Michelle Day Miles, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden’s executive director, has achieved the Certified Destination Management Executive designation.
This esteemed certification is the highest individual credential in the tourism industry, awarded by Destinations International to recognize excellence in destination management leadership.
The CDME program is designed for senior-level professionals and focuses on strategic leadership in destination organizations, setting the standard for excellence in tourism development, planning and community engagement.
In addition to her role at Nikka Yuko, Day Miles has served with distinction on the Tourism Lethbridge Board of Directors for five years, including three years as Board chair.
“Michelle’s commitment to excellence and her tireless work to promote Lethbridge as a dynamic cultural destination is an inspiration,” says Erin Crane, CEO of Tourism Lethbridge. “Her achievement of the CDME certification is a testament to the leadership we’ve been fortunate to have in our community.”
Day Miles has led Nikka Yuko through a transformative period since taking on the role of executive director in 2015.
Notable accomplishments include the launch of the popular Winter Light Festival, the development of year-round programming, the garden’s designation as a Municipal and Provincial Historic Resource in 2017 and the opening of the Bunka Centre in 2022.
She also played a central role in hosting Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako of Takamado during the garden’s 50th anniversary.
Day Miles says the certification was a four-year process that included a lot of research papers required. “I’m so grateful learning from so many different organizations in destination management from all over the world.”
“What CDME certification has given me and equipped me with is the knowledge and tools to manage the increasing changes in competition facing our tourism industry. It’s also given me the opportunity to understand the tourism industry on that global level. My intent was always to ensure Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is out there to the world, being a unique destination. But through the training, I understand also important is our city of Lethbridge, as a destination,” Day Miles notes. “It takes work to manage a destination. There’s a lot of moving wheels nationally and internationally that are at play right now.”
Nika Yuko Japanese Garden as a destination has grown so much over the last 10 years, adds Day Miles. “This year, the Nikka Yuko team continues to enhance and develop tourism products. One of the things we’re really focused on, which is important in every destination, is the community collaboration.”
“We’ve implemented a community engagement and program manager this year who is reaching out to volunteers and to different organizations and businesses to enhance the things we’re doing at Nikka Yuko, which again enhances our destination,” says Day Miles.
Local support will also support more visitors in the end, Day Miles adds. “The goal is to not just increase our visitors, economy and support local businesses, but our goal also is to make sure we’re in-line with community values and something our community can be proud of.”
