Destinations International Opens 2026 Convention in Portland
Destinations International opened its 2026 Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon, welcoming nearly 2,000 tourism leaders from around the world while celebrating the Maine Tourism Association as its 800th member. The event highlights innovation, destination stewardship, AI, and the future of global tourism leadership.
Travel and tourism leaders from around the world gather in Oregon to shape the future of destination management
PORTLAND, Oregon – The global conversation about the future of tourism officially began today as Destinations International (DI) opened its 2026 Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon, bringing together nearly 2,000 destination executives, tourism professionals, and industry partners from across North America and around the world.
Far more than a North American gathering, this year’s convention has attracted influential leaders representing destination organizations from every continent, reinforcing Destinations International’s growing role as one of the world’s most important platforms for destination leadership.
The opening also marked a significant milestone for the association, as the Maine Tourism Association was officially welcomed as Destinations International’s 800th member organization.
“This milestone is about much more than numbers,” said Don Welsh, President & CEO of Destinations International. “Each member strengthens our global network with new ideas, experiences and perspectives. Together we are helping destination organizations create stronger communities while demonstrating that travel and tourism are powerful drivers of economic opportunity, cultural understanding and quality of life.”
For the Maine Tourism Association, joining the world’s leading organization for destination professionals represents an investment in collaboration and innovation.
“We are honored to become Destinations International’s 800th member,” said Tony Cameron, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association. “This membership connects Maine with an extraordinary global community of tourism leaders. We look forward to sharing our experiences while learning from destinations around the world as we continue building a sustainable visitor economy.”
A Truly Global Audience
While the convention is hosted in the United States in partnership with Travel Portland, its influence reaches far beyond North America.
Among the international tourism leaders attending is Maribel Rodríguez Gamero, Executive Vice President of Destinations at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), headquartered in Madrid. Her participation underscores the increasingly close relationship between global tourism organizations and destination leaders working together to address the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities.
Delegates from hundreds of destinations are participating in three days of discussions focused on innovation, destination stewardship, workforce development, community engagement, artificial intelligence and the evolving role of destination organizations.
The convention theme—“Solutions for Today. Strategies for Tomorrow.”—reflects an industry increasingly focused on balancing visitor growth with resident well-being, sustainability and long-term resilience.
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Preparing Tourism for the Next Era
The educational program features internationally recognized thought leaders including Jeremy Gutsche, founder of TrendHunter.com and New York Times bestselling author, who explores AI, disruption and future leadership, alongside Kathy Varol, former Global Head of Purpose at adidas, who shares insights into purpose-driven leadership and organizational transformation.
A new concept called Learner Journeys allows participants to personalize their experience through five learning tracks:
- Solutions
- Strategies
- Skills
- Scope
- Leadership & Culture
The approach reflects Destinations International’s growing emphasis on practical learning and executive development for destination organizations worldwide.
Celebrating Industry Excellence
The convention opened Tuesday evening with Destinations International’s annual awards ceremony recognizing exceptional leadership across the global tourism industry.
Among this year’s honorees:
Hall of Fame
- Jack Berry (formerly Visit Richmond VA)
- Virginia Haley, CDME (formerly Visit Sarasota County)
- Tracy Kimberlin, CDME (formerly Visit Springfield)
- Ernest Wooden Jr. (formerly Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board)
Destination Organization Leadership Awards
- Susan Freeman (Meet PEI)
- Maura Gast, FCDME (Visit Irving, Texas)
- Dave Herrell, CTA (Visit Quad Cities)
- Melvin Tennant, CAE (Meet Minneapolis)
The Spirit of Hospitality Award was presented to Amir Eylon, President & CEO of Longwoods International, while the Global Impact Award recognized the Greater Medellín Convention & Visitors Bureau, highlighting the increasingly international nature of the association’s recognition program.
More Than a Convention
As destination organizations face rapid technological change, shifting traveler expectations and growing community responsibilities, the Portland gathering serves as more than an annual meeting—it has become a global forum where tourism leaders exchange practical solutions and shape the future of destination management.
With more than 11,000 members and partners representing over 800 destinations worldwide, Destinations International continues to expand its influence as the world’s leading association for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, and tourism boards.
For the next three days, Portland stands at the center of that conversation, as tourism leaders work together to ensure that destinations around the world remain vibrant places to visit, live, work and invest.
