WASHINGTON, DC (June 29, 2011) -Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) named Keith Talbert Jr. of Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau as one of thirty future leaders of the destination marketing industry.

As one of DMAI's inaugural 30 Under 30 group, Talbert has been awarded complimentary registration and hotel accommodations to the DMAI Annual Convention, the foremost professional development opportunity for individuals working at official destination marketing organizations (DMOs). DMOs are sometimes also referred to as convention and visitor bureaus or tourism boards.

Talbert joined Go Wichita in 2008. He is responsible for marketing the Wichita area to social, military, education, religious and fraternal groups. He also supports the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission with the efforts to attract sports events to Wichita.

"We're very proud of Keith and his work to promote Wichita as a convention and leisure destination," said John Rolfe, Go Wichita president and CEO. "Go Wichita is honored that he has been selected for this designation."

"This group of individuals not only keeps destination marketing on the cutting-edge, but is the future of our industry," commented Michael D. Gehrisch, president and CEO of DMAI." Our new 30 Under 30 program provides this key group with access to new knowledge and tools that are necessary to further infuse innovation into their DMO."

Mike Gamble, President & CEO of SearchWide, LLC and the founding sponsor of DMAI's 30 Under 30 program, also commented "Identifying and developing future leaders is an important priority, and DMAI has stepped up to the plate in a big way with this new initiative. The DMO world is an exciting and challenging career path and it is crucial we prepare this group for the complexities of leading these organizations. Having access to industry education and industry leaders will create significant learning opportunities for these individuals."

For more information, contact Ken Vandruff, Go Wichita director of communications, 316.660.6305 or kvandruff@gowichita.com.

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