Henri Fourrier Receives Destination Marketing Executive Designation

Henri Fourrier, President/CEO of the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation, the only integrated executive program specifically designed for the destination marketing industry. The focus of the program is on vision, leadership, productivity and the implementation of business strategies. Mr. Fourrier was recognized at the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) 2016 Annual Convention on Wednesday, August 3 in Minneapolis, MN.

With over 20 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, Henri Fourrier is no stranger to destination marketing. Mr. Fourrier's career started off in his home town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he attended college at Louisiana State University (LSU) and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Marketing.

Mr. Fourrier moved to Greensboro, North Carolina with his family in 1996, and he assumed the role of Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Within a year he was promoted to President/CEO and has held this position since 1997.

"Being part of the industry's highest level of education achievement is an honor and I am proud to be part of the 2016 CDME graduating class." stated Henri Fourrier, President/CEO, Greensboro Area Convention & Visitor Bureau.

The CDME program is designed to better prepare senior destination marketing organization (DMO) executives and managers for increasing change and competition and to become more effective organizational and community leaders. The class of 2016 included more than 40 graduates. Over the course of 22 years, more than 400 students have participated in the CDME program.

"Education is the foundation to what DMAI provides for its members," said Gary Sherwin, DMAI Chair and President and CEO, Newport Beach and Company. "CDME is the only comprehensive educational program available to destination marketing organizations around the world, and we will continue to reinvest in this critical offering so that industry leaders may continue to learn from their peers, share best practices and propel our industry forward."

The Greensboro Area Convention Center & Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro's assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service. Guilford County ranks third in the state in travel and tourism expenditures, with over $1.2 billion generated in 2015 and more than 13,000 people employed in travel-related jobs. www.VisitGreensboroNC.com

Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) protects and advances the success of destination marketing worldwide. DMAI's influential membership includes nearly 600 destination marketing organizations (DMOs), from 16 countries that command US $2.5+ billion in annual budgets. As the world's largest and most reliable resource for DMOs, DMAI provides nearly 4,000 individual members - professionals, industry partners, educators and students - the most innovative and relevant educational resources, networking opportunities and marketing intelligence worldwide.