POTOMAC FALLS, Va., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At a time when destination organizations are facing growing scrutiny of public funding, shifting political priorities, economic uncertainty and increasing expectations from residents and stakeholders, the ability to advocate effectively has never been more important.
On September 16, 2026, Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading association representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), will bring together destination leaders, public officials, policy experts and industry partners for its second global Virtual Advocacy Day, a must-attend global program designed to help destination professionals navigate this increasingly complex environment.
The message behind the event is simple: advocacy is no longer optional.
“Destination leaders today are operating in an environment where funding, public perception and political support can change remarkably quickly,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “We cannot wait until a challenge emerges to begin making the case for our work. We need strong relationships, credible data, compelling messages and trusted advocates already in place. Virtual Advocacy Day is about giving destination leaders the knowledge and tools to be ready, confident and effective.”
The one-day virtual global program, running from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, has been designed to move beyond theory and focus on the real-world challenges destination organizations are confronting now.
Participants will hear from destination leaders, policymakers and experts on issues including:
- Policy That Performs: Funding Tourism While Protecting Place, examining tourism levies, taxes and policies that can create sustainable funding while balancing economic growth and community well-being.
- Building Consensus: How Destination Leaders Turn Relationships into Results, exploring how trust, listening and sustained relationship-building can transform stakeholders into advocates.
- Weathering the Storm: What 30 Years of Downturns Teach DMOs About Surviving the Next One, identifying lessons from decades of recessions, funding crises and industry disruptions and what leaders should be doing now to prepare.
- The Missing Partner in Destination Development, examining why stronger relationships between destination organizations and city planners can help shape infrastructure, development and the future of communities.
- The Politics of Destination Funding: Advocacy, Influence & Strategy, providing destination professionals with a clearer understanding of advocacy, lobbying and electioneering and how organizations can appropriately engage policymakers.
- Building Your Destination’s Advocacy First Aid Kit, a practical session designed to help organizations assemble the relationships, research, proof points, messages and internal roles they need before the next challenge arrives.
Virtual Advocacy Day will also feature the unveiling of the 2026 Tourism Lexicon and Social Impact Lexicon, providing new insights into the words, messages and concepts that resonate with stakeholders today. The research is designed to help destination organizations communicate more effectively with elected officials, residents, board members, business leaders and the media, replacing industry terminology with language that connects tourism to the issues communities care about most.
“Advocacy is ultimately about relevance and trust,” said Andreas Weissenborn, senior vice president, advocacy & destination advancement at Destinations International. “Destination organizations need to understand what matters to their communities and demonstrate how their work contributes to those priorities. This program is designed so participants do not simply leave with ideas. They leave with strategies and tools they can begin using immediately.”
CEOs and destination leaders are encouraged to participate alongside their government affairs, communications and community engagement teams and to invite board members, elected officials, public-sector partners and other community stakeholders to join them.
The virtual format makes it possible for entire teams and stakeholders to participate without the cost or time associated with travel, creating an opportunity for organizations to develop a shared understanding of what effective destination advocacy looks like.
For the complete agenda and to register, visit https://destinationsinternational.org/virtual-advocacy-day.
Virtual Advocacy Day is part of Destinations International’s Advocacy & Action initiative and is supported by the Destinations International Foundation, Chase Travel, Civitas and Granicus Destinations.
About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most trusted resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 10,000 members and partners from over 800 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
About Destinations International Foundation
The Destinations International Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations globally to excel through innovation and resource incubation. The foundation innovates and incubates new tools and resources to support Destinations International members. It launches and manages future-facing programs and initiatives, develops next-generation professional development, and fosters short- and long-term cooperative relationships around the globe on behalf of the association.
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SOURCE Destinations International
