Ten destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have recently been accredited under Destination Marketing Association International's (DMAI) Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).
"DMAP accreditation requires DMOs to demonstrate compliance across 16 disciplines, composed of 53 mandatory standards and is globally recognized by the destination marketing industry as the highest achievement in destination excellence," stated Jack Wert, DMAP Board Chair. "We are pleased to have these DMOs join our distinguished group and congratulate the DMOs who successfully renewed their accreditation. I look forward to their participation and influence as a part of the growing DMAP community."
Since January, 2007 180 DMOs have earned their accreditation. To become accredited, a DMO must successfully comply with fifty-eight mandatory and thirty voluntary standards in areas that include governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research.
The following organizations have been approved for accreditation in 2013, with 29 destinations renewing their accreditation status for an additional 4 years. "The renewal of these DMOs' accreditation signifies the continuing and growing value of the program to the destination marketing industry, and reinforces the power that the DMAP seal provides these organizations when communicating to stakeholders" explained Valencia Bembry, Director of Accreditation, DMAI.
Newly Accredited DMOs
• Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau, Canada
• Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau, MN
• Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, IA
• Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, TX
• Louisiana Office of Tourism, LA
• Monterrey Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mexico
• Nebraska Tourism Commission, NE
• Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, NJ
• Tourism Burnaby, Canada
• VisitTulsa, OK
Destination Marketing Accreditation Program Elects New Board Members
Jack Wert, Executive Director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau has been elected chair of the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) board. Shelly Green, President & CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau will serve as Immediate Past Chair/DMAI Liaison and Virginia Haley, President of Visit Sarasota County will serve as Incoming Board Vice Chair.
"I would thank to give thanks to Shelly for all of her efforts and service during her time as DMAP board chair, as well as Jim Woods who is leaving the board this year for his tireless commitment to the DMAP Board during his tenure," said Michael Gehrisch, President & CEO of DMAI. "Thanks to their efforts the DMAP program has grown to be an international standard of recognition. We currently have accredited DMOs throughout the United States as well as Europe, Australia, Korea, Canada and Mexico."
