Our courses are personal, practical, backed by decades of experience, and informed by the latest theories on circular thinking, regeneration, and behaviour change.
We pride ourselves on the collaborative, interactive, and fun nature of our modules.
From regenerative strategy development, to circular thinking and the SDGs, to conducting supply chain analysis and reducing food waste.
Our training enables professionals to become leaders empowered with up-to-date knowledge on best practises and how to implement regenerative practices.
Our faculty consists of experts in sustainable destination management and are leading thinkers in regenerative management practices.
They come from within the GDS-Movement, from leading universities, and from our partner destinations and organisations.
Our courses are designed to inspire individual learning and organisational skills development through fun, engaging and collaborative modules.
We use a blended approach to learning. We combine online live lectures and guest speakers with pre-recorded interviews, case studies, and suggested reading. Topics are further explored in group discussions enabling knowledge sharing and deepening of the learning. We integrate design thinking processes, with the expertise and knowledge of the group to rethink and redesign “wicked” challenges.
We use some of the best online collaboration tools, and some of the oldest and most tested techniques to unlock the collective intelligence and understanding of the group.
Not only will you be learning, but you will be expected to share experiences and co-create new approaches with your peers.
For Professionals
🅐 Open enrolment courses for destination management professionals
🅑 Masterclasses to further your knowledge and expertise in regenerative destination management
🅑 Masterclasses to further your knowledge and expertise in regenerative destination management
For Organisations
🅐 In house training for destination management organisations (NTOs, DMOs, CVBs)
🅑 Groups of destinations via a NTO or association
🅒 In destination training in partnership with DMOs for suppliers (ie. hotels, venues, restaurants, activity providers, event organisers)
🅑 Groups of destinations via a NTO or association
🅒 In destination training in partnership with DMOs for suppliers (ie. hotels, venues, restaurants, activity providers, event organisers)
Schedule of open-enrolment courses
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GDS-ICCA-CityDNA Certificate in Regenerative Destination Management - Autumn Session
04 September - 06 November 2025
(registration open - see Courses)
Experts in sustainable destination management, and thought leaders in regenerative management practices
Chief Executive Officer, GDS-Movement Guy Bigwood
LinkedIn
Guy has spent 18 years helping cities, governments, corporations, and associations advance sustainability and regenerative practices. Former Sustainability Director at MCI, his pioneering work has earned 22 sustainability awards, including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award, and recognition as a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.
Guy has spent 18 years helping cities, governments, corporations, and associations advance sustainability and regenerative practices. Former Sustainability Director at MCI, his pioneering work has earned 22 sustainability awards, including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award, and recognition as a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.
Consultant, #MEET4IMPACT; Regenerative Tourism Consultant APAC Region, GDS-Movement Jessica Vandy
LinkedIn
Jessica is an international collaboration partner at #MEET4IMPACT, developing social impact strategies for destinations. With 18 years in the sector, Jessica specializes in social impact, sustainability, events, and communications. She is also founder of The Tenth Letter, a consultancy focused on regenerative tourism and events.
Jessica is an international collaboration partner at #MEET4IMPACT, developing social impact strategies for destinations. With 18 years in the sector, Jessica specializes in social impact, sustainability, events, and communications. She is also founder of The Tenth Letter, a consultancy focused on regenerative tourism and events.
CEO, #MEET4IMPACT Geneviève Leclerc
LinkedIn
Geneviève has 25+ years of global experience in congress management and strategic consultancy for associations and destinations. Specializing in sustainability and social impact, she is a content curator, facilitator, speaker, and trainer in the meetings and business tourism industry. In 2019, she founded #MEET4IMPACT to drive positive societal change through events and industry collaboration.
Geneviève has 25+ years of global experience in congress management and strategic consultancy for associations and destinations. Specializing in sustainability and social impact, she is a content curator, facilitator, speaker, and trainer in the meetings and business tourism industry. In 2019, she founded #MEET4IMPACT to drive positive societal change through events and industry collaboration.
Consultant, #MEET4IMPACT; Regenerative Tourism Consultant, North American Region, GDS-Movement Alexis Keleruk
LinkedIn
After 10+ years in tourism and events, Alexis Kereluk strives to make social and environmental impact the foundation of the industry. As Regenerative Tourism Consultant for North America at GDS-Movement, an international collaborator at #MEET4IMPACT, and a partner at ConnectSeven Group, she supports social impact strategies for destinations.
After 10+ years in tourism and events, Alexis Kereluk strives to make social and environmental impact the foundation of the industry. As Regenerative Tourism Consultant for North America at GDS-Movement, an international collaborator at #MEET4IMPACT, and a partner at ConnectSeven Group, she supports social impact strategies for destinations.
Lead Storyteller, GDS-Movement Betsy Reed
LinkedIn
Betsy is a leadership coach, sustainability advisor, teacher, author, and storyteller with 20 years of experience across five continents. She lead campaigns for governments, NGOs, and businesses. Past roles include Head of Campaigns at Zero Waste Scotland and Director at Grayling. Betsy is currently Head Tutor at the Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Betsy is a leadership coach, sustainability advisor, teacher, author, and storyteller with 20 years of experience across five continents. She lead campaigns for governments, NGOs, and businesses. Past roles include Head of Campaigns at Zero Waste Scotland and Director at Grayling. Betsy is currently Head Tutor at the Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Regenerative Tourism Consultant, Spain & Portugal, GDS-Movement Mònica Molina
LinkedIn
Mònica Molina is the founder of DEI Consultoria and Regenerative Tourism Consultant for Spain & Portugal at GDS-Movement. With 22 years in tourism, she remains passionate about the industry. She holds a PhD in Geography specializing in accessible and sustainable tourism and balances lecturing, professional training, and keynote speaking at industry congresses.
Mònica Molina is the founder of DEI Consultoria and Regenerative Tourism Consultant for Spain & Portugal at GDS-Movement. With 22 years in tourism, she remains passionate about the industry. She holds a PhD in Geography specializing in accessible and sustainable tourism and balances lecturing, professional training, and keynote speaking at industry congresses.
Head of Visit Iceland Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir
LinkedIn
Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir is the Head of Visit Iceland, promoting the destination since 2010. She previously worked at Visit Reykjavík and managed the Vatnajökull Region tourism cluster in Southeast Iceland. Before her tourism career, she was a journalist at Fréttablaðið, Iceland’s largest newspaper.
Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir is the Head of Visit Iceland, promoting the destination since 2010. She previously worked at Visit Reykjavík and managed the Vatnajökull Region tourism cluster in Southeast Iceland. Before her tourism career, she was a journalist at Fréttablaðið, Iceland’s largest newspaper.
Consulting Futurist, GDS-Movement Ed Gillespie
LinkedIn
Ed Gillespie is a keynote speaker, writer, futurist, and serial entrepreneur. He is the Consulting Futurist at GDS-Movement, a facilitator at the Forward Institute, and a a Trustee of Energy Revolution. Ed co-hosts the Itunes chart-topping podcasts 'Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts' and 'The Great Humbling'. He’s also a founder investor and former Chair of online rail business Loco2, now Rail Europe.
Ed Gillespie is a keynote speaker, writer, futurist, and serial entrepreneur. He is the Consulting Futurist at GDS-Movement, a facilitator at the Forward Institute, and a a Trustee of Energy Revolution. Ed co-hosts the Itunes chart-topping podcasts 'Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts' and 'The Great Humbling'. He’s also a founder investor and former Chair of online rail business Loco2, now Rail Europe.
Professor of Sustainability Marketing, University of Surrey Dr. Xavier Font
LinkedIn
Dr. Xavier Font is professor of Sustainability Marketing at the University of Surrey, specializing in sustainable tourism production and consumption. He has consulted for several UN agencies, the International Finance Corporation, the European Commission, national tourist boards, and industry leaders.
Dr. Xavier Font is professor of Sustainability Marketing at the University of Surrey, specializing in sustainable tourism production and consumption. He has consulted for several UN agencies, the International Finance Corporation, the European Commission, national tourist boards, and industry leaders.
Co-Founder & CEO, CrowdRiff Dan Holowack
LinkedIn
Dan Holowack is Co-Founder & CEO of CrowdRiff and Localhood.com. Hundreds of destinations worldwide use CrowdRiff’s UGC and storytelling platform to shape travel and empower local communities. The visual stories created through CrowdRiff inspire both locals and visitors to discover new experiences, near and far.
Dan Holowack is Co-Founder & CEO of CrowdRiff and Localhood.com. Hundreds of destinations worldwide use CrowdRiff’s UGC and storytelling platform to shape travel and empower local communities. The visual stories created through CrowdRiff inspire both locals and visitors to discover new experiences, near and far.
Senior Advisor, Helsinki Partners Birgit Liukkonen
LinkedIn
Birgit Liukkonen is a Senior Advisor at Helsinki Partners, responsible for the development, communications and marketing of the digital service Think Sustainably that helps locals and visitors choose more sustainable ways of living urban life. Birgit has previously worked with digital marketing, and has been leading the MyHelsinki.fi website as Managing Editor.
Birgit Liukkonen is a Senior Advisor at Helsinki Partners, responsible for the development, communications and marketing of the digital service Think Sustainably that helps locals and visitors choose more sustainable ways of living urban life. Birgit has previously worked with digital marketing, and has been leading the MyHelsinki.fi website as Managing Editor.
Founding Partner & CCO, Group NAO Peter Rømer Hansen
LinkedIn
Peter has been a key figure in developing destinations and tourism cooperation across Europe. As Executive Vice President of Wonderful Copenhagen, Peter played a lead role in building a strategic and analytical DMO, taking tourism to new levels with Big Tourism and innovation strategies. He is now Founding Partner and CSO at Group NAO, focusing on strategic work in travel, tourism, and urban development.
Peter has been a key figure in developing destinations and tourism cooperation across Europe. As Executive Vice President of Wonderful Copenhagen, Peter played a lead role in building a strategic and analytical DMO, taking tourism to new levels with Big Tourism and innovation strategies. He is now Founding Partner and CSO at Group NAO, focusing on strategic work in travel, tourism, and urban development.
Relationship Manager (UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria) & Destination Climate Action Expert, GDS-Movement Janie Neumann
LinkedIn
Janie has over 20 years of experience in tourism, championing responsible practices that benefit businesses, communities, and heritage. At VisitScotland, she led sustainable tourism efforts, including Destination Net Zero and the climate action plan. With Green Tourism, she advised over 300 businesses in the UK, New Zealand, and Canada on sustainability certification and assessments.
Janie has over 20 years of experience in tourism, championing responsible practices that benefit businesses, communities, and heritage. At VisitScotland, she led sustainable tourism efforts, including Destination Net Zero and the climate action plan. With Green Tourism, she advised over 300 businesses in the UK, New Zealand, and Canada on sustainability certification and assessments.
CEO & Founding Partner, Group NAO Signe Jungersted
LinkedIn
Signe Jungersted is CEO and partner in innovation and strategy agency Group NAO. NAO works with strategic transformation and innovation within the experience and visitor economy. Projects include 101sustainableideas.com with Gothenburg and Power of Community with European Cities Marketing.
Signe Jungersted is CEO and partner in innovation and strategy agency Group NAO. NAO works with strategic transformation and innovation within the experience and visitor economy. Projects include 101sustainableideas.com with Gothenburg and Power of Community with European Cities Marketing.
Social Impact Consultant, #MEET4IMPACT Fathma Khalid
LinkedIn
Fathma is a Social Impact Measurement Consultant, helping businesses and organizations track their social impact. She is also an international collaboration partner at #MEET4IMPACT, supporting social impact strategies for destinations. Experienced with methods like Social Return on Investment and Theory of Change, Fathma focuses on identifying key success indicators and crafting compelling impact stories.
Fathma is a Social Impact Measurement Consultant, helping businesses and organizations track their social impact. She is also an international collaboration partner at #MEET4IMPACT, supporting social impact strategies for destinations. Experienced with methods like Social Return on Investment and Theory of Change, Fathma focuses on identifying key success indicators and crafting compelling impact stories.
Director, GDS-Events and GDS-Academy, GDS-Movement Milda Salciute
LinkedIn
Milda has over 10 years of experience in sustainable events, managing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of in-person, digital, and hybrid events. At IMEX Group, she led education and sustainability initiatives. Now, at GDS-Movement, she helps associations shape and implement sustainable event strategies, from vision to measurement and communication.
Milda has over 10 years of experience in sustainable events, managing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of in-person, digital, and hybrid events. At IMEX Group, she led education and sustainability initiatives. Now, at GDS-Movement, she helps associations shape and implement sustainable event strategies, from vision to measurement and communication.
Guest Speakers
Over 20 guest speakers from destination management organisations around the world!
Our Education Partners
Our Strategic Partners
