the President and CEO of Destinations International! </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don is an energetic leader who has had a fantastic career! He is joining us to share his experiences, offer advice to everyone in the industry, and give us hope for the challenges we will be facing in the future! </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We hope you enjoy our fabulous conversation with Don today!</span></p> <p><strong>Don Welsh’s bio</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A seasoned tourism executive with over 35 years of experience in the industry, Don Welsh serves as the President and CEO of Destinations International. Since joining the association in March 2016, Welsh has implemented a strategic realignment for the association through a renewed commitment to focus on member needs to deliver the resources members have determined to be essential to the success of their organizations. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before joining Destinations International, Don served as the President and CEO of Choose Chicago. Welsh also held the CEO position at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association and the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau. Before joining the destination marketing industry, Don served as senior vice president for Westin Hotels at its corporate headquarters. He has also held senior leadership positions in sales and marketing for Westin Hotels and Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas.</span></p> <p><strong>Don Welsh’s journey into our industry</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don was hired by United Airlines when he was in high school. He kept on working there, part-time, through college. He worked for United after college until he moved to Seattle to be part of an airline startup. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don was hired by Westin Hotels and Resorts, eventually becoming their Director and Vice P