If you’re planning on working with a DMC for your next business destination, you’re making a smart choice that will save you time and effort, plus allow you take advantage of resources you didn’t know were available. What you need to know is that not all DMCs are created equal. This is one profession that you can’t just click on the first company that comes up in your online search. Fortunately, the experts have a few friendly tips for choosing a DMC that you know is worth partnering with.

Seek Referrals

For starters, ask around for referrals and recommendations. The local convention center and nearby hotels should have recommendations for you, and you can reach out to DMCs you worked with in the past. What you should find is two or three consistent DMC companies popping up, giving you the names you need to contact. You can also speak with other companies that have worked with the DMCs to see how their destination planning was handled.

Ask Questions

You should also take your search to the next level and speak with the referrals. Don’t just take the referrals for granted, but check them out yourself. For example, you can give the supplier a quick phone call and see if the DMC is organized, professional and easy to work with. DMCs should have positive relationships with outside suppliers in order to give you the best services possible.

Are They Associated?

Second, when you’ve narrowed down your search, check to see whether the DMCs are involved in an association marketplace. DMCs can live up to their expectations when they have a strong industry involvement and recognize what the current issues are. After all, the association market is far different from the corporate market, and it’s essential that DMCs understand the differences in these relationships.

In addition to checking with the DMCs industry involvement, you can also check for membership of a particular association. The DMC should at least be a member of the Association of Destination Marketing Executives (ADME), but there are other associations as well that the DMC may be members of. There is also a new designation and exam test that can be taken called the DMCP designation, which adds to the credibility of the DMC.

Check Insurance

Third, make sure that you request a certificate of insurance, as adequate insurance coverage is essential in today’s market. Also look for other factors of importance such as how long the DMC company has been in business, how many staff members are part of the company and what the cancellation policy is. You can also do a test run with the DMC by assigning them a small part of your destination planning. This will allow you to compare several different DMC companies and see their creative outlets, as well as their pricing structure.

Remember that most importantly, finding the right fit takes time and patience. Once you find the right DMC to partner with, you will have all the burdens of destination planning lifted from you, allowing you to focus on your core business values, while leaving the business trips to a successful DMC.

Image Source: globaltraveler.com

Over the years, New Orleans, Louisiana has earned a reputation as a party destination, thanks to its indulgent parades, its raucous nightlife, and its casinos. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing in the Big Easy for young visitors. Children and teens who accompany their parents to N’awlins can find lots of kid-friendly attractions to keep them happily occupied during their trip. Here’s a look at some of the activities and attractions for young visitors in New Orleans.

• Audubon Zoo – Zoos are great places for kids and the Audubon Zoo is no exception. Home to hundreds of animals from multiple species, this 58-acre wildlife preserve features white tigers, monkeys, sea lions, white alligators, and elephants – plenty to keep the little ones entertained!
• Audubon Aquarium – Over 15,000 undersea specimens are on display at this aquarium located on the Mississippi River. Children will love the shark pool, where they can touch baby sharks, and the Amazon Rainforest exhibit, with its live anacondas and exotic birds.
• Louisiana Children’s Museum – Need to burn off some childhood energy? Take the little ones to this multi-story interactive museum with exhibits for kids of all ages. Some of the permanent exhibits include “Bubbles”, which allows children to stand inside of large bubbles, “Art Trek”, which gives them a chance to create their own artistic masterpieces, and “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood”, a life-sized version of the classic PBS show set.
• The French Quarter – Think the French Quarter is only for those over 21? Think again! This lively downtown district has lots of excitement for children. Book a horse and carriage tour through the streets of the city or walk down Royal Street and let the kids enjoy performances by clowns and street musicians.
• City Park – New Orleans’ version of Central Park, City Park is home to several attractions, including the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Sculpture Gardens, Storyland, the Botanical Gardens, and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
• Mardi Gras World – Kids can get Mardi Gras fever by visiting this facility, the biggest parade float manufacturer in the world. Inside, children can dress up in traditional Mardi Gras costumes, enjoy king cake, learn about the festival’s history, and watch a video presentation about New Orleans’ biggest party.

Image c/o: Linda Duchaine

If your company frequently has annual meetings or conferences in out-of-town locations, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the process of planning such a large gathering in a new place. Between searching for a suitable hotel, finding an appropriate meeting hall, researching the destination city, and arranging entertainment and food for thousands of employees, the task of planning your own annual conference can be daunting. This is particularly true for medium and large-sized corporations that may have thousands of employees. How can you get assistance to prepare for a successful conference?

The short answer is by using a DMC, a destination management company. DMCs are a relatively new industry, getting their start during the corporate growth periods of the 1970s and 1980s, but they have already cemented their place in the modern workplace environment. They do deep research about the destination city, help to arrange reservations for meeting space, work to arrange airfare for attendees, and can even provide childcare arrangements for business travelers who want to bring their families along. All of this assistance makes it possible for employers to focus on the central part of the trip – planning the actual meeting agenda.

While DMCs as a whole offer invaluable services, there are some that provide better quality work than others. It’s worth the time to do your homework before deciding whether to hire a DMC and selecting which agency you will hire to work with your company.

• Analyze your company’s budget. If you’re operating on a tight financial rein for your conference, decide if you have the room in your budget to hire a DMC. If so, take the time to compare prices and services.
• Consider the destination city. If your meeting is being held a short distance away from your company headquarters, you may not need the services of a DMC to research the area. But, if you’re going out of the state or to a completely new city, a DMC may well be worth the money.
• Look at the size of your planned conference. A small meeting of less than 50 may not need the same level of service that a large conference of 1,000 may require.
• Check the DMC’s reputation. Ask about other companies the DMC has worked with and look for recommendations from other corporate employers. Find out if the DMC has corporate insurance to cover any potential issues.
• Try out the services. Hire several DMCs when you get ready to take a trip to the convention city. Have one work on finding a meeting place, another work on the airfare arrangements, and then another to plan for local entertainment. Make your final decision based on the results.

Image c/o: boellstiftung

New Orleans, Louisiana is famous for its annual Mardi Gras celebration, complete with its parades, parade floats, and marching bands. The name Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in French and the week-long event is held as a final indulgence before Ash Wednesday, when Catholics around the world begin Lent, a 40-day fasting period before Easter. Despite Mardi Gras’ religious background, people of all faiths and beliefs flock to the Big Easy for this extravagant party each year.

One of the biggest aspects of Mardi Gras is the multiple parades that run through New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. Parades generally feature live music, automobiles, and, of course, giant parade floats. A growing trend among New Orleans companies is the idea of organizing their own Mardi Gras parade for their business. Since there is no “right” way to have a Mardi Gras parade, business owners can incorporate the suggestions of their employees when deciding how to plan their celebration.

Since many parades include marching bands, employers can contact local high school band directors to inquire about having a band lead the parade in their full uniforms. While many of the show-stopping floats in New Orleans are made by local manufacturer, Kern Studios, corporations that want to plan their own company Mardi Gras parade can commission a professional float designer to produce a traditional float. Often, classic Mardi Gras floats feature the colors purple, green, and gold, accompanied by jester faces, beads, and a brightly painted scene on the sides.

It’s also a great idea to decide who from the company will ride on the float. Small businesses may be able to include everyone in the festivities, while larger companies might need to draw names to select participants. Since nearly 60 “krewes” or parade groups participate in Mardi Gras each year, you might want to select a day during the festival that doesn’t have a lot of planned parades. Ask the police department for an official escort and for a map of the city so that you can plan your parade route. Do this as far in advance as possible to avoid missing an available spot in the schedule.

With a little ingenuity and planning, you and your employees can have a classic Mardi Gras parade that will advertise your business to the city and improve company morale.

Image c/o: Chasqui (Luis Tamayo)

If you’re planning a youth trip, why not host the event in the most interesting city in America: New Orleans! DMCs such as Accent DMC can help you arrange your youth trip and plan for exciting activities, guest speakers and teambuilding efforts. If you do decide to work with Accent DMC, you’ll be partnering with a New Orleans-based company that knows all the ins of the city.

Although youth trips are common amongst churches and organizations, it can be difficult to brainstorm fun, unique ideas that everyone will love. Since your group will be coming together, don’t skip out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Here are some of the fun ideas that can accompany your youth trip to New Orleans:

• Learn about animals at the Audubon Zoo and see rare species such as Bengal tigers and a Komodo dragon.
• Take a swamp tour that will put the group up close and personal with the alligators, while being one with the environment.
• Art lovers will enjoy the Ogden Museum of Southern Art that is jam packed with paintings, photography, ceramics and sculptures by Southern artists.
• Kids that love thrilling adventures will enjoy a haunted tour, viewing the “cities of the dead” and visiting New Orleans voodoo shops.
• You can’t come to New Orleans without visiting Mardi Gras World; a unique attraction that shows how Mardi Gras is made up each year, as well as Mardi Gras floats and sculptures.
• Take a two hour boat ride on the Steamboat Natchez Mississippi Tour and enjoy a Creole lunch.
• Enjoy a relaxing tour of the Garden District where youth can see historic homes and test out their own photography skills.
• Kids love dancing, so let your youth group discover the roots of jazz, bluegrass and zedeco styles of music at a live music festival.
• `Roll up your sleeves and get cooking with a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Gumbo, Creole and other Cajun dishes are highlights here.
• Visit the African American Museum and learn about the culture and heritage through masks, musical instruments and other valuable artifacts.
• History buffs will love learning about WWII at the National WWII Museum that showcases portraits of the men and women who served in the war.

Before choosing one or more activities that your youth group will enjoy, remember to consider the ages of the group, their interests, your timeline and budget. With the scenic history that New Orleans offers, it’s easy to spend a weekend in this grand city without spending much. Working with a DMC will help you get the best rates and access to the most interesting tours that will bring everyone together.

Image: Jjarivera

If you’re planning on hosting a corporate event in New Orleans, you’ve chosen a dynamic location that has the perfect balance of entertainment and cultural history. New Orleans is a popular choice to host corporate events, as the warm climate makes travel easy, and the tourist-friendly community caters to visitors. Not to mention, it’s easy to host your event any time of the day, while allowing corporate employees to catch some fun of their own later on. Most companies welcome the opportunity to learn about the culture of New Orleans, as well by paying a visit to such historic landmarks as the French Quarter.

To make your corporate event all the more interesting, you’ll need to have some creative ideas set aside for the special date. Since New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in America, there’s almost always something going on. To align your corporate event with what’s going on in the city, it’s best to work with a DMC like Accent DMC. This team of DMCs knows what events are going on and which ones can elaborate on your event. Knowing all the details of the city, you can pick the best time to host a corporate event.

Here are a few examples of corporate event ideas for your New Orleans event:

Pitching horseshoes for some competitive fun

Listening to live music at a music festival that features a collection of jazz, reggae and blues

Taking a tour of the city or places within the city such as the Garden District, French Quarter or cemeteries

For a spooky good time, taking part in a haunted history tour that travels to haunted places and cemeteries

Riverboat rides and classy dinners off the Mississippi River

A cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking

Finding your spiritual side by visiting a tarot card reader or fortune teller

Visiting the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium

Taking a swamp tour and seeing alligators up close

Exploring your creative side with a New Orleans School of Glass Blowing class

DMCs like Accent DMC can also arrange for guest speakers to speak at your corporate event to make the day more interesting. Depending on the needs of your business and what goals you hope to accomplish, DMCs will be best able to align the vision of your company with the interests of your employees. Teambuilding activities can be hosted around the meetings, providing ample opportunities for your team to come together in a fun, relaxing environment that fosters creativity and passion.

Start planning your New Orleans corporate event today!

Image: accent-dmc.com

There are very few destinations that can combine Old World elegance with down, home Southern hospitality. New Orleans is one such place, so why not give your group the royal treatment?

Imagine this:

You greet your guests with champagne as they walk through the first floor of a historic New Orleans antique gallery. Along the way, a jazz trio plays while guests admire aisle after aisle of glass cases stocked with some of the world’s finest jewelry, china and diminutive antique items.

The evening gets even more appetizing as hand passed hors d’ oeuvres and “Royal-tinis” (a specialty cocktail created exclusively for the event) flow freely and abundantly. The gallery staff then gathers the group and talks briefly about the gallery’s history and some of its most famous pieces including silver crafted by Paul Revere, a pink diamond ring valued at over $1 million and numerous original paintings by some of the most famous artists that ever lived.

Guests are mingling among the rarities as they sample local fare when the doors open to a band that then leads the group through the Impressionist Gallery to the Toulouse Gallery where a bar and fresh seafood display in a pirogue (a Cajun canoe) offers an exquisite presentation. Guests ogle the stunning art on the walls including an original by Monet.

The final transition, again led by the band, takes guests upstairs to the French and English Galleries where they are greeted by another bar, heavy food stations, and artfully displayed desserts.

Creating memorable New Orleans events

This is no dream, it’s New Orleans. And this one-of-a-kind “insider” experience can only take place here! And it’s the kind of experience we specialize in creating for our clients as part of our event management services .

If you would like to enjoy an event like this one during your next conference or meeting in New Orleans, contact our staff today and we’ll help turn your ideas into a reality!

For decades, the Mercedes-Benz brand has been synonymous with luxury. And after six years and $336 million in renovations and upgrades, so is the Louisiana Superdome which was recently renamed The Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This is the first naming rights deal in the U.S. for the luxury auto maker and also for the legendary New Orleans sports and exhibition stadium.

Photo from NOLA.com

The transformation, which began after Hurricane Katrina, is turning the iconic building into one of the most modern stadiums in the country. Among the notable improvements are:

• Significant enhancements were made to the plaza concourse and ADA seating was added plus new concession locations, restrooms, and VIP club lounges were added as were 16 luxury box suites.
• The Superdome’s new permanent LED lighting system is yet another attraction that is increasing downtown New Orleans’ visibility as a vibrant sports and entertainment district. It certainly illuminates the New Orleans skyline!
• Champions Square, a 120,000 plus square foot outdoor festival venue adjacent to the Superdome has instantly become one of the city’s most popular entertainment destinations for corporate events, festivals, and concerts. The Square has also become “the” place for thousands of Saints fans who gather there prior to each home game.

In next few years, the Superdome will play host to several first-class events including the 2012 Men’s Final Four and BCS Championship Game and the 2013 Super Bowl.

If you are considering hosting a conference, meeting or event in New Orleans in conjunction with an upcoming sporting event, we invite you to give us a call today to find out how a local New Orleans based destination management company  can help you create a unique and memorable event.

Corporate voluntourism is volunteer travel by companies to help a charitable cause. This idea is relatively new in the corporate world and takes on the form of small, mini travels where participants contribute such assistance as cleanup efforts and medical aid. Any company can take part in corporate voluntourism, as the common goal is to do something good for someone else, while having the opportunity to vacation.

Corporate voluntourism may also focus on sustainability, targeting areas to promote a sustainable lifestyle, eco-friendly choices and responsible actions that are most beneficial to the world we share. Although corporate voluntourism has a short history and has only been around since the 1990s, it’s an idea that many companies are starting to consider in order to boost their image and create a stronger presence in the market.

So why should your company care about corporate voluntourism?

For starters, it’s important to look at the world that we live in; one that is becoming more socially responsible and aware of the difficulties that people face on a global level. Thanks to modern-day technology, the internet makes it possible to connect with causes all over the world. If there is a natural disaster in another country for example, the footage and international travel makes it feel as if it happened next door. With a large-scale approach toward volunteering, more people are looking for meaningful ways to help others and find a purpose in life.

By offering corporate voluntourism opportunities, corporate employees are able to align their personal and business goals. When appealing to the right market, companies don’t mind fronting the cost of the ‘vacation’, as the money goes to a charitable cause, while participants are able to have some fun in the process.

Furthermore, corporate voluntourism is a booming industry, especially as companies are looking to integrate their business activities with a social cause. In some cases, the end result is a partnership with a non-profit organization that enhances the do-good image of the company and enables them to continuously take part in efforts around the world. Companies also don’t mind the added brand-building and media attention that can come out of the process.

If your company is interested in corporate voluntourism but isn’t sure where to start, consider working with a DMC network such as Accent DMC. Operating out of New Orleans, Accent DMC provides arrangements to companies who want to give back to the community. With a focus on New Orleans’ local nonprofits, Accent DMC can arrange for your company to engage in team-building activities, bond with colleagues and give back to the community.

Image: expatdailynews.com

Professional event planners know how to put on great parties, concerts, and conferences for their clients. While these specialists are highly trained professionals, there are basic secrets of event planning that anyone can use to promote an upcoming event, wedding, or party. Most of these tips require advance preparation on the part of the event planner, but using these suggestions can make the event go smoothly without the stress of a last-minute rush.

• Serve convenience foods at the event. Since parties, conferences, and receptions generally run long, it’s a good idea to serve foods that can be served at room temperature. This will help you to avoid reheating overcooked dishes throughout the evening. Finger foods are great to serve at large gatherings, since they’re small, relatively mess-free, and easy to carry.
• Think about the accessibility needs of your guests. If the facility has more than one story, there should be an elevator for disabled or elderly individuals. Are the emergency exits clearly marked? Is there more than one direct exit from the meeting room?
• Prepare for a larger guest list than the one you originally received. While it may be good manners to RSVP beforehand, most people do not and they may arrive at the workshop or the conference with their attendance fee in hand, ready to enter. Technically, companies have the right to refuse entry to people who don’t reserve their seats, but few do, so you may want to add extra seating for last-minute attendees. This is especially true at social functions such as banquets, awards ceremonies, and most of all, weddings.
• Plan for necessary functions. Bathrooms and working sinks are so vital to everyday life, it’s easy to forget them when planning a large event. But if the meeting place doesn’t have sufficient restroom facilities and running water, you’ll be sure to hear about it from your catering staff and your guests. Tour the venue beforehand and establish your seating arrangement so that guests can easily access the bathrooms.
• Don’t forget the weather forecast! This suggestion affects outdoor events in particular such as wedding receptions or company picnics, but It’s a factor in every large gathering. Be prepared for inclement weather by setting up a coat and umbrella space near the entrance and providing disposable rain ponchos for guests as necessary.

Image c/o: Northeast Indiana