DestinationSouth Meetings & Events : What's Hot

November 2007
Destination South Welcomes New Sales Director
Kim Maling is a native of New Orleans with 15 years experience in the hospitality industry. She has a Bachelor degree from the University of New Orleans in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism. In 1992, Kim started her hospitality career working for the Fairmont Hotel New Orleans in various departments including Front Office, Food and Beverage and Convention Services. In 1994, she decided to leap into the world of event planning and destination management. She holds both Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designations, which recognizes a senior level of experience among her colleagues. Her background ranges from the implementation of large-scale global leadership meetings, such as S C Johnson, to intimate sales incentives and special events in a variety of industries. Throughout her event planning career, Kim has had the opportunity to produce events in San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. Kim is a member of Meeting Professionals International and enjoys volunteering with Girl Scouts of America.

December 2007
What You Need to Know Now
National media coverage focusing on Georgia's severe drought has the potential to impact our meetings and hospitality industry in a big way. Clients are expressing real concern about booking programs in Georgia -- afraid that when their attendees arrive, they won't have ample water for drinking or for showers.

Our team at Destination South is joining the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau in asking our clients not to be afraid that we don't have water. We do, and we will. We just have to be careful how we use it.

We are encouraging visitors to help us conserve water by taking shorter showers and not letting the water run while brushing their teeth or shaving. Most restaurants are now serving water only upon request, rather than pre-filling glasses. Convention and conference centers are dispensing drinking water in large containers. Hotel housekeeping staff members are now strongly requesting that guests do not ask for daily laundering of sheets and towels. Local tent companies are filling water barrels with grey water or replacing it all together by using concrete anchors or filling the barrels with sand.
Atlanta residents are respecting a ban on all outdoor watering, including those that re-circulate water such as water fountains, athletic fields and swimming pools. Residents have been asked to take shorter showers and to utilize gray water for any outdoor watering needs

These are just a few examples of how our local meetings and hospitality industry is coming together to protect and conserve our water supply.

"One person can make a difference,
and every person should try".
John F. Kennedy

August 2007
DSME chosen to be part of the DMC Network
The DMC Network is a membership alliance of full service destination management companies serving over 50 North American destinations. Members must meet annual compliance standards in the areas of client satisfaction, insurance coverage, financial stability and professional affiliations. The skills of our DMC staff are enhanced through an ongoing educational and professional networking program. Members of the DMC Network are consistently recognized as leaders in the meetings and events industry.

July 2007
DSME founder elected as GaMPI President
Destination South owner and managing director, Cynthia Alford, has been elected to serve as president of the Georgia chapter of Meeting Professionals International. Cynthia served on the board for 5 years in various positions, including education and finance, before being elected as president for the 2007/08 term.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the premiere organization devoted to the educational and professional needs of people in the meeting industry. With over 19,000 members globally, MPI serves both meeting planners and suppliers to the industry, carefully maintaining an equal balance of both in the membership.The Georgia Chapter of MPI (GaMPI) is currently the 5th largest chapter with over 900 members.