The Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program prepares senior executives and experienced destination organization professionals to lead their communities and to thrive in a constantly changing environment. The CDME is a credential program designed by Destinations International.
An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please allow 10-14 business days for the application to be processed. For more information, visit the CDME website. Courses are only available to those accepted to and committed to completing the program.
Registration Deadline: Thursday June 25, 2026 OR until courses sell out. For 2026, we have limited enrollment to 40 participants per course.
If you would like to be added to the waitlist for a sold out course, please go ahead and register for the course without paying (you will automatically be added to the waitlist) and then email cdme@destinationsinternational.org.
Core Courses (2 days) - July 18-19, 2026 from 8:30AM-5PM CT
- Strategic Issues in Destination Management
- Destination Marketing & Sales
- Destination Leadership
Elective Courses (1.5 days) - July 20-21, 2026 from 8:30AM-5PM CT and 8:30AM-12PM CT
- Destination Information & Research
- Development of the Destination Experience
Once CDME courses wrap-up, join us for Destinations International Visitor Services Summit and Annual Convention from July 21-23, 2026! Learn more and register for the 2026 Visitor Services Summit here and the 2026 Annual Convention here.Attendance Policy
To receive credit for a course toward your CDME you must be in attendance for 100% of the scheduled course time. Please ensure your travel arrangements are made to accommodate potential travel delays. Missing course time to make a flight is not permitted.If you cannot attend the course in its full entirety for any reason, you will need to reschedule and take the course at a future date. Please contact
cdme@destinationsinternational.org if any conflicts arise.
Pricing and Payment
Core Course:
Member $1895 USD
Non-Member $2695 USD
Elective Course:
Member $1295 USD
Non-Member $1695 USD
Payment Policy
Registration is only confirmed by payment in full. Online registration may be completed with a credit card.
For payment by check:
Send check for full payment to: Destinations International, P.O. Box 650217, Potomac Falls, VA 20165.
Include on check paperwork: name of person to be registered, CDME course name(s) and course dates. You can see your course pricing based on membership status by beginning the online registration process, once you see the course listing the price will be displayed.
Check payment must be received within 30 days of registration or by Thursday, June 25, 2026, whichever is earlier, or else registration will be canceled.
Please note: Your spot in a course is not confirmed until the payment is received and you have received a registration confirmation email. If you have not received a registration confirmation email one week prior to the registration deadline, please reach out to
cdme@destinationsinternational.org.
Registration Refund and Cancellation Policy
Refund Deadline: 5:00 PM CT, Thursday, June 25, 2026
All registration cancellation and refund requests must be submitted on or before
Thursday, June 25, 2026. A full refund of the registration fee will be provided, less a US$150.00 administrative fee, for requests made on or before June 25, 2026. We regret that no refunds will be granted for requests received after Thursday, June 25, 2026, unless accompanied by valid proof of a medical or family emergency.
Cancellations are not eligible for future event or course credit.
All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to cdme@destinationsinternational.org. Refunds will not be granted for on-site no-shows.
Please send all cancellation and refund requests or additional registration assistance inquiries via email to
cdme@destinationsinternational.org.
We strongly recommend that you register for the session and begin making travel arrangements as early as possible.
Hotel Information
Destinations International is pleased to offer a variety of hotel accommodations to meet all attendee needs. For those staying downtown across the bridge, we will offer shuttle service.
The hotel cutoff date is Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Please note that these rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out before the cut-off date.
· Hyatt Regency Portland at Oregon Convention Center (Host Hotel) starting at $249/night plus applicable taxes (currently 16%) and fees | 0.1 miles
· Hilton Portland Downtown starting at $199/night plus applicable taxes (currently 16%) and fees | 1.8 miles
· The Duniway Portland starting at $209/night plus applicable taxes (currently 16%) and fees | 1.8 miles
· Courtyard by Marriott Portland Convention Center starting at $209/night plus applicable taxes (currently 16%) and fees | 0.3 miles
· Hotel Eastlund starting at $209/night plus applicable taxes (currently 16%) and fees | 0.2 miles
· The Nines Hotel Portland starting at $239/night plus applicable taxes (currently 17%) and fees | 1.7 miles
The hotel booking links will be available in your summit registration confirmation email. Individuals must register prior to booking their room. The hotel cutoff date is Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 5:00 pm local time. Please note that these rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out before the cut-off date. If you have any questions or need additional assistance with your accommodations, please get in touch with events@destionationsinternational.org.
Meals
Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days of the core courses (Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19). Breakfast and lunch will be provided on day one of the elective courses (Monday, July 20). Only breakfast will be provided on day two of the elective courses (Tuesday, July 21).
Light refreshments (coffee/tea in the morning, soft drinks in the afternoon) and snacks will be provided during breaks on all course dates.
Accessibiliy Information
Destinations International is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all attendees. Please make sure to provide any specific needs or requests during the registration process.
Safety Information
Your safety is our top priority. We have developed the following guidelines and require that all attendees strictly adhere to all guidance in order to make the 2026 CDME courses a safe, secure, and enjoyable event for all. Read about the safety guidelines.
Questions