Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541144
B M & T ••• November/December 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 7 able development, economic vitality, and inclusive community engagement. With a focus on innovation and growth, Fairburn continuously strives to enhance the well-being of its residents while preserving its unique character and charm. Discover more about Fairburn's initiatives and community spirit at www.Fairburn.com. DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS NEW ERA FOR DMOS Relationship With Meeting Planners Has Evolved From Provider To Partner Destinations International (DI), the world's leading resource for destination organizations, shared results from three recent studies at a press conference during IMEX America. The event highlighted groundbreaking insights from the 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study, Destination Reputation Study and just-released Destination Guide to Food Recovery and Redistribution at Events. Supported by the DI Foundation, the three studies under- score the critical evolution of destination organizations from logistical providers to strategic partners for meeting and event planners. The DNEXT Futures Study identifies eight strategic themes shaping the future of destination leadership, with find- ings that point to a profound industry shift: 84% are engaged in destination development, positioning community collaboration as a core function. The Destination Reputation Study further confirms that reputation and perception can make or break attendance. Safety and political stability remain non-negotiable, while transparency, sustainability and impact are now essential crite- ria for planners weighing event locations. For meeting planners, the implications are clear: event suc- cess now depends on more than venue space, hotel inventory and logistics. Attendees increasingly prioritize safe, welcoming destinations that reflect their own values, deliver authentic cul- tural experiences and demonstrate measurable community impact. Partnering with a destination organization provides planners with trusted local expertise, access to civic and busi- ness leaders and the ability to integrate initiatives like food recovery, sustainability programs and community engagement into event design. Destinations International's new Destination Guide to Food Recovery and Redistribution at Events illustrates this shift in action. With events generating an estimated 40% food waste, the guide offers planners and destination organizations strate- gies to reduce waste, redirect surplus food to local communities and build measurable impact into event legacies. Partnerships with nonprofits, venues and service teams not only strengthen community well-being but also enhance a destination's reputa- tion as a responsible, forward-thinking host. "Destinations are no longer just the backdrop for meetings and events; they are active partners in shaping outcomes that matter for attendees, communities and meeting planners alike," said Gretchen Hall, CDME, Chief Operating Officer of Destinations International. "When destination organizations and planners work hand in hand, they create more resilient events that drive business results, deepen attendee engagement and leave a lasting legacy for the desti- nation." The studies were shared during a press conference at IMEX America 2025 under the theme "From Provider to Partner: A New Relationship for DMOs and Meeting Planners." The findings call for a redefined rela- tionship where destination organizations align more closely with planners to deliver authentic, impactful and sustainable experiences that boost attendee satisfaction and elevate busi- ness outcomes. For more information on the 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study, Destination Reputation Study and the Destination Guide to Food Recovery and Redistribution at Events, please visit www.destinationsinternational.org. ABOUT DES TINATIONS INTERNATIONAL Destinations International is the world's largest and most trusted resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collab- orative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org. ABOUT DES TINATIONS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION The Destinations International Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations globally to excel through innovation and resource incubation. The founda- tion innovates new ideas and ways of doing things and incu- bates new tools and resources to improve the efforts of DI members. It launches and manages future-facing programs and initiatives, develops next-generation professional development and tools, and fosters short- and long-term cooperative rela-