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Destinations International Announces Chicago as Host City for 2025 Annual Convention
Premier annual event for destination organizations planned for July 9-11, 2025
TAMPA, FLORIDA, USA (July 18, 2024) – Destinations International, the world's leading resource for destination organizations, announced that its 2025 Annual Convention will take place in Chicago, Illinois, USA, from July 9-11, 2025. The announcement was made at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Annual Convention, which took place in Tampa, Florida, USA from July 16-18.
The Destinations International Annual Convention is the most significant event for destination organizations each year. This year’s event focused on the critical role destination organizations play in fostering community engagement, resilience and destination stewardship. The convention has continued to see record attendance in recent years, reflecting its importance to destination organization leaders. Almost 1,900 attendees from 34 countries and territories around the world convened in Tampa to take part in the 2024 Annual Convention.
"We had a record-breaking Annual Convention in Tampa this year and based on our guest feedback we couldn’t be more pleased by the results,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “We’re deeply grateful to Visit Tampa Bay president & CEO Santiago Corrada and his outstanding team for their warm hospitality, partnership and hard work to make this year’s convention an unforgettable experience. We’re excited to be heading to Chicago next year for our 2025 Annual Convention and look forward to working with Rich Gamble, interim CEO at Choose Chicago and his entire team to plan another must-attend conference for our members. Chicago holds a special place in my heart as my family and I called it home for five years when I served as the CEO of Choose Chicago."
"We are delighted to welcome the Destinations International 2025 Annual Convention to Chicago next summer," said Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO at Choose Chicago. "At a time of unprecedented growth and transition for destination organizations, this gathering represents a truly exceptional opportunity for industry leaders to come together to meet and learn from one another. We're thrilled to offer convention attendees the opportunity to explore Chicago and experience everything that makes us worthy of being named Best Big City in the U.S. for seven consecutive years by readers of Condé Nast Traveler."
More information on the 2025 Annual Convention, including registration details, will be announced in coming weeks and will be available online at www.destinationsinternational.org.
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About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
About the Author
Tim Smith has 20+ years of strategic communications experience spanning roles in government, industry, agency and association settings. Most recently, he led corporate communications for Delaware North, a global leader in travel, hospitality and entertainment. Previously, he was Managing Director – West Coast at APCO Worldwide and Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Edelman, providing clients with senior communications and public affairs counsel. He has lived and worked outside the United States for more than a decade, including as a U.S. diplomat tasked with promoting trade and investment.
As Vice President of Communications, Tim is responsible for development and execution of strategic communications to support the association’s mission, enhance and elevate brand, and strengthen impact. He serves as primary contact for media and manages communication with global stakeholders, including association leaders, members, policymakers, media, academia, tourism industry and staff.
Tim is active in civic and professional organizations and has served on the boards of the Public Affairs Council, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and PRSA Puget Sound, among others. He has three grown children and currently resides with his wife outside of Buffalo, New York.