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Expo 2020 is a World Expo, or World Fair, to be hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, opening on October 20, 2020 and lasting for six months. The Bureau International des Expositions general assembly in Paris awarded Dubai as the host for the Expo 2020 on November 27, 2013.

This will be the first Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, which is one of the many reasons why it will be counted as one of the most important in exposition history.

Set to welcome more than 200 participating countries, each with their own pavilion, and millions of visitors from around the world, the theme for Expo 2020 Dubai is

Connecting Minds, Creating the Future

Each of the participating countries will have its own pavilion for visitors to explore.  These are currently under construction, and will introduce visitors to scientific innovations, cultural experiences, futuristic ideas and a wealth of other exciting themes.

Dubai and the UAE are gearing up to welcome visitors from around the world to this historical world fair, with efficient infrastructure, smooth transportation opportunities and well-trained guides and hosts of all nationalities.   The opportunities for individuals and groups to visit the Expo, and explore the United Arab Emirates at the same time are immense.

Gulf Circle Tours, DMC UAE, has been appointed as an official, authorised Ticket Reseller for Expo 2020, and is working with international partners to provide visitors from all corners of the world with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience including all ground handling, hotels, and of course entry tickets for Expo 2020.

Gulf Circle Tours will be attending IBTM Barcelona (Stand N68) ready to answer any questions about the UAE and Expo 2020 for groups and incentives – so don’t miss out!  Make your appointment via the IBTM website today, or contact Gulf Circle Tours with any direct enquiries.

World of DMCs welcomes new member for Thailand

Path DMC Thailand has joined the network of more than 40 destination management companies that make up World of DMCs.

World of DMCs is a global network of DMCs & destination management companies focused on inbound group travel, meetings & conferences, & incentive travel.

Path Destination management has over 10 years’ experience in development, design and management of in-country experiences, based in Thailand.  The experienced professional team creates high value, authentic group travel and incentive experiences through commitment, sustainability and responsibility for customers from partners around the world. The group is managed by a team of experienced travel and development professionals who work alongside local communities to ensure that all programmes not only match the product needs and requirements of partners and customers, but also focus on long-term sustainable development.

Path is one of Thailand’s largest responsible travel operators managing around 2,000 trips each year in Thailand and beyond.

Dan Moore, Managing Director Path DMC Destination Management summarises his approach to the business of travel management in the following statement:

“Path’s commitment to great customer service means that I can regularly be found out in the field on reconnaissance trips, connecting with local communities.  My passion for travel means that I love researching new opportunities, and I want to have 100% confidence in the product, location or activity before promoting it to partners.  Moreover I feel compelled to go through every detail with a prospective new supplier. I always like to ask tons of questions and this first-hand knowledge is invaluable when promoting it later to partners or potential partners, but just as importantly it may lead to improvements or new opportunities.  This hand-on approach pays dividends and adds an incredible amount of value to what we do.”

For more information on Path DMC Thailand, visit www.pathdmc.com

World of DMCs, and World of DMCs members are using several hashtags (#) consistently across all social media platforms, making it easy to find any information that has been posted on member destinations and companies.

Hashtags are used extensively on Instagram, but did you know that they also work on other platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn?

When used correctly and consistently, hashtags enable your information to be located quickly and easily.  Of course, the hashtags should be relevant to your business or the information posted, but using a variety of different ones can also increase the reach of your messaging.

A word of warning, though:  do not use too many, or irrelevant hashtags, or you will quickly become known as a ‘spam’ marketeer, and we do not want that particular label!

For easy reference, World of DMCs unique hashtags are #worldofdmcs and #AskaDmc.

We also frequently use #eventprofs #dmcprofs and #incentivetravel.

For country-specific searches, use (for example) #DMCarmenia (#DMC*country*).

We hope this helps you to locate the information we share on social media platforms, as well as that shared by our member DMCs.

Note: World of DMCs is an international network of destination management companies specialising in in-bound group and incentive travel.  Our members will not be the cheapest choice – but when professionalism and expertise really count, you can absolutely count on them.  A DMC will make the successful execution of a group or incentive trip overseas so much easier, and will act as your eyes and ears on the ground as well as your problem solver, should problems arise.

World of DMCs is a regular exhibitor at IBTM World, Barcelona.  Member DMCs will once again be participating in IBTM 2019 from 19-21 November on Stand N68.

IBTM World brings together buyers and sellers of international group and incentive travel from around the world.  World of DMCs members attending in 2019 include Armenia, Finland, Iceland, Morocco, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

For appointments with any of the World of DMCs members attending, please visit https://www.ibtmworld.com/en/Exhibitors/6323590/World-of-DMCs

You can also make an appointment with World of DMCs for general information, or enquiries about joining the World of DMCs network.  Or email us on info@world-of-dmcs.com for a directory of members, or membership information.

Après plusieurs années au Carrousel du Louvre, les salons du Groupe Réunir vont retrouver leurs premières amours en réinvestissant le prestigieux Palais Brongniart !

Changement de lieu, changement de look et changement de formule pour le 25e Salon Réunir et le 10e Salon Activ’Assistante : ils se dérouleront sur une journée, le jeudi 19 septembre 2019, et adopteront une toute nouvelle organisation.

Les Salons du Groupe Réunir gardent le meilleur et vous proposeront un événement plus fort, plus efficace et encore plus utile pour préparer vos manifestations professionnelles 2019-2020 !

World of DMCs will be present at Reunir September 19, 2019 in Paris, with members from Finland (Arctic Incentives); Germany (MR Congress); Poland (DMC Poland); United Kingdom (Interopa) and Vietnam (Refine Asia).  Appointments Diary open soon.

See you there!

In an ever-growing world of digital communications, deadlines and rising cost of business travel, justifying attendance at trade shows to the ‘money man’ can be challenging.  Explaining how much value you gain from attending, apart from simple sales leads, can be incomprehensible to someone who sees the world in simple ROI and dollars and cents.

Of course, everyone expects to see a return on investment for money spent on marketing and promotion, and every dollar needs to be justified and accounted for.  However, the ROI of attending a trade show should be calculated in far more than the money out/money in model.

Face to Face Meetings

The management of group and incentive travel is still a very personal affair.  Whereas holidays and individual trips can be booked online through a myriad of booking sites, the bespoke requirements of an incentive trip make this a virtual impossibility.  Trusting a group, no matter how small or large, to an unknown person or company is a risk, so recommendations and personal knowledge of those providing on-the-ground services are key.  Trade shows still provide the means to meet decision makers face-to-face, on both sides of the industry.  That is a great reason to send your best people to trade shows, not simply order takers or PR executives.

Stimulating Creativity

Attendance at trade shows introduces you to new ideas and perspectives.  Allowing time in your busy schedule to walk around and see what others are doing is key, even if you don’t have time to sit in on presentations and briefings.  Pick up marketing material, look at the different stands, see what is popular and which stands are attracting the most attention – it’s all contributing to your knowledge and understanding of the market and current business climate.

Ask Questions

Talk to the show organisers and your peers, find out what the business trends are; the newcomers and the no-shows.  Again, this all contributes to market knowledge. Simply being amongst your peers, your clients and your competition can give you a boost, stimulate creative juices and re-energise you, particularly if you often work remotely or in an isolated location.

The Network Advantage

Participating in a trade show with a network or professional association gives you access to the vast wealth of knowledge shared by your fellow members, their experiences and their networks.  Make the most of this time and get to know your colleagues, talk about industry challenges, operational ideas and the state of markets and business.  Broaden your knowledge of the world, the people and the industry.  Participating with a network also alleviates those potentially lonely evenings after the show, giving you like-minded people to meet with after the day’s activities, even if only for a drink.

You Get What You Give

The old adage ‘you only get out what you put in’ holds true with trade shows, and your pre-show preparation is as important as your post-show follow up.  Make sure your appointment diary is full with verified meetings; be prepared for those meetings; follow up as soon as possible after the show – but that is all part of trade show attendance.  The additional benefits you receive come from the effort you make during the trade show to learn as much as you can, talk to as many different people as possible, and gather new ideas and intelligence to help you move forward successfully in business.

Trade shows should be energising and invigorating, and not a chore to be endured.

Footnote

World of DMCs participates in IMEX Frankfurt and IBTM Barcelona every year, with between 12 and 20 members joining the stand each time.  Many more members exhibit on their country stands, or with other networks, but find the time to join our members dinners and meetings.  To be part of this network, reach out to info@world-of-dmcs.com and register your interest in joining.

May 2019:  World of DMCs members recently welcomed a new President and Board of Directors for a 2-year term, commencing 01 June 2019.

World of DMCs is a not-for-profit network of global destination management companies, whose activities are overseen by a President and Board of Directors appointed every 2 years.  World of DMCs members are established destination management companies representing 36 countries worldwide.

At the Annual General Meeting, held 20 May 2019 immediately before IMEX 2019 in Frankfurt, the outgoing President Johan Dorssemont, DMC Cuba – Cuba for Travel, welcomed the newly elected President Gaby Seikaly, DMC UAE- Gulf Circle Tours and two new Board Members.

(L-R:  Olivier Didonna; Chakib Bouzid, Amalia Stepanyan, Johan Dorssemont; kneeling: President Gaby Seikaly) 

On accepting the appointment, incoming President, Gaby Seikaly, said:

“World of DMCs has allowed Gulf Circle Tours, DMC UAE, to forge a new network of global partnership alliances as well as introducing multiple new business opportunities.  I am delighted to have been invited to become President of this prestigious network and look forward to further extending our services and connections to new DMC members as well as new business partners for the benefit of all our members”

The World of DMCs Board for 2019-2021 consists of :

President

Gaby Seikaly                      Gulf Circle Tours                          DMC UAE

Board Members

Amalia Stepanyan               Event Solutions Incentives           DMC Armenia

Johanna Schmikal               Imperial Connection                     DMC Austria

Johan Dorssemont              Cuba For Travel                           DMC Cuba

Olivier Didonna                   Boutique DMC                              DMC Iceland

Chakib Bouzid                    Across Morocco                             DMC Morocco

Retiring Board Member, Ola Pietras, DMC Poland, was thanked for her support and extensive activities during her lengthy term in office.

Board Members can be contacted via the network email address info@world-of-dmcs.com or via their respective destination management companies, available on the website.

As World of DMCs members gather this coming week in Frankfurt for IMEX, one of the major meetings and incentive trade show forums of the year, we will also be coming together as a network for our annual general meeting and a members’ dinner the eve before the show.

As someone who has spent years on the road, doing sales calls, trade shows and exhibitions for hotels, I know first-hand what a lonely life that can be.  Yes, you meet lots of people and can generally talk the hind legs off a donkey, but when everyone goes home at night, so do you.  Most often to sit in a hotel restaurant or hotel room, alone with your laptop.

One advantage of belonging to a network such as World of DMCs is the company you have when attending these trade shows.  Our members benefit from sharing their time with like-minded people; people with whom they can swap stories and ideas; people who understand them – and people they do not have to ‘sell’ to at the end of the day.  This is only one of the many advantages of belonging to a professional group or network such as World of DMCs.

Even if you do not attend the two or three trade shows we manage stands at every year, there are so many other ways to stay in touch with other members.  We use a private Facebook Group for members to share their ideas, problems, successes, and to ask questions; we have WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and of course Email.  You could also simply pick up the phone – or Skype.  Our members share their contact details for exactly this reason – to help each other, to support one another, and to simply exchange ideas.

Then there are the business reasons to join a network such as World of DMCs.  The self-managed page you get on our website; the social media marketing support; the database for regular network newsletters; advertising opportunities; editorial opportunities; group rates for attending smaller trade shows around the world; not to mention the advantage of using a recognised logo on your communications and collateral to identify you as a reputable DMC worthy of your client’s business!  We receive RFPs through the website, via email and through social media platforms that are forwarded directly to the DMC concerned. No commission taken, no involvement, just straight referrals, and on we go!  We also have our own stand at IMEX and IBTM, and this year joined CONFEX in London for the first time – all at reduced rates, subsidised by membership fees.

By accepting just one member per country (or US State), we avoid conflict and competition.  We ensure that our members are indeed reputable and professional before we accept their application – a process some complain about, as it involves a fair amount of paperwork, but in this way we are able to confidently recommend our DMC services worldwide, comfortable in the knowledge that professional standards are maintained by everyone.

World of DMCs is not focused on recruiting members to boost numbers, although of course we welcome new countries and new colleagues, rather on supporting the members we already have.

If you would like to know more, come and see me on the World of DMCs stand at IMEX 21-23 May 2019 (Frankfurt).  Stand D500.  Or just drop me a line, and I can explain all the many other benefits of belonging to our amazing network of professional destination marketing companies worldwide.

Oh, and don’t forget to sign up for our regular newsletter, and follow our social media platforms for up-to-date news and information from our members and their destinations.

See you at IMEX!

Caroline Tapken

Executive Director – World of DMCs

April 2019:  World of DMCs recently welcomed 4 new members – Caucasus Travel, Georgia; MR Congress & Incentive GmbH, Germany; Target Motivation, Italy; and Elite Travel & Tourism, Oman.

Caucasus Travel, Georgia, will be joining the World of DMCs team at IMEX 2019 in Frankfurt 21-23 May 2019 on Stand D500, along with members from Armenia, Cuba, Iceland, Morocco, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, UK & Ireland and Vietnam.

Incentive Travel is defined as a holiday arranged by the employer as a reward for performance achieved, or as a powerful motivational tool.  Research shows that a well-planned incentive trip yields high ROI in not only job performance but also in loyalty.  Well-rewarded employees stay longer and perform better.

The Millennials in the workforce value ‘experiences’, so the reward of a trip will likely motivate them more than a simple monetary bonus.  The trip, however, must be something they value; something they are unlikely to have access to by themselves.  This is why a good DMC (Destination Management Company) is an essential partner in any destination. Even in a well-frequented holiday destination, a good DMC will be able to arrange exciting experiences; experiences that are inaccessible on a holiday booked by individuals.  Value lies in unique experiences delivered in exciting ways, creative activities, and desirable locations.

Incentive travel is NOT a business trip for meetings.  Carefully planned, however, the time for networking, team building and unscheduled discussions will be invaluable to all involved.

When selecting your DMC partner, be sure to allow enough time for venues to be thoroughly researched and matched to your expectations; activities must be planned, and budgets carefully managed.  Your DMC partner can do everything ‘on the ground’ in your chosen location, from airport transfers to hotel bookings, event conception and creation, dining and excursions.

Every member of World of DMCs has a positive track record in group and incentive travel, and a professionally creative mindset.  So this is a great place to start when looking for your next destination partner!