FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Huntsville, AL] February 19, 2025 – The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the organization dedicated to promoting Huntsville and Madison County, Alabama, as a visitor destination, is proud to celebrate February 19, 2025, as Destination Professionals Day to honor the people and organizations that drive tourism, economic growth, and community vitality worldwide.
The date holds special significance: on February 19, 1896, members of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Manufacturers Club came together at the Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, to form the world’s first destination organization, the Detroit Convention and Businessman’s League. With a mission of “hustling for conventions,” this group laid the foundation for an industry that has since grown into a global economic and social progress driver.
Today, more than 10,000 destination organizations worldwide represent a broad spectrum of entities, including destination marketing organizations (DMOs), convention and visitor's bureaus (CVBs), tourism boards, sports commissions, and film offices. These organizations are a cornerstone of the travel and tourism industry, which employs almost 348 million people and is expected to contribute about 10% of global GDP – more than $11 trillion – to the global economy in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
According to the latest reportPDF File from the Alabama Tourism Department, travel and tourism-related expenditures in Huntsville/Madison County increased by 15% in 2023. Over the past year, Madison County brought in nearly 4 million visitors, representing roughly $2.4 billion in economic impact. Additionally, each household in Madison County saved over $1,300 in taxes due to travel expenditures, and the industry supports over 23,000 jobs in the area.
Why February 19 Matters
Recognizing February 19 as Destination Professionals Day aims to raise awareness by highlighting the vital contributions of destination professionals in enriching community life and driving economic development; celebrate the achievements and recognize the hard work and dedication of destination professionals across all roles and organizations; and inspire future destination leaders by showcasing the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in the sector to attract the next generation of professionals.
The selection of February 19 as Destination Professionals Day pays homage to the founding of the first destination organization 129 years ago that sparked a global movement that continues to transform destinations like Huntsville, Alabama, into ideal places to visit, live, work, play, and invest.
Join Us in Celebrating the Inaugural Destination Professionals Day
Huntsville/Madison County CVB invites our partners and community stakeholders to join in recognizing Destination Professionals Day on February 19, 2025. Share your stories, celebrate your teams, and help us shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done to make Huntsville thrive.
