CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 2026 – 2027
Destinations International (DI), the global association for destination professionals, elevates tourism by educating, equipping, empowering and connecting its members to better fulfill their missions and achieve positive results around the world.
Does your organization participate in an innovative initiative that you want to share with the Destinations InternationaI (DI) membership? Take advantage of this opportunity to submit your thought leadership to be featured on the Destinations International website, social media platforms and more! Your ideas will help our destination professionals to exchange bold ideas, connect innovative people and elevate tourism to its highest potential. See below ways to submit ideas: Submit Your Thought Leadership
Do you have a case study that you would like to share with us? Share your destination’s innovations, successes or challenges. Your experiences and insights will empower other members, spark new ideas, highlight bold solutions, and help shape the future of our industry.
Do you want to submit a blog to be featured in our DI Blog? We encourage you to contribute to our DI blog and share your insights. Please follow our current content themes and content guidelines to ensure your submission aligns with our standards.
Do you want to co- create educational content with DI?
We welcome your help in developing webinars, virtual sessions, or practical tools that support destination professionals worldwide. Share your expertise and shape the future of our industry.
Yes, I’d like to co-create content!
Yes, I have a case study!
Yes, I’d like to submit a blog!
Speaking opportunities at DI events and other industry events. The call for speakers for this year’s DI events is closed. Applications for next year’s events will open in December.
Do you want to be featured on DI’s social media?
Share your destination’s accomplishments with us! Send images, videos or highlights, and you may be featured on DI’s social media. By submitting, you grant us permission to showcase your content across our platforms.
Need DI’s Staff expertise?
Yes, I’d like to be featured!
Request a DI Speaker
2026-2027 CONTENT THEMES
CONTENT THEMES
Destinations International’s content themes identify the most important issues facing destination organizations today. Updated every two years, these five themes guide all of our work, from events and research to advocacy, professional development and product development. Destinations International Content Themes WHAT THEY ARE: Each theme represents a high-impact focus area that destination organizations must address to stay relevant and resilient.These themes are grounded in findings from the DI 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study and informed by the responses to our annual DI Member Survey. In alignment with the DNEXT Futures Study, DI determines these themes every two years to ensure they reflect the most pressing issues facing destination organizations today.
WHY THEY MATTER: These themes help our members:
Prioritize what matters most Navigate rapid change and disruption Make smarter decisions backed by research and peer insight Access targeted tools, training and support
HOW THEY’RE USED: We use these themes to shape everything we create and curate, including blog posts, webinars, playbooks, case studies, virtual learnings and event content. Members use them to find relevant resources, align internal strategies and share their own successes with peers.
No matter your size, budget or location, these themes provide a shared framework for growth, and a clear way to engage with the global DI community.
2026–2027 CONTENT THEMES
ADVOCACY AND INFLUENCE
RESILIENCE AND READINESS
INNOVATION AND STORYTELLING
PLACEMAKING AND COMMUNITY ALIGNMENT
ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE
2026-2027 CONTENT THEMES
CONTENT THEMES 2026-2027
ADVOCACY AND INFLUENCE
Goal: Equip destination organization professionals to engage with political and community stakeholders to build support and secure funding.
Approach: Provide adaptable messaging, data and tools that help members build stakeholder support while allowing for local nuance and political diversity across destinations.
Guiding Questions: 1. How can destination organizations effectively communicate their value to policymakers and residents? 2. What innovative funding models are helping destinations diversify revenue streams? 3. How can destination organizations prepare boards, staff and partners to act as advocates? 4. What lessons can be learned from destinations that have secured sustainable funding or influenced policy? 5. How can advocacy be embedded into daily operations, not just during moments of crisis?
RESILIENCE AND READINESS
Goal: Improve the ability of destination organizations to prepare for and adapt to financial, political, social and environmental disruptions.
Approach: O ffer frameworks, readiness practices and strategies that help members strengthen internal capacity and identify ways to build stakeholder relationships.
Guiding Questions: 1. What types of disruptions are most likely to impact destinations, and how can they prepare?
2. How can destinations build resilience into financial planning and budgeting? 3. What strategies have helped destination organizations recover from crises? 4. How can teams build internal capacity and readiness during stable periods? 5. What role do cross-sector partnerships play in destination readiness?
2026-2027 CONTENT THEMES
INNOVATION AND STORYTELLING
Goal: Help destination organization professionals advance the use of technology, data, marketing and authentic storytelling to connect locally and globally.
Approach: Support members in navigating technological disruption through future-focused learning, inclusive storytelling and frameworks that help define and communicate purpose in an AI-driven world. Guiding Questions: 1. How can destination organizations use AI and emerging technologies responsibly and effectively? 2. What role does storytelling play in building trust and destination authenticity? 3. How can data improve personalization and engagement? 4. What new platforms or approaches are shaping destination marketing and communication? 5. How can audience insights and market research expand reach and relevance?
Goal: Foster destination partnerships, placemaking and stewardship to align visitor experiences with resident priorities. PLACEMAKING AND COMMUNITY ALIGNMENT
Approach: Equip members with strategies to shape public spaces, support infrastructure development and partner across sectors to enhance quality of place and community connection.
Guiding Questions: 1. How can destinations balance visitor needs with resident well-being?
2. What strategies help destination organizations measure and respond to resident sentiment? 3. How are destinations using placemaking to improve local experiences and visitor appeal? 4. What models support collaboration with local planning bodies, cultural institutions and local businesses? 5. How can events and conventions contribute to placemaking and long-term community value?
2026-2027 CONTENT THEMES
ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Goal: Equip destination organization professionals with clear standards, effective operations and leadership pathways that strengthen performance today and build the next generation of leaders for tomorrow.
Approach: Deliver professional development pathways, operational benchmarks and role-specific tools that build capacity, elevate leadership and foster organizational longevity.
Guiding Questions: 1. What foundational practices should every destination organization master to be effective? 2. How can governance and board alignment strengthen impact? 3. What leadership skills are most critical for mid-career and emerging professionals? 4. How can organizations balance daily operations with long-term strategy? 5. How can standards improve efficiency, credibility and sustainability across destinations?
2026-2027 CONTENT THEMES
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Blogging Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in writing for the Destinations International (DI) Blog . We invite thought- leadership submissions that address at least one of our content themes and include clear, actionable takeaways destination organizations can implement. For ideas, review the Guiding Questions under each content theme above.Case studies and examples produced by or in partnership with a destination organization are strongly encouraged, and authors are responsible for seeking approval from any destinations featured. Products and services may be referenced only when the intent is to educate, not to sell. To ensure quality and consistency for our readers, DI may suggest edits to headlines, length or tone, or decline submissions that do not align with these guidelines.
🔸 Membership : Blog contributors are DI members, business members or partners. 🔸 Social Impact Lens : Respectful and addressing diverse perspectives, experiences and voices. Blog should address a diverse and global audience.
🔸 Content : The author will fact-check and spell-check all content prior to submission to DI.
🔸 Original Work : The content is original work created specifically for the DI blog. It does not infringe any trademark, copyright, proprietary right, or any right whatsoever and it contains no other unlawful matter. 🔸 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage : If AI was used to support the creation of this blog, it must be reviewed by a human for accuracy. 🔸 What Happens After You Submit? : Expect to hear back within two to three weeks after submission. Once the DI content team has completed its review, submissions may be accepted as is, accepted with suggested edits, or deemed not a fit , in which case an explanation and potential reframe suggestions will be provided. If accepted, content typically goes live within three to four weeks. 🔸 What Do Contributors Gain? : Professional recognition across Destinations International’s channels, offering meaningful visibility and thought leadership among peers and destination organizations worldwide. This recognition may include featured exposure through DI’s blog, email communications and social media, while contributing to the broader global conversation on destination leadership and professional excellence.
🔸 Social Media and Sharing : After your blog post is published, share it on social media and/or in newsletters. Be sure to tag @Destinations.International on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
To be considered, your blog submission must include the following: 🔸 Author headshot (high resolution, 500x500 pixels minimum) 🔸 Author short bio (100 words maximum) 🔸 Length of blog post must be between 600 and 1,000 words 🔸 Blog must address at least one of the DI content themes 🔸 Suggested headline (60 characters maximum) 🔸 Suggested short summary (50 words maximum) 🔸 Bulleted list of three takeaways to share on DI social media 🔸 Minimum of two properly licensed high resolution photos or graphics
CONTACT: Alyssa Poulin Director of Content Development apoulin@destinationsinternational.org
Submit your blog here!
Thank you for your interest in presenting a Destinations International webinar . Webinars are designed as thought-leadership sessions that align with DI’s Professional Development strategy and content priorities. Successful proposals focus on industry-relevant insights and practical application, often supported by case studies or examples developed by or in partnership with destination organizations. All submissions are reviewed for strategic alignment and audience value. Destinations International reserves the right to decline proposals that do not meet these guidelines and to edit webinar titles and descriptions for clarity, length, style and accuracy. Webinar Guidelines
Webinar Topics and Policies
Our members love case studies, particularly when a partner brings a member destination organization into the presentation to share real-world examples, applications and lessons learned. We highly recommend that partners include at least one member destination organization as a speaker on their webinar presentations . New data, research, studies or publications are also common, popular topics for our webinars.
Destinations International has a strict policy against sales pitches during presentations. Please ensure that the presentation is NOT a sales pitch for your company, product, or service.
Webinar Dates and Structure
🔸 Dedicated Days: Tuesdays (Partner) at 11am EST.
🔸 Format: Up to 1 hour, recorded, presentation or panel conversation-focused with Q&A.
🔸 Purpose: Share expertise, tools, and research in an educational format.
🔸 Interaction: Viewers can submit questions through the chat, polls or Q&A box.
🔸 Availability: On-demand for 1 year.
🔸 Audience: Open to all members at no cost and to non-members for a fee with exception to webinars that are deemed “free” to non-members for the promotion of DI products and revenue generating tools.
🔸 You may find a list of upcoming and on-demand webinars available for registration in the Destinations International Online Learning Center . 🔸 All webinars are recorded and archived in the Online Learning Center for up to one year for future registration, access and viewing. 🔸 Live and on-demand webinars are free for DI members and $59 USD for non-members. A discount code for promotion can be provided upon request. Online Learning Center
CONTACT: Taylor Ruoff Snider
Senior Manager, Professional Development education@destinationsinternational.org
Speaking Guidelines CALL FOR SPEAKERS/PROPOSALS OPEN SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER
A quality presentation...
🔸 Contains practical information or a case study that will help industry practitioners gain revenue, gain efficiencies and/or meet their business objectives.
🔸 Covers a new, specific topic relevant to travel and tourism .
🔸 Speaks to one of these target audiences: Small, mid-sized, and/or large destination organizations
🔸 Does not promote products or contain any kind of sales pitch. If industry vendors are submitting a proposal, the proposal MUST include a case study and a Destinations International member speaker. Any speaking proposal focused on product promotion will be disqualified. Discussing general product categories is acceptable if there is clear intent to educate and not sell.
A quality speaker...
🔸 Adheres to DI deadlines for content and speaker asset submission.
🔸 Knows their session’s intended audience and engages with attendees. When interactivity is part of a lesson, more information is retained. 🔸 Is collaborative in every sense of the word. This includes collaborating with panelists for an engaging conversation about all angles of a topic. This also includes collaborating with Destinations International to ensure all learning objectives and deadlines are met.
🔸 Has a passion to present.
A few additional notes:
🔸 As always, participation in DI Summits and Annual Convention education is an unpaid, voluntary speaking opportunity. Complimentary registration is not provided. 🔸 We are interested in different session formats: Round table discussions – interactivity and collaboration aids knowledge retention and provides attendees with additional networking opportunities. Instructive presentation Panel interview or fireside chat 🔸 Educational sessions are 45 minutes long. If your submission is selected, a member of our team will reach out with next steps and additional details.
CONTACT: Airon Whitt
Director of Strategic Learning Experiences awhitt@destinationsinternational.org
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