Economics Draw Attendees to DMAI
Lisa Plummer -- Tradeshow Week, 7/31/2008 2:53:00 PM
The Destination Marketing Assn. Intl. conference is an essential event for industry members now more than ever, according to a number of exhibitors and attendees. The 94th annual conference, geared toward destination marketing professionals, took place July 28-30 at Caesars Palace, and meeting organizers said it experienced “record-breaking” attendance.
Despite industry adversity in the form of high travel costs and a challenging economy, DMAI attendance was up 200 from last year, with approximately 1,300 attendees. There were bustling conference sessions and an active tradeshow floor, called the Business Exchange, with more than 100 booths, spanning 10,500 square feet of exhibit space.
Could higher attendance have anything to do with the allure of Las Vegas? Partly, according to DMAI President Michael Gehrisch. Just as important, Gehrisch said, was the fact industry professionals are seeking support in tough economic times and information and ideas to attract more visitors to their respective destinations.
“Like virtually every other person, DMOs are concerned about the cost of travel,” he added. “We’re pleased to see that this concern has not impacted attendance at our conference… The record number for this registration speaks for itself.”
Gehrisch also said the show typically rotates throughout the country to accommodate its 625-plus membership. DMAI last took place in Las Vegas in 1999.
Leonard Hoops, executive vice president of sales and marketing at the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, agreed that the increase in attendance is a result of both Las Vegas appeal and the importance of a conference in an industry facing a challenging future.
“I’d say (attending the conference is) probably more important in years like this than in other years when things are going swimmingly,” Hoops said. “It’s more important than ever that we find out what the issues are and how people are addressing them.”
On the tradeshow floor, exhibiting companies ranging from online travel companies and industry associations to exhibition organizers and publishing companies appeared to have steady foot traffic.
Rick Cain, TNS Travel & Leisure senior vice president of segment lead, said the conference seemed busier than last year when it was in Pittsburgh.
“I think people will come to this conference no matter where it is,” he added.
Although Cain said that his company was on the fence about exhibiting next year because of increasing costs, Mark Mamber, vice president of advertising sales at Virtual Tourist, said DMAI was the best fit for his company, and he would definitely be at the show again in 2009.
“I don't know if this is as much about the destination as it is about all these industry people getting together,” Mamber said.
Frank O’Brien, executive director of the Wheeling (W.V.) Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he too believed the increase in member participation had more to do with the value of the conference than the appeal of the destination. But, he added, experiencing Las Vegas firsthand was a worthwhile opportunity.
“Vegas is a completely different animal,” O’Brien said. “This truly is a market that understands that it is driven by tourism.”
Next year, DMAI will take place July 29-31 in Atlanta.
