FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
[email protected]
1.202.835.4202

Washington, D.C., USA (November 9, 2021) – Today, members of Destinations International’s Large Market Roundtable hosted a discussion on new destination booking agreement guidelines at a media roundtable during IMEX America in Las Vegas, NV.

The Large Market Roundtable is comprised of large market destination representatives on the association’s Convention Sales and Services Committee. The group has been leading the conversation for the need for convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and business events strategists to work together to have accountability for the booking of meetings and events since IMEX America in 2019.

“The need for CVBs and business events strategists to come together to create best practices for destination booking agreement guidelines has been an ongoing conversation for our industry,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “Our Large Market Roundtable has taken the lead on this thought leadership, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with our industry partners throughout 2022 and beyond to work on this topic together.”

“As chair of the Large Market Roundtable, our focus has been establishing mutually agreeable terms to protect both destination and event strategist,” said Melissa A. Riley, vice president, convention sales and services, Destination DC and chair of the Destinations International Large Market Roundtable. The new standards will help us all continue to strengthen the meetings and events industry as we focus on the positive economic impact they bring to our respective destinations.”

The media event was opened up by Erik Evjen, director of data analytics and insights at Tourism Economics and the speakers included:

• Dustin Arnheim, senior vice president of sales and customer experience, Visit Baltimore
• Maria Grasso, senior vice president, convention division, Philadelphia CVB
• Daren Kingi, senior vice president of sales, Visit Indy
• Melissa A. Riley, vice president, convention sales and services, Destination DC

The Destinations International Large Market Roundtable is a sub-committee of the Convention Sales and Services Committee. The roundtable members include:

• Atlanta CVB
• Choose Chicago
• Destination Vancouver
• Destination DC
• Destination Toronto
• Explore St. Louis
• Greater Boston CVB
• Greater Miami CVB
• Houston First Corporation
• Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
• Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
• Louisville Tourism
• Minneapolis CVB
• Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
• New Orleans & Company
• NYC & Company
• Philadelphia CVB
• San Diego Tourism Authority
• San Francisco Travel Association
• Tourism Montreal/Greater Montreal Convention & Tourism Bureau
• Visit Anaheim
• Visit Austin
• Visit Baltimore
• VISIT DENVER
• Visit Indy
• Visit Orlando
• Visit Phoenix
• Visit Salt Lake
• Visit San Antonio
• Visit Seattle
• VisitDallas

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About Destinations International:
Destinations International (formerly Destination Marketing Association International) is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with more than 4,700 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.