VisitPITTSBURGH CMO Receives Destination Management Executive Designation

Tom Loftus, chief marketing officer for VisitPITTSBURGH, has earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation during the annual Destinations International conference recently held in Anaheim, CA.

The CDME program is the only integrated executive program specifically designed for the destination marketing industry and is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement. The program is designed to better prepare senior destination organization executives and managers for increasing change and competition and to become more effective organizational and community leaders

“The CDME certification has provided me with terrific insight on the direction of our industry and prepared me to handle the changing dynamics that I will face as my career advances,” said Mr. Loftus.

Mr. Loftus joined VisitPITTSBURGH as Vice President of Communications in 2015, and he brought with him more than 30 years of experience in the areas of strategic marketing, public relations, media relations and crisis communications, from five different industries. In 2017, Mr. Loftus was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer within VisitPITTSBURGH.

“Congratulations to the Class of 2018,” said Maura Allen Gast, FCDME, executive director of Visit Irving. “Your commitment to pursue your CDME certification has made you stronger, better and deeper at every role you play and every hat you wear – but I also know it’s made your organizations and your communities stronger, better and deeper, too!”

Mr. Loftus is the sixth VisitPITTSBURGH executive to receive the CDME designation, re-enforcing a strong leadership team which continues working to make Pittsburgh a premier business and leisure travel destination.

“Congratulations to those who have earned their CDME credential - the tourism industry's highest individual achievement." said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. These leaders are now equipped with the knowledge needed to adapt and manage the increasing change and competition facing our industry.”

Destinations International: Destinations International (formerly Destination Marketing Association International) is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with more than 4,700 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential.

VisitPITTSBURGHis the official tourism marketing and promotion agency for Allegheny County. It is dedicated to generating convention, trade show, sports events and leisure travel business for the Pittsburgh region.