Destinations International Closes 2026 Annual Convention with Leadership Handover and 2027 Host City

Destinations International has closed its 2026 Annual Convention, held 21 to 23 July at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, which drew nearly 2,000 members, partners and travel professionals from 27 countries and territories. Hosted with Travel Portland under the theme Solutions for Today. Strategies for Tomorrow, the programme covered artificial intelligence, destination stewardship, community engagement, organisational culture and workforce development. At the annual business meeting, Kyle Edmiston of Visit Lake Charles became chair of the association and Steven Paganelli of Tripadvisor became chair of its foundation, succeeding Leslie Bruce of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and Martha J. Sheridan of Meet Boston. The association welcomed the Maine Tourism Association as its 800th member, released DestinationNEXT Futures Study action briefs, a Destination Workforce Insights brief and a Building Tourism Talent Pipelines guide, recognised 70 new CDME graduates and 33 DMAP-accredited destinations, and announced a new social impact award honouring the late IGLTA chief executive John Tanzella. The foundation silent auction raised more than 118,000 US dollars. President and chief executive Don Welsh thanked outgoing volunteer leaders. The 2027 convention will be held 12 to 14 July in Kansas City, Missouri.