Destinations International Opens 2026 Annual Convention and Welcomes 800th Member

Destinations International opened its 2026 Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon, and announced that the Maine Tourism Association has become the association's 800th member organisation. The convention ran 21 to 23 July at the Oregon Convention Center and brought together nearly 2,000 destination leaders and industry partners from around the world, hosted in partnership with Travel Portland under the theme Solutions for Today. Strategies for Tomorrow. Programming covered innovation, artificial intelligence, destination stewardship, community engagement, organisational culture and workforce development, with new Learner Journeys letting attendees customise their experience across five areas. Keynote speakers included TrendHunter.com founder Jeremy Gutsche and former adidas head of global purpose Kathy Varol. President and chief executive Don Welsh called the 800th member a meaningful milestone reflecting the strength of the global community. Maine Tourism Association chief executive Tony Cameron said membership will connect the state's tourism industry with a global community of destination professionals. The convention opened with the annual recognition ceremony, honouring the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees, Destination Organization Leadership Award recipients, Spirit of Hospitality honoree Amir Eylon of Longwoods International and Global Impact Award recipient the Greater Medellín Convention & Visitors Bureau. The association reports more than 11,000 members and partners from over 800 destinations.