Functions

Who does what behind a business event?

A successful business event needs more than a good location. Different organisations work behind the scenes to attract events, connect people and organise the experience. But what exactly are their responsibilities?

  • City marketing organisations promote a destination and show why it is attractive for visitors and event organisers. Convention bureaux focus especially on business events. They build relationships with local partners, support event organisers and help strengthen the city's reputation.

  • A DMC focuses on the practical side of organising an event in a destination. It helps clients find venues, arrange transport, organise local activities and coordinate suppliers. Its local knowledge helps create a smooth and memorable experience.

MARKETING - helps promote a destination and attract potential event organisers. In city marketing organisations, marketing and content teams create campaigns, manage communication channels and build the destination's image. - Research coverage: Yes

MARKETING - helps promote a destination and attract potential event organisers. In city marketing organisations, marketing and content teams create campaigns, manage communication channels and build the destination's image. - Research coverage: Yes

SALES - involves attracting clients, responding to enquiries and preparing proposals. Convention bureaux communicate with potential event organisers, while DMCs can prepare offers based on supplier availability and costs. - Research coverage: Partly

SALES - involves attracting clients, responding to enquiries and preparing proposals. Convention bureaux communicate with potential event organisers, while DMCs can prepare offers based on supplier availability and costs. - Research coverage: Partly

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - involves planning, organising and coordinating activities. In DMCs, senior and junior project managers work with clients and suppliers. Convention bureaux also use project management to coordinate events and partnerships. - Resea

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - involves planning, organising and coordinating activities. In DMCs, senior and junior project managers work with clients and suppliers. Convention bureaux also use project management to coordinate events and partnerships. - Research coverage: Yes

PRODUCTION - focuses on the practical delivery of an event. For DMCs, this can include coordinating suppliers, preparing operational schedules and managing activities on-site. Our research did not identify production as a separate department.- Resear

PRODUCTION - focuses on the practical delivery of an event. For DMCs, this can include coordinating suppliers, preparing operational schedules and managing activities on-site. Our research did not identify production as a separate department.- Research coverage: Partly

HUMAN RESOURCES - generally focuses on recruitment, employee development and staff well-being. These activities support the people working behind events, but our interviews and desk research did not specifically examine HR within city marketing organ

HUMAN RESOURCES - generally focuses on recruitment, employee development and staff well-being. These activities support the people working behind events, but our interviews and desk research did not specifically examine HR within city marketing organisations or DMCs. - Research coverage: Not specifically researched

Different organisations, different structures

Not every organisation works in the same way. Our interviews showed that team structure often depends on the size and purpose of the organisation.

Larger organisations

Often have specialised teams for marketing, content, events and partnerships.

Small convention bureaux

Have flexible roles, with team members sharing different responsibilities.

DMCs

Teams divided by client type, with senior and junior project managers.

What did our research show?

We compared industry sources with interviews to understand how these functions work in practice.

01

Desk research

City marketing promotes destinations, while DMCs focus on local event services. Both depend on strong partnerships.

02

Field research

Our interviews showed that larger organisations have specialised teams, while smaller organisations share responsibilities.

03

Our Conclusion

City marketing and DMCs have different but complementary roles. The way their teams work depends on the organisation's size, purpose and responsibilities.

BEHIND EVERY GREAT EVENT

BEHIND EVERY GREAT EVENT

Different functions. One shared goal.

City marketing attracts business events and promotes the destination, while DMCs coordinate local services and event experiences. Both rely on different functions and strong teamwork to make events successful.