1. Local knowledge and expertise
A DMC (Destination Management Company) represents you, and helps you achieve your goals and objectives for your event. Planners benefit from the DMC’s knowledge of local products, network of suppliers and buying power. A DMC continually sources and explores new locations and venues to keep planners abreast of the newest products and latest developments. It means a DMC is a one-stop shop for event planning in a destination that planners are otherwise unfamiliar.

2. Network of suppliers
The Internet has made it easier to find suppliers with a click of the mouse, but the challenge is finding the right ones. A transportation company can claim to have the ability to do arrivals and departures for 200 people, but how many vehicles will they supply and what quality are they? A Michelin-star restaurant may look like the perfect place for a small client event, but it might be right next to a noisy trainline. A DMC would have all the inside knowledge because they’ve vetted these suppliers already. Furthermore, a DMC has a strong local reputation and resultant negotiating clout; planners leverage these relationships to ensure great service and access to exclusive items that might not be generally accessible.

3. Competitive pricing
A DMC will negotiate on behalf of planners, keeping their best interests and budget in mind. They are able to find the best price for the best locations since they have numerous suppliers on their books and established relationships, allowing them to negotiate better rates. These existing relationships can also lead to unexpected perks; there have been instances where specific venues or hotels have a date to fill and are willing to lower their prices significantly to fill the space. These unexpected offers almost always go to a DMC and not a planner directly.

4. Save time
The process of vetting the suppliers in a local destination, then securing them and bringing together staff to put on a program can be very time consuming – especially if planners are not familiar with a destination. A DMC will save time in all parts of the planning and procurement process and uncomplicate the contract and payment processes; instead of having to go through legal and procurement for every supplier, a DMC offers one point of contact, one contract and one bill to pay.

5. Onsite support (and unexpected set-backs)
A planner is pulled in so many different directions, between focusing on the program content and the logistics of managing a large group of people. A DMC takes some of the pressure and becomes an extension of the planner’s staff onsite. A DMC is possibly most valuable when called upon for unexpected scenarios; from ordering a birthday cake for a participant at the last minute to more serious cases like taking an attendee to hospital. This allows planners to focus their time and energy on the next presentation and the speaker who’s next onstage, while knowing that the unplanned surprises are being handled effectively.