Palais des Congress de Montreal

Following last year’s major reorganization under new President and CEO Don Welsh, Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) is making another significant overhaul. Welsh and DMAI Chairman Gary C. Sherwin, CDME, have announced that the leading association for destination marketers will soon go by another name.

This July, DMAI will debut its new name: Destinations International. The change will coincide with the organization’s Annual Convention, which will be held in Montreal. The rebranding process took eight months and involved collaboration with Miles Partnership, feedback from stakeholders and in-depth operational analysis.

“This collaborative process, and ultimately our new brand, reflect the broader dimension of our organization,” says Sherwin.  “We are fundamentally changing the way in which we operate, and that begins with consistent engagement with our members.”

“We realize we are a trade organization, not a marketing organization.  Our members are the marketers.  This is exactly why we felt the need to rebrand the organization,” says Welsh.

Welsh emphasizes that this change isn’t superficial. It represents a monumental shift in the way the association works for its members. “Our efforts go far beyond a sharp new logo and a new name,” Welsh explains. “Together with our members and partners, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and excelling tourism to its highest potential.”

Destinations International’s strategic goals will remain the same as they were under the DMAI brand. Despite the branding overhaul, the organization’s goals continue to effectively address the needs of destination marketing organizations (DMOs). DMAI’s goals include becoming the most recognized advocate for the DMO industry; creating partnerships that benefit DMOs; provide professional development resources for members; and expanding DMAI’s international reach.

DMAI’s Annual Convention, one of the top events for destination marketing professionals, will begin accepting registrations on March 24. The event will be held at Palais des Congress de Montreal, a downtown Montreal convention center.

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