Workshop your Wicked Problems with Us: The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of GDS-Forum and Impact Day 2026
Co-create solutions that scale at a hands-on event that transforms the visitor economy
22 ViewsCollaborative Workshops and Bold Ideas for Resilient Tourism and Business Events.
Are You Looking for an Event That Transforms?
If you want to
- turn ideas into action,
- build capacity for change,
- strengthen partnerships and legacy,
- unlock collective intelligence,
- and accelerate regenerative transformation for your organisation and the wider, global tourism and events industry,
attend GDS-Forum and Impact Day 2026, 16 – 18 June in Szczecin, Poland.
It’s designed to workshop your “wicked problems” and equip you to leave with co-created solutions that scale.
- Get more information or register here!
When, Where, and Who is Organising?
From 16 – 18 June 2026, the water-based metropolis of Szczecin, Poland, will be the location of the year’s GDS-Forum and Impact Day events, hosted by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT, the City of Szczecin, the Szczecin Convention Bureau, the Polish Tourism Organisation, and the Poland Convention Bureau.
Who is Attending?
GDS-Forum, 16, 17 June: Professionals working at the intersection of tourism, events, sustainability, and place-making, including destination marketing organisations, convention bureaux, policymakers, event organisers, impact strategists, and community leaders.
Impact Day, 18 June: People and organisations committed to strengthening sustainability and social impact in the business events sector, especially convention bureaux, association and event planners, policymakers, social enterprises, non-government organisations, academics, and local partners who want to play a role in how events contribute to their communities.
What is the Event About?
This is not another conference, it’s
What’s More…participants Can Also Attend the GDS-Awards Ceremony on the Evening of the 17th.
The awards recognise excellence in destination and business events with the GDS-Movement Innovation Award and the Impact Award in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT. This year, the new GDS-Movement Changemaker Award amplifies an individual professional who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing regeneration within a destination.
- More information (including the shortlists of each award category) here
Why? Here Are Ten Good Reasons to Attend.
- 1
You will be heard! This is a chance to voice your views, share your news, and be part of designing solutions that scale.
- 2
The format is fun (and effective)! It includes immersive workshops, dialogue circles, co-creation sessions, and peer-to-peer learning.
- 3
Every participant can contribute, learn, and leave with practical tools for action. No exceptions.
- 4
Participants can prototype solutions for the pressing challenges of the present: geopolitical shockwaves, heatwaves, droughts, overtourism, undertourism, regulation, shifting markets, and more.
- 5
We’re better together! Working collaboratively harnesses collective intelligence to accelerate positive, lasting change for the visitor economy.
- 6
By coming together to engage and exchange, everyone present can accelerate sustainability and social impact in the business events sector through Impact Day (18 June).
- 7
You’re invited to co-create a new blueprint for regenerative impact, resilience, and courage with us.
- 8
This is a chance to step up to shape the discourse around the tourism and events’ sustainability narrative.
- 9
Be part of the solution. Hope, combined with strategic, data-based action is a powerful tool for the regenerative revolution, and the beauty is that everyone benefits through it.
- 10
Shape the future of tourism and events right now with a programme that uplifts and engages so that you can leave with a toolkit to implement immediately as well as long term.
