BOARD LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM 2026
I R V I N G | J A N U A R Y 2 1 - 2 3, 2 0 2 6
With increasing community expectations and government scrutiny of our efforts to enhance the quality of life in our communities, it is crucial that Destination Organization CEOs and their Board Leaders are equipped with the necessary tools to collectively address these existential challenges.
Board Leadership for Destinations: A Symposium is an MBA-style immersion event that delves into the best practices in play across North America for cutting-edge Destination Marketing Organization governance and leadership. This is the sector’s only event dedicated to preparing Destination Organization Board Members for the future.
NEW THIS YEAR, DMOs are able to add a senior team member who aspires to be CEO one day.
DMOs have the option to register up to four individuals in their party. The first 3 seats are reserved for the CEO and 2 Board Leaders (ideally, the Chair and Incoming or Vice-Chair) for $3495.
For an additional $500, the fourth seat may be occupied by another board member or a senior team member who aspires to become CEO. This is an add-on option only and is not intended to replace one of the other three seats (i.e., CEO and 2 Board members).
The maximum number of attendees per Destination is four individuals in order to foster intimate networking and conversations by our attendees. This event is exclusively offered to Destination Marketing Organizations. Last year our event sold out in December and we expect registrations to go fast for the 2026 lineup. Registration will open in September and the early bird deadline is November 1st.
The Destination Leadership Consortium brings together five leading consultancies in the DMO space, all dedicated to providing professional development and consulting services to the Destination Organization Sector.
In collaboration with Destinations International, the Consortium has created a high-impact, 2-day immersion event, with content specifically for Destination Organization Board Members to explore and examine the challenges ahead…and identify potential solutions to ensure that Leadership is ready to address these issues head-on.
Symposium attendees will hear from Experts in the areas of Governance, Finance, Funding, Culture, and Succession…and participate in roundtable discussions to go deeper into these and other key sector issues.
Our inaugural event in 2023 was heralded by attendees as one of the best DMO-centric professional development events they had ever attended. Join us in back in Irving January 21-23 2026 and take your DMO and Board to the next level.
“THIS. WAS. TERRIFIC. Thank you all for producing such a quality conference. Great content, great networking, no commercials!”
- Joe Marinelli, Visit Savannah
“… the best use of time and resources to help my BOD members.”
- Kyle Edmiston, Visit Lake Charles
“One of the best and relevant sessions I have attended. Well done and many thanks for the hours you all put into planning”
- Doug Price, Visit Colorado Springs
