Gilbert staff accepted the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program accreditation by Destinations International, the world's leading trade association for destination organizations.

The announcement was made last month at Destinations International’s Annual Convention in Chicago.

The Gilbert Office of Economic Development, under its tourism brand of Discover Gilbert, was one of nine destination organizations to receive its first DMAP accreditation. This achievement recognizes Gilbert’s commitment to industry excellence and meeting industry best practices for the performance and accountability of destination marketing organizations worldwide.

In all, 42 destinations were recognized for re-accreditation and other honors at the conference.

“Since the development of a tourism division, the Office of Economic Development has worked diligently to develop a robust tourism strategy that elevates Gilbert’s promise as a premier destination,” Gilbert Economic Director  Dan Henderson said in a release. “Accreditation has been a cornerstone goal of our programs and initiatives, and this recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to the travel industry, our hospitality partners, and the visitors we proudly serve.

"Gilbert is a gem in Arizona’s tourism landscape, offering authentic experiences and one-of-a-kind attractions that truly set us apart.”

To earn the DMAP accreditation, the Gilbert Office of Economic Development successfully complied with a multitude of mandatory and voluntary standards that span a variety of performance areas.

The standards cover nearly all aspects related to the management and marketing of destination organizations, including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research.

“We are delighted to have these destinations among our esteemed DMAP community,"  Destinations International President & CEO Don Welsh said in a statement. "Destination organizations have never been more vital to the economic vitality of their local communities, and this industry accreditation is a recognized benchmark of quality and performance."

Gilbert is executing its five-year tourism strategic plan, which aims to set a course for the community as it expands its visitor offerings and competes as an in-demand destination.

The plan prioritizes visitor attraction, promotion of Gilbert’s unique offerings and experiences, and highlights aspirational pillars that will ensure Gilbert gains new visitation in the years to come.

Discover Gilbert continues to build upon its visitor services, and earlier this year launched Discovery Centers, providing in-market concierge options for visitors year-round.

With the support of trained ambassadors, Gilbert staff have put seasonal programming into the discovery centers located inside HD South and Why I Love Where I Live at Agritopia.

Discover Gilbert provides an annual official destination guide, website with interactive event calendar and business directories, travel itineraries, district and area maps, and more.

This past year, Discover Gilbert began promoting themed digital passports, inviting visitors to explore the destination and Gilbert businesses using GPS guidance on mobile phones.

In the coming months, Discover Gilbert will spearhead production for Harvest in the Heritage District, a seasonal activation for the entire month of October, and sponsor the Sound Bites Music & Food Festival held at Gilbert Regional Park on Oct. 11.

Those who wish to learn more about DMAP accreditation offered by Destinations International can do so online.

Those who wish to learn more about Gilbert’s tourism initiatives and impacts can visit https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/economic-development/tourism-impacts.

Those who would like more information on upcoming events can visit www.DiscoverGilbert.com/Events.