BRADENTON, Fla. (April 18, 2011) – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, D.C., based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). The Bradenton Area CVB joins the ranks of 125 Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, in achieving recognition by DMAI’s DMAP. This most prestigious designation recognizes The Bradenton Area CVB’s outstanding efforts at meeting and/or exceeding industry standards regarding performance reporting to its stakeholders and branding of their destination to visitors.
“The Bradenton Area CVB is honored to receive this accreditation from DMAP,” said Elliott Falcione, executive director, Bradenton Area CVB. “We are very pleased to be recognized within the destination marketing community, and alongside other Florida CVBs and VISIT FLORIDA, for providing outstanding services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks in this field.”
“Congratulations to the Bradenton Area CVB for receiving their DMAP accreditation,” said James T. Wood, FCDME, incoming chair of DMAP and president & CEO of the Louisville CVB. “The DMAP process is a comprehensive review of a DMO’s business procedures and accountability. The Bradenton Area CVB has shown its dedication to continually providing customers with superior service and their commitment to accreditation clearly demonstrates the type of leadership they possess in their community and for their stakeholders.”
Approximately 1,400 DMOs operate around the world with 650 in the United States alone. But, only a small segment are honored with the DMAP designation, placing the Bradenton Area CVB among an elite industry group that values operational transparency and commitment to its brand, community and potential visitors.
In 2009, Florida tourism, the state’s largest industry, generated over $60.9 billion, according to VISIT FLORIDA Research. In 2010, The Bradenton Area CVB hosted an estimated 461,600 visitors, generating an economic impact of $471.9 million in Manatee County, Fla., according to The Klages Group, an agency providing scientific market research as contracted by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council.
About Bradenton Area CVB
The Bradenton Area CVB markets the assets of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch as a destination of choice to visitors worldwide utilizing an interactive mix of domestic and international advertising, public relations, marketing efforts. For more information, call (941) 729-9177, ext. 231 or visit www.AMILBK.com.
About DMAP
DMAP accreditation standards cover a wide variety of topics 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. DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and a leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing. 125 DMOs are now accredited. For additional information on DMAP, visit www.destinationmarketing.org.
-Bradenton Area CVB-
Media Contact: Gentry Baumline-Robinson
Hayworth Creative Public Relations
(386) 677-7000/gentry@hayworthcreative.com
Debbie Meihls, Executive Manager
BradentonArea
941-729-9177, ext. 232/debbie.meihls@mymanatee.org
