At 2025 Annual Conference, DI CEO Don Welsh Calls for End to “Insulting Comments” about Canada and Better Understanding of Role of Events in the World
The 2,020 people attending Destinations International’s 2025 Annual Convention at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago this week came from cities large and small all over the world, but all were facing a shifting climate for travel and events.
Destinations International President and CEO Don Welsh, who was previously CEO of Choose Chicago, put it bluntly. “Events is the only market segment that is predictable. That’s always been important business to a destination, but in the current climate, meetings have never been more important to a city.”
His remarks were based on honest conversations from destination representatives gathered to share experiences and a new 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study conducted with MMGY that found destinations are increasingly navigating economic and geopolitical uncertainties while being charged with shaping inclusive, prosperous and accessible destinations. Corporate events can help on both fronts as they often bring a financial boost, intellectual capital and social benefits.
Event organizers demonstrated the power of integrating social impact from beginning to end. Attendees from this conference—the largest attendance Destinations International has ever had—packed food bags with fight2feed to help the local community in need. Even the speakers at this event addressed the importance of giving back and creating meaningful change in the world.
The opening keynote came from Justin Wren, a former mixed marshal arts champion who came back from addiction to found a social justice company that brings relief to Pygmy people in the Congo. And the closing keynote, Andre Norman, took the ballroom on his journey from prison to founder of Second Chance University, by recognizing untapped human potential.
Local destination marketing organizations, as the local experts, are the bridge that helps facilitate meaningful connections and timely information about everything from safety and security to other events happening in the area for a win-win experience. “No one knows a city like the DMO,” said Welsh.
Yet, according to the latest DestinationNEXT Futures Study, 42% of destination marketers worry their funding could be at risk in the next three years after threats from the Florida State Legislature this year.
Read More: Proposed Florida Tourism Tax Bill Could Impact Event Infrastructure
Also at risk is funding for Brand USA, which tells the tourism story to the world. Welsh explained that the biggest benefit of a federal-level campaign may be for smaller cities, that don’t have the critical mass to market on their own. “The big, gateway cities will certainly continue to position themselves globally, but those without the large buying power may not be able to counter the competition coming from the Middle East and Asia for those valuable international visitors,’ he said.
Welsh emphasized the vital role of advocacy from all parts of the events world to explain the importance of conferences to the wider world. “We need to do a better job of telling our stories in the local community as to why we are essential and tourism matters,” he said.
Overcoming a Chaotic Events Landscape
“This is an interesting time in our industry’s history,” Welsh conceded. He pointed to escalating conflicts, business uncertainty and concerns about travel safety as reasons to come together to find solutions or at least share the resources to call for faster visa approvals, clearer communication and full funding.
Attendees heralded from 28 countries, including Canada. “We’ve been outspoken on the fact that tariffs are one thing, but comments about Canada becoming the 51st State of the United States are insulting and have to stop,” said Welsh. He stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation to cities such as Chicago. “We are a resilient industry and we are here to figure out how to get through the emergencies happening almost daily.”
