Tourism Kelowna recently attended the PACE (Partnership and Community Engagement) Forum, presented by Granicus | Simpleview and Miles Partnership, for the first time. The annual forum—which this year was held in late February in Cincinnati—brings together destination organization professionals to share best practices, learn from industry leaders, and discover new ways to drive success through collaboration and innovation.
The three-day event brought together more than 120 DMO professionals from across the US and Canada. Over the course of the forum, attendees participated in over 15 insightful sessions and breakouts, covering a diverse range of topics, from AI and data analysis to membership models and stakeholder engagement.
Key Insights from the PACE Forum
- Partnership Innovation: Exploring workforce development initiatives within DMOs, including collaboration with students and educational institutions to promote careers in the Tourism & Hospitality Industry.
- Membership Models: Weighing the pros and cons of various membership models as well as exploring tiered membership structures and innovative membership options such as corporate memberships and DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion) memberships to expand engagement.
- AI – Empowering Your Destination: Understanding how AI can revolutionize DMO operations, from content creation and marketing automation to AI-driven chatbots that enhance visitor engagement. Reviewing available AI tools and their applications in streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
- Delivering Value to Stakeholders: A deep dive into effective engagement strategies with members and stakeholders, ensuring they derive tangible value from their affiliation with DMOs. Learning how to align DMO support with stakeholders’ business goals, challenges, and growth strategies while providing education and promotional tools to amplify their success.
- Expanding Networking Opportunities: Discussing innovative approaches to enhancing networking opportunities, including the addition of special events and tailored engagements to the member experience. Exchanging ideas on how to foster deeper connections within the DMO ecosystem, ultimately leading to stronger, more resilient partnerships.
In attending the PACE forum, we gained actionable insights and strategies for strengthening memberships, enhancing membership models, and delivering greater value to our members. The practical knowledge and fresh perspectives acquired during the forum has sparked ideas that can be applied to Tourism Kelowna's work, reinforcing the commitment to our members, stakeholders, community engagement, and sustainable destination success
If you have any questions about the PACE Forum or about Tourism Kelowna's membership offerings, please contact me at jacqui@tourismkelowna.com.
