Upcoming Events
Destinations International hosts professional development events to help destination marketing and management professionals learn and improve throughout the year. From CDME certification courses and leadership summits to our Annual Convention, each event helps leaders of destination organizations learn new skills, share their best ideas, and make their communities stronger.
Browse upcoming events below. Registration discounts and scholarships are available for qualifying destination organizations.
Summer CDME Courses
July 18-21, 2026 | Portland, OR
The CDME program is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement, preparing destination leaders to thrive in a constantly changing environment. Start or continue your professional journey, advance your career and enhance your industry knowledge!
2026 Visitor Services Summit
July 21, 2026 | Portland, OR
A full day of programming will offer interactive and immersive sessions and is the perfect opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer discussions and share key learnings, challenges, successes and best practices.
2026 Annual Convention
July 21-23, 2026 | Portland, OR
The Annual Convention is the must-attend event for everyone in the organization industry. It’s your ultimate opportunity to connect with peers and acquire the most cutting-edge knowledge to confidently face tomorrow’s toughest challenges.
2026 Global Leaders Forum
Geneva, Switzerland | 22–24 September 2026
*By Invitation Only* The gathering will convene senior destination leaders from around the world for strategic discussions, meaningful connections and forward-thinking collaboration.
Fall CDME Courses
October 17-20, 2026 | Ottawa, ON
The CDME program is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement, preparing destination leaders to thrive in a constantly changing environment. Start or continue your professional journey, advance your career and enhance your industry knowledge!
2026 Advocacy & Action: The Destination Impact Event
October 20-22, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Destinations International is bringing the Advocacy Summit and Thrive Summit together under one shared banner: Advocacy & Action: The Destination Impact Event.
2026 Business Operations Summit
October 26-28, 2026 | Oklahoma City, OK
The Business Operations Summit is a cross-functional gathering of destination organization professionals in finance, human resources, operations and technology.
Exclusive Delta Discount
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Destinations International.
Please click here to book your flights.
You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY4DB. *Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.
Event Scholarships Available
Small Destination Scholarships
The Destinations International Foundation is pleased to offer eligible employees of small destination organizations ($3Million or less operating budgets) opportunities for registration scholarships to attend 2026 Destinations International Events. Learn More
Global Destination Scholarships
Global scholarships are available for staff of destination organizations that are outside of North America to participate in Annual Convention. Learn More
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about DI events, scholarships and membership.
What professional development events does Destinations International offer?
DI runs summits, certification courses and its Annual Convention throughout the year. The calendar includes CDME courses, the Advocacy & Action: The Destination Impact Event, the Business Operations Summit, the Convention Sales & Services Summit, the Marketing & Communications Summit, the Visitor Services Summit, the CEO Summit, and the Global Leaders Forum.
There's something for people at every stage of their career, from coordinators to CEOs.
Are there scholarships available for Destinations International events?
Yes. The Destinations International Foundation offers registration scholarships for employees of small destination organizations with operating budgets of $3 million or less. Global scholarships are also available for staff at destination organizations outside North America to attend the Annual Convention.
What is the CDME certification and who is it for?
Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) is the tourism industry's top individual credential. The coursework covers leadership, strategy, and destination management, and courses run multiple times a year in different cities.
It's built for experienced destination professionals looking to move up. Members bring it up a lot when they talk about what they value in their membership.
What is the Destinations International Annual Convention?
DI's biggest event brings together destination marketing and management experts from around the world. They attend a few days of keynote speakers, special meetings, roundtable discussions with peers, and an expo. Members usually say it's the one event they never want to miss, largely because of the networking opportunities.
The 2026 convention is July 21–23 in Portland, Oregon.
How does Destinations International support DMO advocacy?
A lot of DMOs face restrictions on lobbying for their own budgets, so DI fills that gap. DI provides research, data, and messaging tools, including the Tourism Lexicon, that help DMOs make the case for tourism funding to elected officials and their communities.