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.
2027 Winter CDME Courses
February 20-23, 2027 | Miami, FL
The Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential represents the highest individual educational achievement in the destination organization industry.
2027 Marketing & Communications Summit
February 23-25, 2027 | Miami, FL
The summit is the preeminent gathering place of marketing, communications and public relations professionals dedicated to helping destination organizations thrive.
2027 CEO Summit
March 22-24, 2027 | Tucson, AZ
Join your industry colleagues at CEO Summit and learn how to navigate and overcome the complexities of your role.
2027 Spring CDME Courses
Late April, 2027 | Location TBA
The Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential represents the highest individual educational achievement in the destination organization industry.
2027 Convention Sales & Services Summit
Late April, 2027 | Location TBA
The Convention Sales & Services Summit is a cross-functional gathering of sales and services professionals dedicated to helping clients plan and execute successful meetings and events.
2027 Visitor Services Summit
July 12, 2027 | Kansas City, MO
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.
2027 Annual Convention
July 12-14, 2027 | Kansas City, MO
Three days of tactical sessions, direct peer connections and solutions you can implement immediately.
2027 Advocacy & Action: The Destination Impact Event
October 18-20, 2027 | Minneapolis, MN
This event is designed to foster cross-disciplinary learning, expand collective influence and strengthen the role of destinations as champions of community well-being.
2027 Business Operations Summit
October 26-28, 2027 | Lake Charles, LA
The Business Operations Summit is a cross-functional gathering of destination organization professionals in finance, human resources, operations and technology.
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
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 2027 convention is July 12-14 in Kansas City, MO.
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.