In a vote of confidence for the positive societal and economic impact of Business Events, C$15 million has been earmarked over the next three years to help attract events in strategically important sectors. Administered by Destination Canada, ICAF has helped secure 116 international conventions, generating C$803.3 million in direct economic impact and supporting 6,692 jobs.
Destinations International has released a comprehensive new resource designed to help destination leaders strengthen relationships with residents and stakeholders while advancing long-term community alignment. Grounded in insights from the Futures Study and shaped by global industry leaders, the Destination Professional’s Guide to Community Engagement offers a practical framework to help destination organizations measure meaningful impact.
City Nation Place has released a benchmarking report into the different approaches taken by a range of destinations to build competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent. There are certain to be many lessons that can be taken on board when designing business event strategies that share this same objective.
visit.brussels, the city’s DMO responsible for tourism, business events, and for attracting and supporting international associations is looking at the potential loss of over half its personnel & decimated programmes. Industry peers are urged to sign and share the petition in opposition to these cuts.
Ireland celebrated the success of 109 Conference Ambassadors at the most recent CARA (Conference Ambassadors Recognition Awards) gala evening in Dublin, recognising academics and business leaders who were responsible for attracting major international association conferences to the country during the years 2023 and 2024. Highlights of the evening were two Spotlight Awards, for Sustainability and…
This report provides insights into how the perceptions, experiences, concerns and thoughts of Amsterdam’s residents regarding local tourism issues have evolved. The study, by Inholland University of Applied Sciences, amsterdam&partners, & MMGY Global / TCI Research, found that Amsterdam’s residents do not oppose tourism per se, but call for a more thoughtful and balanced approach.
Social carrying capacity is increasingly used to guide sustainable destination management, yet many destinations still struggle to translate the concept into practical, place-specific strategies. Our next Feeling the Pulse webinar explores this through an academic lens with two distinct sessions, each featuring unique content. You’ll get insights from a pilot study in Garda Trentino informed…
Social carrying capacity is increasingly used to guide sustainable destination management, yet many destinations still struggle to translate the concept into practical, place-specific strategies. Our next Feeling the Pulse webinar explores this through an academic lens with two distinct sessions, each featuring unique content. You’ll get insights from a pilot study in Garda Trentino informed…
Dr Emma Delaney analyses some key issues regarding subventions and other financial incentives, drawing from the perspective of PCOs. Amongst her conclusions: flexible, co-created incentive packages are more effective than rigid, conditional offers, and when aligned with a destination’s goals, incentives can facilitate sustainable, inclusive and high-quality conferences and stronger societal impact. From CEF…
Ottawa Tourism and Invest Ottawa highlight their growing partnership to attract high-value international conferences and events, supported by the Think Ottawa program and Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund. With Ottawa’s strengths across aerospace, defence and security, cybersecurity and AI, the destination team is building a future pipeline of business events aligned with these sectors.
European city destination leaders gathered in Barcelona in February for the 19th CityDNA CEO Meeting. Hosting the meeting in Barcelona was symbolic – few cities have more visibly navigated the political, social and structural pressures surrounding urban tourism. European destination CEOs addressed a central reality: the role of the Destination Management Organisation has fundamentally evolved.
Timed to recognise the founding of the world’s first destination organisation on February 19, 1896, in Detroit, Michigan, this worldwide advocacy event recognises the leaders and organisations that drive tourism, economic growth and community vitality. Greetings by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and state Governors of Illinois and Wyoming were amongst many messages of support.
Following its traditional evolutionary approach to destination sustainability metrics, the Global Destination Sustainability Movement has focused on consolidation, precision and alignment with global sustainability frameworks, enabling the Index to function even more effectively as a rigorous improvement-in-performance programme for destinations around the world.
The launch of the MeetEngland Impact Network at Sheffield’s Cutlers’ revealed why intellectual capital is one of England’s biggest advantages on the international business events stage. It was a genuinely significant industry moment — not just another announcement, but the start of something that could reshape England’s global competitiveness. From M&IT…
Traditionally, tourism and economic development were treated as two distinct functions, but this model has evolved over recent decades, as destinations recognise that these are two sides of the same coin. Visitors, investors, talent and residents are responding to the same fundamentals: quality of life, connectivity, innovation, culture, sustainability, and opportunity. From City Nation Place…
Grounded in four pillars of best practice, Tourism for All equips destination leaders to align local businesses around shared values that support visitor readiness, long-term community well-being and the competitive advantage of welcome. Cohort 1: Mar 3-Aug 31 – registration now open. Cohort 2: Jun 5-Nov 30 – registration opens May 5.
Destinations International has announced the contract extension of President & CEO Don Welsh through December 31, 2027. “Don’s leadership continues to be a tremendous asset to Destinations International and the global destination organization community,” said Leslie Bruce, CDME, chair of the DI Board of Directors and president & CEO of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism…
From AI abuse scandals to collapsing trust, X is no longer just “controversial” – it may be fundamentally broken. And that matters for meetings, events and destination marketers. With the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images by removing clothing, the demise of X as a credible social media platform feels complete.
The objective of the annual recognition day is to raise awareness and appreciation for the important role of destination organization professionals, celebrate them and highlight the varied and exciting career tracks the sector offers as a means of attracting future generations of destination leaders. Find out how you can participate / download DI’s Toolkit here…
In the case of events, the nation brand comes to life as a collective experience open to all. From community festivals to international forums, every event using the essential COSTA RICA logo becomes a space where national values are lived and shared. Between January and September 2025, more than 135 events across the country were…
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