Value of meetings. Last week Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall, U.S. Chief of Protocol, convened the inaugural Global Chiefs of Protocol Conference at the U.S. Department of State that drew more than 100 officials from 77 countries to hone their craft of protocol – from planning international summits and working with media to the intricacies of giving official gifts and engaging the diplomatic corps.
The ambitious agenda included a session on international meetings and conferences, during which Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) addressed the value of working with official destination marketing organizations for successful meetings and events.
Deputy Secretary of State Tom Nides noted in his welcoming comments, “I assure you cannot overstate the importance of face-to-face meetings. Looking someone in the eye, shaking their hand, taking their measure. These things really matter.” Ambassador Marshall called these traditionally inconspicuous officials “hosts of history,” and encouraged them through the learning sessions to use “every tool in the diplomatic tool box” to plan successful events.
During the International Meetings and Conferences Plenary, moderator David Adler called upon DMAI’s Chief Operating Officer Victoria Isley to talk about the importance of connecting with local experts in planning major meetings and events. Isley encouraged protocol officials to “consider destination marketing organizations (DMOs, also known as convention and visitor bureaus or tourism offices around the world) as one of your tools in your diplomatic tool box. These destination experts can help you in the earliest stages of site selection – from conference space, hotel and special event venues to connecting with local authorities and adding local flavor and culture to your events. You can make one call to an official DMO that will save you 20 phone calls later.”
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) advocates for the professionalism, effectiveness, and significance of destination marketing organizations worldwide. Representing over 600 destination marketing organizations (DMOs), DMAI’s membership includes more than 3,300 DMO professionals, students, educators, and industry vendors and partners in over 20 countries.
