Events

Join us in Bruges for the GDS-Forum, on 15 - 16 October 2024 and the City Destinations Alliance Autumn Conference “Let Pigs Fly” 16 - 18 October 2024.

From 15 to 18 October, destination professionals can enjoy an extraordinary event week, as City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA), the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement), and Visit Brgues partner to bring you two incredible, back-to-back events, and jointly announce and celebrate the new home of the prestigious, annual GDS-Awards.

GDS-Forum, 15 - 16 October The GDS-Forum will convene destination leaders and sustainability champions from around the world. This is a dynamic and unconventional gathering to discuss sustainability and impact strategies and best practices, learn from GDS-Index journeys, and co-create new approaches and initiatives for greater regenerative destination management. It will follow an unconference format with a focus on peer-to-peer learning, collaboration, and creativity.

CityDNA Autumn Conference 16 - 18 October The CityDNA Autumn Conference provides destination professionals with a unique occasion to meet and network with colleagues from Europe and beyond, while sharing knowledge and insights on the latest trends and challenges.

The 2024 GDS-Awards, 16 October (evening) We recognise and ​celebrate the efforts of ​GDS-Index destinations:
– ​Leadership Award​
– Most Improved Destination Award​
– Innovation Award​
– Impact Award

The conference and events sector is at a crossroads. To shape a brighter future, we need to shift our focus from "more" to "better." A new and resilient business model is essential for staying relevant. Social impact is crucial in this transition. Consider the long-term positive effects your conference or event can have on the host location and its residents. To address this key question, VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau has co-developed a new methodology. This stakeholder-focused approach helps organisers identify and maximise their positive impact, making conferences and events milestones not only for the sector but also for society. On Monday, October 14, they will unveil this methodology—developed over two years—during Impact Day in Bruges. You're invited to join us for this premiere. With our event partner, #MEET4IMPACT, we have designed an engaging afternoon programme. Impact Day is part of the BEFuture project, which aims to shape the future of Business Events in Europe by promoting sustainability, resilience, and digital innovation.

17.30 CET. Embody your sustainability essence with us! Our upcoming webinar, "The Head, Heart, and Hands of Your Destination Story” will explore sustainability storytelling and communications for destinations.

09.00 CET. Embody your sustainability essence with us! Our upcoming webinar, "The Head, Heart, and Hands of Your Destination Story” will explore sustainability storytelling and communications for destinations.

17h00 - 20h00 GMT: On behalf of Destination North East England, the North East Combined Authority and Net Zero North East England, you're invited to join us at Newcastle Cathedral on Monday 9th September from 5 pm, as they launch a world-leading, first-of-its-kind regenerative visitor economy framework. Featuring a keynote speech from North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, and an insightful panel and interactive session from leading sustainability figure, Guy Bigwood, Global Destination Sustainability Movement, the event aims to demonstrate why Destination North East England has chosen to go beyond sustainability, to develop a regenerative tourism framework that aims to leave a positive impact on people, places and planet. Co-created with industry experts and regional stakeholders for Local Visitor Economy Partnerships and local authorities, this framework sets out a shared understanding and commitment to regenerative tourism. All interested parties can play a part in collectively driving implementation and maximising its impact across the visitor economy. By working together, we can increase the region’s visibility and reputation as a globally welcoming, inclusive and world-class regenerative visitor destination. We can create high-quality experiences, support businesses to be more resilient, grow our visitor economy, attract sustainable investment, restore eco-systems, and create new jobs and exciting career development opportunities. This event is open to all visitor economy businesses and tourism, events, hospitality and attraction stakeholders across the region that want to ensure they drive value for local people and place.

Jennifer Jensen presents "Events as a Driver of Good: Regenerative MICE Strategies" at 16h50 local time, London. Move from a sustainability viewpoint to a regenerative approach to event management. Using the Hannuwa approach, explore strategy development, stakeholder engagement, circular economy, regenerative food approaches, social impact, measurement and reporting. After this session, you will be able to:

• Apply regenerative principles to event management
• Implement the Hannuwa methodology to design and deliver events that catalyse social, environmental and economic regeneration
• Use real-world best practices from the ESCRS Congress 2022 (Milan) and 2023 (Vienna) to design your experiences and events

17h00 local time - Changemakers, Alejandra and Beatriz will be giving the GDS-Movement perspective on "Navegando Hacia un Consumo Consciente" (Navigating Towards Conscious Consumption) in Spanish. It's great for Spanish speakers who wish to engage in ideas on more conscious and sustainable consumption practices. The panel promises to inspire participants to adopt more responsible consumption habits that contribute to the preservation of the environment and social well-being. Through constructive dialogues and the presentation of practical experiences, the panel seeks to educate, motivate, and empower participants to make more informed and ethical decisions in their daily consumption activities.

Learn how to develop your event management from a sustainability viewpoint to a regenerative approach as Jennifer Jensen presents "Events as a Driver of Good: Regenerative MICE Strategies" from 10h55 - 11h55 CET on 26 June 2024. Using the Hannuwa approach, explore strategy development, stakeholder engagement, circular economy, regenerative food approaches, social impact, measurement and reporting. After this session, you will be able to:

• Apply regenerative principles to event management
• Implement the Hannuwa methodology to design and deliver events that catalyse social, environmental and economic regeneration
• Use real-world best practices from the ESCRS Congress 2022 (Milan) and 2023 (Vienna) to design your experiences and events