Development Counsellors International

Economic development leaders are busy but coaxing them to nurture a presence on LinkedIn can have a bigger impact than one might expect. Here are six ways to show the value of social media thought leadership to your EDO’s c-suite and business development team. https://lnkd.in/gZtE7kRx

For years, Madrid was seen as just a stopover. DCI partnered with IFEMA MADRID to change that. Through a seven-city luxury travel trade roadshow across North America, we immersed top-tier advisors in Madrid’s blend of exclusive accommodations, fine dining, and countryside escapes. In South America, we teamed up with leading Brazilian tour operators to launch custom B2B2C campaigns, ensuring Madrid’s luxury appeal resonated directly with travel advisors and consumers alike. The impact? – 90+ luxury travel advisors trained across the U.S. and Canada – 100+ Brazilian travel agencies engaged – 5 high-impact co-op marketing campaigns driving consumer sales

When it comes to crafting an authentic place brand, citizen engagement is a powerful tool —but it can be tricky to get it right. City Nation Place shares nine insights, including advice from DCI VP of Brand Management Rachel Deloffre on how to engage local communities to level up your strategy.

A strong social media strategy can put your destination in the spotlight—but small mistakes can take it out of focus. Whether it’s overlooking your audience, neglecting trends or being too formal, even the best-intentioned strategies can fall short. VP of Social Media Hanna Gbordzoe breaks down four key mistakes DMOs should steer clear of. https://lnkd.in/dVsM5mKX

We are thrilled to announce that DCI President of Economic Development Julie Curtin won Honorable Mention for Outstanding Agency Professional in the 2025 PRWeek Awards! This accolade celebrates leaders who have demonstrated exceptional client service, innovative strategies, successful execution of campaigns and strong leadership qualities. Julie’s passion for advancing the economic development industry is making a lasting impact. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition! https://lnkd.in/gTvv72Md

From attracting talent to securing investment, place marketing is all about telling a community’s story, engaging the right audience and building strong partnerships. Here’s a look inside a place marketers' “bag.”?

Is your destination getting the most from its marketing agency? If you’re locked into a fully dedicated team, the answer is probably no. See how a more flexible, strategic approach can drive better results. https://lnkd.in/g7ed_SQN

Last month, DCI President of Economic Development and IEDC Board Member Julie Curtin attended the International Economic Development Council Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. As part of her board role, Julie joined IEDC President & CEO Nathan Ohle and IEDC Board Chair Bryan Daniels, among others, to engage in meaningful policy engagement with the Senate Agriculture Committee and with politicians who received Congressional Awards for their support of economic development initiatives. Check out the full recap: https://lnkd.in/gC-nzNRE And if you missed it…check out our 40 Under 40 in Economic Development winners who were also announced that weekend! https://lnkd.in/gkJ54VK3

Are your marketing and PR teams stuck in silos, leaving big opportunities untapped? Join DCIers Hanna Gbordzoe and Laura Cyrille at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Governor’s Conference on March 18 in Springfield, MA to transform your approach. Discover travel trends reshaping consumer decision-making and learn how to harness them through cutting-edge content. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to walk away with a practical, action-ready plan to refresh your influencer, social and comms strategy. https://lnkd.in/e5uZE3-H

We’ll just be here reliving the 40 Under 40 in Economic Development awards ceremony. ??