Photo courtesy of Cliff1066 on flickr
The definition of a Destination Management Company is “… a third party professional services company possessing extensive local knowledge”.
Working with a Destination Management Company (“DMC”) will not only add to the success of your event, but will help manage your stress and yes, it will add to your bottom line. At first glance you may think it will only increase your costs, but using a DMC will actually positively affect your bottom line.
Working with a company that specializes in the city you are planning to be in will only help you to provide the quality conference, meeting and/or event you desire.
Destination Management Company – The W’s!
Where – Destination management companies truly are the city experts. A DMC brings a whole heap of knowledge, sources, resources and know-how to the table. Just think about everything you know about your home city. All the knowledge and experience you have accrued over the years. The local DMC is in that exact position, they have worked successfully in their city and will bring all that expertise, experience, savvy and hard work to design and create and execute the program to your liking.
Who – Your conference, meeting and/or event are of the utmost importance to you. And they should be. Therefore so should the service company you end up hiring and working with. When selecting any supplier it is imperative to look at a number of organizations. Compare the companies and the services they provide. Who are you are looking for? Who do you mesh with? And what services do they actually provide?
What – The services a DMC can and will provide run the gamut, including but not limited to ground transportation, tours and activities, spouse programs, children’s programs, gala dinners, entertainment, décor, speakers and execution of events. The list is endless and a DMC can provide a variety of services. The destination management company you ultimately choose to work with will do as much or as little as you want and instruct them to.
Destination Management Company – Save YOU Say!
Yes, when working with a DMC there are costs involved. Some DMC’s just add a management fee and others will mark up the other fees involved. In my role providing DMC services, and as a client of various DMC’s, I have worked both ways and I can tell you there really isn’t much of a cost difference.
So how does working with a destination management company save money? As previously mentioned, a DMC offers a great deal of experience and resources. I know when working in the DMC role, I recommend the best possible program under the direction of the client. The route to go, best possible logistics and of course, always, always, where they can cut back and where they can save money. So while there is a charge for destination management services, most DMC’s will provide the top of the line services and logistics, superior and faster options and the various ways (and there are many) to save money. Not only for the destination management jobs and services they have proposed and are providing but for the other services you are utilizing for the success of your conference, meeting or event.
Destination Management Company – Help!
Photo courtesy of 24oranges.nl
If you are indeed looking to plan and organize a conference, meeting or event and are in the need of an amazing destination management company to provide assistance, but you aren’t sure where to go. No need to agonize ADME is here to help. They are a non-profit association that provides destination management information to association and corporate meeting professionals. Visit ADME.org and they will supply you with contact information so you can easily find the right destination management company to work with.
Don’t be afraid to say yes to Destination Management when planning your conference, meeting or event in a city you are not familiar with. Be sure to do the leg work and choose the destination management company that best fits your organization, budget and YOU! You will be so happy you did!
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