The City Destination Summer School has always been about more than theory. Since its creation in 1987, it has combined classroom learning with hands-on experiences and mentoring from some of the industry’s most respected professionals. Over the years, more than 2,200 alumni have taken part — many of them now leaders shaping the future of the meetings industry.

Aimed at young talents from CVBs (Convention and Visitors Bureaux), DMOs (Destination Marketing Organisations), hotels, PCOs (Professional Congress Organisations), Organisers), convention centres, airlines, and DMCs (Destination Management Companies), the programme offers an in-depth understanding of how the sector works, while opening up strategic perspectives on its future challenges.

In 2025, participants explored pressing topics such as sustainability, diversity and inclusion, legacy building, and the role of technology and AI in events. But beyond the sessions, they discovered Luxembourg itself: from modern conference venues to cultural landmarks, and from urban gardens to festive dinners.

Hosting the 39th CityDNA Summer School was more than just an honour. It was a statement: Luxembourg is not only a place where business events happen, it is a place where the next generation of industry leaders can learn, grow, and imagine the future together.

As we look back on this third edition in Luxembourg, one thing is clear: our country’s role in the global meetings industry is growing stronger than ever. And we are proud to be shaping that journey, one inspiring event at a time.

The event also highlighted the close alignment between Luxembourg and CityDNA, with shared values of sustainability, inclusivity, and knowledge sharing. Participants had the unique opportunity to hear from Eric Thill, Luxembourg’s Minister for Culture and Delegate Minister for Tourism, who underlined the government’s commitment to talent development, international dialogue, and building resilient destinations.

CityDNA also partnered with Luxembourg City for the launch of its new promotional video “A Bubble Full of Life”, attended by students and faculty. This collaboration not only showcased the city’s welcoming spirit and sustainable character, but also gave international resonance to the city’s positioning and challenges.

“Welcoming the CityDNA Summer School for the third time to Luxembourg has been a privilege,” said Antje Voss, CEO of Luxembourg City Tourist Office. “As a city that combines international outlook with human scale, we were proud to showcase our approach to sustainability, inclusivity, and hospitality. This event was not only an investment in the next generation of professionals but also an opportunity to share our vision with the broader industry.”

Behind this success was a shared ambition. The Luxembourg Convention Bureau (LCB) and the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (LCTO) joined forces to bid for the organisation of this prestigious event and won. For us, it was not only about securing another major event, but about showing what is possible when national and local expertise work hand in hand.

This was already the third time the CityDNA Summer School had been organised in Luxembourg, after previous editions in 1988 and 1999, reflecting a long-standing partnership with CityDNA. Each edition has been a chance to showcase the country’s strengths: our accessibility, our state-of-the-art venues, and the human scale that makes networking and collaboration effortless.

With each return, the trust of City Destinations Alliance grew stronger — and so did Luxembourg’s positioning as a rising destination in the global Business Events landscape.