Destinations International Announces Keynote Speakers for 2026 Annual Convention
Jeremy Gutsche and Kathy Varol to headline intentionally designed leadership journey focused on innovation, purpose and the future of destination organizations
POTOMAC FALLS, Va., U.S. (June 1, 2026) – Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading resource for destination organizations, announced that innovation expert and Trend Hunter founder Jeremy Gutsche and purpose-driven leadership strategist Kathy Varol will serve as keynote speakers for the 2026 DI Annual Convention, taking place in Portland, Oregon, July 21–23, 2026.
Gutsche, New York Times bestselling author and founder of TrendHunter.com, will open the convention with a high-energy keynote focused on AI, disruption and the future of leadership. Varol, former Head of Global Purpose at adidas, will bring her expertise in purpose-driven leadership, organizational impact and brand strategy to the convention’s main stage.
The DI Annual Convention is the destination organization industry’s premier global event, convening leaders from around the world to explore the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of tourism, destination stewardship and community engagement. Under the theme, “Solutions for Today. Strategies for Tomorrow.”, this year’s convention has been curated to offer a connected leadership journey that moves attendees from future-focused innovation and momentum to deeper conversations around purpose, culture, storytelling and long-term destination impact.
“Destination organizations are navigating unprecedented change, from evolving traveler expectations and emerging technologies to growing community expectations around tourism’s impact and value,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “Jeremy Gutsche and Kathy Varol bring a unique perspective on innovation, adaptability and future-focused leadership that will inspire attendees and challenge our industry to think differently about the opportunities ahead.”
New this year, Annual Convention also introduces “Learner Journeys” — five curated content paths designed to help attendees personalize their convention experience around their goals, priorities and professional interests. Attendees can follow a focused path or mix and match sessions across five areas: Solutions, offering practical and actionable approaches to destination challenges; Strategies, focused on growth, positioning and long-range planning; Skills, supporting professional development and capacity building; Scope, providing global context and industry intelligence; and Leadership & Culture, exploring organizational health, leadership and community impact. In addition, AI and other resources will be incorporated to maximize the learnings and impact for attendees.
In addition to keynotes, featured breakout sessions include:
Translating Tourism Metrics Into What Matters to a Local Teacher – exploring how destination organizations can communicate tourism data in ways that resonate with residents and community stakeholders.
Stop Overthinking Sustainability: A Starter Playbook for Communicating Tourism’s Impact – offering practical tools for building sustainability strategies and communicating measurable community outcomes.
From Crisis to Credibility: How Modern DMOs Earn Trust in a World That Doesn’t Trust Institutions – examining how destination leaders can strengthen trust through visibility, transparency and proactive communication.
Funding Fire Starters: Women Igniting the Next Era of Destination Funding – highlighting innovative funding strategies and advocacy leadership shaping the future of destination investment.
Beyond Borders: How Destination Organizations Convene Unlikely Partners for Regional Impact – showcasing collaborative regional storytelling and partnership-building strategies.
“Annual Convention continues to be the must-attend event for destination professionals seeking actionable insights, meaningful connections and forward-thinking ideas,” said Welsh. “We are excited to welcome industry leaders from around the globe to Portland for what promises to be an energizing and impactful experience.”
Additional speakers, programming details and registration information is available online.