February 2009 ACCESS Advantage
ACCESS RE-AFFIRMS ADMC STATUS!
ACCESS Destination Services (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs and San Diego), among the first DMCs to achieve Charter status as an Accredited Destination Management Company (ADMC) by the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME), recently re-affirmed their ADMC status. As one of the original 24 destination management company ADMC recipients worldwide, ACCESS demonstrated that it has met the ADMC program standards and completed a successful review of their application by the ADMC commission. Program standards include requirements that measure the longevity and stability of the company, the company's commitment to the DMC industry and its service levels to clients.
The program was developed to set standards and industry best practices for companies providing destination management services as well as to "enable clients to identify professional DMCs when they are searching for an industry partner," states Ilene Reinhart, DMCP, CMP, ADME past-president and Partner at ACCESS Destination Services. In an age where anyone can call themselves a DMC, this program assists the meeting planning community by identifying and qualifying standards and criteria that are indicative of the highest quality destination management service providers.
"Unlike ADME's Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP), which is a certification for individuals, the ADMC is for companies and was established to set the standards and industry best practices for DMCs," says Reinhart. She further states, "The program is designed to elevate the professionalism of the industry which is comprised of a wide variety of destination management companies in size and scope." The process for accreditation also serves as a valuable self-assessment tool, allowing a DMC to review its practices and ensure that it adheres to the recognized standards within the industry. A commission comprised of individuals representing the DMC and meetings industry along with legal, financial and academic advisors, reviews and approves applications.
For a destination management company to earn the Accredited Destination Management Company designation, it must have at least one DMCP (Destination Management Certified Professional) on staff in each office covered by the designation. ACCESS continues to boast the highest number of DMCPs on staff in the state of California and encourages its team members to become involved and to achieve proficiency levels within organizations such as ADME to become more knowledgeable and valuable to our clients.
Click here for a complete list of ADMC Standards as outlined by the Association of Destination Management Executives.
Palm Springs
The Greening of Palm Desert! If you're looking for a "green" destination consider the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Communities. When people think "green" they don't usually think "desert;" yet, from an environmental perspective the Palm Springs Valley is one of the "greenest" places in the world! In fact, the Wall Street Journal named Palm Desert as one of the top 9 cities worldwide that are actively utilizing innovative programs designed to reduce energy use.
These efforts began in the early '90s when Palm Desert became the first community in Riverside County to initiate voluntary curbside recycling. Next, Palm Desert was the first city in the nation to legalize the use of golf carts on designated public streets, contributing to a reduction in short-trip carbon emissions and leading to installation of battery-charging stations in designated areas and solar panels on City Hall's covered parking structures to return energy to the power grid. Most city fleet vehicles have been converted to alternative fuels.
Local utility partners, together with the city, have devised plans to help slash Palm Desert's energy consumption by 30% by 2011 in one of the nation's most aggressive incentive programs for homes and businesses to replace outmoded, energy draining products with energy saving ones. In just one year the city has saved 27 million kilowatt-hours of power, or 12% of its goal, effectively removing approximately 3,475 tons of carbon from the air. Water conservation, especially important in a desert environment, has been responsibly addressed through the installation of drought-tolerant "xeriscaping" in public medians throughout the area. Of course, early education plays a primary role in incorporating environmentally friendly practices into everyday life; to this end elementary and middle-school students, through the PEAK Educational Program, learn the value of energy, efficient consumption methods and an overall introduction to conservation as a way of life.
ACCESS Destination Services supports your eco-programming goals and those of our local communities through our ACCESS Green Initiatives encompassing smart energy consumption practices and recycling in our office environments and through eco-focused destination management programs including eco-teambuilding, fuel efficient transportation systems and green gift items. To find out more about the ACCESS Green Initiatives and environmental programming contact the team at ACCESS Palm Springs today!
Los Angeles
Studio Scoop! While most everyone is familiar with popular Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, not everyone knows that Los Angeles is actually home to quite a few, perhaps less well-known movie studios, sometimes under the radar due to the commercial appeal of the "biggies." While the large studios offer a variety of exciting opportunities for destination management programs, their lesser known counterparts offer unique experiences in their own right.
At Sony Pictures Studios, where the Yellow Brick Road once wound through Munchkin Land, guests will learn all about the film and television production process on an exciting walking tour. Guests might even have the chance to visit the sets of the hit game shows, "Jeopardy!" or "Wheel of Fortune." In the evening, when the stars begin to shine, imagine a special cocktail reception at an outdoor site that replicates the perfect movie set, complete with illuminated movie marquee with your group name in lights. Then, enjoy a three-course dinner in the recently restored Rita Hayworth Dining Room showcasing the art deco richness of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios is the first studio to be built from scratch in the LA area in 60 years. Here Roy E. Disney (nephew of Walt) took a chance and built the studio near the Pacific in the sunny South Bay region of Los Angeles. It is here at Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios where the smash hit "The O.C." is filmed (and at the local South Bay Beaches) as well as "Boston Legal" with James Spader and William Shatner. Movies filmed here include "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Almost Famous," and "Panic Room." The ACCESS Los Angeles team is anxious to suggest special event opportunities including sound stages and back lots and more at this very unique location.
Los Angeles Center Studios (LACS) is more than a feature film and television production studio; it is also a unique event venue offering a completely enclosed creative environment - the perfect location for your next special event! LACS has hosted numerous feature films including "Anchor Man," "Legally Blonde 2," and "Dreamgirls" and combines all the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, but in Downtown's backyard. Ask the ACCESS LA team about creating an exciting block party bash in the LACS' Beaudry Building and an adjacent enclosed side street shut down exclusively for your guests!
Are you looking to create an extraordinary event in a true Hollywood landmark? The vintage Charlie Chaplin sound stage on the Jim Henson Company lot will add authentic nostalgia and unforgettable charm to your event. Built by Charlie Chaplin during the heyday of his career, the flexible sound stage and picturesque courtyard can accommodate hundreds for your next special event.
Let's not forget Paramount Pictures Studios! Paramount has set the Hollywood standard for global entertainment by producing over 3,000 movies including "The Godfather" films, "Mission Impossible" and "Titanic" to name a few. Because filming is taking place throughout the lot, your special behind-the-scenes walking tour will feel like its own production to guests as they learn about the daily operations of a major motion picture and television production facility. With multiple sound stages, a five-acre New York City street backlot and a world-class theatre with the latest in sound and projection technology, special event production possibilities are endless.
Allow the DMC team at ACCESS Los Angeles to put our studio connections to work for you as we match the chemistry and demographics of your group with the perfect LA movie studio venues for your next meeting, conference or incentive travel program.
Contact the team at ACCESS Los Angeles.
Photographs represent:
Standing on Main (Sony Pictures Studios); LACS Rooftop (Los Angeles Center Studios); Entrance Gate (Paramount Pictures Studios)
Spice it up with ACCESS
Mini Tacos have Big Taste
This recipe comes to us courtesy of Beth Daniel, DMCP, of the ACCESS Palm Springs team as published in Soroptimist's Scrumptious Secrets. Use this favorite recipe in two ways: either as appetizers for 12 or dinner for 4
Makes 24 mini tacos
Ingredients:
- 24 wonton wrappers (found in the deli section)- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 package (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons picante sauce
- 1/2 cup chunky salsa
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
(Options):
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream
- Olives
- Chopped jalapenos
Directions:
Preheat over to 425 degrees.
Press wonton wrappers into muffin tins
Cook beef in skillet until browned. Drain off fat.
Stir in taco seasoning mix and picante sauce.
Spoon beef mixture into wonton cups.
Top with salsa and cheese.
Bake about 8 minutes or until wontons are golden brown.
Serve immediately with additional salsa.
Garnish with sour cream, guacamole and olives or chopped jalapenos.
Enjoy!
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"Shana was so very responsive and patient waiting for our decisions...not to mention VERY knowledgeable about your programs and understanding about our budget needs...ACCESS was excellent to work with!"
Meetings ManagerGlobal Market Development Center
