Six destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have achieved accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).

DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) to establish universal standards for DMO operations.

In earning the DMAP accreditation, DMOs communicate to their community and potential visitors that they have attained a significant measure of excellence. 

“We are very pleased to recognize these DMOs for providing outstanding services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks in this field,” remarks Barry Biggar, CDME, DMAP Board Chair. 

“By applying for and receiving DMAP accreditation, they have demonstrated a commitment to quality programs and services.”

The organizations receiving accreditation include:

·         Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association—Alexandria, Virginia USA

·         Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau—Boise, Idaho USA

·         Greater Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau—Louisville, Kentucky USA

·         Greater Naples, Marco Island & the Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau—Naples, Florida USA

·         Visit Milwaukee—Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA

·         Tourisme Montreal—Quebec, Montreal Canada

“The new accreditation program provides a platform for official destination marketing organizations to assure their stakeholders that they have achieved the highest accepted standards," comments Michael D. Gehrisch, DMAI President & CEO.

The six organizations join the elite group of destination marketing organizations that have previously obtained accreditation:

·         Bloomington/Monroe County Convention & Visitors Bureau—Bloomington, Indiana USA

·         Brown County Convention & Visitors Bureau—Nashville, Tennessee USA

·         Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau—Elkhart, Indiana USA

·         Hampton Convention & Visitors Bureau—Hampton, Virginia USA

·         Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association—Indianapolis, Indiana USA

·         Lake County, IN Convention & Visitors Bureau—Hammond, Indiana, USA

·         LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau—Michigan City, Indiana USA

·         Packer Country Regional Tourism Office— Green Bay, Wisconsin USA

·         St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau—Clearwater, Florida USA

To become accredited, a DMO must successfully complete a rigorous application process, requiring them to provide evidence of compliance with 54 mandatory standards and 33 voluntary standards.

DMAP accreditation standards 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.

Accreditation applications are accepted 3 times throughout the year and are limited to 25 applications per review cycle, with the following application deadlines for 2007: April 30, August 30 and December 31.