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A new business was born referred to as Ground operators or Ground Handlers, they were mostly small entrepreneurships operating a single destination. -
Phil Lee coined the term destination management, many of this companies added custom parties and themed events, as well as spouse/guest programs, to their list of services. -
Destination Management Companies (DMC´s) flourished, further expanding their role in the meeting, convention, and incentive travel industry. -
More companies were competing for fewer dollars.
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Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, rollups, cooperative marketing agreements, and even franchise offerings changed the face of destination management. All of this created a dynamic, competitive, and thriving industry where only the strongest survived.
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The crisis that made the worst period.
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Clients said they prefer to work with locally owned and operated DMCs.