2026 Events Call for Speakers

A high-quality presentation submitted to Destinations International should meet the following standards:

• Global and Scalable Relevance: Content should resonate with a global audience, be applicable across industry verticals (such as sales & services, marketing, operations, etc.), and provide value to organizations of all sizes and budgets.
• Practical and Actionable: Presentations must include practical takeaways or case studies that help industry practitioners drive revenue, improve efficiencies, and/or achieve business objectives. The focus should be on actionable insights rather than theory.
• Timely and Balanced Content: Sessions should explore new and specific topics relevant to the travel and tourism industry, balancing enduring (“evergreen”) concepts with current, emerging issues.
• Expertise and Professional Development: Content can draw from both industry and non-industry expertise to support the onboarding, upskilling, and reskilling of Destinations International member professionals.
• Inclusive of Learning Styles: Presentations should be designed to engage different learning preferences and styles.
• Non-Promotional: Sessions must not promote specific products or services.
  • If an industry vendor submits a proposal, it must include a case study and feature a Destinations International member speaker.
  • Proposals focused on product promotion will be disqualified.
  • Discussion of general product categories is acceptable if the intent is clearly educational rather than sales-driven.

A Quality Speaker:

A strong speaker contributes to Destinations International’s Annual Convention by embodying the following qualities and commitments:

• Audience Awareness and Engagement: Understands the intended audience and actively engages participants throughout the session. Research consistently shows that retention and learning increase through interactivity and audience participation.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Works collaboratively with fellow speakers and panelists to deliver a cohesive, well-rounded discussion that explores multiple perspectives. Partners with Destinations International staff to ensure learning objectives, deadlines, and logistical requirements are met.
• Passion and Purpose: Demonstrates enthusiasm for sharing knowledge, experience, and insights with the destination industry community.

Participation Requirements:

• Voluntary Participation: Speaking at the Annual Convention is an unpaid, voluntary opportunity, and complimentary registration is not provided.
• Session Formats: Destinations International welcomes a variety of engaging session structures, including:
  • Roundtable Discussions: Promote interactivity, peer collaboration, and networking.
  • Instructive Presentations: Deliver practical, applicable strategies and insights.
  • Panel Interviews or Fireside Chats: Highlight diverse voices and conversational learning.
• Speaker Requirements and Accountability. All speakers must:
  • Adhere to Destinations International’s Code of Ethics, Speaker Requirements, and policies regarding AI-recorded and shared content.
  • All educational sessions must not exceed 45 minutes.
  • Submit all required information and presentation materials by assigned deadlines.
  • Understand that failure to meet requirements and deadlines may result in session removal.
  • Acknowledge that Destinations International retains the right at any time to modify, remove, or withhold any session content or presentation materials at its sole discretion.

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