Tony Rogers, chief executive of British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD), has unveiled plans to increase focus for members in the key areas of: Education; Quality Standards; Marketing; and, Research & Representation.

Destination marketing organisations are currently facing an unprecedented scale of change. In response to this, BACD, the premier association representing such organisations, has devised a 5 year strategy to assist them develop in the medium/long term.

Mr Rogers explained: “Now that we have all four National tourist boards as full members it’s important that we build on our achievements to further our planned growth during each of the five years up to 2010. BACD will be involved with offering comprehensive accredited educational packages to those involved in the business tourism industry, and specifically in conference destination marketing and management.”

“We shall also be developing, in consultation with members, a set of quality standards to both benchmark destinations and also assist in achieving even higher quality destination products.”

“Just as importantly, we shall be maximising business generation for our members as before while providing a range of cost effective sales and marking platforms. And finally, the industry research that has become a pivotal offering from BACD will expand still further, thanks to the demands and support of our members. We believe that the four key areas on which we shall be focusing will continue to be as important in 2010 as they are in 2005.”