Tourism
director gets highest industry honor
by
Ivan Foley
Landmark editor
Cheryl Thorp, Executive Director of the Platte County
- KCI Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, has earned
the highest educational achievement in the convention
and visitor bureau industry.
Thorp completed an intensive educational program in order
to receive the Certified Destination Management Executive
designation. The announcement was made at the 88th Annual
Convention of the International Association of Convention
& Visitor Bureaus in Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada.
The CDME program is offered under the guidance of the
World Tourism Management Centre at The University of Calgary,
in collaboration with Purdue University and the International
Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.
CDME is an advanced educational program for veteran and
career-minded CVB executives who are looking for senior-level
professional development courses. The main challenge of
the program is to prepare senior executives and managers
of destination management organizations for increasing
change and competition. CDME graduates must be re-certified
every five years to maintain their industry designation.
“The process for earning this designation required
a three-year commitment from Cheryl,” Platte County
Presiding Commissioner Betty Knight said. “Her dedication
to our citizens and to furthering the county’s tourism
industry is exemplified by this accomplishment.”
Founded in 1914, the IACVB represents more than 1,200
professionals in about 500 convention and visitor bureaus
worldwide. Its mission is to enhance the professionalism,
effectiveness, and image of destination management organizations
worldwide.
The focus of the CDME program is on vision, leadership,
productivity and implementing business strategies.
Demonstrating the value of a destination team and improving
personal performance through effective organizational
and industry leadership are the outcomes.
Thorp, director of the county’s convention and visitors
bureau since 1997, is one of only 68 CDME’s in the
world and the first from the state of Missouri.
“The opportunity to participate in the CDME program
is just one of ways the Platte County Commission has demonstrated
its support and commitment to the county’s tourism
program and I am most appreciative,” Thorp said.
Since 1997 Platte County has moved from eleventh to ninth
in the state for direct tourist expenditures that totaled
more than $162 million in 2001. More than 13% of the jobs
in Platte County are tourism related.
For more information, please contact Kevin Kuzma, Platte
County Public Affairs Coordinator, at (816) 858-1906.
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