Sector: Destination Management
Introduction of VISIT USA Act to Restore Brand USA Funding Ahead of Major Global Events
The VISIT USA Act, introduced in Congress today, would restore critical funding to Brand USA—America’s destination marketing organization as the nation prepares to host a decade of global events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Summer Olympics, providing resources to promote the United States abroad, attract international visitors…
GainingEdge releases Third Edition of Global Intellectual Capital Report
GainingEdge has released the third edition of its Leveraging Intellectual Capital Global Report, analysing more than 7,500 international associations. Building upon the foundations of the 2021 report, the new edition introduces a refined methodology that broadens the analysis beyond associations hosting large congresses (over 500 participants) to also include mid-size conferences (200–499 participants).
GainingINSIGHTS
For perspectives from around the world on destination competitiveness in the business and professional events space, check out the regular thought-pieces from the GainingEdge experts, exploring trends, developments and insights in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and destination-marketing industries, and strategic topics for DMOs, CVBs associations, exhibition & conference venues, and their advisors.
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GDS-Movement Monthly Updates
Receive monthly updates from GDS-Movement, a pioneering, data-driven international change agency that acts to catalyse socio-economic and environmental transformation in cities and regions across the world, empowering tourism and events professionals with the mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to co-create more regenerative and resilient destinations to visit, meet, and live in.
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Champions and Advocates: Engaging Stakeholders in Place Branding
From City Nation Place: When it comes to marketing, we often talk about moving “customers” through the funnel – in place branding terms, what it takes to convert your target audience into visitors, investors, or residents. But what about when it comes to attracting, developing, and nurturing brand ambassadors? Stakeholder engagement and management is crucial…
Destinations International Announces Event Uniting Advocacy and Impact Summits in 2026
The inaugural Advocacy & Action event will unite and reimagine two of DI’s most dynamic gatherings into one event dedicated to advancing purpose-driven destination leadership. “Advocacy & Action brings together the full spectrum of what destination organisations stand for — community resilience, brand stewardship, leadership and impact,” said Don Welsh, DI President & CEO.
Share Your Insight at the CityDNA International Conference in Helsinki
City Destinations Alliance has launched a Call for Speakers for the International Conference & General Assembly in Helsinki, on April 22-24, 2026. Under the theme “The Human Pulse of Place and Purpose: Beyond the numbers, exploring the strategic forces shaping cities,” you are invited to help shape a programme that turns insight into action for…
New Climate Action Plan Puts Canada in the Front Ranks of Regenerative Tourism
Destination Canada has completed its first Climate Action Plan — a major step in its sustainability journey and a signal of Canada’s leadership in regenerative tourism. Together with its long-term conference impact research, it highlights the importance of minimising negative environmental impacts while maximising the positive societal impacts generated by business and professional events.
Destinations International Research Calls for Fresh Advocacy Model Amid Funding Reductions
Destination leaders recently gathered in California as Destinations International shared new research and resources for destination organisations to strengthen reputation, advocacy, and long-term success. This included The Advocacy Leadership Imperative, produced with MMGY NextFactor and supported by the DI Foundation, outlining a model for destination advocacy that embeds it across governance, strategy, and performance.
Putting a Price on Intangibles: The Curious Case of the DMC
Padraic Gilligan considers the implications of the intangibility of key assets that make our industry. When business models rely on events which exist briefly, with no guarantees of future revenue, and on the intellectual and experiential capital of staff who could leave tomorrow, how can accountants and venture capitalists place a value on such businesses?
How to Fight the War on Words
Business Events Montreal argues that destinations and the business and professional events they host should unapologetically push back against censorship, DEI “cancellation,” and anti-science climate-change denialism. It says safe platforms for civilised disagreement are vital for progress and believes this stance strengthens Montreal’s appeal for international meetings, aligning business interests with a firm moral position.
The Antwerp Innovation Journey: Where the Blue Economy Comes to Life
Understand how and why Antwerp is building its events strategy around future-industries, sustainable solutions and economic development priorities, leveraging academic excellence, start-up innovation, and industrial scaling-up know-how to attract the most relevant international events. An excellent model for other cities wishing to fully exploit their intellectual capital and business sector advantages, from Antwerp Convention Bureau…
Can Subvention Be a Catalyst for Destination Transformation?
Association-Destination-Matching platfom Conferli has conducted in-depth research that obtained data on subvention policies and practices at 115 destinations worldwide, revealing wide variations in decision-making, scale of financial support, and regional utilisation. Over 90% of respondents agreed with the prompt that subventions could be used to drive forward sustainability and destination legacy objectives, yet only 6%…
A Shared Vision for the Urban Visitor Economy: The Tórshavn Declaration
Through workshops built around Political, Economic, Social, and Technological dimensions, attendees at CityDNA Autumn Conference identified priorities for Europe’s cities: stronger advocacy at EU level, sustainable funding models, inclusivity, AI integration, and data ethics. Using conferences as a platform for strategic realignment is a powerful way to ensure engagement and alignment to vision and goals.
21 July 2026
Destinations International | Annual Convention, Portland, OR, USA
Annual Convention is the destination organisation industry’s premier event to meet your peers and gain cutting-edge knowledge to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Destination organisation professionals of today must have a renewed focus on solutions to tackle the challenges of showcasing organisational strength and resilience that create welcoming communities and increase resident engagement.
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27 April 2026
Destinations International | Convention Sales & Services Summit, Dallas, TX, USA
The Convention Sales & Services Summit is a cross-functional gathering of sales and services professionals dedicated to helping clients plan and execute successful meetings and events. Gain strategic insights and leadership skills to drive your teams to success, sharpen your selling techniques and learn from the best in the field, explore cutting-edge trends and innovations…
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30 March 2026
Destinations International | CEO Summit, Newport Beach, CA, USA
Enjoy and learn from inspirational conversations with your peers. Share your experiences and concerns in a setting of openness and trust. You will be provoked, prodded and challenged to explore the most pressing leadership and industry issues through remarkable keynotes, hot topic presentations, break-out sessions, and panel discussions.
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24 February 2026
Destinations International | Marketing & Communications Summit, Cleveland, OH, USA
The summit is the preeminent gathering place of marketing, communications and public relations professionals dedicated to helping destination organizations thrive. Benefit from the interaction, information and insights offered by this unrivalled opportunity for personal and professional development tailored specifically to seasoned marketing and communications professionals at destination organizations.
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16 November 2025
Destinations International | Fall CDME Courses, Gatineau, QC, Canada
The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
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