Mat-Su CVB President Honored with International Award
The president and CEO of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s convention and visitor’s bureau (CVB) is one of three winners of the Destination Organization Leadership Award, one of the most prestigious individual honors in the destination marketing industry.
Peak in the Valley
Bonnie Quill is the first Alaskan to win the award.
Destinations International, which represents destination marketing organizations (DMOs) around the world, announced the award for individuals who made a significant impact on the industry as well as a profound difference in their communities.
The other two honorees for 2022 are Martha Sheridan, the president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Marc Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Mesa in Arizona. Since 2017, Destinations International has given single awards to tourism leaders for Las Vegas, San Francisco, Puerto Rico, and California. The three honorees in 2022 make up for none announced last year.
“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” Quill says, “but more important to share this recognition with my Alaska DMO partners. Alaska is a collaboration of leaders who partner together to strengthen our destination. I have to acknowledge the many opportunities and leadership experience Alaska tourism has blessed me with.”
Quill has been with Mat-Su CVB since February of 2000. She has held leadership positions on the board of directors for the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the Alaska State Fair, and helped found the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway organization. Nationally, she has held leadership positions with the Destination Marketing Association of the West board of directors and the Destinations International Small DMO Task Force. In 2021, she earned the Certified Destination Marketing Executive accreditation from Destinations International.
The Mat-Su CVB promotes the Mat-Su Borough as a premier visitor destination through national advertising, in-state promotion, working with travel media, and digital marketing.
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The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.