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Joanne Ferguson-Twiste, CMP, DMCP

Chair, Financial/Legal

Joanne Ferguson-Twiste is the third generation of the Ferguson family to serve as President of Puerto Rico's first destination management company, established in 1955 as Travel Services, Inc., later trademarked as Destination Puerto Rico.

Joanne began her career with the firm at an early age, learning the business from the ground up. Upon graduation from Bucknell University, she joined the firm on a full time basis as a Group Services Manager, eventually working her way to the Executive Vice President position. In 2002 she received her CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) certification and became the first person on the island to obtain her DMCP (Destination Management Certified Professional) certification.

In 2008, Joanne assumed full leadership of the company when her father, Paul “Skip” Ferguson, retired. Under her guidance, the company became the only Charter Accredited Destination Management Company on the island, the first to fulfill the rigorous standards required by ADMEI of DMCs wishing to achieve this distinction.

As a member of ADMEI, SITE, MPI and FICP, Joanne carries on her family’s tradition of actively participating in and contributing to local, national and international industry organizations. In addition to various other leadership roles, Joanne has served on the Board of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association since 2006, and has twice been honored as Allied Member of the Year. She is Past President of the Puerto Rico Skal Club, and was named Skalleague of the Year in 2004. She was elected to the Board of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau in 2010, and in 2013 she was selected as the first female Chairman of this organization.

Proud of her island and her Destination Puerto Rico family, Joanne loves what she does - working with a great team to create amazing memories for those who visit Puerto Rico.