VISIT MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST ACHIEVES INDUSTRY ACCREDITATION IN DESTINATION MARKETING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/17/16

Erin Kenna          
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast
228-388-2993
erin@gulfcoast.org

VISIT MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST ACHIEVES Industry Accreditation IN Destination Management and Marketing

Mississippi Gulf Coast – Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast was awarded accreditation with the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) seal by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), in recognition of the organization's commitment to industry excellence and exceeding the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination marketing organizations around the world.

The accreditation program requires a DMO to successfully comply with 94 mandatory and voluntary standards that span a variety of performance areas to gain this momentous achievement. The standards cover nearly all aspects related to the management and marketing of a DMO, including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research.

“DMAP accreditation requires DMOs like Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast to truly evaluate and define not only their policies and procedures, but also determine their guiding principles with the ultimate goal of building a sense of pride in within the community when a DMO exceeds the highest standards in the industry,” said Virginia J. Haley, CDME, DMAP Board Chair.

“DMAP accreditation is a differentiator, and Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast is excited to join the ranks of other DMOs dedicated to maintaining the utmost standards of the destination marketing world,” said Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast Executive Director Renee Areng.

“We are pleased to have Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast join our distinguished group. I look forward to their participation and influence as a part of the growing DMAP community,” added Don Welsh, President & CEO of DMAI.

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Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast is an organization charged with promoting South Mississippi as a tourism and convention destination worldwide. Its mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure, convention, sports and business visitors to the area. It is dedicated to maximizing the travel and tourism industry for South Mississippi.

Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) protects and advances the success of destination marketing worldwide. DMAI's influential membership includes nearly 600 destination marketing organizations (DMOs), from 16 countries that command US $2.5+ billion in annual budgets. As the world's largest and most reliable resource for DMOs, DMAI provides nearly 4,000 individual members - professionals, industry partners, educators and students - the most innovative and relevant educational resources, networking opportunities and marketing intelligence