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European Membership

Join a global community dedicated to advancing the destination organisation and convention bureaux sector. When you become a member of Destinations International, your whole organisation gains resources to help you thrive in your roles. Connect with industry peers across Europe, North America, and around the world. Access innovative resources, industry-leading professional development, and thought leadership to elevate your destination. Strengthen your network, participate in global events, and gain insights to address the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by European destinations. 

Why You Should Join

European members have access to exclusive Destinations International benefits.


Customized Engagement Strategy

A customized approach based on your strategic plan. We will get you started with DI by focusing on the key areas, resources and research that will help your organisation advance toward your goals with the support of our community.


European Stewardship Council

A small group of European members who are our ambassadors in Europe. The council engages European members, drives initiatives that benefit the industry, grows the community in Europe and serves as a valuable source of feedback and input to DI.


Global Leaders Forum

An inaugural event that marks a new era of global engagement as Destinations International hosts our first ever global forum outside North America, underscoring our commitment to global engagement and leadership within the destination organisation and convention bureau industry.


20% Discount on Professional in Destination Management Programme (PDM)

Online certificate program to develop critical expertise needed by destination organisation professionals (available for organisations with a budget of
€3M or less).


Global Destination Scholarship Fund

Supported by the Destinations International Foundation, this scholarship fund provides a limited number of event scholarships to attend in-person DI events, such as our Annual Convention, or participation in our Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) programme.


Cross-Atlantic Knowledge Exchange

A programme of in-person gatherings and virtual roundtable
discussions to connect, exchange ideas and learn from European and North American destinations.


Virtual Roundtables

Online sessions introducing DI, departments and networking opportunities with other European peers.


In-Person Gatherings

Meetings with your colleagues and industry peers during key industry events.


European Delegation

 A curated experience for global delegates at the 2025 Annual Convention. Elevate your experience in Chicago with an offsite knowledge exchange, peer networking and special activities for global delegates.


Tiered Membership Pricing

Offered based on organisational budget.

Business Events Resources for Convention Bureaux

Business events are crucial to destinations and local economies, generating over a trillion dollars in direct spending worldwide every year. Not only do these events drive significant revenue and stimulate growth across various sectors but, by attracting global visitors, they boost local employment and enhance the destination’s profile, fostering long-term economic benefits and development opportunities for local communities and the events themselves.

Destinations International is building a strong platform for cross Atlantic knowledge exchange so that our European and North American members can learn from one another. We believe that this knowledge-sharing serves to create a more meaningful impact on the industry, the delegates, the destinations and the events themselves. Our community of convention bureaux also benefits from insights and research from our partnerships with industry associations, meeting planners and academia.

Business Events Opportunities


Global Business Events Focus Group

Online and in-person discussions to exchange best practices and advance the role of convention bureaux globally.


Convention Sales and Services Summit

Dedicated tracks for sales, services and executive leadership. This one and-a-half day event is a perfect opportunity to grow your network, learn and share with your peers. In 2025, we will add a convention centre track in collaboration with ASM Global.


Advocacy for the Power of the Convention Bureau

We are developing presentations that will help you engage with your members, stakeholders and broader community on the role of the convention bureau. We also have resources within research and advocacy that will strengthen and amplify your voice in the local community.


Convention Sales and Services Community

There is the opportunity to join the Convention Sales and Services (CSS) committee and follow the group on its online community. We also have specific topic discussion groups such as a risk mitigation group where we offer resources and tools to help convention bureaux navigate this often-challenging issue.

Business Events Resources

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Convention Sales & Services Checklist

A tool used to educate and onboard new staff members that hold the role of Director of Sales and Services, Director of Business Development, Sales Manager, Services Manager, Sales Coordinator, Services Coordinator or Events Marketing.

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Quarterly Webinar Series

Hosted by Destinations International staff and partner organisations, our webinars are complimentary to members and can be watched live or on-demand.

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Virtual Roundtables

Our engaging business events roundtable discussions with member peers are complimentary to members and can be
watched live or on-demand.

Resources for European Members

Pathfinders Industry Brief on Global Challenges and Collaboration

Through a multiyear collaborative approach, Destinations International European Pathfinders have identified key areas where DI can support destinations. Discover the key trends and recommendations.

Destination Effect

Destination Effect is a centralized hub for the content and tools of destination marketing awareness and promotion. It uses real life success stories to help website visitors understand the vital role of destination promotion.

DestinationNEXT Futures Study

The 2023 bi-annual DI DNEXT Futures Study is the largest and most extensive survey of destination organizations around the world that unveils the top 50 strategies and 50 industry trends your organization needs to know. The 2025 Futures Study will be released during our Annual Convention.

Professional Development

Visit the Online Learning Center or explore our in-person education and certification courses.

Destination Promotion Community Indicators Personas

A set of community indicators created in partnership with Zartico to show the effects of destination promotion throughout our communities. 

Community Vitality Wheel

The Community Vitality Wheel illustrates that destination promotion is a catalyst for community vitality that drives what is needed for a community to become that destination where people want to visit, live, work and play. 

UK Tourism Lexicon

A list of key words used by elected officials when talking positively about travel and tourism.

Membership Checklist

Use the membership checklist to make sure you are taking advantage of all of our products and tools.

Why You Should Join Destinations International

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“Global problems require global solutions. Given the highly complex challenges that destinations face today, it has never been more important for us to come together with our colleagues around the world to share best practices, develop innovative solutions, and magnify our collective impact. Destinations International has emerged as one of the industry’s foremost thought leaders, facilitating critical dialogue around the most pressing issues facing our industry and our global community.”

ADAM BURKE
CEO
Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board

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“Bringing together destination leaders from around the world is essential for fostering meaningful exchange and collaboration. Destinations International has created invaluable opportunities to share insights from North America and exchange key priorities with European organisations, strengthening partnerships and addressing the challenges we collectively face.”

CHRISTINE SCHÖNHUBER
CEO
Tourismus Salzburg

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“We see Destinations International as a community of innovators, working together to maximise the positive impact tourism & events can have on people and planet. Working with DI and its global reach allows us to learn, evolve and share our knowledge to bring the environment and social sustainability to the core of everything we do as an industry. This is especially true at the annual congress where meeting in person creates stellar education, connections and values for us all to be inspired by.”

RORY ARCHIBALD
Associations & Sectors, Business Events
Visit Scotland

Thank You to Our Programme Partners

What began in 2022 as the European Pathfinders Programme has transitioned into Destinations International European Membership. This would not have been possible without the support of our programme partners.  Special Thanks to:

Founding Partners:

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Supporting Partners:

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Annual Membership Fees

Membership of Destinations International is based on your organisation’s total annual operating budget, inclusive of payroll, overhead and administrative expenses, and marketing spend.  

Apply

 

About the Author

Jane Cunningham

Director of European Engagement
Destinations International

Jane loves life in the Nordics and the spirit of Scotland. Her expertise is based on over 20 years of experience around the global meetings industry.  Over this time she was been fortunate to have gained wonderful experiences and friends from working for some great hotels, a convention centre, a destination marketing organisation, a PCO and an alliance of convention bureau. Jane is now building a platform of valuable knowledge sharing between North America, Europe and beyond.  

She is running the European Membership programme. To find out more, visit https://destinationsinternational.org/european-membership. 

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