Global meetings industry stalwarts Ian Quartermaine and Jeffrey Devine (above), each with more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, are launching a global alliance offering business-critical support and solutions for independent meetings professionals in Asia and the rest of the world.
Entitled Dezika, the initiative is aimed at improving the performance of independent event, conference and incentive planners through a host of services. Quartermaine and Devine say agencies will be able to offer service standards closer to the levels provided by larger organisations. This would enable them to retain their independence while also gaining recognition.
Services include commission collection, ancillary service procurement to enable the scaling up of operations, electronic and forensic audits, sharing of problems and best practice through networking events, access to cruise and air-group expertise, and a recognition programme.
“We want to give independent meetings planners in Asia access to world-class services to improve their performance levels and make them more competitive at home and on the global stage,” says Quartermaine, whose career includes key roles at Helms Briscoe. MeetingsIn and British Airways.
“Jeff and I devised Dezika to provide solutions to the key issues planners are facing day in, day out. Planners will be offered crucial support to help them to work smarter, improve performance and make them more competitive.”
Devine, an industry veteran who has held management and executive positions with Marriott, SmithBucklin, ConferenceDirect and the Hybrid Group among others, says Dezika will champion independent Asian planners and act as a symbol of quality and professionalism.
“The recognition programme is the single most effective driver in helping to build a cohesive community of member planners, that together, represent a substantial volume of business in our industry,” says Devine.
Quartermaine and Devine will launch Dezika as the first official member-based organisation offering tangible business-building tools. It was unveiled last week at IMEX America in Las Vegas where many of its new members were in attendance.
