DMAI Chairman Gary C. Sherwin, CDME (also CEO of Visit Newport Beach), and DMAI President and CEO Don Welsh announced the dates and locations for the association’s 2017 core member events—the Spirit of Hospitality Celebration; Destinations Showcase; CEO Summit, and the Annual Convention.
“Don and his team successfully set the tone for the future of DMAI during the 2016 Annual Convention in Minneapolis,” Sherwin said. “It is, indeed, a brand-new day as is evident [by the list of 2017 events].”
DMAI’s event calendar for 2017 will include:
Spirit of Hospitality Celebration – March 1, 2017, at DAR Constitution Hall (Washington, D.C.)
Formerly known as the Foundation Dinner, this annual fundraiser for the Destination & Travel Foundation has been reimagined to allow for greater networking and to serve as a true celebration for the industry. The new format will feature a cocktail reception, followed by a speaking program and award presentation, concluding with a concert featuring a headline performer.
Destinations Showcase – March 2, 2017, at Washington Marriott Wardman Park (Washington, D.C.)
This collaborative and dynamic one-day event offers DMOs and meeting planners the opportunity to connect and better understand how destinations can be a leading force to more successful meetings.
CEO Summit – March 20-22, 2017, at The Westin Nashville (Nashville, Tenn.)
DMAI’s annual gathering for destination CEOs, presidents and executive directors, connects executive leadership with peers, economic development leaders and new world visionaries to advance the leadership and performance of destination marketing and management.
Annual Convention – July 12-14, 2017, at Palais des congrès de Montréal (Montreal, Quebec)
Montreal is the host city for the 2017 Annual Convention. All programming for the 2.5-day convention will be held at Palais des congress de Montreal, located at the north end of Old Montreal in Montreal's borough of Ville-Marie. A record 1,500+ attendees joined DMAI in Minneapolis for the 2016 Annual Convention. DMAI reported that the convention in Minneapolis generated $1.8 million in spending for the economy, $148,000 in local tax receipts and supported 700 industry-related jobs.
“The entire DMAI team, with the support of the association and foundation boards of directors are committed to developing high-quality and impactful offerings for our members,” Welsh said.
