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

2025 CDME Courses - Preliminary Schedule

PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL COURSE & INSTRUCTOR DETAILS TO BE PROVIDED AS FINALIZED. 1-2 ADDITIONAL CDME EVENTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE ADDED TO THE CALENDAR FOR 2025.

Winter CDME Courses
February 1-4, 2025
Austin, TX

Core Courses
February 1-2, 2025

  • Destination Advocacy and Community Relations - SOLD OUT! WAITLIST OPEN
    Instructors: Cassandra McAuley, CDME, Managing Director, MMGY NextFactor
    John Groh, CDME, President and CEO, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Destination Marketing & Sales - SOLD OUT! WAITLIST OPEN
    Instructors: Cody Chomiak, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Travel Manitoba
    Tom Loftus, CDME, Vice President of Marketing, Richmond Region Tourism

Elective Courses
February 3-4, 2025

  • Destination Information and Research - LESS THAN 10 SEATS LEFT!
    Instructors: Barry White, CDME, President & CEO, Chattanooga Tourism Co.
    Michael Rudowski, Vice President of Research & Insights, VisitDallas
  • Destination Organization Financial Management
    Instructors: Mike Zumbaugh, CDME, Chief Financial Officer & Interim CEO, Visit Estes Park
    John Mills, CDME, Executive Vice President, Explore Cabbarrus

REGISTER FOR WINTER 2025 COURSES

Spring CDME Courses
Week of April 7, 2025
Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Core Courses ONLY
April 7-8, 2025

  • Strategic Issues in Destination Management 
  • Destination Leadership

REGISTRATION FOR SPRING CDME 2025 WILL OPEN IN MID-JANUARY 2025

Summer CDME Courses
July 12-15, 2025
Chicago, IL

Core Courses
July 12-13, 2025

  • Strategic Issues in Destination Management 
  • Destination Advocacy & Community Relations
  • Destination Leadership

Elective Courses
July 14-15, 2025

  • Destination Economic Development
  • Development of the Destination Experience

REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER CDME 2025 WILL OPEN IN LATE Q1 2025

Fall CDME Courses
October 18-21, 2025
Sacramento, CA

REGISTRATION FOR FALL CDME 2025 WILL OPEN IN LATE Q2 2025

Contact Us

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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