BETTENDORF, IOWA (July 18, 2024) — Visit Quad Cities, the region's official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), was awarded a renewal of its Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) designation by Destinations International in recognition of the organization's commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination organizations around the world.
The accreditation program requires a destination organization to successfully comply with a multitude of mandatory and voluntary standards that span a variety of performance areas to gain this momentous achievement. There are over 110 standards in critical areas such as governance, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, finance, brand management, sales and service, destination development, and partnerships.
"We are delighted to include Visit Quad Cities to our esteemed DMAP community," stated Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. "The relevance of destination organizations has never been more vital to the economic vitality of the places Destinations International members serve, and this industry accreditation is a benchmark for quality and performance. My gratitude extends to the DMAP Board of Directors for their dedication to our industry and their stewardship of this crucial program."
"We are both thrilled and humbled to receive a renewal of our industry's highest level of operating standard," said Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. "The DMAP is rigorous and is a testament to our professional team and Board of Directors for serving as positive stewards of the Quad Cities regional destination and the organization that leads tourism. We are incredibly grateful to Destinations International and the DMAP Board for this recognition. We will proudly share this critically important seal in our purpose-led work as we continue to serve the Visit Quad Cities mission."
"Accreditation through DMAP underscores the critical role that destination organizations play in their communities," stated Tania Armenta, President and CEO of Visit Albuquerque and chair of the DMAP Board of Directors. "As custodians of their destinations' brands, participation in DMAP underscores a destination organization's adherence to rigorous standards. This commitment is a clear signal to stakeholders that the organization managing the destination brand possesses the necessary infrastructure and expertise to beneficially influence the visitor economy for both tourists and local residents."
For more information about DMAP, visit DestinationsInternational.org.
About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world's largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention, and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit DestinationsInternational.org.
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the region's official destination management and marketing organization (DMMO). Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine that drives economic opportunity through tourism, builds our authentic brand, tells and sells the Quad Cities story, and enhances Quad Citizens' quality of life and place.
