The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) announces its
collaboration with the Destination Marketing Association International
(DMAI) in the production of a new study, Destination 2020.
Providing
important industry best practices and performance benchmarking
guidelines, this new study will comprehensively review and address
current operational issues dramatically affecting convention-centric
destinations. Additionally, Destination 2020 will forecast the impact of
current convention center marketing issues and trends.
“To
stay competitive, convention center and expo managers are carefully
evaluating their options,” said Kevin T. Duvall, IAVM Sector Director,
Convention Centers and Exhibit Halls. “With current economic forces
severely affecting the convention center and exhibition hall industry,
new business models are emerging. This initiative will assist us in
being successful for the future.”
Michael D. Gehrisch, DMAI
President & CEO said that the study will be jointly conducted by
the DMAI’s Advocacy Committee and IAVM’ Industry Affairs Council.
Convention-centric DMOs (destinations with 200,000+ ft2 of convention
space and 3,000+ committable hotel rooms) are encouraged to participate
in the development of the study.
“As joint stakeholders,
venues and DMOs have worked together over the last decade producing Best
Practices: Convention Center Sales and Convention Center Operations in
2007,” said Dexter King, CFE, IAVM President and CEO. “Recent
discussions have set the stage for a joint IAVM/DMAI effort to further
collaborate on Destination 2020.”
More information will be
released in the coming months, with the study expected to be completed
and released during DMAI’s Annual Convention, July 20-21, 2011 in New
Orleans, La., USA, and IAVM’s VenueConnect, July 25-29, 2011 in Phoenix,
Ariz., USA.