Destinations International Unveils Booking Agreement to Protect Destinations and Event Professionals

December 15, 2022

Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), announced a Destination Booking Agreement (DBA) that includes a toolkit to establish mutually agreeable terms to protect both the destination and the business event professional.

Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International, and three representatives from Destinations International’s Large Market Roundtable lauded the DBA's importance to the industry.  

“The need for CVBs and business event [professionals] to come together to create best practices for destination booking agreement guidelines has been an ongoing conversation for our industry,” said Welsh said. “Destinations International’s Large Market Roundtable has done great work to take the lead on this thought leadership that will ultimately enhance our entire industry moving forward.”

The roundtable, which includes Destinations International officials and representatives from more than 30 large market destinations in the U.S. and Canada, has been discussing the need for destinations and business event professionals to work together to have accountability for the booking of meetings and events since 2019.

Factors such as the COVID pandemic, natural disasters due to climate change and acts of violence have wreaked havoc on the industry, particularly with the impact city-wide cancellations have on a host destination that must fill the voids.

The DBA addresses concerns such as cancellations and other important issues with clearly outlined commitments and financial liabilities for all parties, in addition to clear timelines, expectations and accountability. Additionally, the agreement aims to create deeper partnerships between event professionals, host organizations, host destinations, convention centers, hotels and other suppliers.

“DBAs allow destinations to clearly articulate and itemize dates, rates, space and any incentives or concessions offered to clients to secure their business,” said Junior Tauvaa, chief sales officer at Visit Anaheim. “Destinations International has contributed to standardizing these documents while allowing each destination organization to localize it based on their respective destinations.”

The new level of accountability for both parties involved creates the foundation for a legitimized exchange of goods and services within business events when a destination is selected, according to Melissa A. Riley, vice president, convention sales and services at Destination DC and chair of the Large Market Roundtable.

“The new standards will help us all continue to strengthen the meetings and events industry as we focus on the positive economic and social impact they bring to our respective destinations,” Riley said.

According to Dustin Arnheim, senior vice president of sales and services at Choose Chicago, the DBA is a win-win for all involved parties.  

“I am excited for this journey and look forward to our industry getting to a place where our contractual agreements are equitable for all—both suppliers and event organizers,” Arnheim said. “It is imperative that our customers feel equally protected within our agreements—from securing dates to making concessions legally binding.”  

Arnheim added that he also sees the DBA as an important communication tool, particularly since there continues to be significant turnover in the hospitality industry.

“Capturing the destination organization’s commitments in the DBA prevents anything from being lost or misinterpreted when new staff come on board," he said.

While the initiative was first unveiled for the North America market, Destinations International plans to further refine it and promote it globally with the hope that it will become universally adopted within the industry.

For more information on the DBA and to download the toolkit, click here.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact