A Guide to Hiring Your Next Destination Management Company
Everybody has that one friend that knows all the right people. Are you looking for a fun, new restaurant in town? No problem! Not only do they have one for you, but you may get free drinks if you drop their name at the door.
Destination Management Companies (DMCs) serve as that friend for companies and non-profit organizations – only they book your venue, handle hotel accommodations, and make sure you get to and from your event safely. Is your team looking for something to do after a convention, tradeshow, or meeting? Sure thing! Your DMC has a network of premiere venues that offer top tier entertainment, ensuring you and your guests have a VIP experience tailored to your liking. Their job is to coordinate an experience you’ll never forget!
What is a DMC?
A team of local consultants that handle your destination planning, providing your organization with a customized experience while traveling. They manage all of the logistics: flights, hotels, transportation, entertainment, events, conventions logistics, etc.
One of the greatest advantages of using a DMC is that they provide you with one point of contact to communicate with; saving you time and potential headaches down the road. They have established relationships all around town, making sure you get the best treatment within your budget.
When do I need a DMC?
Whenever you travel as a corporate entity. Destination management companies give you access to rates and experiences you wouldn’t have otherwise. No matter the size of your business, there are advantages that can be gained by using a management service for your next trip.
Individual businesses may not have the resources in-house to manage their own destination planning for an upcoming trip so using a DMC is an easy way to delegate the work while staying on budget. DMCs leverage relationships with vendors to negotiate pricing on your behalf to make sure you get the best service for the best price. Larger businesses may be able to use these relationships to lock-in bulk/wholesale rates.
Still not sure if you need a DMC? Let’s chat! Call us at 407.456.7369 for your free consultation.
What benefits come with using a Destination Management Company?
There is no finite list of benefits that come with destination planning because every client carries a different set of needs. Even if you use the same DMC year after year, they should be constantly competing against themselves to make each year more and more memorable.
Here’s a short list of common benefits people receive from using a DMC:
Single Point of Contact: This means you don’t have to waste time tracking down different vendors whenever there is an issue.
Vendor Management: You get access to their list of preferred vendors, getting you vetted professionals at better rates.
Logistics Management: From arrival to departure, your entire trip is coordinated for your organization.
Schedule Planning: They create a timeline for all of your events, making sure you arrive safe and on time.
Event Planning: This is where the DMC has the greatest opportunity to show their worth to the client, by planning an event everybody will be talking about until the following year!
Venue Selection: In-depth knowledge about the venues available at your destination takes out the guesswork and provides you with the perfect location for your specific needs.
What makes AEG the right management company for me?
We take pride in our ability to serve our clients with an unparalleled quality of service. No matter the size of your business, or what industry you’re in, you can trust that your expectations will be exceeded. Our goal is to always “wow” our clients by providing them with unique and exciting experiences.
Click here to see how we wowed our friends at Embraer for the unveiling of their new jet!
Given our strength in event planning, we best serve clients that are traveling to host an event in addition to attending a trade show or convention. One of the trickiest parts of event planning is managing timelines and schedules. When we have the opportunity to manage the entire trip, our clients end up getting the better end of both deals. Our clients receive rates that are more competitive and sometimes heavily discounted when we’re able to book vendors for their travel AND event.
How can you make the most out of our destination planning experience?
Like all things in life, the more time allowed for planning saves money and guarantees vendor availability. Destination Management Companies are responsible for giving you the best experience possible within your budget. The more time they have to make that happen, the better the results are going to be.
For the past five years, we’ve been fortunate enough to serve the MOPAR Masters Guild on their trip to the National Automotive Dealers Convention. They bring 120 of their members to a different city every year for the convention. Being able to plan a year in advance has been essential in saving them money and ensuring that all of their members can stay in the same hotel.
For more information on how we work with MOPAR year after year, check out the case study here!
No two destination planning companies are the same.
We encourage you to do your homework when hiring any vendor, but especially when hiring a management company to oversee an entire business trip. Since they’re vetting the professional services you’ll be using, you want to make sure they have your best interest in mind and that they’re taking the time to understand your needs on a deeper level.
We offer free consultations for any business interested in finding out if destination planning is right for them. Get in touch by filling out the form on this page or call us at 407.456.7369 to see how our team can make your company’s event in 2020 more memorable than ever!
