Visit Hendricks County Leader Earns Tourism Industry’s Top Designation

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

Contact: Josh Duke, Josh@VisitHendricksCounty.com

DANVILLE, IN (May 27, 2026) – The focus of the program is on vision, leadership, productivity and the implementation of business strategies.

“Receiving the CDME designation is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Jaime Bohler Smith, CEO/Executive Director of Visit Hendricks County. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring those insights back to Hendricks County and continue building a community people are proud to call home.

“Tourism today is about far more than attracting visitors. It’s about creating places where residents feel proud to live, businesses can thrive and authentic experiences can be shared,” she added.  “This achievement strengthens our commitment to driving excellence, listening to our community and continuing to position Hendricks County as a place that is genuine, welcoming and, of course, real.”

The CDME program is the only industry certification program specifically designed for destination management professionals and is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement.

The designation is another example of Smith’s efforts to make a difference in destination development by positioning herself and Hendricks County as a state and regional leader in the industry. Smith joined Visit Hendricks County in 2002 and has grown the destination’s ability to attract visitors, generating nearly $5 million annually in innkeepers' tax collections. She has advanced from serving in sales, marketing and communications to her current role as executive director/CEO, which she has held since 2014.

Under her leadership, Hendricks County tourism continues to thrive in tracked metrics, including overnight hotel room stays and visitor spending. That success directly correlates with boosting the local economy and developing a vibrant community. She also led the organization’s recent strategic planning efforts, culminating in the For Real rebrand that was announced earlier this year.

To learn more about Visit Hendricks County as an organization, visit its website, Facebook page or Instagram page.