FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Kelly Schulz or Mary Beth Romig
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
mbromig@neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Achieves Destination Marketing Accreditation
New Orleans CVB is one of only 101 organizations to be accredited for attaining excellence and meeting rigorous industry standards for brand management, governance, stakeholder relationships,
innovation and more

NEW ORLEANS — December 15, 2009 — The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced today that it has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).

DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, D.C. based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). In earning the DMAP accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence.

“The New Orleans CVB is honored to be one of only 101 organizations in the world to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation for providing outstanding services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks,” said Steve Pettus, Chairman of the Board of the New Orleans CVB and Managing Partner of Dickie Brennan & Company.

Pettus continued, “In addition to leading his team to earn this prestigious certification, Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans CVB, will take over as 2010-2011 Chairman of the Board of DMAI, which will place New Orleans at the forefront of the travel industry and best practices.”

“By applying for and receiving DMAP accreditation, the New Orleans CVB has demonstrated a commitment to quality programs and services,” said Diana Lawson, FCDME, DMAP Board Chair. “We are proud to recognize these organizations for their achievement. These DMOs’ operations and business practices have conformed to 16 domains ranging from governance to sales to innovation. Their accreditation underscores their dedication to providing exceptional leadership and commitment to the professionalism of DMOs across the globe.”

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is the driving catalyst for New Orleans’ largest industry – tourism - strategically leading national and international marketing, sales, public relations and visitor services efforts that attract millions of visitors, events, conventions, and festivals that produce billions of dollars of economic growth, tens of thousands of jobs, and hundreds of millions of taxes for the state and city.

The New Orleans CVB, recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the United States, has the broadest reach and most annual impact of any economic development organization in Louisiana, as it attracts the import of nearly $5 billion in fresh capital each year, sustaining 70,000 jobs. The New Orleans CVB will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010. For more information, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

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. 101 DMOs are now accredited. For additional information on DMAP visit www.destinationmarketing.org.

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