Upcoming CDME Courses

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.

PLEASE NOTE: An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please allow 10 business days for the application to be processed. Courses are only available to those accepted to and committed to completing the program.

Courses and instructors are subject to change. To receive CDME credit for a course, you MUST be in attendance for 100 percent of the scheduled course time. If you cannot attend for the full day for any reason, you will need to reschedule and take the course at a future date. Please contact [email protected] if any conflicts arise.

Core Courses

Each core course is two days in length from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM each day.​
Member rate: US$1,575 / Non-member: US$2,315

Elective Courses

Each elective course is 1.5 days in length from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM and 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.​
Member rate: US$995 / Non-member: US$1,395

2023 CDME Courses

Summer CDME Courses

July 15-18, 2023
Dallas, TX

Concurrent Core Courses
July 15-16, 2023

  • Strategic Issues in Destination Management - SOLD OUT
    Instructors: Gary Sherwin, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Newport Beach, Inc.
    Maura Allen Gast, FCDME, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Destination Leadership - SOLD OUT
    Instructors: Craig Davis, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Dallas
    Kathleen Davis, CDME, Executive Director, Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Destination Marketing and Sales - JUST ADDED!
    Instructors: Cody Chomiak, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Travel Manitoba
    Tom Loftus, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Richmond Region Tourism

Concurrent Elective Courses
July 17-18, 2023

  • Development of the Destination Experience - SOLD OUT
    Instructors: Maura Allen Gast, FCDME, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
    David Holder, CDME, President, Clarity of Place
  • Destination Organization Financial Management - SOLD OUT
    Instructors: Mike Zumbaugh, CDME, Chief Financial Officer, Visit Estes Park
    Chris Kipper, CDME, Chief Financial Officer, Visit Louisville

Register for Summer CDME

If you would like to be added to the waitlist for a sold out course, please contact [email protected].

Registration Deadline: June 22, 2023 OR until courses sell out. For 2023, we have limited enrollment to 42 participants per course. We strongly recommend that you register for the session and begin making travel arrangements as early as possible.

Fall CDME Courses

October 7-10, 2023
Little Rock, AR

Concurrent Core Courses
October 7-8, 2023

  • Strategic Issues in Destination Management 
    Instructors: Gary Sherwin, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Newport Beach Inc. 
    Maura Allen Gast, CDME, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau 
  • Destination Advocacy and Community Relations
    Instructors: Cassandra McAuley, CDME, Senior Vice President, Destination Stewardship, MMGY NEXTFactor Enterprises Inc.
    John Groh, CDME, President and CEO, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Concurrent Elective Courses
October 9-10, 2023

  • Destination Positioning and Branding
    Instructors: Gary Sherwin, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Newport Beach Inc.
    Kelly Miller, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Huntington Beach
  • Human Resources and Culture Transformation
    Instructors: Jennifer Johnson, Vice President of Operations, Monterey County CVB
    Linda John, CDME, Vice President, Destination & Travel Practice, Fired-Up! Culture

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN LATE JUNE!

Fall CDME Courses - Canada

November 17-20, 2023
Ottawa, ON 

Core Course
November 17-18, 2023

  • Destination Leadership
    Instructors: Craig Davis, CDME, President and CEO, Visit Dallas
    Kathleen Davis, CDME, Executive Director, Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau

Core Course
November 19-20, 2023

  • Destination Marketing and Sales 
    Instructors: Cody Chomiak, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Travel Manitoba
    Steve Paganelli, CDME, Head of Destination Marketing, Americas, Tripadvisor 

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN LATE JUNE!

Contact Us

Taylor Ruoff

Education & Certification Manager
Destinations International

Taylor Ruoff assists with the development and administration of Destination International’s education and certification programs. Taylor has a passion for advancing sustainable travel and tourism education to support and empower destination organizations and industry professionals across the globe. She has over five years of experience in project management, research, content development, and educational administration for prominent industry associations, destination organizations, non-profits, and consulting firms.

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