Destination management companies see events from start to finish — from the first meet-and-greet till last call at the final-night gala. And they've seen a strong year in 2006. Taken as a group, our “25 top” DMCs report an 11 percent increase in the number of events they have handled this year over last, plus a healthy 14 percent increase in revenue. Read on for the full story …
ACCESS DESTINATION SERVICES
Irvine, Calif.
top officers Christopher H. Lee, DMCP, CEO; Candi Bisconte, DMCP, president
phone 619/299-2200
CLICK HERE! Web site www.accessdmc.com
average number of events handled per year 1,000 plus
annual revenue from DMC services $16 million
capabilities Market coverage includes Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs, San Diego and Las Vegas. Services range from event concept and design to program management and on-site coordination, entertainment services, meet-and-greets, transportation logistics, event production and recreational activities.
recent noteworthy events For a major U.S. automaker, the Access Orange County (Calif.) office used the East Room exhibit at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, Calif., to re-create a state dinner complete with herald trumpeter, an active-duty color guard and a society orchestra. For a Fortune 500 insurance company client, the Access Palm Springs (Calif.) office held a “State of Your Health” fair offering healthy cuisine, an oxygen bar and stations providing dream interpreters, aura photography and crystal healers, all in a carnival setting complete with Ferris wheel.
ALLIED EUROPE
Paris
top officer James Hensley
phone +33 1 44 55 05 70
Web site www.allied-europe.com
average number of events handled per year 250 to 300
annual revenue from DMC services $20 million to $25 million
capabilities With offices in Barcelona, Biarritz, Florence, London, Monte Carlo, Paris and Rome, Allied Europe can “completely cover” five major European destinations — France, Spain, the U.K., Italy and Monaco, management says. Clients have access to the company's in-house event management software.
recent noteworthy events Events this year have included the launch of the new Ford Focus and, for the second consecutive year, a U.S. insurance company's incentive program for 5,000 taking place simultan-eously in London and Edinburgh over the course of four weeks.
ATLANTA ARRANGEMENTS
Atlanta
top officer Susan Henderson
phone 404/443-5959
CLICK HERE! Web site www.atlantaarrange.com
average number of events handled per year 300
annual revenue from DMC services $8 million
capabilities This DMC is proud of its record winning awards for its corporate work.
recent noteworthy events Recently completed an art-themed team-building event for a major phamaceutical company in which each team had to design a logo for a new drug, assisted by local art students.
BASKOW & ASSOCIATES
Las Vegas
top officer Jaki Baskow
phone 702/733-7818
Web site www.baskow.com
average number of events handled per year 650
annual revenue from DMC services $11 million to $12 million
capabilities Thirty-year-old company specializes in star power, offering customized tours, VIP concierge service, entertainment/celebrity broker service and transportation.
recent noteworthy events Baskow & Associates took the spotlight itself this year as its shopping center party wound up on TV's Discovery channel. “We do fun for a living,” they say.
BOB GAIL SPECIAL EVENTS
Los Angeles
top officer Bob Levine
phone 310/202-5200
CLICK HERE! Web site www.bobgail.com
average number of events handled per year 275
annual revenue from DMC services $5.1 million to $5.5 million
capabilities Founded in 1978, company offers DMC services augmented by decor, props, entertainment, rental and floral design capabilities.
recent noteworthy events Busy with events, meetings and incentives for clients including AIG SunAmerica, Kaiser Permanente, Deloitte & Touche, Amgen, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Starwood, Northrop Grumman, American Cancer Society, Siemens Business Services, American Airlines, Sony Pictures, Earthlink and Hewlett-Packard.
CAPITOL SERVICES INC.
Falls Church, Va.
top officer Jill McGregor
phone 703/584-2460
CLICK HERE! Web site www.csi-dc.com
average number of events handled per year 256
annual revenue from DMC services $7.5 million
capabilities Covering Washington and Baltimore, CSI has consulted on high-profile jobs including presidential inaugurations, government meetings and international events. Capabilities include events, meeting management, transportation tours, entertainment and other convention services needs.
recent noteworthy events CSI kicked the year off by planning the World Travel and Tourism Conference in Washington and providing DMC services for the Volvo Ocean Race in Baltimore and Annapolis, which drew corporate groups from throughout the world. CSI managed all hotel negotiations and reservations, transportation, customized tours, boat cruises and high-end lunch and dinner events.
DALLAS FAN FARES
Dallas
top officer Kaye Burkhardt
phone 972/239-9969
CLICK HERE! Web site www.dallasfanfares.com
average number of events handled per year 60 to 100
annual revenue from DMC services $9 million plus
capabilities Company provides DMC services with specific capabilities including meet-and-greets, creative design, on-site management, contract negotiation, customer service and financial management “to name a few,” they say.
recent noteworthy events Work this year has involved Super Bowl, the U.S. Open and Masters golf championships, and incentive programs both in the U.S. and abroad.
DECO PRODUCTIONS
Miami
top officer Sharon Siegel
phone 305/558-0800
Web site www.decoproductions.com
average number of events handled per year 100
annual revenue from DMC services $8 million
capabilities Company takes pride in its special event decor, theatrical lighting, floral, specialty linen, stage sets, team-building, tours, dine-arounds and other service capabilities.
recent noteworthy events Busy this year with big pharmaceutical events and incentive programs.
DESTINATION CONCEPTS INC.
San Diego
top officer Brynne Frost
phone 800/272-3775
CLICK HERE! Web site www.destinationconcepts.com
average number of events handled per year 220
annual revenue from DMC services $9 million to $11 million
capabilities Southern California specialists, DCI covers San Diego, Palm Springs, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Services include event design and production, general sessions, awards ceremonies, entertainment, day activities, registration and transportation.
recent noteworthy events Highlights this year have included events that stormed a beach with hydroplane vehicles and transported 1,600 guests in luxury cars. “We are redefining destination management in southern California,” management says.
DESTINATION NASHVILLE
Nashville, Tenn.
top officer Rhonda L. Marko, CMP, DMCP
phone 615/851-9190
Web site www.destinationnashville.com
average number of events handled per year 1,250
annual revenue from DMC services $7.25 million
capabilities “Music City” experts and the preferred vendor for giant Gaylord Opryland Resort, this DMC operates two offices in Nashville offering “total” destination management services, specializing in customized events, transportation and tours.
recent noteworthy events Focusing on the meetings and convention industry, big events for Destination Nashville this year have included the “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.
DESTINATION ST. LOUIS
St. Louis
top officer Julie Greenspoon-Kelly
phone 314/727-2400
CLICK HERE! Web site www.destinationstlouis.com
average number of events handled per year 500 to 600
annual revenue from DMC services $4 million to $5 million
capabilities The largest purchaser of leased transportation in the metro St. Louis area, this DMC specializes in the upscale special event market and is the exclusive preferred DMC at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, the Renaissance Grand & Suites, and the Westin St. Louis.
recent noteworthy events Busy this year with transportation for State Farm Figure Skating Championships; transportation and events for Medicine Shoppe meeting; and events and transportation for 10,000 attendees of PartyLite Gifts.
IVI DESTINATION MANAGEMENT
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
top officer Jose-Manuel Garcia
phone +52 998 887 1578
Web site www.ivi-mexico.com
average number of events handled per year 200 plus
annual revenue from DMC services $10 million plus
capabilities In business since 1986 offering DMC services in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama; management takes pride in its ISO 9001:2000 certification.
MAC MEETINGS AND EVENTS
St. Louis
top officer Pat Schaumann, CSEP, CMP, DMCP
phone 314/421-2005
CLICK HERE! Web site www.macmeetings.com
average number of events handled per year 1,000 plus
annual revenue from DMC services $5 million
capabilities The second oldest DMC in North America, the company says with pride, MAC's strengths are ground transportation, event management, mobile marketing management, and Web-based technology capabilities, management says. Last year, MAC's employees won “Best Innovative Event” and “Best Recreational Activity” honors from ADME while president Pat Schaumann received the first-ever “DMC Professional of the Year” award.
recent noteworthy events Highlights of the year have included work on the launch of Macy's Midwest, the NFL 2006 draft, the Red Hat Society convention, and arranging transportation and airport arrivals/departures for FAA events in St. Louis.
MANA, ALLISON & ASSOCIATES
San Francisco
top officers Glenn Allison, Dave Mana
phone 415/474-2266
Web site www.mana-allison.com
average number of events handled per year 300 to 350
annual revenue from DMC services $8.5 million
capabilities Services offered include special event design, production and management, wine country and Monterey/Carmel (Calif.) events, dine-arounds, sightseeing excursions, golf, team-building, airport meet-and-greets, charter transportation, and hospitality desk and staffing.
recent noteworthy events Events this year have included parties for 3,000 guests on an aircraft carrier. Specialty is showing off the treasures of the San Francisco Bay area, from the city to Napa Valley wine country.
ME PRODUCTIONS
Pembroke Park, Fla.
top officer Hal Etkin, CEO; Jim Etkin, president
phone 954/458-4000
Web site www.meproductions.com
average number of events handled per year 600
annual revenue from DMC services $5 million
capabilities In business more than 25 years, ME specializes in national and international corporate events, business theater, staging, audiovisual, music and entertainment.
recent noteworthy events Event roster this year has included annual International Association of Airport Duty-Free Stores show, Miami Heat basketball team Family Festival, Furniture Fashion Show and multi-day event at the Hilton Daytona Beach resort for a publicly traded health-care company.
METROCONNECTIONS
Minneapolis
top officer Sam Thompson
phone 612/333-8687
CLICK HERE! Web site www.metroconnections.com
average number of events handled per year 1,000
annual revenue from DMC services $10 million
capabilities Three divisions — event production, conference services, and transportation and tours — each overseen by one of the company's owners, are combined in one strategic group. Company owns a 35,000-square-foot event production facility including a prop and set warehouse. The conference services department offers Web-based online registration, logistical planning and management, while the transportation and tours department provides shuttle service and award-winning tours.
recent noteworthy events Noteworthy events this year include 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; a big Halloween event for Town & Country Club, including 14 outdoor haunted scenes; a MASH-themed event for a prominent airline's sales staff of 250 people; and continued event planning and brand themed events for Target Corp., which named Metro “Supplier of the Year.”
OVATION GROUP
Dublin, Ireland
top officers Patrick Delaney, CMM; Pàdraic Gilligan
phone +00 353 1 2802641
CLICK HERE! Web site www.ovation.ie
average number of events handled per year 135
annual revenue from DMC services $10 million
capabilities With offices in Dublin and Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ovation offers destination, conference and event management and holds the “dominant position” in the DMC marketplace in Ireland, management says. Along with technical skills, company prides itself on its people skills: “We know many weird and wonderful people! A key element of success for any DMC is to know interesting people who, in turn, can open doors to unique experiences.”
recent noteworthy events Ovation has been busy this year consolidating its position as one of Europe's leading event and destination management companies, operating events in Boston, Berlin, Athens, Rome and Dubrovnik in addition to work throughout Ireland. Highlights have included a private performance by Carole King on a Mediterranean cruise, the EORNA Congress, which brought more than 4,000 intensive-care nurses to Dublin, and a SITE Crystal Award-winning event for SONY themed around “The Da Vinci Code.”
SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE PLANNERS
Scottsdale, Ariz.
top officer James Lammy
phone 480/443-3505
CLICK HERE! Web site www.swcp.net
average number of events handled per year 200 plus
annual revenue from DMC services $8 million to $10 million
capabilities Company will be celebrating “20 years of destination management excellence” in 2007, management says.
recent noteworthy events SWCP produced DMC services for seven consecutive meetings encompassing five different resorts with an average of 700 guests per wave. The team-building activity was a bike-building event with the bikes subsequently donated to a local charity with personalized notes from the team that constructed each bike.
TBA GLOBAL EVENTS
Los Angeles
top officer Robert Geddes
phone 818/226-2800
CLICK HERE! Web site www.tbaglobal.com/destination
average number of events handled per year 1,000
annual revenue from DMC services $35 million to $55 million
capabilities With locations throughout the U.S. and in western Canada, TBA offers program design and management, site inspection and venue selection, decor, entertainment, themed events, dine-arounds, meet-and-greets, customized excursions and tours, team-building and transportation management.
recent noteworthy events In 2006, TBA provided DMC services for events including the BISYS Leaders Summit, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation National Race for the Cure, IBM PartnerWorld and Cendant.
TERRAMAR GROUPS AND INCENTIVES
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
top officer Kimberly Clapham
phone +52 624 142 9200
CLICK HERE! Web site www.terramardestinations.com
average number of events handled per year 150
annual revenue from DMC services $12 million
capabilities Capabilities include serving the Los Cabos and Baja California Sur areas with multilingual staff and creative events, stage management, dinner cruises, team-building, amenities and gifts, spouse programs, weddings and wellness programs.
recent noteworthy events Company points with pride to its “Baja Outback” tour — an eco-adventure.
THE ARRANGERS
Denver
top officer Nicole Marsh, CMP, DMCP
phone 303/623-1492
CLICK HERE! Web site www.arrangers.com
average number of events handled per year 140 to 160
annual revenue from DMC services $4.5 million to $5 million
capabilities The Arrangers takes advantage of Colorado's breadth of experiences: “We excel at switching modes from one event to the next — formal galas to rustic ranches, limos to motorcoaches, sporting events to team-building, all within a week, days or sometimes even minutes,” management says.
recent noteworthy events Programs this year included a rodeo for 2,800 convention attendees, a Latin Fusion casino night for 1,200, a “Cultural Colorado” event for 3,300 using the Galleria outdoor space at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, a concert at historic Red Rocks amphitheatre for 2,800, and a dinner and receptions for 800 that took over the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
THE BEST OF BOSTON
Waltham, Mass.
top officer Jonathan Danforth
phone 781/487-0500
CLICK HERE! Web site www.bestboston.com
average number of events handled per year 900
annual revenue from DMC services $6.5 million
capabilities Company is ready to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2007, offering event design plus meeting, tour and transportation programs.
recent noteworthy events The Best of Boston helped a corporate client celebrate with an event for 8,000 guests at Boston's City Hall Plaza.
THE MEETING MANAGER
San Diego
top officers Terry Hanks, Fabienne Hanks
phone 619/275-0181
Web site www.themeetingmanager.com
average number of events handled per year 300 plus
annual revenue from DMC services $11 million plus
capabilities In business for 28 years, TMM offers expertise in handling events ranging from city-wide programs with 18,000 attendees to exclusive, 20-guest VIP events.
recent noteworthy events This year's event roster has included coordinating city-wide shuttle logistics for more than 18,000 attendees at 24 hotels for the American Thoracic Society's Annual Conference; throwing an exclusive “Dinner with a View” party atop a private penthouse in San Diego for an international automotive company's board; and transforming the parking lot of the La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta, Calif., into an authentic 1950s drive-in movie theater complete with jumbo screen and custom cars for guests to dine in.
ULTIMATE VENTURES
Dallas
top officers Laurie Sprouse, CMP, DMCP; Val Lennington, CSEP, CMP, DMCP
phone 972/732-8433
Web site www.ultimateventures.com
average number of events handled per year 120 to 150
annual revenue from DMC services $4.5 million
capabilities Offering expertise in special events, transportation, team-building and customized sightseeing tours, UV “features more industry certifications — including five DMCPs — than any other DMC in Texas,” management says.
recent noteworthy events Highlights of a busy year include converting a hotel exhibit hall into a contemporary garden environment filled with engaging art, music and decor for 1,200 guests from a top automotive company; managing a logistically challenging transportation program for 2,000 people that grew from two to six hotels and by more than $300,000 in revenue within three weeks; and transforming a hotel ballroom into six completely unique elegant settings for simultaneous regional awards presentations.
USA HOSTS DESTINATION SERVICES
Las Vegas
top officer Jim Germain
phone 702/798-0000
CLICK HERE! Web site www.usahosts.com
average number of events handled per year 1,000
annual revenue from DMC services $30 million
capabilities Founded in 1958, USA Hosts owns and operates 11 offices in the U.S. offering custom services for events, incentive group travel, corporate meetings and conventions. (See also the USA Hosts Performance Alliance Partners listing, page 36.)
recent noteworthy events Thanks to its blend of creativity, technical skill and experience, USA promises clients “the best party you've ever had.”
All statistics are supplied by the companies listed unless otherwise noted. Special Events Magazine figures are based on interviews by staff, industry experts and market research. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, errors and omissions sometimes occur. All figures are in U.S. dollars.
A GROUP TOUR
Many DMCs band together in systems that range from networks to formal franchise systems; here are some of the biggest players:
DMC NETWORK
Alliance of independently owned and operated DMCs; requires compliance program to ensure customer satisfaction; offers geographic exclusivity; requires annual member fee.
Raleigh, N.C.
top officer Wendy W. Scott
phone 919/954-8123
Web site www.dmcnetwork.com
DMCs in system 27
areas served North America
events handled per year 3,000 plus
annual systemwide revenue $115 million
GLOBAL EVENTS PARTNERS
Partnership of independently owned and operated DMCs; requires performance standard; requires branding; offers geographic exclusivity; offers exposure to potential clients; requires monthly marketing fee and incentives on volume.
Washington
top officer Chris White
phone 202/775-5800
Web site www.globaleventspartners.com
DMCs in system 71
areas served Worldwide
events handled per year 250-300 per DMC
annual systemwide revenue $5 million to $40 million per DMC
PRA DESTINATION MANAGEMENT
Franchise system offering standardized business tools and systems, centralized proprietary DMC software to ensure consistency in delivery to client in each destination. In addition, offers single point of contact for RFPs in more than 35 destinations.
Carlsbad, Calif.
top officer Laura Rednour
phone 760/496-0540
Web site www.pra.com
DMCs in system 18
areas served California, Seattle, Las Vegas, Arizona, Texas, Chicago, Southeast U.S., New York
events handled per year 1,300 to 1,500
annual systemwide revenue $45 million to $50 million
THE CONTACT DMC GROUP
On the brink of celebrating its 30th anniversary, this sales and marketing consortium of independent DMCs offers referral services.
La Jolla, Calif.
top officer Lex Lyon, DMCP
phone 800/648-4709
CLICK HERE! Web site www.contactdmcgroup.com
DMCs in system 21
areas served U.S. and Canada
events handled per year 3,500
annual systemwide revenue $70 million
TRAVEL CONTACTS LTD.
Marketing network; offers referrals and networking among DMCs; requires annual membership fee; screens potential DMC members and monitors client feedback; offers geographic exclusivity.
Malta
top officer Janet Caruana
phone +44 845 230 6566
Web site www.travelcontacts.com
DMCs in system 90 plus
areas served Worldwide
events handled per year 1,000 plus
annual systemwide revenue $150 million plus
USA HOSTS PERFORMANCE ALLIANCE
System of 10 company-owned DMCs plus 16 North American and 14 international partner offices. Offers free referrals and geographic exclusivity; requires fees/commissions to cover marketing/administrative costs; offers branding and promotional support; requires performance standards.
New Orleans
top officer Terrence J. Epton, DMCP, CITE (chief executive officer, USA Hosts Ltd.); Serena Malancon, alliance partner liaison
phone 800/368-4678
Web site www.usahosts.com/performance_alliance
DMCs in system 24 companies serving 40 destinations
areas served North America
events handled per year 2,600 plus
annual systemwide revenue $250 million plus
