Global DMC Partners’ 2025 Connection spotlights the future of Meetings & Events

 .

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Global DMC Partners (GDP), the global network of independent destination management companies (DMCs) and specialized event service providers, brought together 227 industry leaders from 31 countries at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in The Bahamas for its annual Connection. Held June 12-15, this exclusive, by-invitation-only conference included 88 clients and 63 DMC partners for three days of data-driven insights, strategic collaboration, and meaningful connection.

AlUla strengthens global reach with five new DMC’s partnerships

 

AlUla has announced the signing of five new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading Destination Management Companies (DMCs). This strategic expansion underscores AlUla’s commitment to providing exceptional curated travel experiences for discerning visitors from not just the UK but around the globe.

Abercrombie & Kent expands presence in Mexico with new DMC

 

Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), has opened its newest Destination Management Company (DMC) in Mexico.

destinations UNLIMITED: New DMC partnership with Connect DMC Mexico

 

destinations UNLIMITED, celebrating its 35th Anniversary in the industry, announces its latest milestone: the addition of Connect DMC to its esteemed portfolio. Connect DMC,

established in 1999, is renowned as a premier Destination Management Company (DMC) operating throughout Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Groups and weddings prove core driver of growth for GoNexus Group in 2023

 

• Over 230K groups and wedding passengers handled during 2023, an increase of 225%.
• Company attributes success to an empowered team, 24/7 support, a robust SLA, and the NexusTours App enhancing. travel experience.
• Recent enhancements include Travel Partner Implant, Pre-Arrival Calling Programme, and Travel Partner Portal for enhanced customer support.
• NexusTours operates in 19 countries and 52 destinations, serving +250 travel partners such as tour operators, hotels, and agencies.

ASM Global appointed Managers of KAFD Conference Centre

 King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) and ASM Global have announced the signing of a strategic partnership through which ASM Global will lead the operation and management of the prestigious King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Conference Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in ASM Global’s commitment to delivering world-class event experiences in the heart of the Middle East.

Global DMC Partners reveals its latest partner from Ireland: Wallace Travel Group

 Global DMC Partners (GDP), the premier worldwide alliance of independent destination management companies (DMCs) and specialized event service providers, joyfully announces the addition of its latest partner to the esteemed network – Wallace Travel Group. Wallace Travel Group, an Irish DMC with private ownership, focuses on incentive travel, conferences, and meetings. Offering a comprehensive array of services including experiential and sustainable activities, tours, venue sourcing, transportation management, and pre/post conference programs, Wallace Travel Group brings unparalleled proficiency in crafting incentives, meetings, and events across Ireland.

Abercrombie & Kent expands to Costa Rica

 Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) is expanding to Costa Rica.

The strategic move will see the opening of a Destination Management Company (DMC).

By establishing its own Costa Rica DMC, A&K aims to maintain the same level of service it offers globally.

Boutique luxury DMC, Grand Africa Safaris, shares new Great Migration safari in Tanzania

 

The Great Migration is an annual wildlife phenomenon that sees millions of wildebeest and other animals following an endless migratory route across the plains of the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. It is a highly sought-after bucket list experience that attracts droves of travelers who flock to East Africa each year to witness it firsthand.

Celebrating a successful 2022 DMC Network Exchange in a renewed, forward-looking Atlantic City

 

ATLANTIC CITY — The DMC Network celebrated the return of its annual Network-wide Exchange this year in Atlantic City, New Jersey, uniting nearly 100 DMC professionals and clients for the first time since 2019.

Ker & Downey Africa DMC expand footprint to benefit from the rebound in travel to Africa

 

Leading luxury destination management company Ker & Downey Africa positions itself to cater for the pent-up demand for travel to Africa by expanding its footprint in key source markets across the globe. In addition to the existing operations in North America, Latin America, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, China and Hong Kong, the company is now expanding into Russia/Eastern Europe, France and Spanish-speaking Latin America.

Ker & Downey Africa DMC expand into emerging markets in Russia & Eastern Europe

Luxury destination management company, Ker & Downey Africa DMC is expanding into emerging markets with its new Russia & Eastern Europe division. Leading the division is USSR native, Irina Jordaan. “With the tourism sector being one of the most heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are incredibly proud of our resilient team for weathering the storm and continuing to drive business to Africa under the Ker & Downey Africa brand.

Lynne Davis & Co welcomes African Pathfinder

 

NEW YORK, NY – Lynne Davis & Co, PR, Marketing, Representation, is thrilled to welcome African Pathfinder to its exclusive client list. African Pathfinder is an independent, privately-owned destination management company, devoted to fully customized, hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind luxury trips and safaris to the magnificent regions of Southern and East Africa, the Indian Ocean and beyond. 

It all began in September 2002 for this dynamic duo, sisters Dionne Bunyard and Gaenor Terblanche. African Pathfinder was formed out of their love for their home continent – Africa – and an overwhelming passion for travel and all the life lessons that are learnt through adventure. Since those humble beginnings, they grew slowly, and carefully, and can proudly say that thanks to the unwavering support of their family, friends, team and many past clients, stand firm on solid foundations in the wonderful world of travel.

Global DMC Partners' Survey Reveals When Will Events Return?

Global DMC Partners (GDP), the leading global network of independently owned destination management companies (DMCs) and creative event experts, announced the results of its most recent Meetings & Events Pulse Survey, focusing on the widespread impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic to the MICE industry.

Conducted April 27 through May 4, 2020, the survey polled 374 respondents from the meetings and events industry. Of these, 93 percent were planners versus vendors or suppliers. While the survey touched nearly every part of the globe, the majority of respondents were based in the United States (64 percent), followed by Europe, the United Kingdom (10 percent respectively) and Canada (seven percent). Participants included third-party planners (30 percent), independent meeting planners (16 percent), associations (13 percent) as well as planners in technology, finance, pharmaceuticals, insurance and law.

Key highlights of the findings included: 

• Ninety-seven percent reported that their 2020 meetings and events were impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
• Fifty-six percent predict that they will operate 25 percent or less of their 2020 live events. 
• While many live events are pivoting to virtual this year, virtual is not considered to be a long-term replacement for face-to-face programs. Live events and hybrid solutions continue to be in high demand. 

2020 Budgets and Events

Compared to GDP’s previous Q1 2020 survey, twenty percent more planners are reporting a decrease in their meeting budgets for the remainder of this year, and seventeen percent are reporting a cutback in their incentive budgets. These decreases are most apparent amongst planners outside of the United States. 

Fifty-six percent predict that they will operate 25% or less of their 2020 live events. Sixty-nine percent plan to go virtual or incorporate virtual aspects

Only 13 percent stated that all 2020 programs have been canceled. Eighty-eight percent predict that some portion of their 2020 events will be or are already postponed to 2021. Thirty-seven percent said that at least half or more of their programs have been postponed to 2021.

When Will Events Return?

While the majority of survey participants were unsure about their budgets for 2021, sixty-four percent predict that they will host live events sometime between August 2020 and January 2021. 

From the incentives side, most programs (52 percent) are still moving forward in 2021. For those not proceeding, only five percent are being replaced by gifts, four percent by cash, three percent by a virtual incentive event and two percent with the option of a personal trip.

“Incentive trips are irreplaceable because they uniquely increase the sense of loyalty to a company,” said Global DMC Partners President & CEO Catherine Chaulet. “We hear from so many of our clients that continued education combined with a memorable travel experience is a key motivational tool to help retain top talent.  This crisis if anything proves the importance of employee and key partners’ recognition. Corporations already see how critical incentives will be to build employee morale back after such tough times.”

What Face-to-Face Meetings Will Look Like in the Future

For a glimpse into the future, Global DMC Partners asked respondents what new initiatives they will add to live programs. Not surprisingly, the vast majority (90 percent) said that they will be adding hand sanitizer stations, placing restrictions to maintain physical distancing between participants (79 percent), reducing attendee counts (61 percent) and eliminating buffets to serve plated or boxed meals (66 percent).

Other new practices include only contracting hotels, venues and event vendors with verifiable sanitation processes (60 percent), requiring face masks for attendees (40 percent), providing temperature checks (34 percent) and providing medical and EMT personnel on staff (28 percent).
More than 51 percent said that they will offer a virtual option in addition to live events.

Twenty-three percent said they will have programs closer to home, eliminating international travel in the short term. Eleven percent responded that they are considering ground transportation changes, and five percent are considering private chartered flights. Finally, respondents were polled for the top challenge that they expect to face once the COVID-19 crisis dissipates. Travel restrictions are predicted to be the top challenge for planners based outside of the U.S., while general fear is the primary concern for U.S. planners.

“With COVID-19 treatments and vaccinations becoming more of a reality, the implementation of health and sanitation protocols worldwide, and seeing many government travel restrictions lifted, I am confident of a strong rebound of face-to-face meetings and events,” said Chaulet. “2021 is already looking strong worldwide with high demand for meetings and events taking place in Q2. Full back to normal is expected to start late 2021 once the entire travel supply chain, from airlines to hotels and all hospitality related services, are back in place.” 

For the full results of GDP’s Meetings & Events Pulse Survey, please visit https://globaldmcpartners.com/2020q2pulsesurvey

Tags: Global DMC Partners

The World Centre of Excellence for Destinations and Planet Happiness sign agreement

Planet Happiness and the World Centre for Excellence for Destinations (CED) have signed a partnership agreement focused on strengthening excellence in destination management and the necessity of the sector to deliver destination well-being.  

In this extraordinary period of tourism collapse, marked by job- and income-loss and realignment to the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic, the partnership recognises that measuring host well-being in tourism destinations has never been more important.

CED and Planet Happiness will work together to promote mutual understanding of each other’s work among their networks and partners. They will engage on a range of topics related to excellence in destination planning, host community well-being and the imperative of the sector to respect and preserve living culture and cultural heritage.

As destinations build resilience and move towards Covid-19 recovery, first through domestic tourism followed by international markets, they will be juggling complex, multiple challenges and demands that require a whole of government response. Among many priorities, attention will inevitably be drawn to profound changes in host well-being and ‘new normal’ pathways to rebuilding the quality-of-life.

The Happiness Index survey, promoted by Planet Happiness, measures individual and destination well-being. It is currently available in 24 languages and includes indicators for health, standard of living, satisfaction with life, community engagement, as well as access to nature, the arts and life-long learning and other important contributors to well-being.

The CED is a non-profit organization created in 2007 with the support of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The CED’s mission is to guide destinations worldwide towards excellence by supporting them in their efforts to foster sustainable development and increase their abilities to generate economic, social and cultural benefits.

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this month. It provides a framework for Planet Happiness and CED to promote mutual understanding of each other’s approach to enabling and supporting destination well-being and sustainability.

“Destinations at the forefront of the Covid-19 recovery curve need to be seen to be making clear, inclusive and informed decisions,” said Paul Rogers PhD, the Co-Founder and Director of Planet Happiness, a project of the Happiness Alliance, a non-profit organisation with ten years’ experience in happiness and well-being measurements. 

“Destinations need to promote their sites, ensure attractions and excursions are safe and responsible, and foster healthy and welcoming communities,” Rogers added. “This implies listening to the needs and concerns of industry employees and businesses, as well as the voices of the wider destination community. The Planet Happiness approach enables and facilitates dialogues that deliver win-wins and the strengthening of destination well-being.”

The Planet Happiness and CED partnership aims to deliver solutions for host communities, governments, businesses and tourists. On signing the MOU, Professor Francois Bedard, Director of CED, said: “Destination resilience depends on the industry’s ability to promote inclusivity, improve the quality of life of host communities and directly engage local residents in the tourism recovery effort.” 

Sylvain St-Amand, President of CED, added: “The signing of the MOU with Planet Happiness will spread international awareness of the innovative and necessary approach of including destination well-being in tourism destination planning.”

“Planet Happiness looks forward to engaging with CED’s network and to providing more governments, destination management organisations and travel industry players around the world with the model and survey tools to measure, track and promote destination well-being,” said Paul Rogers, PhD.

Tags:  Planet Happiness, World Centre for Excellence for Destinations

Global DMC Partners Launches “Together at Home” Webinar Series

As many companies around the world are doing their part to combat the spread of COVID-19 by instructing their employees to work from home, Global DMC Partners (GDP), the leading global network of independently owned destination management companies (DMCs) and creative event experts, is launching a brand-new weekly webinar series designed not only to combat social isolation but also to educate, innovate and inspire members of the meetings, events, travel and tourism industry.

Each week, GDP will host a featured subject matter expert with topics ranging from resiliency and leading through change to health and wellness and financial management.  

“What connects all of us in the hospitality industry is our extraordinary passion for making connections, even virtually. We love nothing more than opening people’s minds to new cultures and ideas,” said Global DMC Partners President & CEO Catherine Chaulet. “We at GDP have decided to dedicate this time to engage and educate meeting and hospitality professionals via a new, uplifting webinar series. We believe in using this time wisely, and learning new skills will help prepare us for better days ahead.”

The first of the “Together at Home: Engage & Educate” webinar series will kick off on Tuesday, March 24th at 10 a.m. EDT and 2 p.m. EDT. Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Precision Nutrition Coach (Pn1) and iPEC Life Coach (CPC), Ela Dugan will share 5 Ways to Increase your Physical and Mental Immunity During a Crisis. Ela will discuss simple methods to regain control during these challenges times by strengthening physical and mental immunity.  

To register, please visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3555638490923258380.

Tags: Global DMC Partners

The DMC Network expand to Russia

The DMC Network announces Global Russia DMC & PCO as the newest Preferred Partner to the DMC Network Family. This latest edition continues the DMC Network’s commitment to global expansion in 2020.

Founded in 2013, Global Russia DMC & PCO is one of Russia’s leading Destination Management Consultants, offering a unique and unforgettable experience of one of the world’s most exotic travel destinations. Specialising in everything from conferences and business events to the most unique of incentive experiences – Global Russia DMC & PCO have a team of expert professionals with the most creative of concepts.

Commenting on the expansion, Managing Director of the DMC Network, Dan Tavrytzky said, “Russia has been a destination on our wish list for quite some time now. As with every partner expansion, we won’t compromise on quality for growth, so we’ve taken our time here and are delighted with the outcome. The entire team at Global Russia DMC & PCO are true ambassadors for their destination - that comes across in each and every conversation, proposal and brainstorm. We could not be happier to begin 2020 with a partnership at this level."

“Our mission is to combine the best team in our field with the most specialized of local knowledge in order to provide our clients with the most wonderful of experiences while with us in Russia," said Fedor Vergus, Chief Executive Officer of Global Russia DMC & PCO. "The DMC Network operates with the same priorities and have been a wonderful support network to us from day one of conversations. The wider DMC Network family is one that we are excited to contribute too, we are looking forward to seeing what the future now holds!"

Tags: DMC Network,  Global Russia DMC & PCO

Italy's AG Boutique Journey celebrates its 20 Years in Business

AG Boutique Journey, the DMC within the AG Group, sole Tourist Group in Italy that is founded and directed by Andrea Girolami, is now celebrating its twentieth birthday.

Born under the name of RSI Travel, today known as AG Boutique Journey, offers highly professional solutions for all Travel solutions, Events, Weddings and Luxury Travel. Grown from a great love and passion for Italy by Andrea Girolami, the founder and his team, has today become a contagious addiction and reached out to its entire staff.

RSI soon established itself as a dynamic reality, becoming "RSI GROUP" with five separate divisions: RSI Communication, RSI Travel, Corporate & Events, Luxury Travel and Weddings. Today, integrated into the new group, it participates in the internationalization of a wide variety of brands and thanks to its customer base, which stretches from every corner of the globe, particularly the Americas, Europe and Oceania. The company today continues to offer five separate departments, embracing every segment of demand, Individuals-FIT Groups, MICE, Luxury and Weddings.

Andrea Girolami, President and founder of the AG Group, said, "We are proud to have adopted an advanced business module, unique in Italy and possibly also in Europe, by positioning ourselves as a one-stop-shop for anyone who wants to visit our country at its best.

AG Boutique Journey is not just a DMC, it is the passport to an integrated Group which operates all-round in the hospitality world and offers its own Executive and Luxury hotels, 360° scope of Consultancy to hoteliers, Gourmet Restaurants, Bistrots, stunning rooftop Terraces and a solution to any dream request of every possible and imaginable trip.  Whoever contacts us will discover not "only" rooms, but unique and original ingredients for creating a boutique journey in all forms.

Tags: AG Boutique Journey