MOLINE, ILLINOIS (March 24, 2025) — Visit Quad Cities is thrilled to announce that Lea Nelson CTA has been named to Destinations International’s “30 Under 30 Class of 2025.” Destinations International is the largest and most respected association of destination organizations, convention, and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards, with more than 9,500 members and partners from over 750 destinations worldwide. The 30 Under 30 program is funded by the Destinations International Foundation and supported by founding program partner, SearchWide Global.
Lea serves as the Brand and Content Coordinator at Visit Quad Cities. Lea graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with minors in General Business and Leadership Studies. She spent most of her time in college playing on the university softball team and running their TikTok account. A Quad Cities native, Lea excels in digital storytelling and promoting the Quad Cities on social media. She has been in her role at Visit Quad Cities since 2023.
“Lea is a proven leader, consummate team player, and is deserving of this recognition from Destinations International,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “She delivers results for Visit Quad Cities and our regional destination by shaping our story and positioning our community’s brand. We are incredibly excited for her as she enters an incredible class of 30 Under 30 destination marketing organization (DMO) industry leaders. We would also like to thank Destinations International, and everyone involved with this important program for recognizing Lea and her many accomplishments. The future is extremely bright for her and her peers as they are all making a difference in the communities they represent.”
Destinations International is committed to developing future industry leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Through a competitive process each year, thirty individuals under the age of thirty are selected for a valuable year-long industry education and networking opportunity. This year’s honorees hail from thirty unique destinations across four countries and territories and were selected from a competitive pool of 91 applicants.
“I am honored to be part of Destinations International’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2025,” said Lea Nelson, Brand and Content Coordinator, at Visit Quad Cities. “The value of DI’s professional development program that each class receives is unmatched. This ongoing program will help my professional growth in the tourism industry through leadership workshops, networking opportunities, mentorship, and collaboration with my fellow emerging destination leaders. I am thrilled to take this experience and reinvest it into the Quad Cities regional destination.”
“The 30 Under 30 program is a critical initiative directly aligned with the mission and vision of our association,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “The destinations sector and travel and tourism industry offer a wide range of exciting career opportunities, and it is crucial that we help identify and encourage our future leaders. We are excited to welcome these accomplished individuals to the Destinations International “30 Under 30 Class of 2025.”
For more information on the 30 Under 30 program and the 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, visit destinationsinternational.org/general-information/30-under-30.
About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most respected resource for destination organizations, convention, and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit destinationsinternational.org.
About the Destinations International Foundation
The Destinations International Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering destination organizations globally by providing education, research, advocacy, and leadership development. The Foundation is classified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and all donations are tax-deductible. For more information visit destinationsinternational.org/about-foundation.
About Visit Quad Cities
Visit Quad Cities, established in 1990, is the region’s official destination marketing organization (DMO). Through tourism, Visit Quad Cities generates economic growth, fosters the visitor economy, and elevates the regional destination's global presence. An accredited DMO through Destinations International’s DMAP program, Visit Quad Cities promotes the regional brand, drives economic opportunities, invigorates visitor experience, and enhances quality of life and place for all Quad Citizens. For information, visit visitquadcities.com.
