DMAI Convention Is Largest Yet
Rachelle Crum -- Tradeshow Week, 8/7/2006
Destination Marketing Assn. Intl. had a lot to celebrate in Austin, Texas, last month.
The group held its largest convention in 92 years at the Hilton Austin July 19–22, attracting more than 1,200 attendees from nearly 300 destinations in 10 countries. More than 70 companies participated as business partners. The group's 2005 meeting in San Diego held the previous attendance record of 1,121.
DMAI President and CEO Michael Gehrisch said he expected the meeting to generate more than $2.5 million in direct expenditures to Austin's local economy. The association's Foundation Golf Tournament raised $50,000.
During the meeting, DMAI made several announcements:
- Don Freeman, chairman and CEO of Freeman, was selected as 2007 Spirit of Hospitality Award Honoree.
- An international office will open in Brussels, Belgium, through a new alliance with SmithBucklin and MCI.
- Futures Study will be the beneficiary of the association's annual giving campaign.
DMAI also plans to open an office in Asia in late 2007 or early 2008, Gehrisch said.
Also during the meeting, the group lauded Jon Hutchison, DMAI outgoing chairman and managing director of the Sydney (Australia) Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Sherrif Karamat, chief partner relations officer for the Professional Convention Management Assn., said that, in working with DMAI, Hutchison "brings a whole new meaning to Thomas Friedman's book 'The World is Flat.'"
On the last day of the meeting, DMAI installed Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO William Talbert as chairman.
While Austin was in the industry spotlight, White Lodging Services announced plans to develop the city's largest-ever hotel project: a 1,000-room, $185 million complex two blocks from the Austin Convention Center. It is slated to feature a 650-room Marriott, 200-room Renaissance Hotel and 150-suite Springhill Suites by Marriott.
Scheduled to open in the summer of 2009, the project will include approximately 50,000 square feet of meeting space.
White Lodging this month is opening two other Marriott properties adjacent to the convention center: a 270-room Courtyard and a 179-suite Residence Inn by Marriott.
