Sam Thompson
Back in 1994, when Sylvia Rottman decided
to switch her career from association planner to owner of a
destination management company, she wanted to join a professional
association for DMCs and was stunned to learn that there was
none.
Fast forward to this month, as Rottman hangs up her hat after
serving for a decade as executive vice president of the Association
of Destination Management Executives, which she helped spearhead.
“It’s ready now to fly on its own,” she said. At ADME’s annual
meeting, Jan. 19-22 in San Diego, Rottman will turn over the reins
to Management Excellence Inc., a Dayton, Ohio-based association
management firm. MEI’s president, Francine Rickenbach, will serve
as ADME’s new executive vice president.
In 10 years, the association has grown from a handful of DMC
owners to an organization that has made its mark with
accomplishments such
as creating the Destination Management Certified Professional
certification, held today by 66 people. ADME also formulated a code
of ethics and now is a member of the Convention Industry
Council.
“ADME puts a united, ethical, value-added image at the
forefront of destination management,” said former ADME president
Terry Epton, CITE, DMCP, now executive vice president of Las
Vegas-based USA Hosts.
Yet the organization faces challenges, including growing its
membership, said ADME president Sam Thompson, DMCP. While ADME’s
numbers now stand at about 175, there are many more potential
members among the 2,000 DMCs worldwide.
Other goals for this year:
" Launch chapters. “We realize the importance of having
chapters and plan to have this on our agenda this month,” said
Thompson.
" Introduce accreditation for DMC firms. (The DMCP is for
individuals only.)
" Enhance the website. Plans call for an interactive bulletin
board and a request for proposal link at www.adme.org.
