Destination management companies have not had it easy over the last decade or so. Today meeting planners can search for venues and suppliers on their own. However many planners lack the local expertise that would normally determine if those venues and suppliers are appropriate for their groups’ needs.
Offsite functions were a large component of my DMC business. But here’s how things have changed somewhat. Take a typical event at an off-site venue, say a museum for example. In the past, a DMC would typically be responsible for; sourcing an appropriate venue and obtaining the proper event insurance, selecting a caterer, proposing and booking entertainment and booking transportation. Fast-forward to recent years and that same piece of business might only be one component of all of those suppliers, transportation for example. Now you may be thinking: why shouldn’t a meeting planner search for his or her own suppliers. Well there’s nothing stopping anyone from doing that, really. But what many people often don’t take into consideration is the local expertise and how invaluable that can be for a meeting planner. And a successful event.
Working with a DMC, a planner is able to select a venue that is appropriate for his or her group. I have heard horror stories from colleagues where meeting planners wanted to handle all of suppliers on their own. Then on the day of the event they find out that their group of executives had a room booked beside a children’s party group. Well you can imagine how well that would go over.
Interview with Joe Fijol, of 360 Destination Group
Recently Master The Event met up with Joe Fijol, of 360 destination group. Listen as Joe explains how his company approaches destination management today.
Joe’s destination management company’s business model accommodates today’s meeting planner. Seasoned meeting planners know the value of a DMC.
You may like these additional articles relating to DMC’s:
- Working with a Destination Management Company
- Client Expectations of a Destination Management Company
It’s interesting to learn about how a destination management company works with clients. I can see how it can be difficult for people to find a good venue for conferences. Going to a destination management company for help choosing a venue seems like a good way to make sure that conferences and events are organized.