When and where is the 2026 Destinations International Annual Convention?

The 2026 convention takes place July 21-23, 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. The venue is located at 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Portland's Lloyd neighborhood.

Who should attend the convention?

The event is designed for destination marketing and management professionals, including staff at destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and convention and visitors bureaus, plus related industry partners. Programming serves everyone from coordinators to CEOs, regardless of organization size or budget.

Why is it worth attending?

The convention brings together 800-plus destination marketing leaders for proven strategies on revenue growth, stakeholder engagement, and operational efficiency. Attendees get keynotes, tactical sessions, roundtable discussions, an expo, and networking that members frequently cite as the top reason they attend.

Are scholarships available to help with registration costs?

Yes. The Destinations International Foundation offers registration scholarships to eligible employees of small destination organizations with operating budgets of $3 million or less, and global scholarships are available for staff at destination organizations outside North America.

How do I get to the venue and park?

The Oregon Convention Center is served by TriMet MAX light rail, which connects to downtown Portland and Portland International Airport, and every attendee receives a TriMet Hop Fastpass. Onsite underground parking offers 800 spaces at a dynamic event rate of $15-$25, with additional private garages and metered street parking nearby.

Destinations International Annual Convention 2026 | Portland, OR | Trade Show Event Directory

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Destinations International Annual Convention 2026 | Portland, OR | Trade Show Event Directory | Trade Show Directory

Attendance

Destinations International's annual convention brings together 800+ destination marketing leaders. Third-party listings estimate total attendance in the range of roughly 1,000–2,000 professionals for the Portland edition.

The 2025 convention set records: a record-breaking 2,033 attendees from 27 countries and territories convened in Chicago at McCormick Place for Destinations International's Annual Convention. That audience included a notable 593 first-timers. Attendees come primarily from destination marketing organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, and related tourism industry partners.

Registration

Registration is handled through the official Destinations International convention website. Attendees can register online, and the event is positioned as a must-attend for professionals across destination organizations.

Financial assistance is available for qualifying attendees:

The Destinations International Foundation offers eligible employees of small destination organizations (operating budgets of $3 million or less) registration scholarships to attend 2026 Destinations International Events.
Global scholarships are also available for staff at destination organizations outside North America to attend the Annual Convention.

For specific pass types, pricing tiers, and deadlines, consult the official event website. General inquiries can be directed to events@destinationsinternational.org.

History

The Annual Convention is the signature yearly gathering of Destinations International, the leading global association serving destination marketing and management organizations. It is described as DI's biggest event, bringing together destination marketing and management experts from around the world for keynotes, meetings, roundtables, and an expo — the one event members say they never want to miss.

The convention has grown into a truly international gathering. The 2025 edition in Chicago at McCormick Place drew a record-breaking 2,033 attendees from 27 countries and territories. At that convention, DI announced Portland, Oregon, as the location for the 2026 Annual Convention, taking place July 21–23.