Development Counsellors International

What Development Counsellors International does

Development Counsellors International (DCI) is a privately held, full-service place marketing agency founded in 1960 in New York City. It specializes in marketing for economic development organizations (EDOs), destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and talent attraction clients, helping cities, regions, states, provinces, and countries attract visitors, business investment, and skilled workforce. The firm operates three core practices—Economic Development, Tourism, and Talent Attraction—supported by integrated services spanning public relations, paid media, custom website development (WordPress CMS with AI-enabled interactive tools), social media, SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), branding and marketing strategy, research, and events.

Differentiating assets include a proprietary Location Advisor Database covering 400+ site selectors with contact and project details; long-running original research (Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing triennially since 1996, Talent Wars annually, State of Site Selection biennially with the Site Selectors Guild, Capturing the Canadian Consumer, and Hospitality Outlook); and the 14th annual DCI Marketing Summit in 2026. The agency operates five North American offices (New York headquarters, Denver, Los Angeles, Toronto, plus distributed staff) and a European subsidiary, C Studios, headquartered in Amsterdam with staff across London, Paris, and Frankfurt for trade and FDI marketing.

DCI generates revenue primarily through professional services retainers and project-based fees across its practice areas. Secondary revenue streams include Summit registrations at $1,950 per attendee, paid speaking engagements and workshops at $2,500–$10,000+ per session plus travel, and proprietary research product sales. The agency employs 75+ staff (nearly 100 individuals total) and reports serving 500+ clients cumulatively. Leadership remains family-led: Chairman Andy Levine (son of founder Ted Levine, who founded the firm in 1960), President of Economic Development Practice Julie Curtin (who founded the DCI Marketing Summit in 2013), and President of Tourism Practice Karyl Leigh Barnes.

Name

Development Counsellors International

Legal name

Development Counsellors International

Website

https://aboutdci.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Development Counsellors International is a privately held, full-service place marketing agency founded in 1960, serving economic development organizations, destination marketing organizations, and talent attraction clients across North America and Europe through PR, digital marketing, research, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Marketing Services Retainers and Project Fees: DCI generates revenue through ongoing retainer engagements and project-based fees for specialized marketing services including economic development marketing, tourism marketing, talent attraction marketing, public relations, social media, SEO, paid media, website development, and brand strategy. Services are tailored per client and priced based on scope and practice area.
2. Conference and Event Registration: The annual DCI Marketing Summit charges $1,950 per registration, providing three days of programming, workshops, networking, and meals. This is a direct revenue event that also serves as a GTM and thought leadership vehicle.
3. Research Report Sales: DCI sells proprietary research reports including Talent Wars, The State of Site Selection, and Capturing the Canadian Consumer. These products serve as both standalone revenue items and lead-generation tools for broader service engagements.
4. Speaking and Workshop Fees: DCI team members deliver paid speaking engagements and workshops to EDOs and DMOs. Shorter virtual sessions start at $2,500, while longer in-person sessions typically range $5,000-$10,000 plus travel expenses. Custom proposals are offered based on client needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DCI is a full-service, specialized marketing agency that develops, designs, and executes integrated marketing campaigns to help cities, regions, states, provinces, and countries attract more visitors, business investment, and talent. Its core practices are Economic Development Marketing, Tourism Marketing, and Talent Attraction Marketing, delivered alongside supporting services such as public relations, place branding and marketing strategy, website development, social media, SEO and AI search visibility, paid media, site selection consultant marketing, travel trade relations, hospitality marketing, business events/MICE marketing, museum marketing, FDI marketing, Canadian representation, speaking and workshops, and original research.

Product overview

Development Counsellors International (DCI) is a specialized marketing services firm, not a unified software product, offering a comprehensive portfolio of place marketing services organized around three core practices: Economic Development Marketing, Tourism Marketing (Travel PR), and Talent Attraction Marketing. These core services are supported by an extensive suite of specialized services including Public Relations, Place Branding & Marketing Strategy, Website Services (with AI-enabled features), Social Media Marketing, SEO & AI Search Visibility, Paid Media Programs, Site Selection Consultant Marketing, Travel Trade Relations, Hospitality Marketing, Business Events/MICE Marketing, Museum Marketing, FDI Marketing, Canadian Representation, Speaking & Workshops, and Research Services. DCI also produces proprietary industry research including the Talent Wars report, Winning Strategies studies, The State of Site Selection, Capturing the Canadian Consumer, and Hospitality Outlook. The company operates the DCI Marketing Summit as an annual industry event and hosts the Talent Wars Podcast. All offerings are delivered as professional marketing services rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C Studios: A majority-owned subsidiary of DCI operating in European markets, with a head office in Amsterdam and staff spread across London, Paris and Frankfurt, focusing on trade and investment promotion.

Products and services

• Economic Development Marketing
• Tourism Marketing
• Talent Attraction Marketing
• Public Relations
• Place Branding & Marketing Strategy
• Website Services
• Social Media Marketing
• SEO & AI Search Visibility
• Paid Media Programs
• Site Selection Consultant Marketing
• Travel Trade Relations
• Hospitality Marketing
• Business Events / MICE Marketing
• Museum Marketing
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Marketing
• Canadian Representation
• Speaking & Workshops
• Research Services
• Talent Wars
• Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing
• The State of Site Selection
• Capturing the Canadian Consumer
• Hospitality Outlook
• DCI Marketing Summit

Quantifiable outcome

• 315% increase in flight bookings for Belize Tourism Board through paid advertising and digital marketing strategies
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers102 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Wall Street JournalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI leverages direct relationships with top-tier publishers to place sponsored content and earned media for economic development and tourism clients. DCI has placed media with The Wall Street Journal for clients including Charleston, the Greater New Orleans Region, and others, generating significant editorial coverage.
• Business InsidercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI has established media placement relationships with Business Insider for sponsored content and advertising placements targeting business decision-makers and travelers.
• The EconomistcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI places sponsored content and thought leadership pieces with The Economist for clients seeking to reach senior business and government audiences.
• FortunecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI leverages media partnerships with Fortune magazine for sponsored content placements targeting business executives and investors.
• NPRcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI places audio and editorial content with NPR for tourism and economic development clients seeking to reach engaged, educated audiences.
• Fast CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI places content with Fast Company for innovation-focused economic development and tourism storytelling.
• TimecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI has placed editorial and sponsored content with Time magazine for destination marketing clients.
• Site Selectors GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCI collaborates with the Site Selectors Guild on The State of Site Selection research study, conducted biennially with DCI's research team. This partnership provides DCI with独家 access to site selector insights that inform client strategies and thought leadership positioning.
• C StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC Studios is a majority-owned subsidiary of DCI, fully embedded within DCI operations, serving as the European arm for trade and FDI marketing. Staff are spread across London, Paris, and Frankfurt, with headquarters in Amsterdam. Steve Duncan serves as both DCI Head of Global Strategy and C Studios Managing Director.
• Jorgenson Pace, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI co-hosts the biennial 40 Under 40 Awards with Jorgenson Pace, Inc., recognizing outstanding individuals in economic development under 40 years of age.
• Clayton Hotel & Members ClubminorOthersThe 14th Annual DCI Marketing Summit in September 2026 will be held at Clayton Hotel & Members Club in Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood. DCI has secured a limited room block for attendees at this venue.
• Site Selectors GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCI co-develops The State of Site Selection workshop, bringing together DCI's Head of Research and a Site Selectors Guild member to deliver custom presentations to EDO leadership and stakeholders on the forces reshaping corporate location decisions.
• CNBC (Scott Cohn)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI features fireside chats with Scott Cohn of CNBC's 'America's Best States for Business' at the DCI Marketing Summit as a keynote session, bringing high-profile business journalism to the EDO community.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJulie Curtin serves on the IEDC board of directors, and DCI partners with IEDC on the Diversity & Equity Fellowship program launched in 2022, providing 8-week internships for young people of color in economic development organizations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Resonance: Resonance is a place branding and marketing consultancy that works with cities, countries, and real estate developers on branding, economic development, and tourism strategy. It is one of the closest direct competitors to DCI in place marketing, with overlapping service lines in destination branding and PR.
• MMGY Global: MMGY Global is a leading integrated marketing firm serving the travel, hospitality, and tourism industry, including destination marketing organizations. It is a direct peer to DCI's tourism practice, competing for the same DMO and tourism-board budgets with comparable research, advertising, PR, and digital offerings.
• Miles Partnership: Miles Partnership is a media, marketing, and content agency dedicated to the travel industry, with deep destination marketing organization (DMO) and state tourism board clients. It is one of DCI's most direct competitors for tourism marketing, content, and media buying engagements.
• Two Six Digital (Tourism Marketing): Two Six Digital is a tourism marketing agency providing website design, content, SEO, and digital advertising for state tourism offices and DMOs. It is a direct peer competing on DMO digital service lines that overlap heavily with DCI's website, SEO, and paid media practices.
• BVK: BVK is an independent marketing and advertising agency with a strong destination and tourism marketing practice serving DMOs and tourism boards. It competes with DCI for the same state and regional tourism accounts.

Broad incumbents

• Weber Shandwick: Weber Shandwick is a global public relations and communications agency that runs destination and economic development PR engagements for major clients. It is a broad incumbent whose destination practice overlaps DCI's PR and earned-media service lines but as part of a much larger generalist portfolio.
• Edelman: Edelman is one of the world's largest PR firms, with destination, tourism, and place-branding engagements globally. It competes with DCI on larger tourism-board and FDI mandates while also serving a wide range of consumer, corporate, and policy clients.
• Landor & Fitch: Landor & Fitch is a global brand consultancy that works on place branding, nation branding, and destination identity projects for governments and tourism authorities. It overlaps with DCI's branding and place-marketing strategy work as a broader brand-consulting incumbent.
• Ogilvy: Ogilvy is a global advertising and marketing network with tourism, government, and economic development clients across multiple geographies. It is a broad incumbent whose scale and integrated offering can pressure DCI on larger multinational RFPs.

Emerging players

• Skift (Skift Research / SkiftX): Skift is a media, research, and events company focused on the travel industry that increasingly offers research, content marketing, and advisory services to tourism boards. It is an emerging peer whose research and content products overlap DCI's Tourism Outlook and thought-leadership IP for DMO buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aboutdci
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/development-counsellors-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/aboutdci
• Xx.com/aboutdci

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Development Counsellors International