In Missouri, destination marketing organization Visit KC (VisitKC.com) has launched SparkDMC.com. The destination management company will offer services including logistics, entertainment and venue sourcing; group activities and tours; transportation; and F&B, décor, design, team-building and gift sourcing. The organization will rent office space inside Visit KC's Downtown headquarters. Spark is established as a limited-liability corporation and will operate separately from the nonprofit organization, with its own staff, funding and budgets.
"Visit KC is the first convention and visitor bureau in the country to introduce this type of offering, to my knowledge, and it's a direct response to demand in the local market," said Ronnie Burt, Visit KC's president and CEO. "From VIP experiences to large corporate functions, Spark will provide its clients with unparalleled access to the region's best venues, best experiences and best value."
Ashley Rossbach, who formerly worked with Ritz-Carlton and Silpada Designs, serves as Spark's director of sales and experiences. "Relationship-building is integral to our business approach," she said. "Since our soft launch in early February, we've already witnessed significant traction in the marketplace, all from clients eager to work with those who know KC best." She added that Spark will pursue accreditation by the Association of Destination Management Executives.