This is part of an ongoing series highlighting EIC Association and Corporate Members and the important work they are doing to serve our shared industry. This month’s Member Spotlight is Destinations International, an original member of the Events Industry Council from 1949 — way back when they were the International Association of Convention Bureaus. Learn about today’s DI and its commitment to educating, equipping and empowering destination organisations around the world.
Destinations International (DI)
- Website: destinationsinternational.org
- President and CEO: Don Welsh
- EIC Member since: 1949 (founding member)
- Membership: 730+ members including more than 7,500 destination professionals in 30 countries.
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C. USA
One of EIC’s founding members, Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organisations. DI educates, equips, and empowers its members to grow the success of their destinations and to excel professionally. Membership grants access to a wealth of important industry resources, educational opportunities, and exclusive benefits.
“We’re committed to providing our members with the education, resources, and community they need to drive visitor demand and enrich their destinations.”
— Don Welsh, President and CEO.
2024 Strategic Priorities
These represent major industry and global matters facing our members and will shape much of DI’s focus, research, and event content in 2024. As DI’s reach broadens globally, it have aligned these significant issues with one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Community Alignment & Engagement
- Resilience, Stability & Growth
- Success Measurements
- Technology & Digital Marketing
- Destination Stewardship
- Social Inclusion
- Workforce Development
Business Events
DI is the definitive resource for professional development within the destination marketing and management industry. We offer ongoing educational opportunities both in person and online and are committed to providing professional development and lifelong learning for our members. A key area of our professional development includes Business Events professionals.
- Intellectual Capital Certificate Program
- Business Intelligence Certificate Program: Sales, Services, and Business Events Marketing andCommunications training (Coming in 2024)
- Business Events Resources – From RFPs to contracting and attendance building, these resources focus on educating event organisers on the most impactful ways to strategize and partner with the hosting destination.
Social Inclusion
DI is focused on developing initiatives and resources that enhance social inclusion and create welcoming environments within the destination organisation and the industry while measuring and highlighting their positive impact on community success and well- being.
- Accessibility Playbook
- Foundational Principles of Inclusion Program
- Social Inclusion Implementation Workbook
Destination Tools
We offer a suite of products built on best practices, insights, and research.
- Event Impact Calculator
- Social Impact Assessment
- Destination Organization Performance Reporting Platform
- Compensation & Benefits Reporting Platform
- MINT+ Meetings and Groups Database
- Overnight Room Demand Analyzer (ORDA)
Destinations International Foundation
Our nonprofit organisation is dedicated to innovation and resource incubation. The foundation focusses on tomorrow. It innovates new ideas and ways of doing things and incubates new tools and resources to improve the efforts of our members.
The foundation launches and manages future-facing programs and initiatives, develops next-generation professional development and tools, and fosters short- and long-term cooperative relationships around the globe on behalf of the association. It is our industry’s think tank and research and development arm.
