Allied International, a global destination management leader and parent company of PRA Destination Management, Inc. announced today, it has named well-known, DMC business leader, Kathy Fort Carty as its new President of Allied North America.
She will be overseeing the PRA Destination Management, Inc. operations and its 20 US-based franchise and wholly-owned offices, according to George Pohle, chief executive officer of Allied International.
As President, Fort Carty will partner with existing PRA/Allied staff and franchise owners to drive global DMC sales into the 50-plus worldwide locations, while leveraging the expanded North American destinations and service operations with consistent operating standards and a guarantee of outstanding service delivery.
Her mission will be to strengthen and grow the Allied/PRA reputation as a comprehensive, turnkey DMC solution to corporate, incentive and association planners.
In addition, Allied North America has formed a joint marketing venture with DSC (formerly Destination Services of Colorado), a premier destination management company in the Western US.
Through the new joint venture, Allied International with its destination management services across three continents, eight countries and destination management office locations across Europe, Arabia and North America, claims to be the largest independent destination management company worldwide.
With its continued expansion, Allied International offers a comprehensive, turnkey DMC solution to corporate, incentive and association planners in more than 50 worldwide locations.
DSC will continue to operate separately, but with greater exposure internationally through a global sales effort. In turn, Allied International adds DSC’s regional market expertise to their portfolio of managed destinations.
An industry pioneer and corporate meetings veteran, Fort Carty built her own DMC from the ground up, growing Destination Services of Colorado (DSC) from a one-person operation, with a vision to open the Colorado experience to corporate and incentive visitors, into a major DMC presence in the Western United States.
She was named as a 2008 finalist for Colorado’s Outstanding Women in Business and brings more than 25 years of DMC experience to Allied/PRA.
During her time with DSC, she, along with her highly-talented team, forged innovative partnerships with hotels, venues and the best local businesses throughout the state, putting Colorado on the map as a viable and unique group destination and expanded her DMC operations across Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe.
“Kathy is considered a pioneer in the DMC industry and our company will greatly benefit from her vast experience and business savvy,” stated Pohle. “As Allied International continues its global expansion and leadership dominance in the destination services industry, Kathy will take Allied to the next level of destination management services."
"And, through our new joint marketing venture with DSC, we’ve once again enhanced the destination service offerings and ability to deliver consistent program elements from location to location for PRA, Allied Europe, Allied Arabia and DSC clientele.”
“Even as a global company, our business will always be based on the local relationships and local knowledge of each office and franchise,” added Fort Carty.
“The vision is to leverage scale by offering clients more destinations, with unmatched consistent standards; more innovative services, with a uniquely focused local delivery. I’m excited to share in the growth of Allied International and look forward to a successful partnership.”
An active member in both the DMC industry and local charities, Fort Carty has volunteered her time on numerous boards in leadership positions including the FICP Hospitality Committee, Destination Colorado, the DMC Network, the Association of Destination Management Executives, the Vail Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Colorado Meetings & Events Magazine, and the Young Entrepreneurs Organization.
She has provided her event planning, fund- raising savvy and a network of partners to create signature nonprofit events and charities.
Among these are the Alpine Children’s Charity dedicated to the Diabetes Research Foundation, Vail Undressed to support the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, Christmas Unlimited, The Boys and Girls Club of Colorado, local schools – public, private and charter to name just a few.
Jim Hensley will continue to serve as president of Allied International. Hensley has a long career in the incentive business, marketing consulting and destination management.
He acquired Allied France in 1989 and business increased ten-fold, expanding from one office to seven located in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Monaco and the UAE.
Hensley will focus his efforts on international business development and "making Allied International a dominant force in the DMC industry."
