Genoa in Helsinki for City DNA 2026: territorial promotion and citizen participation at the core.

From 22 to 24 April 2026, the International Conference and General Assembly organised by City Destinations Alliance (City DNA) took place in Helsinki. City DNA is a European network of professionals active in the field of city communication and promotion.

The theme of this edition, The Human Pulse of Place and Purpose, which involved the Territorial Marketing Department of the Municipality of Genoa, focused on the benefits of actively engaging the local population in decisions related to territorial promotion.

Over the three days of conferences and workshops, participants had the opportunity to compare and explore in depth the strategies and actions adopted by various European cities to improve dialogue among all stakeholders involved in the urban economic fabric, with the aim of increasing external attractiveness while simultaneously enhancing residents’ well-being. At the heart of the discussions were concrete examples and case studies, which enabled participants to contribute their perspectives in order to develop solutions and plan actions that were as practical and achievable as possible.

Each city brought with it its own know-how, developed over years of work in different areas of marketing, as well as its distinctive character and specific needs, alongside shared similarities. Genoa, a member of the network since 1999, was able to share its experience and engage with very diverse urban realities, ranging from nearby Rimini and Turin to the highly active cities of Hamburg and Vienna, whose universities are involved in numerous sector-related research projects, to more geographically distant destinations such as Gdańsk and Oulu, as well as major metropolises like London and Glasgow. Thanks to the diversity of contributions, it was possible to incorporate a wide range of variables into the discussion, from which a wealth of ideas and insights emerged.

Three intense and stimulating days of study and professional enrichment, set within an atmosphere of strong international collaboration focused on the exchange of knowledge, best practices, experiences, and concrete solutions.