WASHINGTON, D.C. — Destinations International has named Gretchen Hall as the organization’s next chief operating officer (COO). Hall’s first day will be April 1, 2022.
Currently, Hall is the president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau where she leads more than 120 full-time professionals covering all disciplines in sales and services, facility operations, marketing and communications, and finance and administration. Her last day with the CVB will be March 22.
In her new role as COO at Destinations International, Hall will be responsible for the strategic development, implementation, communication, and retention of global business and membership initiatives. She will be a member of the organization’s executive leadership team, responsible for working with all departments and team members, with direct impact in all aspects of the organization.
“Gretchen is an experienced and proven leader in our industry and her community,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “We have been very fortunate to work with Gretchen in her various roles on our board of directors. She has extensive knowledge of our industry, having led the Little Rock CVB for many years and her leadership and passion for the growth of destination organizations will no doubt benefit our members around the world.”
“I have always been passionate about the travel and tourism industry and the impact it makes on our local communities,” said Hall. “The dedicated team of professionals at Destinations International provides vital tools, training, and resources supporting the growth and future success of destination organizations around the world. For that reason, I am excited and honored to join the team at Destinations International and help advance their great work as our industry progresses beyond this pandemic.”
Hall served as Destinations International’s board chair for the 2021-2022 term. Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp., and immediate past chair of the association, will serve as board chair for the remainder of the term. Hutchinson will assume the role of board chair at the annual convention on July 19-21, 2022, in Toronto, Canada
