Upcoming CDME Courses

The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies.

PLEASE NOTE: An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please allow 10 business days for the application to be processed. Courses are only available to those accepted to and committed to completing the program.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: To receive CDME credit for a course, you MUST be in attendance for 100 PERCENT of the scheduled course time. Please ensure your travel arrangements are made to accommodate potential travel delays. Missing course time to make a flight is not permitted.

If you cannot attend the course in its full entirety for ANY reason, you will need to reschedule and take the course at a future date. Please contact [email protected] if any conflicts arise.

Courses and instructors are subject to change.

Core Courses

Each core course is two days in length from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM each day.​
Member rate: US$1,795 / Non-member: US$2,595

Elective Courses

Each elective course is 1.5 days in length from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM and 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.​
Member rate: US$1,195 / Non-member: US$1,595

Small Destination Scholarship

2026 CDME Course Schedule

PLEASE NOTE:  NO OTHER CDME EVENTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE CALENDAR FOR 2026. INSTRUCTOR DETAILS TO BE PROVIDED AS FINALIZED. 

Winter CDME Courses
February 21-24, 2026
Cleveland, OH

Core Courses
February 21-22, 2026

  • Destination Leadership
    Instructors: Craig Davis, CDME, President & CEO, VisitDallas
    Brett Oetting, CDME, Founder & CEO, Oetting Alchemy   
                                
  • Destination Marketing & Sales
    Instructors: Cody Chomiak, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Travel Manitoba
    Tom Loftus, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Richmond Region Tourism
    Michelle Moore, CDME, Senior Director of Meeting Sales & Services, Experience Kissimmee

Elective Courses
February 23-24, 2026

  • Destination Economic Development
    Instructors: Brook Kaufman, CDME, President & CEO, Visit Corpus Christi
    Brett Oetting, CDME, Founder & CEO, Oetting Alchemy
                           
  • Destination Organization Financial Management
    Instructors: Chris Kipper, CDME, Chief Financial Officer, Louisville Tourism
    Michael Zumbaugh, CDME, Chief Financial Officer, Visit Estes Park

Register

Spring CDME Courses
April 26-27, 2026
Dallas, TX

Core Courses ONLY
April 26-27, 2026

  • Destination Advocacy & Community Relations                        
  • Strategic Issues in Destination Management
Summer CDME Courses
July 18-21, 2026
Portland, OR

Core Courses
July 18-19, 2026

  • Destination Leadership                        
  • Destination Marketing & Sales
  • Strategic Issues in Destination Management

Elective Courses
July 20-21, 2026

  • Destination Information & Research
  • Development of the Destination Experience
Fall CDME Courses
October 17-20, 2026
Ottawa, ON

Core Courses
October 17-18, 2026

  • Destination Advocacy & Community Relations                       
  • Destination Leadership                        

Elective Courses
October 19-20, 2026

  • Human Resources and Culture Transformation
  • Elective Course #2 TBD

Taylor Ruoff Snider

Senior Manager, Professional Development
Destinations International

Taylor Ruoff Snider manages the development and administration of Destination International’s professional development and certification programs. Taylor has a passion for advancing sustainable travel and tourism education to support and empower destination organizations and industry professionals across the globe. She has over seven years of experience in educational administration, program and project management, research, and content development for prominent industry associations, destination organizations, non-profits, and consulting firms in the travel and tourism industry.

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