Destinations International Releases Bevy of Fall 2018 Educational Events
April 8, 2018
Destinations International Chair Tammy Blount, FCDME and president and CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau and President and CEO Don Welsh recently announced the schedule for the organization’s fall educational summits.
“Destinations International is offering refreshed and new educational opportunities to provide critical learning, sharing of best practices, and network-building opportunities for every level of a destination organization,” Blount said.
He added, “From board governance to visitor services and everything in between, every member of a destination team will take away important skills and information from these events.”
Each summit concentrates on destination organization specific disciplines and is designed to provide the tools necessary for team members and the organization to achieve its goals and objectives.
In addition to the summits, Destinations International will offer additional educational opportunities such as Sales Academy, providing courses for new and advanced professionals and a C-Suite Session on Board Training and Governance that will be presented in partnership with ASAE.
“We continue to hear how important these peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities are to our members,” Welsh said.
He added, “They provide our members with a support network within their discipline, bring inspiration and provide education attendees can apply when returning to their destination organization.”
Most events are offered at member and non-member rates. For more information visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
Upcoming 2018 summits and educational events include:
PDM Online Course: Destination Organization Operations: Technology & Human Resources
April 30 - May 7, 2018, Online
The Professional in Destination Management (PDM) program provides destination management professionals with less than three years of experience, cutting-edge education and empowers entry to mid-level professionals with the skills and knowledge critical to successful destination management and marketing. This course will review the role of technology and how to incorporate it into the destination organization's strategic planning and quality control processes, as well as manage its continual process improvement.
July 10-13, 2018, Anaheim, CA
As the premier event for destination marketing and management professionals, Destinations International's 2018 Annual Convention provides a unique opportunity for professionals to connect with and learn from peers and thought leaders from inside and outside the industry.
Summer Learning Week
July 6 - 10, 2018, Anaheim, California
Taking place before the association’s Annual Convention, Learning Week will include CDME courses and the PDM: Fundamentals of Destination Marketing and Management course.
C-Suite Session: CVBs Engaged!
August 17-19, 2018, Chicago, IL
This is a board governance-focused series co-presented by Destinations International and ASAE. One day will focus exclusively on content for CVBs and training on how to work with boards, succession planning and governance challenges. The following day, CVBs are encouraged to invite board members for a fully engaged training session from ASAE that will focus on building effective board relations, making board meetings more strategic and practices to enhance board structure and process. All registrants are then invited to participate in the ASAE Annual Meeting Opening Celebration, Opening Keynote, and the Association Solutions Marketplace.
September 23-25, 2018, Monterey, CA
This summit is for professionals vested in the planning, development and management of visitor experiences within their destinations. Attendees will be able to engage and exchange ideas with peers, hear from forward-thinking leaders on emerging practices and case studies, and network and connect with visitor services professionals from other destination organizations.
October 21-24, 2018, Palm Springs, CA
This community of partners, inclusive of both membership and partnership roles, targets discussions about changing trends in the destination marketplace, redefining membership and partnership responsibilities to maximize impact and recalibrating the sponsorship value proposition. Attendees will leverage shared resources, exchange ideas and solutions and learn from experts.
Finance, Operations and Technology Summit
October 28-31, 2018, Cleveland, OH
This summit is both a disciplined-focused and cross-functional gathering of senior leadership in finance, administration, operations and technology. Attendees will learn new practices, opportunities and resources and network and connect with peers.
November 7-8, 2018, Philadelphia, PA
Learn from experts and insiders about the latest trends and threats to our industry, discover tools and research available to you and enhance your leadership skills with advocacy training. Whether fighting for your funding, defending your destination against the weaponization of travel, or lighting the way through dark matter politics, this event will help you become a more effective advocate for your destination organization.
Fall Learning Week
November 11-16, 2018, Seattle, WA
This educational week will include CDME courses, the PDM: Fundamentals of Sales course and Sales Academy.
19th Annual LGBTQ Tourism Forum
December 2-4, 2018, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Destinations International is partnering with Community Marketing and Insights (CMI) for their annual event that brings together leading industry professionals to share learnings about the LGBTQ market.
Convention Sales & Services Summit
December 11-12, 2018 – Save the Date
For more information on Destinations International and its events, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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