People and Places: Destinations Unlimited DMC Workshop, Dorset

07 September 2005

Destinations Unlimited held its inaugural two-day DMC workshop in Dorset in July. Around 30 agency staff and 22 DMCs attended the networking event at the Haven Hotel in Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset.

"We were very keen to offer a workshop in an informal setting," said Destinations Unlimited partner Darren Mitchell. "I think the London hotel workshop has become so established that the chance to do something different really appealed."

Delegates arrived for the midweek event in time for a welcome lunch on Wednesday, before the afternoon gave way to a series of pre-arranged meetings with DMCs. These included ground handlers from Denmark, Egypt, India, Latvia, South Africa and Dubai, among others.

Formalities over with for the day, the group made the short trip across Poole Harbour to Swanage for cocktails and a dinner on a steam-train through the Purbeck Hills. The next morning, meetings continued after breakfast, ensuring delegates were able to have face-to-face discussions with all the DMCs relevant to them. Proceedings were concluded shortly before lunch.

"I thought it was a great format," said Mary Lockwood, supplier relations manager at Universal CIT. "I got more benefit than I would from other workshops, not only through meeting new suppliers but also networking with colleagues."

On the back of the event's success, Destinations Unlimited aims to make the workshop an annual event.