Membership Spirit Week: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our DI Community
As we close 2024, Destinations International extends heartfelt thanks to our members for their invaluable contributions. Your dedication has strengthened our industry and driven incredible growth. As we enter 2025, we invite you to explore DI’s resources, engage in community discussions, and expand connections for continued success together.
As we look back on an incredible year, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your ongoing partnership and support for Destinations International (DI). Truly, it is your passion, dedication and energy that are the driving force behind the progress we continue to make together.
Your contributions extend far beyond individual efforts; they create a ripple effect that benefits the entire industry. Whether you’ve attended events, shared insights, collaborated on projects or championed stories unique to your destination, your involvement has strengthened and advanced the work of DI, our members and our industry.
As we turn our sights to 2025, we reflect on the tremendous growth at DI in recent years. In 2023 alone, we welcomed 107 new members into our community and expanded to 34 countries and territories. This strong momentum has continued this year.
As we approach the final weeks of 2024, now is the perfect time to take advantage of all the DI opportunities and resources available to you and your team. Here are just a few ideas to help you make the most of your membership:
Review and Utilize Resources
Take a moment to explore the full array of DI resources available through your organization’s membership. Is it time to update your staff access list or schedule a re-onboarding session? Have you distributed the Member Resource Checklist to your team so they’re aware of professional development opportunities and other resources?
Professional Development
As you prepare for year-end planning and staff reviews, consider the numerous professional development opportunities available through DI’s weekly webinars and Online Learning Center. We introduced new certificate programs in 2024 — could any of them equip your team with fresh knowledge and skills for 2025? Now is the perfect time to align your team’s needs with the resources DI offers.
Engage in Community Discussions
Join discussion groups within our Online Community where your expertise can shine and you can exchange knowledge and ideas with peers. Share success stories, ask questions and collaborate to drive further growth and success for everyone.
Expand Your Network
The holiday season is a prime networking time! Do you know any DMO leaders in your region who could benefit from joining DI? Through our referral program, you can help grow this community while being rewarded for new introductions.
As we look ahead, we are eager to continue building on the strong foundation of collaboration and growth that has been so successful in recent years. The opportunities for us to support one another are endless, and with your continued dedication there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Thank you for being such an important member of our DI community.
About the Author
For 25 years, Julie Holmen has been actively selling individual hotel properties and entire destinations in the global travel market. Most recently, Julie was with Meeting Professionals International where she worked with their global supplier accounts and strategic alliance partners to enhance MPI's presence around the world. Julie developed a personal passion for destinations sales when she took on the challenging role of Director of Citywide Sales and Event Engagement from 2006 to 2017 with Destination Toronto. Julie and her team focused on attracting Canadian, US, and International corporate events and incentives and re-creating a "Toronto Experience" in numerous destinations and at many industry events. Dedicated to her profession, Julie has served on several industry boards and committees with organizations such as MPI Toronto Chapter, MPI Global, FICP, and Humber College and has won several prestigious awards including being inducted into the M&IT Hall of Fame under the industry mentor category. A true advocate for the meetings and events industry, Julie has mentored many "up and comers" within the hospitality industry.
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