What is the Value of World of DMCs Membership?

We are often asked what is the value of joining a professional network such as World of DMCs. After all, it’s not free, and when we are watching every penny, we really do need to see ROI in one way or another for every outgoing.

For less than the cost of a daily cup of fancy coffee, your inbound DMC specialising in group & incentive travel could be a member of one of the longest established destination management company networks in the industry.

Who we are

World of DMCs was launched in 2007 by a small group of destination management specialists to help expand their marketing reach, and to join together to ensure that participation in key trade shows was affordable.

All members of World of DMCs are established, reputable, experienced destination management companies working in the group and incentive market, inbound into their respective destinations.

As we only accept one member per destination, World of DMCs offers total exclusivity.

Structure

A 7-person Board of Directors is elected every two years to oversee the day-to-day management of the network, with a President heading up the activities. These are voluntary roles. An Executive Director is retained on a consultancy basis to manage all activities and communications.

Marketing Support

Many of our DMC members are small agencies with limited resources. Marketing support offered by World of DMCs includes a dedicated page on the managed website www.world-of-dmcs.com and promotion of the network and its members via key social media accounts, notably Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Monthly newsletters reached over 3,500 verified buyers of group and incentive travel, pre-covid, and this list is gradually being re-verified and rebuilt since the reopening of the skies once more. Newsletters will be launched again after the summer season, and will keep the trade and interested parties updated with member and destination news.

There is also a managed public group on Facebook, to bring industry professionals together – free and open for anyone in the industry to join (search AskaDMC)

Trade Shows

World of DMCs exhibits at IMEX Frankfurt and IBTM Barcelona, with between 8 and 20 members participating in person. The stand is managed by the network’s executive director, and all participating members have a dedicated space in which to conduct their meetings, and manage their individual diaries. Why participate with World of DMCs, and not your country stand? Exclusivity! Do you really want your competitor DMCs overhearing every meeting you hold with potential travel partners? No! For sure not! World of DMCs is also often cheaper than participating in the country stands!

The executive director has also attended CONFEX London and World Travel Market on behalf of members.

Networking

World of DMCs members benefit from participation in a WhatsApp group for the exchange of information and news, as well as a private Facebook group for members and their team only. Communication between members is encouraged, facilitated by the executive director.

Member dinners are arranged during each of the trade shows attended – and members who are participating on other stands are also able to join, to meet their fellow World of DMCers.

An annual AGM is held during IMEX Frankfurt, open for all members to participate, with a new Board of Directors elected every 2 years.

Importance of Membership

Membership in a professional trade association was, at one time, a prerequisite for being taken seriously in your industry. Without that ‘membership badge’, you simply did not belong to the ‘club’. For those involved in incentive and group travel, destination management and conference organisation, it is no different. World of DMCs is recognised as a professional network, and its members as professionals in their own right. A rigorous admission process is undertaken prior to welcoming a new member – and those who do not meet the required standards are simply not granted membership.

Participation

Membership of an association is not just about adding logos to your email signature or printed collateral, it is about the exchange of ideas, networking with peers and setting industry standards. Memberships can also offer extensive opportunities for further education, improving skills and brushing up on knowledge, and perhaps negotiated rates for services such as publication subscriptions and advertising opportunities. Such opportunities are always passed onto members when they occur.

Of course, to benefit from membership of any network, you have to be active within that network. To join, pay your dues, and forget about it until the next annual invoice appears is simply a waste of time and money. If you have made the effort to join, then surely it is worth your time to participate, read the newsletters, respond to the enquiries and get to know your fellow members? Even if you do not have the time or budget to attend the monthly or annual events and conferences, it costs nothing to check into the website, communicate with fellow members, and keep abreast of news and insights provided by the hardworking team managing the network.

ROI

Annual membership costs LESS THAN a daily cup of coffee from your favourite speciality coffee shop.

For that, you get a dedicated executive director to manage the website, create blogs and newsletters, information relevant to your audience shared across the key social media platforms on a DAILY basis, website leads, industry news & updates, two in-person networking opportunities each year and potential for subsidized participation at the industry’s two main trade shows.

In conclusion, we are a friendly, professional bunch who would love to welcome you into the family. Are you ready to join?