Virtually. Rather than accepting defeat to social distancing and isolation, destination management companies (DMCs) are ramping up and shifting gears. Top DMCs are utilizing their time working from home to develop and deploy creative solutions that virtually connect and engage the meetings and events industry with their respective destinations. From Africa to the Americas, Global DMC Partners (GDP) is proud to share the following partner updates from its worldwide network of independently owned DMCs:

District Experience, a Global DMC Partner serving Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Baltimore, is hosting “Wine Online,” a virtual networking event where event professionals can gather together over a glass of wine, or their own beverage of choice, to chat and network among industry peers.

“While webinars on educational information and how to maintain business are important, we wanted to create a different kind of community space where peers can distract their minds, even for just an hour of the day,” said District Experience Managing Director Lori Chalk. “Wine Online is a great way to virtually network and exchange contacts with future partners or clients and, hopefully, to do business with them in the future.”
Destination Concepts, A Global DMC Partner in Southern California, has created a custom Spotify playlist for its clients with upbeat music to enjoy while working from home. Additionally, the San Diego-based DMC has ramped up its email marketing and social media efforts with destination imagery and past events while transitioning its previously scheduled presentations to Skype.

The Winners Group, A Global DMC Partner serving South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia, has taken a human-to-human approach to the current situation. Rather than sending emails, the team is voice calling clients to check in and find out how they are doing. Instead of talking about the virus, conversations are focused on fun and uplifting stories.
This South African-based DMC is also taking this time to relaunch its social media presence with more videos. Its new “This is Us” series highlights not only team members but also the culture of their nation. Content includes personal stories on what makes the team love what they do as well as what they love about South Africa.

TAM, A Global DMC Partner in Costa Rica, has also launched a new social media campaign #WeWillTravelAgain. The team is sharing photos of the country and ‘Pura Vida’ life, along with recipes of ‘typically Tico’ dishes that can be prepared at home as well as video and audio from national parks and forests so that planners can experience the country virtually.

Havas Creative Tours, A Global DMC Partner in Brazil, is also working on destination training webinars for its clients. In addition, this Rio de Janeiro-based DMC is planning virtual site inspections for events this fall. The first will be a general video of the DMC team visiting the hotels and venues, and the second will include live video from the selected sites.