Morning session: 10h00 - 11h00 Central European Time (CET). Seventy-five destinations benchmarked in the GDS-Index this year, and the results show the world that sustainability in tourism and events matters, as does a great strategy. Join us to celebrate the DMOS that benchmarked and, in the race towards a future of hope and regeneration, that we believe all are winners in progress and performance. We'll discuss emerging trends and showcase the shining stars acknowledged through the GDS-Awards. Which destination has benchmarked at number 1, which is the most improved, and who is leading in innovative strategies and practices? Register now to find out. (There is also an afternoon session with identical content.)

The climate crisis emphasises that there is no health without nature. Tirol Connect, hosted by the Tirol Convention Bureau, explores health from different perspectives to ensure a sustainable meeting culture through a regenerative program. This conference is aimed at strategy working group stakeholders, the regional and German-speaking community from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The Senior Changemaker, Claudia van't Hullenar, gives a keynote presentation from 09H00 - 10h00 CET. It is followed by strategy process work, after which Tirol launches its new strategy.

Enjoy the 8th Latin America Political Forum for the meetings and events industry. GSD-Movement's Alejandra H. Zita participates in the sustainability panel on the 27th and chief Changemaker, Guy Bigwood, presents on the 28th .

Every year, the Global Destination Sustainability Movement celebrates evolution in the meetings and leisure tourism industry at the annual ICCA congress. The GDS-Movement Awards include the GDs-Movement’s Leadership, Most Improved, and Innovation awards. The year's Index results inform the first two awards, while the latter is chosen by an independent panel of experienced event professionals and sustainability leaders. The Innovation Award showcases remarkable, scalable, and globally applicable solutions driving a destination’s regenerative management. In 2021, chief GDS-Changemaker, Guy Bigwood, presents these in person at the European hub in Paris, 26 October, 12h00 – 12h30 Central European Time (CET). He begins with an introduction to the Regenerative Revolution. ICCA’s president and executive director, James Rees, also gives a refreshing perspective on the sustainability tsunami, and the winners are welcomed on stage/screen. All eyes are on the 75 destinations, 18 capitals, 27 countries that stepped up to be included in 2021’s climate of positive change.

The 60th annual The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress offers unparalleled insight and progress for the Meetings sector through a world-class and worldwide line-up of engaging workshops, accomplished speakers, and vibrant panel discussions. Chief Changemaker, Guy Bigwood presents the Leadership, Most Improved and Innovation awards alongside James Rees, ICCA’s president and executive director, from 12h00 - 12h30 CET on the 26th. GDS-Movement's Alejandra Hernandez Zita represents Latin-America as part of the Sustainability Panel on October 26th 18h00 - 19h00 CET (11h00 - 12h00 COT).

Alejandra H. Zita is a certified sustainable events professional and sustainable destinations and tourism consultant. She presents on the topic of regenerative sustainability to the Guatemala Convention Bureau and the Sustainable Tourism Commission (COMITURS) of AGEXPORT. The Guatemala CVB and the Commission have a joint cooperation agreement to support a more sustainable tourism and meetings industry. 17h00 Central Standard Time (CTS)

10am - 11am Central European Time (CET). In this joint Feeling the Pulse* session from Civitas and GDS-Movement, attendees can discover how sustainable funding and innovative storytelling lead to destination regeneration. John Lambeth, President & CEO, Civitas, discusses the Tourism Improvement District funding model and explains how this unique funding mechanism is driving destination recovery and sustainability. Melissa Baird, Chief Storyteller of GDS-Movement, explores the world of destination storytelling in order to reveal its importance in catalysing regeneration. *Feeling the Pulse is an exclusive webinar series for the GDS-Movement community.

5 - 6 pm Central European Time (CET). In this joint Feeling the Pulse* session from Civitas and GDS-Movement, attendees can discover how sustainable funding and innovative storytelling lead to destination regeneration. John Lambeth, President & CEO, Civitas, discusses the Tourism Improvement District funding model and explains how this unique funding mechanism is driving destination recovery and sustainability. Melissa Baird, Chief Storyteller of GDS-Movement, explores the world of destination storytelling in order to reveal its importance in catalysing regeneration. *Feeling the Pulse is an exclusive webinar series for the GDS-Movement community.