The Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) proudly announced that thirteen destination marketing organizations have achieved accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).

DMAP is an industry-wide program developed by DMAI to establish a consistent standard for destination marketing operations.

With thousands of destination marketing organizations (DMOs) operating around the globe, DMAP distinguishes those official DMOs that are committed to industry excellence.

“Earning the DMAP accreditation assures members of the local DMO, local government officials, visitors and business partners that their trust is well-placed in the DMO,” remarks Michael D. Gehrisch, president and CEO of DMAI.

“It assures these stakeholders that the city’s tourism business is in good hands.”

Thirteen organizations completed the application and approval processes in October.  These DMOs include:

·         Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau (New Mexico)

·         Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau (Texas)

·         Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitor Bureau (North Carolina)

·         Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (Michigan)

·         Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Florida)

·         Hot Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (Arkansas)

·         Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association (Missouri)

·         Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (Nevada)

·         Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau (Pennsylvania)

·         Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (Virginia)

·         VisitPittsburgh (Pennsylvania)

·         Washington, D.C. Convention & Tourism Corporation (Washington, D.C.)

·         Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau (Illinois)

“As we complete the first year of DMAP, we are extremely pleased to have a total of 40 DMOs accredited. It is a great honor to recognize these organizations for their achievement,” remarks Barry Biggar, CDME, the board chair of DMAP and president and CEO of the Bryan-College Station CVB.

“By completing the accreditation process, these DMOs have demonstrated exceptional leadership in destination marketing. Their accreditation underscores their dedication and commitment to providing outstanding destination marketing services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks in this field.”

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.

DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and a leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing. There are three application cycles per year; each review cycle is limited to 25 applications.

The next application deadlines are December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008.