How destination marketing organizations drive results for event planners
When the stakes are high and every detail counts, planners know the real magic of an event doesn’t just happen; it’s built on the strength of the team behind it. With budgets under pressure, logistics growing more complex and attendee expectations soaring, having a partner who knows the lay of the land can make all the difference.
Enter destination marketing organizations (DMOs). These local pros aren’t just pointing out landmarks on a map—they’re opening doors and connecting planners with resources that save time and money.
A recent Smart Meetings survey shows just how much planners rely on these partnerships. From sourcing unique venues to handling last-minute curveballs, DMOs have become the behind-the-scenes champions that help events shine.
The Headlines
92% of meeting planners reach out to DMOs always or sometimes when planning events.- DMOs are valued most for sourcing venues, activations and transportation, navigating restrictions and managing local logistics, but they can help smooth the planning all along the way.
- Planners cite DMOs as critical partners in times of disruption, offering flexibility and community connections. But they can also help avoid conflicts before they happen when treated as a true partner.
- Services offered at no cost to planners include destination tours, local vendor sourcing (including sustainable, diverse and available vendors) and the ability to offer real-time expertise about conditions on the ground.
- From CSR activations to civic coordination and security measures, DMOs consistently deliver strategic wins.
Why DMOs Matter Now More Than Ever
2025 has challenged meeting professionals in ways many had not anticipated at this time last year. Many are still adjusting to changing conditions within their organizations and the global economy. In May, we asked event organizers about the biggest challenges they are facing and found that budgets were the top concern for 86% of respondents. Concern may be an understatement when plane tickets increased an average of 8% and eggs increased 41% in the last year, according to the U.S. Labor Department Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Geopolitical uncertainty (48%) also topped the list. More than 63% said political events such as restrictions, social unrest, economic crises and political instability “somewhat or frequently influenced their decision” on where to hold a meeting. An outright 14% said they avoid politically unstable destinations, and 11% said they paid no attention to political events when sourcing.
The most pressing concerns were safety in the face of protests, riots or unrest (79%); visa or travel policy changes (36%); economic uncertainty affecting local services (26%); and negative media coverage of instability (23%).
A Helping Hand
DMOs are the local experts poised to help find solutions to complexities such as sourcing transportation, off-site venues and civic coordination. They can sometimes offset costs by surfacing local resources and sharing marketing materials. They are often the first stop, even before RFPs are sent, making the process more streamlined and easier to manage—and often uncovering exciting new venue and activation partners the planner might not have otherwise considered. Some can even set up information booths at an event to help with local tips or act as backup at a registration table.
The deep knowledge and connections of local DMOs account for the prevalence of partnerships formed with visiting groups. The majority of respondents (51%) said they sometimes work with local CVBs, and 41% said they always do so.
That helping hand took many forms for the meeting professionals who responded. Sourcing (36%) was the biggest boost, but introductions to local vendors, nonprofits and experts were also a valuable assist for 32% of those who answered. Advisory role, accessing financial resources and managing safety concerns rounded out the top five. JoAnn Zeisig, CEO of Elevation Event Management, shared that CVBs are a wealth of information for the local area and provide insight about hidden gems, rebates, discounts, what’s coming soon—and what is closing. They assist with vendors, coordinating site visits and event communication with properties. “I utilize the CVB in every town because they always help in making events great,” she said.
Erin Hobson, vice president of education and events with the Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association, said she always works with the local DMO for sourcing because they have the local expertise about off-site venues that fit the event’s objectives. “They helped guide me to the best options for my needs, provided me with vendor recommendations for other services needed on site and made the process of solidifying these vendors so much faster and easier,” she said.
Read Smart Meetings’ full white paper on the importance of DMOs here.
This article appears in the September 2025 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
