WASHINGTON, D.C.
Global Events Partners (GEP), the leading partnership of destination management companies (DMCs) worldwide, has announced that it is closing its seven company-owned DMCs, which are GEP Washington, GEP Philly, GEP Baltimore, GEP Bahamas, GEP South Florida, GEP Utah and GEP Atlanta.
The move, according to GEP Chairman and CEO Chris White, is to return to GEP’s original business model representing 58 independently owned and operated partners that are “100 percent open for business.”
Three GEP-branded DMCs in Arizona, Spain, and Las Vegas are licensed companies not owned by GEP and remain in business, White said. GEP Orlando will return to its previous ownership as Florida Coast to Coast with the same team in place. All business that was contracted with the affected DMCs is being transferred to another DMC in the interim, and clients have been contacted directly with further information, according to White.
Members of the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) are also reportedly stepping in to assist clients of the closed DMCs, said Liz Keyser, DMCP, CMP, AlliedPRA Northern California and ADMEI President.
“While we respect the business decision that led to the closing of the GEP-owned DMCs, we are pleased that current and future clients are enjoying the professional support of other ADMEI members to ensure that events and programs are executed without a hitch,” stated Keyser. “There are long-term ADMEI member companies in each area that can provide seamless management support in this transition.”
Destination management companies have just finished a strong 3Q and are looking towards an even better 4Q 2013, according to ADMEI. The group reports that its members exhibiting at IMEX America last week agreed that bookings for 2014 are strong, and business already on the books for 2015 will result in increased revenues for DMCs in the next two years, both in North America and globally.
