Destinations International Releases Bevy of Fall 2018 Educational Events
April 8, 2018
Destinations International Chair Tammy Blount, FCDME and president and CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau and President and CEO Don Welsh recently announced the schedule for the organization’s fall educational summits.
“Destinations International is offering refreshed and new educational opportunities to provide critical learning, sharing of best practices, and network-building opportunities for every level of a destination organization,” Blount said.
He added, “From board governance to visitor services and everything in between, every member of a destination team will take away important skills and information from these events.”
Each summit concentrates on destination organization specific disciplines and is designed to provide the tools necessary for team members and the organization to achieve its goals and objectives.
In addition to the summits, Destinations International will offer additional educational opportunities such as Sales Academy, providing courses for new and advanced professionals and a C-Suite Session on Board Training and Governance that will be presented in partnership with ASAE.
“We continue to hear how important these peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities are to our members,” Welsh said.
He added, “They provide our members with a support network within their discipline, bring inspiration and provide education attendees can apply when returning to their destination organization.”
Most events are offered at member and non-member rates. For more information visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
Upcoming 2018 summits and educational events include:
PDM Online Course: Destination Organization Operations: Technology & Human Resources
April 30 - May 7, 2018, Online
The Professional in Destination Management (PDM) program provides destination management professionals with less than three years of experience, cutting-edge education and empowers entry to mid-level professionals with the skills and knowledge critical to successful destination management and marketing. This course will review the role of technology and how to incorporate it into the destination organization's strategic planning and quality control processes, as well as manage its continual process improvement.
July 10-13, 2018, Anaheim, CA
As the premier event for destination marketing and management professionals, Destinations International's 2018 Annual Convention provides a unique opportunity for professionals to connect with and learn from peers and thought leaders from inside and outside the industry.
Summer Learning Week
July 6 - 10, 2018, Anaheim, California
Taking place before the association’s Annual Convention, Learning Week will include CDME courses and the PDM: Fundamentals of Destination Marketing and Management course.
C-Suite Session: CVBs Engaged!
August 17-19, 2018, Chicago, IL
This is a board governance-focused series co-presented by Destinations International and ASAE. One day will focus exclusively on content for CVBs and training on how to work with boards, succession planning and governance challenges. The following day, CVBs are encouraged to invite board members for a fully engaged training session from ASAE that will focus on building effective board relations, making board meetings more strategic and practices to enhance board structure and process. All registrants are then invited to participate in the ASAE Annual Meeting Opening Celebration, Opening Keynote, and the Association Solutions Marketplace.
September 23-25, 2018, Monterey, CA
This summit is for professionals vested in the planning, development and management of visitor experiences within their destinations. Attendees will be able to engage and exchange ideas with peers, hear from forward-thinking leaders on emerging practices and case studies, and network and connect with visitor services professionals from other destination organizations.
October 21-24, 2018, Palm Springs, CA
This community of partners, inclusive of both membership and partnership roles, targets discussions about changing trends in the destination marketplace, redefining membership and partnership responsibilities to maximize impact and recalibrating the sponsorship value proposition. Attendees will leverage shared resources, exchange ideas and solutions and learn from experts.
Finance, Operations and Technology Summit
October 28-31, 2018, Cleveland, OH
This summit is both a disciplined-focused and cross-functional gathering of senior leadership in finance, administration, operations and technology. Attendees will learn new practices, opportunities and resources and network and connect with peers.
November 7-8, 2018, Philadelphia, PA
Learn from experts and insiders about the latest trends and threats to our industry, discover tools and research available to you and enhance your leadership skills with advocacy training. Whether fighting for your funding, defending your destination against the weaponization of travel, or lighting the way through dark matter politics, this event will help you become a more effective advocate for your destination organization.
Fall Learning Week
November 11-16, 2018, Seattle, WA
This educational week will include CDME courses, the PDM: Fundamentals of Sales course and Sales Academy.
19th Annual LGBTQ Tourism Forum
December 2-4, 2018, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Destinations International is partnering with Community Marketing and Insights (CMI) for their annual event that brings together leading industry professionals to share learnings about the LGBTQ market.
Convention Sales & Services Summit
December 11-12, 2018 – Save the Date
For more information on Destinations International and its events, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started.
Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind.
“Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for."
What’s New – AT&T Discovery District
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall.
Hotels Coming Soon
Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond.
JW Marriott
This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar.
InterContinental Dallas
Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.
Hotel Swexan
Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.
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