Door County tourism leader Jon Jarosh has earned one of the travel industry’s most prestigious professional distinctions, a certification reserved for top destination management executives across North America.
Jarosh, interim president and CEO and chief communications officer of Destination Door County, recently completed the Certified Destination Management Executive program (CDME). The credential is considered the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement.
The certification is awarded through Destinations International and focuses on executive leadership, strategic planning, vision development and long-term destination management.
Jarosh said the program provided opportunities to collaborate with tourism leaders from across the country while developing new strategies for the future of Door County tourism.
“The CDME program challenged me to think strategically about the future of destination leadership,” Jarosh said. “The experience underscored the importance of balancing a strong visitor economy with stewardship, community well-being, and the character that makes Door County such a special place to live and visit.”
Destination Door County’s current priorities include strengthening year-round economic vitality, expanding stewardship initiatives and supporting community engagement throughout the peninsula. Jarosh completed the certification while helping guide the organization’s 2026-2028 strategic plan, which emphasizes sustainability, collaboration and long-term destination management.
The CDME curriculum is designed to help tourism executives apply advanced leadership and business strategies while preparing destinations to respond to evolving travel trends and growing competition within the tourism industry.
