Visit Savannah Vice President of Business Development, Jeff Hewitt, received the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation July 23. Hewitt is now one of nearly 275 destination marketing professionals to have achieved the CDME designation.

"Jeff is the first member of the Visit Savannah team to earn this certification, and we are proud of his commitment to the organization and to the tourism industry," said Joseph Marinelli, Visit Savannah president.

The 28 professionals who earned the CDME designation were presented at the Destination Marketing Association International’s (DMAI) conference last week. The designation is given to those professionals who have completed the extensive program, which better prepares senior destination marketing organization executives and managers for increasing change and competition and to become more effective organizational and community leaders.

“The CDME program is recognized as the highest educational achievement for destination management professionals.  By earning this designation, these graduates join an elite group of professionals who seek to elevate the industry and its standards,” said Kristin McGrath, CDME, chair of DMAI’s education committee.  

Professionals having earned the designation have the opportunity to work together and share information.

“Earning the CDME designation provided a unique learning opportunity to interact with peers from across the country and explore best practices and solutions to the challenges that we all face. I am proud to be a part of an organization that recognizes the value programs like this provide,” said Hewitt.

For more information, contact Taylor Castillejo at 912.644.6429 or [email protected].