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Destination Dayton highlights regional economic impact, invites Vandalia officials to take Tourism Academy
Summary
Destination Dayton officials told the Vandalia City Council they generated major visitor spending and hosted events in 2025; they invited council and staff to a free Tourism Academy (online training) and shared local metrics showing Vandalia's role in regional visitation and hotel room nights.
Director John Oie and Vice President Kathy Peterson of Destination Dayton presented at the May 4 Vandalia City Council study session to explain the organization’s role in destination marketing and to promote its Tourism Academy.
Oie described the DMO role as promoting regionwide visitation to drive overnight stays and economic impact, and cited a recent study that he said generated an estimated $1.6 billion in direct visitor spending regionally and supported roughly 22,000 jobs. He said Destination Dayton’s 2025 activity included 86 hosted events, approximately 460,000 attendees and an estimated $65 million in direct spending in the region; the presenters said the organization also filled roughly 40,000 hotel room nights in 2025.
Peterson presented the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy, a free online, self‑paced 1–2 hour professional development program that provides videos, infographics and quizzes to help local employers and residents present the community as an asset for recruiting and retaining employees. She said participants earn a Destination Dayton ambassador pin and a certificate on completion and provided a QR link (destinationdayton.org/academy) for registration.
Presenters highlighted Vandalia’s local contribution: staff cited 22 events in Vandalia/Butler Township, an estimated local room‑night impact and a multi‑year direct spending figure related to events in the area. Council members thanked Destination Dayton for marketing support and discussed opportunities to link municipal web pages to Destination Dayton’s community pages.
No action was required; presenters asked council to promote the academy to staff, local businesses and community groups.
