Destinations International and PCMA enter joint venture for ‘Destination Showcase’

Destinations International and PCMA have announced a joint venture for Destination Showcase, an annual event connecting business events organizers with CVBs (convention and visitors bureaus) to drive successful meetings and events.

Destination Showcase has been an important programme by Destinations International and is North America’s only one-day event that connects meeting planners with CVBs so they can better understand how CVBs are the key to making meetings and events successful. This new joint venture with PCMA will further enhance Destination Showcase’s impact to meeting planners and destination organizations.

“This joint venture with PCMA will truly elevate the value of Destination Showcase for the planner community and our destination organization members,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. “We are thrilled about this new element of collaboration with our long-time partner as it will further Destinations International’s work in communicating the extensive services that our members provide to meeting planners throughout their event planning process.”

“This partnership fulfills a vision of bringing together the education PCMA is known for delivering with the important commerce opportunities Destinations International provides,” said Sherrif Karamat, PCMA President and CEO. “We have had a history of collaboration, so this is a natural evolution of our relationship. Plus, Washington, D.C., where Destinations International is based and Destination Showcase is held, is a global headquarters for many associations and corporations, and is the ideal platform for business events organizers and suppliers to engage.”

“As partners in the meeting planning process, CVBs connect the destination’s unique attributes to elevate the event experience, source local thought leaders, and help evaluate a meeting’s economic impact and success,” said William Pate, Destinations International Board Chair and President and CEO of Atlanta CVB.

“This joint venture is a great opportunity for PCMA to continue bringing its industry-leading education program to a broader audience to showcase the power business events have on global economic and social transformation. It also provides us with an opportunity to work with two outstanding entities — Destinations International and Destination Showcase,” said Greg O’Dell, PCMA Chairman.

Destination Showcase 2020 will have exciting new elements; However, a major redesign for broader audience engagement and innovation in the marketplace will not take place until 2021.

Destinations International is a global community of over 5,000 professionals from nearly 600 destinations around the world. Its mission is to empower members so that their destinations excel.

Founded in 1957, PCMA is a global network of business events professionals who demonstrate how meeting face-to-face can drive economic and social progress. The Chicago-based organization provides products and services to support professional and personal development.

Destinations Showcase