Annual Convention
2018 Annual Convention keynote address and audience
Dallas map
event July 18-20, 2023
location_city Dallas, TX, USA
location_on Omni Dallas Hotel

The Year of RE: Reimagine

The world of destination marketing and management is now completely different. Destination organization leaders of today must have a renewed focus on solutions to tackle the challenges of showcasing organizational strength and resilience that create welcoming communities and increase resident engagement. Now is the time to revisit the values of destination organizations through destination stewardship and workforce development programs to retain top talent. With the ever-changing landscape of destination issues, leaders must work with stakeholders on innovative approaches to crisis response and the evolution of digital marketing platforms. Starting with our Annual Convention and extending throughout all of our summits and other events, this next year will be about reimagining the work we do - welcome to "The Year of RE".

Destinations International's Annual Convention provides:

  • An opportunity to connect peers and thought leaders from inside and outside the industry.
  • An integrated approach to learning regardless of your budget size or discipline focus.
  • Relationship-based exchanges among industry providers and destination organizations.
  • Diversity of thought by assembling the best minds in local insight and global expertise.

Register Now Schedule at a Glance

Past Keynotes

Annual Convention features nationally-recognized thought leaders and visionary luminaries on the main stage.

Best-selling author, entrepreneur, television producer, retired US Army Officer and Baltimore native. He also served as the CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, one of the largest anti-poverty forces in...
A general session facilitated by Miles Partnership that continues to serve as a platform for showcasing insights, ideas and inspiration from around the world.
Kevin is on a mission to help people and organizations embrace a simple philosophy that separates world-class organizations and high-performance people from everybody else.
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SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Saturday, July 15

CDME Core Course: Strategic Issues in Destination Management
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
CDME Core Course: Destination Leadership
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Sunday, July 16

CDME Core Course: Strategic Issues in Destination Management
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
CDME Core Course: Destination Leadership
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Monday, July 17

CDME Elective Course: Development of the Destination Experience
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
CDME Elective Course: Destination Organization Financial Management
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Association Executive Committee Meeting
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Foundation Executive Committee Meeting
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Joint Boards Meeting
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Leadership Reception
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Former Chairs Dinner
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Tuesday, July 18

CDME Elective Course: Development of the Destination Experience
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
CDME Elective Course: Destination Organization Financial Management
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Committee Meetings
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Expedia Group Media Solutions Insights Summit: Motivations and Mindsets Behind Traveler Spending (Registration Required)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Details +
Destinations organizations are at the intersection of culture and commerce, facilitating new experiences and connections for travelers even amidst fluctuating factors. While the last few years have presented new challenges for our industry, destination marketers have demonstrated a remarkable spirit of strength against external forces.

Expedia Group data continues to point to traveler resilience and reassuring signs of enduring enthusiasm for travel. As we look at outside forces such as current economic headwinds, it’s important for marketers to appreciate that travelers are closely evaluating every aspect of their travel experience. It’s for these reasons, insights into traveler behavior are essential for capturing demand.

New research about the traveler's path to purchase can help destination marketers identify the motivations and mindsets behind purchasing decisions. This session examines those factors that influence traveler spending habits, helping attendees reach consumers at these critical points.

Through the exploration of case studies that focus on cooperative campaigns and creative partnerships, as well as a discussion with industry leaders, annual convention attendees will discover how leveraging Expedia Group’s 70+ petabytes of first-party data, custom research, and media solutions will drive results. This Insights Summit is designed to help destinations of all sizes turn insights into action and showcase new creative ways to inspire, engage, and capture steady demand.

This pre-convention session is complimentary and can be added on during the event registration process.
Visitor Services Summit
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Civitas Funding Forum: Innovative Solutions for Your Destination's Toolkit (Registration Required)
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Details +
Destinations International and Civitas are partnering for another illuminating Funding Forum! Join us unite funding and legislation experts with industry leaders to highlight innovative ways destinations are investing sustainable funding in their communities. This year’s Funding Forum will help you equip your destination with the tools for advocacy and capital improvements, and leave you with knowledge of industry trends essential to remaining ahead of the game.

Member rate US$199 / Non-member rate US$299
This pre-convention session can be added on during the event registration process.
Messaging and Media Training Workshop: Develop and Own Your Narrative or Your Message, Your Way (Registration Required)
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Details +
It takes training and practice to cultivate a knowledgeable leader into a confident, poised and polished spokesperson. Attendees will engage in a hands-on key messaging and media training exercise to ensure their preparedness as spokespeople, hone their skills in connecting with target audiences and practice dynamically telling each of their community’s stories.

During the workshop, attendees will learn, among other things:
  • How to define a crisis, how to handle one and how to get your message across in an accurate and timely manner
  • Media interaction “do’s and don’ts” and instruction on working with the media
  • Tailored message training for sample media inquiries and best practices in message development and writing
  • Personalized simulated experiences to practice messaging and discuss the best course of action for each scenario
Member rate US$199 / Non-member rate US$299
This pre-convention session can be added on during the event registration process.
Recognition Celebration
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Opening Reception
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Wednesday, July 19

Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Opening Keynote
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Concurrent Sessions & CEO Lounge
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Concurrent Sessions & CEO Lounge
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Networking Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions & CEO Lounge
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
General Session
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Thursday, July 20

Networking Breakfast
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Concurrent Sessions & CEO Lounge
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Concurrent Sessions & CEO Lounge
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Networking Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions & CEO Lounge
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions & CEO Lounge
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Closing Keynote
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Closing Party
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

Early bird registration rates are available through Thursday, April 13, 2023. Use your Destinations International login to register for the summit, or contact us for assistance.

CVB MEMBER EARLY BIRD BUNDLE*
US$995
price per person
valid for registration of five or more staff
conditions apply*
CVB MEMBER EARLY BIRD
US$1095
CVB NON-MEMBER EARLY BIRD
US$1995
INDUSTRY PARTNER & BUSINESS MEMBER
US$1595

*EARLY BIRD BUNDLE FOR CVB MEMBERS

We are offering discounted bundle pricing for CVB members. Member organizations may purchase this bundle using a case sensitive code (23ACBUNDLE) during early bird at US$995 per person. Qualifications and criteria for bundle pricing include:

  • Destination MUST currently hold an active membership.
  • Destination MUST register through their organization account.
  • Destination MUST register all attending staff at one time.
  • Destination MUST register a minimum of five (5) staff during one transaction.
  • This rate is ONLY applicable during early bird (through April 13, 2023).
  • Refunds are not applicable; substitutions will be considered

Scholarship for Small Destination Organizations

The Destinations International Foundation is pleased to offer eligible employees of small destination organizations (US$3 million or less operating budget) one of 10 registration scholarships to attend Annual Convention.

JOIN US FOR SUMMER EVENTS

CDME logo
Summer CDME Courses
July 15-18, 2023
About CDME | Upcoming Courses | Register Now
Visitor Services Summit logo
Visitor Services Summit
July 18, 2023
About Visitor Services Summit | Register Now
Annual Convention logo
Annual Convention
July 18-20, 2023
About Annual Convention | Register Now

Attendees by Job Level

Annual Convention is an opportunity for all members of the industry to gather and network, regardless of where you are in your career path. Take a look at the breakdown of attendees by job level.

Attendees by Budget Size

Attendees come from destinations of all shapes and sizes. Annual Convention offers unparalleled opportunity to network with peers facing the same challenges that you are.

Safety Information

Take a look at our safety guidelines for in-person events in 2023.

Location Details

Hotel booking information will be provided in your registration confirmation email. The hotel cutoff date for all hotels is Thursday, June 22, 2023. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and may sell out prior to the cutoff date.

Omni Dallas Hotel
555 S. Lamar St
Dallas, TX, USA
+1 214-744-6664
Website | Map
Block rate: US$219/night + taxes and fees
Additional Hotel Options:

Courtyard Dallas Downtown | 0.1 miles away
310 S. Houston Street, Dallas, TX, USA
Website | Map
Block rate: US$179/night + taxes and fees

Aloft Dallas Downtown | 0.3 miles away
1033 Young Street Street, Dallas, TX, USA
Website | Map
Block rate: US$199/night + taxes and fees
Renaissance Saint Elm Dallas Downtown | 0.9 miles away
1907 Elm St, Dallas, TX, USA
Website | Map
Block rate: US$189/night + taxes and fees