November 2007 ACCESS Advantage
- ACCESS Applies for ADMC (Accredited Destination Management Company) Accreditation!
- New Terminal Completed on Schedule!
- Bottoms Up – at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens!
- Spice it up with ACCESS
ACCESS Applies for ADMC (Accredited Destination Management Company) Accreditation!
ACCESS Destination Services is one of 25 professional Destination Management Companies (DMCs) who have submitted applications to the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME) for accreditation. In an age where anyone can call themselves DMCs, this program was developed to set standards for companies providing destination management services as well as to ensure that clients “can pinpoint and identify a true DMC,” said Ilene Reinhart DMCP, CMP, ADME President and partner, ACCESS Destination Services, Los Angeles. The designation assists the meeting planning community by identifying and qualifying standards and criteria that are indicative of the highest quality destination management service providers. Accreditation will be granted to those destination management companies that meet the ADMC program standards including requirements measuring the stability of the company, its commitment to the DMC industry and client service levels.
“Unlike ADME’s Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP), which is a certification for individuals, the ADMC is for companies and is designed to set the standards and industry best practices for destination management companies,” says Reinhart. She further states, “The program is designed to elevate the professionalism of the industry which is comprised of a wide variety of 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 destination management industry along with legal, financial and academic advisors, will review and approve the applications.
ADME’s Destination Management Company Accreditation Program:
- Identifies the practices that are indicative of quality DMC services;
- Assesses the procedures and practices of individual DMCs;
- Formally recognizes those DMCs that meet the requirements set forth by the ADMC Commission;
- Improves the quality and effectiveness of services provided to the meeting planning community; and
- Encourages quality services to clients by DMCs.
Reinhart states that, “ADME relied upon the accreditation programs of other associations such as the Destination Marketing Association International and the American Society of Association Executives as models for the ADMC accreditation program.” According to Reinhart, ADME has been planning for the accreditation process for several years, but wanted to have the individual certification process for DMCPs (Destination Management Certified Professionals) underway first which has been a great success with more than 110 DMCPs currently on the roster. She and fellow ADME board member Nicole Marsh, DMCP, CMP were tasked by last year’s ADME President, Susan Henderson, DMCP, CMP to take on the ADMC accreditation program under Reinhart’s presidency. “The response from the industry has been incredible. And, with our first round of applicants numbering 25, we are pleased with the launch of this valuable program,” Reinhart says.
An announcement of those companies who have achieved the ADMC accreditation will be made by the end of the year. The first companies to achieve the ADMC designation will be deemed Charter ADMC companies and will receive special recognition at the 2008 ADME Conference, February 20-24, 2008 in New Orleans.
Photo: Ilene Reinhart, DMCP, CMP, ADME President and partner, ACCESS Destination Services, Los Angeles.
Palm Springs
New Terminal Completed on Schedule! A $14 million terminal at the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), known as “America’s ResortPort,” was recently completed. The expansion is designed to take advantage of the sunny, dry weather that has made the area a popular tourist retreat for over a century. Passengers will benefit from a more spacious concourse facility with eight separate gates leading out to regional aircraft parked just a few steps away.
Once through the security checkpoint, passengers will encounter outdoor waiting areas with grassy knolls and seating allowing for last-minute sun-soaking prior to boarding, an ideal environment for waiting for a flight. An outdoor children’s play area is adjacent to gate 1 and a courtyard area near gates 4-11 features a soaring 40-foot canvas roof and live palm trees. Adjoining the large outdoor patio area are restroom facilities and concession areas with food, beverage, reading materials and gift items.
Palm Springs International Airport remains one of the fastest growing airports in the United States. Continued interest in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley as a destination from all across the United States and the world has helped to fuel the increase. Last year, Palm Springs International was the 90th largest airport in the U.S., passing by five airports in just one year.
PSP is served by nine commercial airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American, Continental, Delta and United, providing up to 60 daily departures to over a dozen nonstop domestic destinations.
Contact the destination management professionals at ACCESS Palm Springs for more information on the Palm Springs International Airport and for all of your conference or incentive travel needs.
Special Note: ACCESS Destination Services is proud to announce the addition of Kelley Howard to the Palm Springs team as Sales Manager. Kelley brings over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry having held positions at one of California’s most noteworthy Charter Cruise companies, with the country’s largest site selection firm, and most recently a leading Destination Management company. Having planned, coordinated and executed upwards of 800 programs and worked with groups in size of 10-5,000 people, Kelley brings creativity, proven experience, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for the industry into every partnership. She has been featured in numerous industry publications, currently sits on the Board of Directors as Vice President of Finance for the San Diego Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, and was named Planner of the Year by the Chapter in 2005. Kelley can be reached at ACCESS Palm Springs at 760-200-0112 or k.howard@accessdmc.com.
San Diego
Bottoms Up – at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens! A $14 million brewery, 1-acre beer garden and 385-seat high-end restaurant quietly opened its doors for business late last year. With humble beginnings in another, smaller, facility 11 years ago, Stone Brewing has been the fastest growing of the 1400+ breweries in the country producing approximately 50,000 barrels last year. Its beers have been ranked among the best in the country and, some say, in the world. The new facility, a showpiece located in San Diego’s North County, is enhanced with waterfalls and expanses of glass.
Not only are there plenty of fresh-from-the-brewery Stone ales on tap to go with the fantastic menu, but also available is an amazing selection of San Diego County beers from other breweries to complement the fare. A gourmet wine list featuring many county, regional and international selections is also offered. The indoor-outdoor setting features an “escape-from-reality” boulder garden (more than 250 boulders ranging from 1-ton to 35 tons) and native and exotic plants.
No fast-food burgers here – Stone Brewing’s philosophy on food adheres to the international “Slow Food” movement, the antithesis to fast food. Their philosophy embraces artisanal, natural and old-world approaches to food and the menu draws freely from cultures and dishes from all over the world with an emphasis on locally grown and produced products. Environmentally friendly, Stone proudly demonstrates its commitment to the environment with biodiesel-powered delivery trucks and plans for installation of a $3.2 million electricity-producing system that will provide up to 54% of the company’s power needs.
Allow the ACCESS San Diego team to create an excursion to this fabulous facility for your guests on your next program in our area. Learn about Stone’s philosophy, the brewing process and industry. On a guided tour, with or without a planned lunch, your guests will experience the inner workings of this 55,000 square foot brewery followed by a guided tasting of their phenomenal beers. Bottoms Up!
Contact the team at ACCESS San Diego to find out how best to incorporate this venue and the surrounding area into your next conference or incentive travel program.
Special Note: The ACCESS San Diego Office is happy to introduce Tatiana Lotufo, Sales Manager, direct from Milan, Italy where she spent the last 18 months attending graduate school. Tatiana began her career in hospitality at the Hotel del Coronado as an Operations Manager for Del Destinations before being promoted to Conference Sales Manager. Most recently, Tatiana was part of the opening management team at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa where she served as Director of Conference Services, a valuable operational training-ground for a DMC salesperson. Tatiana’s favorite aspect of the business is building relationships with clients and suppliers through hard work and through earning trust. Integrity and common sense along with a friendly, pro-active attitude are among the important values she has learned within the industry. Tatiana is thrilled to be back in San Diego in her DMC Sales role. You may contact Tatiana at the San Diego Office of ACCESS Destination Services or at t.lotufo@accessdmc.com.
Spice it up with ACCESS
Chicken Tortilla Soup! From San Diego’s Prado Restaurant, as listed in The San Diego Restaurant Cookbook, by Ingrid Croce.
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Anaheim chili, seeded and chopped
- 1 Poblano chili, seeded and chopped
- 1 Serrano chili, seeded and chopped
- ½ yellow onion, chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- ½ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted
- ½ teaspoon cumin, toasted
- ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder, toasted
- 1 cup canned pear tomatoes
- 2 quarts chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ cup cotija cheese
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro sprigs
Directions:
Julienne corn tortillas and fry in olive oil until golden brown. Set aside. In a heated saucepot, sweat chilis, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft. Add cilantro, dry spices and fried tortillas, reserving some tortillas for garnish. Stir until tortillas break up into smaller pieces. Add pear tomatoes, chicken stock, and lime juice and simmer for 15 minutes. Pour soup into blender and puree until smooth. Serve garnished with crumbled cotija cheese, fried tortilla strips, and cilantro sprigs.
Enjoy!
Correction: In last month’s recipe for Stuffed and Baked Apples, we mistakenly listed grated cheese as an ingredient. There is no cheese in the recipe and we apologize for any inconvenience.
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“Thanks to the proactive communication and actions taken by ACCESS Destination Services and the San Diego CVB, we felt assured that the city of San Diego was willing and able to accommodate our recent client meeting, despite the wildfires in the surrounding communities. The end result was an outstanding program and a memorable experience for our group. As usual, you’ve exceeded our expectations!"
President & Chief Operating OfficerCREATIVE GROUP, INC.