Columbus CVB Earns DMAP Accreditation

Jun 5, 2009

CVB DMAP Accreditation—The Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, DC 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 Columbus CVB is honored to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation from DMAP," said Peter Bowden, President-CEO, of the Columbus CVB. "We are very pleased to be recognized in the destination marketing community for providing outstanding services in accordance with the international standards and benchmarks in this field."

"By applying for and receiving DMAP accreditation, the Bureau has demonstrated a commitment to quality programs and services," said Christine Shimasaki, CDME, DMAP Board Chair. "Earning DMAP accreditation tells the Columbus community and potential visitors that your DMO has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well placed and their business is in good hands."

The CVB is responsible for marketing the assets of Columbus as a destination of choice to increase the benefits of tourism for the community—through trade shows, conventions, and leisure travel. In other words, as the official destination marketing organization for Columbus, the Bureau is responsible for "economic development through tourism."

Columbus is one of four Georgia CVBs or DMOs that have received DMAP accreditation and now ranks among the seventy DMOs in the U.S. to have been accredited.

Tourism remains the second largest industry in Georgia generating over $18 billion. Conventions and tourism brought an economic impact of $378 million to Columbus along with 1.1 million visitors, and employing some 7,302 people according to economic studies provided by Columbus State University’s Abbott-Turner College of Business.  

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