YORK SELECTED FOR OHIO TOURISM LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CLASS OF 2011

Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy Class of 2011 including
Deanna York, director of the Darke County Visitors Bureau
visiting the Statehouse in Columbus this past week.

Deanna York, Executive Director of the Darke County Visitors Bureau has been selected as a member of the 2011 Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA). The program is designed to develop future leaders of the tourism industry, and for those for tourism professionals who want to take the next step in advancing their career.

“This academy has provided professional growth, networking and insight into the tourism industry. Meeting with legislators, state officials and industry partners has strengthened my knowledge and confidence as an emerging leader in Ohio’s tourism industry. I highly recommend the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy to colleagues and associates all around the state,” stated York.

The goals of this innovative program are to: sharpen leadership skills, increase networks and gain a greater understanding of the tourism industry at the statewide level. OTLA is specifically for professionals in Ohio’s tourism industry and is open to candidates representing associations, visitors bureaus, businesses and other entities of the hospitality industry.

Through education, expanded networks and skill development, participants in the program are encouraged to become active tourism industry leaders at the statewide level. Over the course of seven months, the class meets to discuss topical issues facing the industry.

Presenters representing different sectors of the industry and state government offer their insight on how travel and tourism impacts their position and their business or organization. Class participants are assigned group projects to determine how to overcome a particular challenge currently facing Ohio’s tourism industry.

For more information on this program, visit www.ohiotravel.org or contact the Ohio Travel Association at 1-800-896-4682.


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