Tim Smith is a strategic communications leader with over 20 years of experience across government, industry, agency, and association sectors. He has held senior roles at Delaware North, APCO Worldwide, and Edelman, and served abroad as a U.S. diplomat promoting trade and investment. As Vice President of Communications, he leads strategy to elevate brand, support the association’s mission, and engage global stakeholders. Tim is active in civic and professional organizations and has served on multiple boards. He lives outside Buffalo, New York, with his wife and has three grown children.
Destinations International Launches New Advocacy Research and Tools at 2026 Virtual Advocacy Day
New Tourism Lexicon, Social Impact Lexicon and DMO Resiliency Report help destination organizations strengthen advocacy and demonstrate community impact
New Tourism Lexicon, Social Impact Lexicon and DMO Resiliency Report help destination organizations strengthen advocacy and demonstrate community impact
POTOMAC FALLS, Va. (September 21, 2026) – Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading association representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), highlighted new research, tools and strategies during its second 2026 Virtual Advocacy Day, part of a global program focused on tourism advocacy, destination organization funding, community impact and organizational resilience.
The event was made possible through the support of event partners Chase Travel, Civitas, Granicus Destinations and the Destination International Foundation. A complete recording of all sessions is available on demand online with free registration.
Among the major announcements were the launch of new Tourism and Social Impact Lexicons and a research report examining destination organization (DMO) resiliency.
“Advocacy is an ongoing leadership responsibility built on trusted relationships, credible data and a clear connection between the visitor economy and community priorities,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “These new resources give destination leaders practical tools to communicate their value and strengthen their organizations for the future.”
“Destination organizations have an important story to tell about the difference they make in people’s lives and communities,” said Sophia Hyder Hock, chief impact officer at Destinations International. “The right language helps us connect tourism’s economic and social impact to what residents, leaders and stakeholders value most.”
New Tourism and Social Impact Lexicons
The 2026 Tourism Lexicon provides destination organizations with research-based language for communicating the value of tourism to elected officials, residents, community leaders and other stakeholders. It is available for the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada (English and Canadian French).
The updated 2026 Social Impact Lexicon focuses on communicating how destination organizations and the visitor economy contribute to community vitality, economic opportunity, quality of life and welcoming communities. It is available for the United States and Canada (English and Canadian French).
Both resources were developed with the support of the DI Foundation and are designed to help destination leaders translate tourism data and organizational outcomes into clear, credible messages that resonate with audiences beyond the travel industry.
New Research on DMO Resiliency
Destinations International also released new research examining how destination organizations can prepare for economic downturns, funding challenges and other disruptions.
The research informed the Virtual Advocacy Day session, “Weathering the Storm: What 30 Years of Downturns Teach DMOs About Surviving the Next One.” The report, Destination Organizations and Economic Downturns: Historical Lessons for the Year Ahead, reinforces the importance of building stakeholder relationships, demonstrating community value and establishing strong advocacy strategies before a crisis occurs.
Other Virtual Advocacy Day discussions addressed tourism taxes and sustainable funding, collaboration with city and county governments, economic impact research, advocacy versus lobbying and practical strategies for building organizational advocacy capacity.
The conversation continues at Advocacy & Action: The Destination Impact Event, October 20–22, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
For the 2026 Tourism Lexicon, 2026 Social Impact Lexicon, DMO Resiliency Research Report and additional tourism advocacy resources, visit DestinationsInternational.org.