Reflections on ADMEI 2024 Annual Conference: “In the Zone”

20 March 2024

The 2024 ADMEI Annual Conference, aptly themed "In the Zone," delivered a powerful punch of education, networking, and industry insights for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) worldwide. As the only DMC-tailored conference and awards experience in the world, this unique experience is one worthy of a 7+ hour flight. This one-of-a-kind event, held in Atlanta, Georgia, attracted DMC professionals from across the globe with thirteen countries represented in person, fostering a vibrant community and equipping attendees with the tools to propel their businesses forward. This year’s conference successfully attracted the highest attendance that ADMEI has seen in years with nearly 250 in attendance, from sponsors and exhibitors to speakers and attendees, including 91 first-time attendees. We left inspired by meaningful connections and equipped with industry best practices.

How Attending Association Conferences Can Benefit DMC Professionals

1. Building Connections

- Expand your network. Association conferences connect you with industry professionals across various roles from newcomers to seasoned veterans.
- Source talent. Discover potential recruits at association conferences. ADMEI’s Campus to Career initiative provides you with even more robust connections and resources to source talent.
- Mentorship opportunities. Gain access to experienced professionals who have been in the DMC business for decades.
- Collaborative problem-solving. At ADMEI’s Annual Conference, breakout sessions address specific challenges faced by DMC owners, sales, and operations teams, providing you with relevant solutions, advancing our industry, and strengthening our association community.

2. Learning Industry Best Practices

- Gain insights into best practices, and solutions to real problems DMCs face from experts who have been where you are now.
- Learn proven strategies to effectively advocate for the role that you play in the larger picture. ADMEI Conference attendees specifically learn how to advocate for the role of the Destination Management Companies (DMCs) in the event planning process, aiding your sales conversations.
- Discover actionable takeaways and valuable resources like templates, legal guidance, and practical solutions to implement upon returning to your office. ADMEI Conference attendees can walk away with templates for contracting, employee onboarding materials, supplier relations, answers to burning legal questions from our well-loved “ask an attorney” session, and more.

3. Gain Recognition & Establish Credibility

- The ADMEI Annual Conference culminates in a distinguished awards gala, recognizing excellence in Destination Management by both DMC companies and individual professionals. With over 20 categories, ADMEI's extensive awards program celebrates the achievements of these individuals and companies across various career stages within the DMC industry.
- Reward your team’s achievements and gain industry recognition through the conference’s prestigious Awards Gala.
- Award recognition enhances your company's credibility and sets you apart from competitors.

4. Exposure to the Latest Industry Trends

- Building expertise and credibility. Access to industry thought leaders through association conferences exposes you to new technologies, methodologies, trends, and best practices, allowing you to best serve clients. The increased credibility can also open new doors and give you a competitive edge.
- Staying ahead of the curve. Anticipating future developments allows you to plan proactively and mitigate potential risks associated with outdated practices or technologies.
- Identifying new business opportunities. Understanding industry trends can help you identify new opportunities to serve clients, develop innovative services, and boost overall effectiveness of your programs.

Takeaways from ADMEI 2024 Keynote Speakers

Unlocking Peak Performance by Mastering Flow State

Tired of the endless to-do list and feeling overwhelmed? There's a way to achieve peak performance without the negative stress. While traditional stress-reduction methods offer temporary relief, the root cause lies deeper. Negative stress hinders our creativity, problem-solving abilities, and overall work enjoyment. Enter Flow State: a scientifically proven state of complete absorption in and focus on a task. For years Olympic athletes and Navy Seals have utilized coaches to harness its power. Our opening keynote speaker, Jeska Brodbeck of Be Light Consulting, taught ADMEI Conference attendees how to achieve Flow State in order to exit the hamster wheel and achieve optimal productivity and creativity!

Want to delve deeper?

Be Light Consulting offers keynotes, training, and transformational executive coaching to help individuals as well as organizations master their own Flow State. Visit belightconsulting.com to connect with Jeska Brodbeck.

A Glimpse into 2024’s Hottest Event Trends!

Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and event professionals. This ensures we can provide clients with innovative and tailored design ideas for unforgettable experiences. This year, industry expert Michael Cerbelli returned to share his insights in a captivating session titled The Hot List™ produced by Cerbelli Creative. He revealed the 50 hottest event trends for 2024, ranging from the cutting-edge (drone bartenders) to the delightfully personal (customized event scents and personalized sugar cubes).

Download your copy of The Hot List™, produced by Cerbelli Creative, to get exclusive access to 2024’s hottest event trends.

Getting the Most Out of Your Association Membership

We encourage you to keep up the momentum! Implement those flow breaks you learned about and incorporate the latest trends into your event designs that best serve your clients.

Stay informed. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our emails to receive updates about the 2025 Annual Conference dates, upcoming webinars (members-only), and other educational opportunities.
Maximize your benefits. Become an ADMEI member to gain access to year-round webinars and get the most out of next year's conference.
Prepare for awards. Don't miss out! Start preparing your award submissions early this year. Visit admei.org/awards/ for more information and be ready when awards season arrives.