Destinations International Announces Keynote Speaker and Immersive Programming for 2026 Marketing & Communications Summit

Allison Howard to deliver keynote; destination, sports and community leaders headline immersive workshops and panels

POTOMAC FALLS, Va., U.S.  (Jan. 14, 2026) – Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading resource for destination organizations, today announced the keynote speaker and immersive workshop programming for its 2026 Marketing & Communications Summit, taking place February 24–26, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. Registration for the summit is now open.

Designed for destination marketing and communications professionals under the theme, “EXPLORE: A New Era for Destination Storytelling”, the summit will convene industry leaders, brand strategists and community storytellers to explore bold ideas, emerging trends and practical strategies shaping the future of destination marketing. The destination host of the event is Destination Cleveland.  

Keynote: For More than Profit — Building a Purpose-Driven Sports Legacy in Cleveland

The summit will open with a keynote conversation featuring Allison Howard, President of Business Operations for the Cleveland WNBA team and Chief Commercial Officer of Rock Entertainment Group. Howard will share insights on human-centered, people-first leadership and the evolving role of sports as a platform for community connection, inclusion and global engagement.

As she leads the launch of the WNBA’s 16th expansion team – set to tip off in Cleveland at Rocket Arena in 2028 – Howard will explore how a “For More than Profit” approach can redefine destination success and demonstrate the power of purpose-driven brands to unite communities and elevate cities on the world stage.

“At a time when destinations are navigating rapid change, heightened competition and increasing expectations from both visitors and residents, strong marketing and communications have never been more essential,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “This summit is intentionally designed to equip professionals with fresh ideas, real-world insights and meaningful connections. We are thrilled to welcome Allison Howard as our keynote speaker and be partnering with Destination Cleveland to showcase the city as a powerful example of purpose-driven storytelling, collaboration and community impact.”

Immersive Workshops Highlight Cleveland’s Brand, Events and Community Impact

In advance of the summit, attendees have the option of registering for an optional offsite, pre-summit, half-day immersive workshop, “Rowing in Sync: Powering Destination Success Through Teamwork and Collaboration.” Hosted at The Foundry, a state-of-the-art indoor rowing facility repurposed from a historic Cleveland foundry, the experience blends movement, strategy and real-world dialogue to explore how alignment, both physical and strategic, drives collective impact.

Participants will rotate between a hands-on indoor rowing session led by expert coaches, a behind-the-scenes tour of The Foundry’s innovative facilities, and a high-energy panel discussion featuring leaders from destination organizations, cultural institutions, philanthropic partners and the sports community. Together, they will share how collaboration and shared storytelling can amplify impact and strengthen communities. Moderated by Jennifer Valencic, Vice President of Destination Engagement at Destination Cleveland, the panel features Cleveland-based destination, sports and philanthropic leaders, including:

• Heather Holmes, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Cleveland Foundation
• Carrie Samek, Vice President of Event and Media Marketing, Rocket Arena and Cleveland Cavaliers
• Marie Scalia, Chief Marketing Officer, Destination Cleveland

The interactive sessions will offer behind-the-scenes insights into how Cleveland has built a distinctive destination brand, marketed global sporting and cultural events, and aligned tourism promotion with community pride and impact. Attendees will gain practical takeaways on integrated marketing, event storytelling, partnership development and authentic place-based branding.

Mainstage General Sessions Announced

The DI Marketing & Communications Summit is tailored for destination marketing and communications professionals at every stage of their career, offering a mix of strategic insight, peer learning and real-world case studies.

General Sessions include:

A Glimpse into the Future of Travel: Wahn Yoon, Co-Founder, L'Institut Idée, will present findings from a fascinating futurism project where his company used their renowned proprietary technique, the Structural Mapping Process (SMP) to reveal the key emotional drivers for travelers in the next decade. What emotional benefits will a new era of travelers be looking for when it comes to choosing where and how they travel? What should travel destinations be prepared to offer in the future and why? Themes such as "inclusive travel" and "24-hour mystique" are among the themes they discovered, and these findings form an essential blueprint for destinations as they prepare for the future

The Power of Storytelling: Andrea Doyle, Executive Editor, Skift Meetings, will explore how storytelling can transform meetings, messages, and brands. Attendees will learn why stories matter more than statistics, how to find the emotional core of their experiences, and how to gather and craft destination stories that inspire, connect, and create impact.

Interactive “Disruption Lab”: When the unexpected hits, destinations must pivot fast. Attendees will learn to identify different types of disruptors (positive and negative), react quickly and collaborate across departments and agencies to begin shaping a disruption tool kit for their destination. After hearing real case studies, an interactive session pairs marketing and PR professionals to work through real-life disruption scenarios, practicing rapid assessment, message development, stakeholder alignment and community-centered storytelling. The exercises simulate real-world urgency and encourage cross-functional thinking, helping participants build confidence in navigating sudden shifts in tourism and reputation.

More information on the summit and a link to register is available online.