First in Illinois to Achieve International Destination Marketing Accreditation
The
Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau (WCNCB), the official destination
marketing organization of Chicago’s northwest metro area, announced
today that it is among an elite group of convention bureaus worldwide, and the
first convention bureau in Illinois, to earn the prestigious
Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) designation. DMAP is an international accreditation
program developed by the Washington, DC based Destination Marketing Association International
(DMAI).
“The
Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau is honored to be among the small
group of destination marketing organizations worldwide to achieve the
Destination Marketing Accreditation,” said Fran Bolson, President of the WCNCB. “We are delighted to be recognized for
providing exceptional service in accordance with international standards and
benchmarks in this field. Our stakeholders and customers can be assured that
our outstanding marketing programs and attention to detail assures them of an
incomparable business or leisure experience.”
In earning
the DMAP accreditation, the WCNCB communicates to its stakeholders and visitors
that their organization is committed to industry excellence by demonstrating
compliance in 54 mandatory and 33 voluntary standards in 16 core competencies
including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor
services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management,
destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation, and
stakeholder relationships.
“I need to
give credit to the State of Illinois Local Tourism Grant
Program which has always maintained high standards in many of these
same areas. Their program gave us a head
start as we pursued our international accreditation”, adds Bolson. “This opportunity came at a very important
time for our bureau as we enter into our 25th year.”
“By
applying for and receiving DMAP accreditation, the WCNCB has demonstrated a commitment to quality programs and services,
said Barry Biggar, CDME, DMAP Board Chair. “Earning DMAP accreditation tells
the northwest Chicagoland community and all potential visitors that the WCNCB
has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well placed
and their business in good hands.”
The
Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau, established in 1983, is a
destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Chicagoland’s
northwest metro area for meetings, conventions, and tourism. The region is one
of Midwest’s most dynamic with world-class
choices for lodging, shopping and entertainment representing over $1 Billion in
visitor spending annually.
DMAP is an
independent international accreditation body and a leader in defining quality
and performance issues in destination marketing. For additional information on DMAP visit
www.destinationmarketing.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Fran Bolson, CDME
President
Woodfield
Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau
1430 North Meacham Road, Suite 1400
Schaumburg, IL 60173
P: 1-847-490-1010
F:
1-847-490-1212
Email: Fbolson@chicagonorthwest.com
