CINCINNATI, OH (For Immediate Release) – Visit Cincy is hosting the 2025 Professional Achievement in Community Engagement (PACE) Forum, coinciding with the first observance of Destination Professionals Day.
PACE Forum is a conference of partnership and community engagement professionals at destination marketing organizations (DMOs) across North America. More than 130 people representing visitor bureaus from as far away as Calgary and Anchorage, Alaska, are attending the three-day event at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.
Destinations Professionals Day, Feb. 19, 2025, marks over a century since the establishment of the world's first destination organization, acknowledging the pivotal role these professionals play in economic development and community enrichment.
"Hosting the PACE Forum as it overlaps with Destination Professionals Day reinforces the vital role that DMOs play in enhancing our city's economic and cultural vitality," said Julie Calvert, President and CEO of Visit Cincy. “We eagerly anticipate showcasing Cincinnati's capacity for innovation and collaboration to our peers in the industry."
According to a study released by Tourism Economics, visitors spent $4.4 billion in Hamilton County. Including Northern Kentucky in those results, visitors spent more than $6.5 billion in the Cincy Region. Visitors accounted for 25% of all local business revenue, up 8% from the previous year. These statistics demonstrate how important tourism is to our community, bringing new money into our economy and contributing to the tax base.
Today, there are more than 10,000 destination organizations around the world representing a broad spectrum of entities, including destination marketing organizations (DMOs), convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), tourism boards, sports commissions, and film offices. These organizations are a cornerstone of the travel and tourism industry, which employs almost 348 million people and was expected to contribute about 10% of global GDP – more than $11 trillion – to the global economy in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Why February 19 Matters:
Recognizing February 19 as Destination Professionals Day aims to raise awareness by highlighting the vital contributions of destination professionals in enriching community life and and inspiring future destination leaders by showcasing the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in the sector to attract the next generation of professionals.
The selection of February 19 as Destination Professionals Day pays homage to the founding of the first destination organization 129 years ago in Detroit, sparking a global movement that continues to transform destinations like Cincinnati into ideal places to visit, live, work, play, and invest.
PACE Forum Event Highlights:
- Innovative Sessions: The forum will feature sessions on evolving topics within the destination management field, combining expert presentations and interactive workshops.
- Attendees will participate in a dine-around in more than a dozen area restaurants. The group is expected to bring more than $275,000 in business impact to the region.
- Networking Opportunities: The event will facilitate networking, providing opportunities for professionals at all career stages to connect and share insights.
About Visit Cincy
Visit Cincy connects the Cincinnati region's people and experiences with visitors and meeting attendees from around the world through sales, marketing, communications, and community-building strategies. The destination marketing organization is supported by nearly 500 businesses that join together in making Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and the Cincy region a world-class destination by offering their services, attractions, and facilities to visitors, meeting planners, and convention attendees. For more information, go to VisitCincy.com.
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