World, National, Regional, and Other Organizations - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 90

rst of ce (in Dutch, Vereniging voor Vreendenverkeer, abbreviated VVV) was founded in the
small city of Valkenburg in the province of Limburg in 1885. It was meant to promote the city and
to assist tourists. It is the predecessor of today's local tourist of ces all over The Netherlands,
which are still called VVV.

City Convention and Visitors Bureaus

A is a not-for-pro t umbrella organization that represents a city

or urban area in the solicitation and servicing of all types of travelers to that city or area, whether
they visit for business, pleasure, or both. It is also frequently called a destination management
organization (DMO) or destination marketing organization. It is the single entity that brings
together the interests of city government, trade and civic associations, and individual

convention and visitors bureau

'' travel

suppliers ''— hotels, motels, restaurants, attractions, local transportation — in building outside

visitor traf c to the area.
Urban tourism is an increasingly important source of income and employment in most metropoli-
tan areas, and therefore it warrants a coordinated and concerted effort to make it grow. This growth is
best nurtured by the role a convention and visitors bureau can play in continually improving the scope
and caliber of services the city provides to corporate and association meeting planners, to individual
business travelers, and to leisure travelers.
The bureau is the city is liaison between potential visitors to the area and the businesses that will

host them when they come. It acts as an information clearinghouse, convention management
consultant, and promotional agency for the city and often as a catalyst for urban development and
renewal.
Typical services offered to meeting planners include orientation to the city, a liaison between
suppliers and meeting planners, and meeting management. The meetings and conventions market is
huge. The Convention Industry Council estimates that meetings and conventions are a $263 billion-
per-year industry (see Chapter 6).

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Destination Marketing Association International

Most of the city convention and visitors bureaus belong to the Destination Marketing

Association International (DMAI),2025MStreet,NW,Suite500,Washington,D.C.20036.

This group was founded in 1914 as the International Association of Convention Bureaus to
promote sound professional practices in the solicitation and servicing of meetings and conven-
tions. In 1974, the words '

increasing involvement in the promotion of tourism. In August 2005, the organization changed
its name to Destination Marketing Association International to clarify what members do (i.e.,
destination marketing).
Since its inception, the association has taken a strong position of leadership in the travel
industry. The organization has more than 2,800 members in over 650 city destination manage-
ment organizations in more than 30 countries. DMAI provides its members with numerous
opportunities for professional dialogue and exchange of industry data on convention-holding
organizations.
The DMAI Meeting Information Network (MINT) is the world

'' and Visitor '' were added to IACB ' snametore ect most bureaus

is leading meetings and convention
database, tracking historical and future records on more than 20,000 meeting pro les of
associations and corporations. The database provides marketing and sales direction to thousands
of convention and visitor bureaus, hotels and motels, and other convention industry suppliers. Visit
www.empowermint.com .
To encourage exchange between its members, DMAI holds an annual convention, organizes annual
educational seminars leading to certi cates in sales or bureau operations, organizes topical workshops
and seminars, makes regular studies of convention industry trends, maintains a consulting service,
and provides its members with government and industry liaison services. Visit its Web site at www
.destinationmarketing.org .

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