The 2024 Advocacy Summit is designed for professionals like you who are committed to making a meaningful difference.

This year's summit, themed "The Advocate as a Catalyst," will provide you with the tools and resources you need to become a powerful advocate for your destination. You'll learn from experts, network with peers, and gain the skills to make a real impact.

The summit, held in Río Grande, Puerto Rico, from October 22 to 25, is the perfect opportunity to learn about the unique challenges and opportunities facing global destinations. During the optional pre-conference workshops, you'll have the chance to discover Taíno Heritage and how tourism can serve as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, explore one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, El Yunque rainforest, and experience eco-cultural tourism firsthand on a riverside horseback adventure.

Whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned professional, this summit is designed to empower you. You'll return to your destination inspired and equipped to make a difference in your community.

The 2024 Advocacy Summit will focus on essential themes for destination organization professionals. Attendees will engage in in-depth discussions on destination stewardship, the implications of upcoming elections for the industry, and funding strategies designed to catalyze change within your communities. Each session is structured to provide actionable insights that can be immediately applied upon your return.

As a hallmark of the Advocacy Summit, we offer an exclusive preview of Destination International’s latest research. This will include groundbreaking studies on resident sentiment, the intricate dynamics of destination reputation and public perception, and advanced strategies in destination stewardship. This exclusive access to cutting-edge research will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the evolving landscape of destination management and ensure your community’s success.

Here are a few session experiences you can expect at the summit:

• Being a Catalyst: Hear real-world examples of how destination organizations featured in the Catalyst report are expanding their community impact.
• Securing Your Destination’s Future: Across three dedicated sessions, arm your destination organization with powerful, adaptable tools to withstand whatever funding issues arise.  
• Actionable Insights: Learn from industry pioneers like Bill Geist, David Peacock, and Josiah Brown, as they offer impactful ideas distilled from hundreds of conversations with destinations. 
• Two Roundtable Sessions: Roll up your sleeves and brainstorm solutions to our sector's most pressing challenges with some of the smartest people in your corner. 

In addition to these insightful sessions, the summit will feature networking opportunities and pre-summit workshops on Indigenous tourism, sustainability, and eco-cultural tourism.

New Tools and Resources to Empower Your Advocacy

In addition to these insightful sessions, the 2024 Advocacy Summit will unveil a suite of new tools and resources designed to empower your advocacy efforts: 

• 2024 Advocacy Lexicons: Enhance your communication and messaging strategies with the latest terminology and insights.
• New Community Indicators: Measure the impact of your advocacy efforts and demonstrate the value of tourism to your community.
• Psychological & Cultural Triggers in Destinations: Discover new research that reveals the often-overlooked factors influencing the decisions of event and meeting planners and leisure visitors.
• Resident Sentiment Towards Tourism: Step into the forefront of industry knowledge with an exclusive first look at the 2024 Canada & U.S. Resident Sentiment Towards Tourism Study key findings and insights.   

Why Attend?

• Learn from the Best: The summit offers a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders and experts passionate about advocacy's power.
• Network with Peers: Connect with other professionals who share your passion for destination organizations and build relationships that can last a lifetime.
• Uncover Actionable Insights: Sessions are tailored to help you gain practical tools and unique insights to make your advocacy efforts more persuasive and impactful.
• Become a Catalyst for Change: The summit is designed to empower you to become a catalyst for change in your organization and vitality in your community. 

Convince Your Decision-Makers

Here are a few key points you can use to convince your decision-makers to let you attend the 2024 Advocacy Summit:

• The summit will provide you with the skills and knowledge to advocate more effectively for your destination.
• You'll have the opportunity to network with other destination organization professionals and learn from their experiences.
• The summit will help you stay updated on the latest advocacy and destination marketing trends and cutting-edge research.  
• Attending the summit is an investment in your destination's future.

Join the Movement

The 2024 Advocacy Summit is your chance to become a powerful advocate for your destination. You'll learn from experts, network with peers, and gain the skills to impact your community. Register today and become a catalyst for change.