GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference

The second edition of the GDS-Forum took place on 15 – 16 October 2024, along with the GDS-Awards, and the CityDNA Autumn Conference in Bruges, Flanders, Belgium.

The combined theme of the events, “Let Pigs Fly”, disrupts the conventional approach to urban tourism and the visitor economy, showcasing stories of achieving the impossible and driving change. It’s a gathering of bold individuals challenging the status quo, and pushing the boundaries of destination innovation and transformation. At this annual “un-conference”, you can collaborate with peers and leaders in destination strategy and sustainability to translate innovative ideas into regenerative action, fostering socio-economic and environmental prosperity in cities and regions.

Key discussion points of the GDS-Forum:

• Exploring the Boundaries of Possibility: What if pigs could fly? Let’s explore the realms of the impossible and create strategies to turn these dreams into reality.
• Identifying and Overcoming Obstacles: What hurdles stand in the way of your pigs taking flight? Let’s pinpoint these barriers and work together to dismantle them, clearing the path for transformation.
• Enhancing Skills for Tomorrow’s Challenges: How can we improve our flying skills? Let’s delve into the essential capacities and skills required to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s world effectively.
• Sharing Stories: Let’s share tales of pigs that soared high and those that stumbled. Through these narratives, we can learn valuable lessons from both success and failure.
• Creating Supersonic Pigs: How do we propel our innovations beyond the ordinary? Let’s accelerate the development and implementation of groundbreaking ideas.
• Fostering Innovation Communities: Let’s nurture and sustain an environment where innovation thrives.

GDS-Forum/CityDNA Conference Aftermovie:

Our Sustainability Report

The 2024 GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference brought together 270 in-person attendees from the 15 to 18 of October 2024 in the beautiful city of Bruges.

In collaboration with Visit Bruges Convention Bureau, GDS-Movement, and CityDNA, the event set ambitious sustainability objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with Bruges’ local infrastructure, policies, and goals. Sustainability was at the heart of every decision, from planning to execution, with a focus on four key pillars:
Climate Action, Circular Economy, Social Responsibility, and Legacy & Impact.

Thank you to our partners for contributing to these key achievements:

• Over 90% of food was sourced locally (within 160 km), with a strong focus on variety and vegetarian options.
• A dedicated Train Challenge encouraged sustainable travel, with 64% of attendees taking the regional train to and from Bruges.
• 90% of suppliers were locally based, reinforcing and supporting the regional economy.

We used the TRACE platform to assess and track our CO2 emissions.

Offsetting Approach

A portion of each ticket price was allocated to offset 100% of all unavoidable event-related emissions. Through South Pole, we supported three certified “Gold Standard” carbon offsetting projects, ensuring the highest level of credibility and impact.

Read more about the 2024 GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference Sustainability Event Report by clicking the button below.