Get ready to embark on an exciting journey to become a proud ambassador for Dayton and Montgomery County!
By completing the FREE Destination Dayton Tourism Academy, you will:
⦿ Gain valuable insights into Destination Dayton, the destination marketing organization or DMO for Dayton and Montgomery County.
⦿ Learn how Destination Dayton promotes Dayton and Montgomery County, driving economic development, job creation, and cultural exchange, all while promoting community amenities. This knowledge will empower you to contribute positively to the well-being and growth of our community.
⦿ Discover the positive impacts of tourism and understand how visitors contribute to the well-being and growth of our community
⦿ Gain in-depth knowledge about Dayton and Montgomery County attractions, including hidden gems, enabling you to address visitor inquiries confidently.
⦿ Develop skills to actively engage with and assist visitors, ensuring they have an unforgettable experience.
⦿ Foster community pride and help create a positive image of Dayton and Montgomery County for all who visit.
Upon completion of the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy, you'll earn a certificate, receive an official Tourism Ambassador pin and a Wilbear keychain, and gain the confidence to engage with visitors. Join us in shaping a welcoming and thriving destination!
“I love anything that has to do with Dayton! This was a wonderful presentation with lots of resources and information. I will recommend it to all of my colleagues. Thank you so much, Destination Dayton!!” - Carey Huckvale
Have questions? Check out our FAQ below. Can't find the answer you need? Feel free to email us at info@destinationdayton.org.
Tourism Academy FAQ
What is the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy?
The Destination Dayton Tourism Academy is a professional development program designed to educate participants about Dayton and Montgomery County’s tourism industry, its economic impact, and ways to enhance visitor experiences. It aims to empower individuals, businesses, and organizations to become ambassadors for Dayton and Montgomery County.
Participants also learn about Destination Dayton and how it promotes Dayton and Montgomery County, driving economic development, job creation, and cultural exchange, all while promoting community amenities.
Who can participate in the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy?
The Destination Dayton Tourism Academy is open to anyone interested in learning more about the positive impacts of tourism in Dayton and Montgomery County and want to develop skills to actively engage with and assist visitors, ensuring they have unforgettable experiences.
What are the benefits of completing the Tourism Academy?
Participants will:
Gain in-depth knowledge of Dayton and Montgomery County’s tourism assets
Enhance their ability to promote Dayton and Montgomery County as a destination
Develop skills to actively engage with and assist visitors, ensuring they have unforgettable experiences
Receive a certificate of completion and official tourism ambassador pin
What topics are covered in the program?
Participants will explore topics such as:
Positive impacts of tourism in Dayton and Montgomery County
Dayton and Montgomery County’s unique attractions and cultural heritage
Best practices in customer service and hospitality
Community knowledge and resources
An overview of Destination Dayton and how it promotes Dayton and Montgomery County to groups and visitors
How long does it take to complete the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy?
In one sitting, the course can be completed in 1 to 2 hours. One of the advantages of the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy is that you can complete it at your own pace.
Is there a cost to participate?
Destination Dayton is proud to offer the Tourism Academy at no cost to participants.
Who teaches the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy?
The Destination Dayton Tourism Academy is comprised of videos, infographics, quizzes, and resources. It is self-guided, so you control your progress.
What is the goal of the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy?
The goal of the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to actively engage visitors and cultivate a community of informed and engaged ambassadors who can collectively enhance Dayton and Montgomery County’s reputation as a vibrant and welcoming destination for visitors.
How do I learn more about the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy?
You're in the right place! This web page tells you everything you need to know about the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy. Have friends who are interested? Share www.destinationdayton.org/academy with them!
How do I apply for the Destination Dayton Tourism Academy?
The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center provides a world-class facility for the best in local, national and international performing artists.
Levitt Pavilion Dayton brings people of all ages and backgrounds together in downtown Dayton to experience free high-caliber concerts and celebrate a shared sense of community.
The Dayton Convention Center is the region's premier mid-sized event facility conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Dayton. An exciting $45 million dollar renovation project was completed in June 2025.
Located near the “Crossroads of the America,” Interstates 70 and 75, the Dayton International Airport provides air service to meet the needs of travelers to and from Southwest Ohio. It is the airport's mission to contribute to the prosperity of Southwest Ohio by connecting it to the rest of the world through the aviation system.
Cox Arboretum is a beautiful 189-acre park that includes hiking trails through forests, meadows, ponds, and the Zorniger Education Center. Families will delight in the native Butterfly House, open during summer.
University of Dayton Arena (commonly known as UD Arena) is a 13,435-seat multi-purpose arena located in Dayton, Ohio. It is home to the University of Dayton Flyers basketball teams. Since 2001, it has been the birthplace of "March Madness®," kicking off the NCAA® Men's Basketball Tournament with the First Four games.
Eastwood MetroPark's 185-acre lake and access to the Mad River provides an ample setting for a variety of water sports, while on-land features include biking and hiking trails, picnic shelters and a playground. It is one of 25 facilities encompassing Five Rivers MetroParks.
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is the premier regional provider of interactive science learning experiences that enrich the lives of children and adults, enhance the quality of life in our community, and promote a broad understanding of the world.
The FREE National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum and a must-see in Dayton, with nearly 1 million annual visitors. The museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space.
For more than 30 years, America's Packard Museum has been at the forefront of Packard historical preservation and education. Located in an original Packard dealership building, America’s Packard Museum houses the largest collection of Packard automobiles and memorabilia anywhere in the world, with cars from 1903 to 1956.
Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum that serves as the main campus for Dayton History. It shares the amazing stories of how Dayton changed the world! The museum properties of Dayton History - Carillon Historical Park, along with Hawthorn Hill and the Patterson Homestead - are ready to take you on a spectacular journey through Dayton's innovative history.
The John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum has more Wright artifacts on display than any other place in the world, including the 1905 Wright Flyer III: the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark, the first practical flying machine, and what the Wright brothers considered their most important aircraft.
The Oregon District is located in the heart of downtown Dayton and is home to unique shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and the Historic Oregon District neighborhood.
Aullwood Audubon teaches, leads and inspires people to preserve, protect and enjoy nature, farming and the environment. Aullwood offers both children and adults the opportunity to experience and appreciate the world through experience-based education.
The Dayton Dragons are the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 66-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District in downtown Dayton. The Dragons hold the record for the longest sellout streak in North American professional sports!
Dayton Mall is the largest super-regional mall in the Dayton-Springfield metropolitan area, located in Miami Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. The mall has 120+ shopping and dining options
Austin Landing offers an exceptional collection of entertainment, shopping, and dining. From fresh groceries and home goods to unique gifts and local service providers, Austin Landing is the ultimate “go-to” hub for in the Cincinnati-Dayton corridor.
Founded in 1919, the Dayton Art Institute is one of the region’s premier fine arts museums. In addition to exhibiting outstanding special exhibitions and impressive collections of art from throughout the world, the museum is renowned for education programming that includes an array of offerings for diverse audiences.
The Stuart & Mimi Rose Music Center at The Heights is a 4,200 seat, fully covered, outdoor amphitheater located in The Heights development of Huber Heights, Ohio.
RiverScape MetroPark is among Dayton's most popular venues and features kayak and bicycle rentals, a bike hub including showers and restrooms, an ice rink, gardens, reflecting pools, concessions, a plaza, a fountain and splash pad, the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights, plus the Dayton Inventors River Walk.
The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park is made up of multiple sites that are sure to inspire: the Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center, the Wright Cycle Co. Bike Shop and Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center and the Wright Brothers Hill-Wright Brothers Memorial, Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site and the Wright Brothers National Museum at Carillon Historical Park.
