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Seventeen destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have achieved accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). Developed by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), the industry-wide accreditation program is designed to recognize organizations that meet or exceed industry standards. DMAP distinguishes official destination marketing organizations committed to industry excellence.
In the application cycle ending December 31, 2008, the following DMOs attained accreditation status for 2009-2013:
– Baton Rouge Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Louisiana USA)
– Butler County Visitors Bureau (Ohio USA)
– Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau (Georgia USA)
– Go Wichita, (Kansas USA)
– Greater Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau (South Carolina USA)
– Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau (Arizona USA)
– Harrison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Indiana USA)
– Lake Placid Essex County Convention & Visitors Bureau (New York USA)
– Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau (New Mexico USA)
– Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association (Virginia USA)
– Meeting in Brugge – Congresbureau (Belgium)
– Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (Pennsylvania USA)
– Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (Illinois USA)
– San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau (California USA)
– Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau (Louisiana USA)
– Valley Forge Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ltd. (Pennsylvania USA)
– Vancouver Coast & Mountains Tourism (Canada)
"We are proud to recognize these organizations for their achievement," remarks Christine Shimasaki, CDME, board chair of DMAP and executive vice president and chief strategy officer of the San Diego CVB. "These DMOs’ operations and business practices have conformed to 16 domains ranging from governance to sales to innovation. Their accreditation underscores their dedication to providing exceptional leadership and commitment to the professionalism of DMOs across the globe."
"This application cycle marks another set of milestones. In addition to bestowing accreditation to the largest group of DMOs in the history of the program, we also accredited a second European DMO. The growth of the program reinforces that DMAP accreditation is the global seal of excellence for DMOs, and signifies the growing value of the program to the destination marketing industry," remarks Michael D. Gehrisch, president and CEO of DMAI.
To become accredited a DMO must successfully complete a rigorous application process, requiring evidence of compliance with 54 mandatory standards and 33 voluntary standards. The standards set by DMAP cover a wide variety of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation, and stakeholder relationships. Currently there are a total of 85 accredited DMOs.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
