Destinations International’s (DI) 2023 Annual Convention held in Dallas attracted 1,600 attendees, including 565 first-time attendees from 26 member countries worldwide. The event highlighted DI’s global reach, with increased engagement in regions such as Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Saudi Arabia.
Dallas shared plans for a new $3 billion convention center, expected to be completed by 2028. The center will have 800,000 square feet of exhibit space and a massive 105,000-square-foot ballroom, ideal for large city meetings and convention destinations.
The convention’s central theme was ‘belonging and inclusivity’, with Dallas being recognized as a welcoming and diverse city, boasting the nation’s sixth-largest LGBTQ+ population. The conference featured dynamic keynote speakers from outside the industry, including Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, and Charles M. Blow, a prominent New York Times journalist and commentator. The conference also included wellness advice from Peloton instructor Emma Lovewell, promoting a balanced lifestyle.
After the DI conference, Dallas welcomed Mary Kay’s annual conference, which is estimated to inject $34.1 million into the local economy and the city’s appeal for convention destinations.
Source: meetings.skift.com
