GDS-Forum
The GDS-Forum convenes destination leaders and sustainability champions from around the world. This is a dynamic, fun and unconventional gathering to discuss sustainability and impact strategies and best practices, learn from GDS-Index journeys, and co-create new approaches and initiatives for greater regenerative destination management.
GDS-Forum/CityDNA Autumn Conference
This year, the GDS-Forum is taking place on 15-16 October 2024, along with the GDS-Awards, and the CityDNA Autumn Conference from 16-18 October 2024 in Bruges, Flanders, Belgium.
This year’s theme is “Let Pigs Fly”, the conference to explore why we still need big thinking, wild ideas and believing the impossible … and a platform to discuss what to do when no one shares your vision, or you are trying to fix the unsolvable.
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.
CityDNA, GDS-Movement, and Visit Bruges partner this year to present this exceptional in-person event, dedicated to nurturing cities’ environmental and socio-economic well-being.
Why should you attend the GDS-Forum?
As change accelerates beyond expectations in climate, cities, the workplace, artificial intelligence, and visitor numbers, the question arises: how do we shift from a state of concern to one of opportunity? How can we leverage the ongoing social and technological transformations to revitalise our cities, communities, and natural environments, ensuring greater resilience for the future? By collaborating to amplify our initiatives and innovations, we can drive exponential positive change.
Our Sustainability Approach
GDS-Movement, CityDNA and Visit Bruges Convention Bureau are committed to regenerative tourism, and will help destinations to strategise, scale positive impacts, and prioritise events with a positive social, environmental, and economic legacy.
The emissions from the local event production, delegate and team travel, accommodation, food and beverage, and multiple venues were measured. Where data was not available, impact data was estimated using the GDS-Movement database of sustainable events.
We used the TRACE platform to assess and track our CO2 emissions.
Find out more about the host city´s sustainability efforts here.
Offsetting Approach
In a world still transitioning to clean energy, some emissions are unavoidable, and we address these with high-quality carbon offsets in the form of carbon credits.
Join Forces: Partner with us for a Regenerative Future
Be part of shared success, collective learning, and positive change within the industry
Co-create Legacy
Your support is a powerful catalyst to co-creating a meaningful legacy for GDS-Forum and the events industry. Develop innovation with lasting impact on communities while regenerating the natural environment with us.