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Destination Dayton

New President & CEO Selection For Destination Dayton®

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“It is with great excitement that the Board of Trustees announces the appointment of John Oney as our new President & CEO of Destination Dayton®, effective December 15,” states Board Chair Scott DeBolt. “The board is thrilled to welcome John and confident in his leadership as we move into an exciting new chapter for our organization.”

Oney will succeed outgoing President & CEO Jacquelyn Powell who will retire after over 30 years with the organization. Oney has worked in the hospitality industry for more than three decades, and currently serves as the Vice President, Sports & Meetings for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge where he has been responsible for developing group sales strategies that create economic impact in the form of sporting events, meetings, and conventions. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is the region’s official destination marketing organization promoting the counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke, as well as the cities of Roanoke and Salem.

The new President & CEO was selected by a special Destination Dayton Board of Directors selection committee led by Board Chair Scott DeBolt. The efforts included a national search with recognized hospitality industry executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global.

“We look forward to partnering with John and the entire team as we continue advancing our mission,” DeBolt said. “Dayton is a premier tourism destination—rooted in a rich history of innovation, shaped by a culturally vibrant quality of life, and poised for an exciting and promising future.”

According to Oney, “Dayton, Ohio is renowned for being the Birthplace of Aviation, but it’s also recognized for welcoming communities, innovative partnerships, and a genuine spirit of hospitality. I’m thrilled and honored to join the exceptional team at Destination Dayton as the next President & CEO. I am excited to begin working with the board, partners, and the team to inspire tourism in all its forms. Together, we will continue to elevate our brand and visitor economy that support our communities in so many beneficial ways.”

Prior to relocating to Roanoke, John served as the Director of Sales at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida, National Golf Sales Manager for Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast, Florida, and Sales & Event Representative for Visit Central Florida/Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing.

He is active in the tourism industry and previously served as Board President for Convention Sales Professional International (CSPI) and was honored with the Shawn Corwin Myland-Award (2021). He is a certified Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) through Sports ETA and currently working through his Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation. He’s a proud graduate of Leadership Roanoke Valley (LRV) Class of 2023.

John graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Recreation Park Management with a focus in Professional Golf Management.

As Dayton and Montgomery County’s destination marketing organization, Destination Dayton® collaboratively leads and advocates for the development of the region’s visitor economy, which contributes to a thriving community, a diverse tax base and lifestyle amenities for everyone to enjoy. For more information about Destination Dayton® and its services, visit www.destinationdayton.org or call 800-221-8235.

Destination Dayton® President & CEO Jacquelyn Powell To Retire

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After 32 years of exceptional leadership and dedicated service to her hometown, Jacquelyn “Jacquie” Powell, President & CEO of Destination Dayton®, has announced her retirement, marking the end of a remarkable era in Montgomery County’s tourism and hospitality industry.

Powell has led Montgomery County’s destination marketing organization with passion, vision, and unwavering commitment. During her tenure, she has helped to elevate Dayton and Montgomery County as a vibrant destination for leisure, business, and group travel. Under her leadership, Destination Dayton® achieved transformational milestones, forged strong community partnerships, and delivered measurable economic impact through innovative tourism and hospitality initiatives.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the community I love,” said Powell. “When I reflect on the last 32 years, I feel immense gratitude—for the people I’ve worked alongside, the partners who believed in our vision, and the visitors who came to discover everything Dayton and Montgomery County have to offer. Together, we’ve built something truly special—a resilient, creative, and thriving destination brand that reflects the heart of our region. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m equally excited for what lies ahead for Destination Dayton® and the community.”

Powell began her career in hotel and private club sales and marketing in Dayton and Cincinnati before taking the helm at Destination Dayton®. Over three decades, her strategic insight and industry expertise helped attract major events, boost visitor spending, and strengthen Dayton’s identity as a tourism and business destination.

In 2023 alone, tourism in Montgomery County generated $2.6 billion in total economic impact, including $1.6 billion in direct visitor spending—a 4% increase from the previous year. The sector supported more than 22,750 jobs and fueled $709 million in labor income.

“Jacquie’s leadership has had a profound and lasting impact on this region,” said Scott DeBolt, Chair of the Destination Dayton® Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the University of Dayton Arena. “She has been a tireless advocate for Dayton, building Destination Dayton® into a trusted and influential organization. Her ability to bring people together, her deep industry knowledge, and her passion for our community have elevated the entire region. We are incredibly grateful for her decades of service and leadership.”

Beyond her role at Destination Dayton®, Powell has contributed her expertise and leadership to numerous boards and initiatives, including:

  • Board of Trustees, United States Air & Trade Show, Inc. (supporting the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show)
  • Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority
  • Quality-of-Life Review Panel, Dayton Development Coalition’s Priority Development & Advocacy Council (PDAC)
  • Governor’s Task Force for the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center
  • Former leadership roles with the Buckeye Trails Girl Scout Council
  • Dayton Rotary Club Member and Paul Harris Fellow

Powell’s influence has also extended to statewide and national policy. She is a past President of the Ohio Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and served on the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism’s Advisory Council. She is a respected member of key industry organizations including Destinations International, the U.S. Travel Association, and the American Society of Association Executives.

“At its core, destination marketing is about people and pride of place,” added Powell. “It’s about capturing the spirit of a community and inviting others to experience it. I’ve been honored to share Dayton and Montgomery County’s story with the world—to highlight what makes us special, resilient, and worth visiting. Watching this region grow and shine has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.”

Details about the transition and the search for new leadership will be announced in the coming weeks. Powell will remain in her role through December 2025 to ensure a smooth transition and support the organization during this pivotal moment of change.

As Dayton and Montgomery County’s destination marketing organization, Destination Dayton® collaboratively leads and advocates for the development of the region’s visitor economy, which contributes to a thriving community, a diverse tax base and lifestyle amenities for everyone to enjoy.

Dayton CVB Rebrands As Destination Dayton

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Destination Dayton, formerly the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau, revealed its new organization name and logo. The organization is eager to introduce its new look, and reintroduce its purpose to the local community.

“Because we are in the conventions, travel and hospitality business, we felt it was appropriate to have a bit of fun with our community brand launch.  Destination Dayton is running a series of digital billboards in July and August throughout Montgomery County that visually highlight our new name and logo, and encourage area residents to log ontowww.WinDayton.com to enter a contest to win two free airline tickets to fly friends or family members to Dayton to visit,” states  Destination Dayton President & CEO Jacquelyn Y. Powell.

When Daytonians go to the website, they’ll be able to read about Destination Dayton’s role in economic development, learn how they can benefit from Destination Dayton’s free offerings, and how they can interact with the organization to help enhance the economic vitality of the area–all while entering a contest for a chance to win two free airline tickets to fly friends or family to Dayton.

According to Powell, “Our organization has been in existence for over 30 years, and we want to make sure local residents recognize our new name–Destination Dayton–and know who we are and what we do. We are highlighting Dayton as a great place to visit by giving away two airline tickets to fly the contest winner’s two friends or family members to Dayton, to enjoy all we have to offer.”

WHO/WHAT IS DESTINATION DAYTON?

Destination Dayton is Dayton and Montgomery County’s destination marketing organization.  It promotes the community’s assets to consumers/leisure visitors and meeting planners to bring people and their dollars into our community.   When leisure visitors, and convention/meeting/youth and amateur sports tournaments/military reunion/and event attendees, come to our area, their spending increases the community’s economic vitality, reduces locals’ personal tax burden (by $761 per Montgomery County household), supports jobs and local businesses, and highlights Greater Dayton as an excellent place to visit, live, work, go to school, or potentially start a business.

 

HOW CAN YOU INTERACT WITH DESTINATION DAYTON?

  1. Order or download theFree Destination Dayton Visitors Guideto stay informed about all the community has to offer residents, as well as visiting friends and family.
  2. Download the all-newFree Destination Dayton Appfor fingertip access to information on community attractions, hotels, events, dining and much more!
  3. Explore the Destination Dayton websitefor more information on things to do in the area, from calendar of event activities, attractions, arts & culture, and outdoor recreation, to area hotels, meeting venues, shopping, restaurants and much more!
  4. Follow Destination Dayton on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest
  5. Show off your hometown pride and help boost the economic vitality of Dayton and Montgomery County by providing Destination Dayton staff with the name of a civic, social, or professional organization that you belong to that hosts meetings or events.Call 937-226-8211 or email Ron Eifert [email protected]–Destination Dayton’s professional and knowledgeable staff will “take it from there” and work to bring that event to Dayton/Montgomery County! The organization’s services are free!

Everyone is encouraged to log on to www.WinDayton.com and register for a chance to win two free airline tickets to fly friends or family members to Dayton for a visit! The contest is now open and runs through 11:59 p.m. EST on September 29, 2024.  All entries submitted online at www.WinDayton.com during this time frame (one per person, must be 18 to be eligible, cannot be a Destination Dayton staff member or related to one) are eligible for the random (witnessed) drawing, which will take place on September 30, 2024.  One prize will be awarded to the randomly selected winner for two (2) coach class airline tickets to travel from any location in the Continental U.S. to Dayton and back.  The prize is nontransferable and there is no cash alternative. Award winner will be contacted on October 1, 2024.