Destination management companies--masters of the meet-and-greet and other event necessities--are enjoying a strong year in 2006. According to the 3rd annual "25 Top DMCs" list, published by Special Events Magazine, the top players project a 14 percent increase in revenue this year over last. This comes on top of an 11 percent increase in the number of events for which they have provided DMC services this year.
Moving big groups with grace is a DMC specialty. One noteworthy event from Minneapolis-based Metro Connections involved creating a transportation plan for a medical technology company using 108 buses to transport 4,300 employees from 10 different locations to the Minneapolis Convention Center. In a similar vein, San Diego-based The Meeting Manager coordinated city-wide shuttle logistics for more than 18,000 attendees at 24 hotels for the American Thoracic Society’s annual conference.
The companies also point to their party prowess. Big events for Destination Nashville this year have included its "Black Tire Affair" for 2,200 guests of a nationally known tire manufacturer, a 1,200-person dine-around visiting a total of 22 restaurants and--for the ninth consecutive year--the VIP pre-party and other elements for the Country Music Association Awards show.
For the full story, see the December issue of Special Events Magazine.
Logo by Cheryl Prats
