The Leadership Award goes to the destination scoring the highest on the year's GDS-Index, demonstrating its continual commitment, inspired vision, prompt action, and measurable impacts.

The city of Gothenburg, Sweden, represented by Göteborg & Co, wins the 2023 Leadership Award for the seventh time, for the greatest contributions to social, environmental, and economic well-being in a destination.

The Most Improved Destination Award goes to the destination that has made the greatest increase in its GDS-Index score from the previous year. This is independent of its ranking.

The city of Liverpool, United Kingdom, represented by Liverpool Convention Bureau, wins the 2023 Most Improved Destination Award for the greatest growth in sustainability contributions by a destination.

The Innovation Award recognises and showcases a destination using innovative solutions to drive sustainability performance.

The city of Washington DC, United States of America, represented by Destination DC at Washington DC, wins the 2023 Innovation Award for the "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Business Fellowship".

The new GDS-Movement and #MEET4IMPACT Impact Award acknowledges and celebrates a destination management organisation committed to legacy and impact through business events. It is a collaborative initiative developed by GDS-Movement and #MEET4IMPACT.

The city of Sydney, Australia, represented by BESydney (Business Events Sydney), wins the 2023 GDS-Movement and #Meet4Impact Impact Award for the "BESydney Impact Programme".