If you are on the lookout for a DMC or a destination management company,you must be looking to find some kind of professional service that cater to all your needs, while planning a destination event. A destination management company should be in a position to manage all.
Starting from hotel accommodation, transportation, travel and excursions, food and beverage, planning conferences and special events, additional support if any, a DMC is the know it all and do it all for your requirements. When you find a company, see that they cater to all the above-mentioned requirements, before you hire them.
Tips to look for in a Reputed DMC
Planning an event in an unfamiliar location is mighty difficult for you without the help of a destination management company. They would have all the expertise and the knowledge about the local surroundings so that they can plan the event successfully. They would bring local flavours to the events, plan the logistics successfully and satisfy the needs of the conference/event successfully.
Here are some tips for understanding the destination management company’s (DMC) expertise before you take the plunge in selecting them.
- Find out whether they have thoroughbred professionals as a team because freelancers are no good for the work.
- The DMC should have a basic level of knowledge so that they would have some membership to a consortium.
- To understand their potential how well they can serve your needs and also how they have catered to a big group.
- Whether their staff are DMC professionals
- Whether they have handled an emergency in any event successfully.
You need to make your destination event the most successful. Share all related information with them so that they can also impart their best and make the event a booming success!
How to Find the Best Destination Management Company
If you are looking for the prized destination management company, it is not only for sightseeing or touring the country. It is also meant for setting up the best memorable event, conference, meetings or for that matter weddings and parties of repute. Planning such an event is never as easy as 123. Therefore, the expertise of a destination management company comes in handy.
- Experience
The experience factor always counts while choosing any kind of service. Local DMCs in a country will always have service providers and vendors with a full-fledged experience about the services. Choose companies that have experienced professionals with them who can cater to every need in handling an event successfully.
- Checking the Company Credentials
Before hiring any company for a business deal it is imperative to check the credentials of the company. In case of choosing a good destination management company, this point stands valid. The company should bear all the important credentials and licenses. If you are looking to find a Destination Management Company in Dubai, for instance, you have to ask them for both the business license as well as the operator license which is issued by the government. This will help you to understand their trustworthiness and whether you can proceed in a business liaison with them.
- Local Companies Vs International Companies
As mentioned earlier, locally owned companies will always carry an extra edge over internationally acclaimed ones. That’s because local companies know the nitty-gritties of a place and they know the local businesses in and out. They can easily cater to every requirement of yours while setting up an event and do that equally successfully. International companies, with branch offices in the location would not be able to help as much. Personalized and customized problem solving can only come from local based endeavours.
- Services
The services that a good destination management company offers you is most important. Check the boxes for all the services mentioned below before choosing a DMC. The services should include:
- Transportation
- Online ticket booking services
- Visa services
- Hotel accommodation
- Meet and Greet events
- Excursions or tours
- Venue booking for meetings
- Managing events and seminars/conferences
When a DMC is managing a plethora of services, well enough for you, there is no looking back. You are surely at the right place and your event should be the stellar occasion.
- Company Portfolio
You have to be sure of the company’s capacity to deliver the best services. You can go through their portfolio. This should include testimonials or certificates of their previous events. Photographs on the website are not the only proofs you can rely on. Always check out their photos and videos thoroughly to know they are the best for you. When a DMC has managed an event for lesser number of people you can never trust them with working for a troop of people. So always enquire and place your destination event in the best of hands. You will never regret your decision.
- References
It is most important to know the destination management company you are looking to hire, inside out. Testimonials are proofs of their past work and you can find them on the relevant websites. Going through them is important but it also necessary, if possible, to call and have a word with the companies they have served. The companies will be happy to share their opinion and help you out. You may ask them about how the event was carried out and whether they had dealt with any emergency issues and if so, how successfully was it done. You may also check the reviews for the DMC that is provided online.
- In house Services
A good destination management company always has in house services run by thoroughbred professionals. However, you need to check the DMC whether they only have services from a third vendor or some in house services to offer. You can save a lot if the company offers in house professional services mostly. If they are associated with third party vendors, they should be reliable and professional ones.
- Team of Professionals
Get to know the team of professionals you would be working with in the event. You have to keep a note of the third-party vendors who will be assisting you with the works of the event. A trustworthy DMC would have the most thoroughbred professionals on their team and they would be tied up with professional vendors. Check out your team before you sign up with a destination management company.
Conclusion
So, you have to look at the above-mentioned criteria if you are looking to find the best destination management company for your event or conference. You need to know your requirements fully well and then check list on all the points you need to look for in a DMC. When your visions are sorted out and you know what you want for the company you can surely find the right people to help you make your destination event a grand affair!