Highest Destination Management Certification Earned by Port Aransas Tourism Bureau CEO

Port Aransas, Texas, July 7 2025

Brett Stawar, President and CEO of the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce, has earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation, the only certification program specifically designed for the destination management industry. The program emphasizes vision, leadership, productivity, and the implementation of business strategies.

“Earning my CDME is more than a personal milestone—it’s a tribute to the incredible destination marketing industry that continues to inspire innovation, resilience, and community impact. I’m honored to stand alongside so many dedicated professionals and bring this knowledge back to Port Aransas to help elevate our destination and support sustainable tourism growth.”
— Brett Stawar, President & CEO, Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce

A resident of Port Aransas, Brett Stawar lives with his wife, Sheri, and son Shane. As the President & CEO for the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce, Stawar manages the destination marketing efforts for Port Aransas and Mustang Island and brings 30 plus years of experience in strategic marketing and communications to his role. Over the course of his career, his contributions to tourism bureaus have been recognized with more than 25 Tourism Marketing Excellence awards. Beyond his contributions to tourism, Stawar serves as Vice President to the Port Aransas Independent School District Board of Trustees and Rotary President for the Port Aransas Rotary Club. 

The Certified Destination Management Executive designation, administered by Destinations International, is the tourism industry’s highest individual, educational achievement. The Destination Management program is designed to prepare destination organization professionals to leverage their experience in a rapidly evolving industry.