Destination Niagara USA announces new additions to board of directors for 2026

Destination Niagara USA Press Release

Destination Niagara USA has announced the addition of three distinguished professionals to its board of directors for 2026: Anna Pierce, vice president at Rainbow Air Inc.; Dave Wedekindt, president of Artpark & Company; and John Kinney, founder and owner of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. Each brings decades of experience, leadership and dedication to the Niagara Falls tourism community.

Pierce has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and travel trade sales within the tourism industry and has been with Rainbow Air since 2019. Her extensive leadership experience includes service on numerous binational committees and tourism organizations.

She shared her enthusiasm about joining the board: “I am extremely excited to have been chosen to sit on the Destination Niagara USA board of directors. I am looking forward to working with this elite and well-respected group to advance the mission of bringing more visitors to our amazing city. The team at DNUSA are very dedicated and wonderful to work with. I’m looking forward to working more closely with them.”

Wedekindt has been with Artpark & Company since 2018 and brings more than 30 years of senior management experience with nonprofit organizations. A strong advocate for the arts, Wedekindt currently serves on the board of directors for MusicalFare Theatre and is the past president of the board of directors for Arts Services Inc.

He said, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with the team at Destination Niagara USA in my years with Artpark and have been impressed with their commitment to advancing awareness of and visitation to Niagara Falls and the region. I look forward to continuing our work together in this expanded capacity.”

Kinney began his tourism career at age 14 in the whitewater rafting industry and gained experience in the Niagara River Gorge as a member of the U.S. Wildwater Kayaking Team. Drawing on decades of experience navigating whitewater across North America, Kinney and his business partners launched Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, now celebrating its 34th year. Throughout his career, Kinney has served on Chamber of Commerce boards in both the U.S. and Canada, and remains a passionate advocate for the continued growth and revitalization of Niagara Falls USA.

He said, “It’s an honor to join the board of Destination Niagara USA and to continue supporting a destination that has meant so much to both my personal journey and my professional career. Niagara Falls is a world-class natural wonder, and I’m passionate about working alongside fellow leaders to ensure its continued growth, safety and success for future generations.”

Destination Niagara USA President and CEO John Percy welcomed the new members.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anna, Dave and John to our board of directors,” he said. “Their collective experience, leadership, and deep ties to the tourism and cultural sectors will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen Niagara County’s visitor economy. Each of them brings a unique perspective that will help us further our mission to increase visitation, enhance the visitor experience, and drive economic growth throughout the region.”

The mission of Destination Niagara USA is to expand the economic prosperity of the Niagara Falls USA communities by generating individual and group visitation. For more information, visit www.niagarafallsusa.com.