LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (Business Wire) The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) has achieved accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) for 2008-12 with the help of i.d.e.a.s. Innovation. Developed by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), the industry-wide accreditation program distinguishes official destination marketing organizations committed to industry excellence.
"This accreditation reflects the serious commitment the PMVB makes to providing outstanding services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks in this field," said Carl Wilgus, President and CEO of the PMVB. "We are proud to be one of the first 60 organizations to be certified, and honored to receive this Destination Marketing Accreditation from DMAI."
“We were able to significantly contribute to PMVB’s distinction in this competitive process through our StoryJam™ work and the region’s re-branding process and, most recently, through the creation of a robust Brand Enculturation™ program featuring advanced eLearning and a portfolio of communication tools and sustaining elements,” noted Duncan Kennedy, VP of the Innovation division of i.d.e.a.s.
“Getting the story right is an essential prerequisite in developing successful brands today,” added Brad Nix, Director of the brand practice for YPartnership, strategic partner of i.d.e.a.s. on the PMVB brand program. “What we’re able to do with our BrandRingTM program because of that attention to story is a more streamlined, better functioning and quicker deployed brand that will resonate with our key audiences.”
Currently there are a total of 58 accredited destination marketing organizations across the United States, with only three in the entire state of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau, VisitPittsburgh and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau as the newest addition.
"There are many objectives behind the accreditation program, but it all comes back to increased credibility with customers," remarks Michael D. Gehrisch, president and CEO of DMAI. "Earning DMAP accreditation tells the Pocono Mountains community and potential visitors that the PMVB has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well placed and their business in good hands."
For more about i.d.e.a.s., visit www.integrityarts.com and for more about i.d.e.a.s. Innovation, visit www.ideas-innovation.com.
For more about DMAP, visit www.destinationmarketing.org.
For more about the Pocono Mountains, visit www.800poconos.com.
i.d.e.a.s. Innovation
Shirley Decker, SVP Business Development, 407-560-1386
shirley.decker@integrityarts.com
