GPS Destinations
GPS Destinations is a privately held Chicago-based firm (Global Partner Source, LLC) that connects corporate meeting planners with a global network of 20+ destination management companies across 100+ destinations and runs PlannerConnect, a series of curated in-market marketplace events linking qualified planners with luxury hotels, CVBs, and DMCs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNot specified in website content, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What GPS Destinations does
GPS Destinations (legal entity: Global Partner Source, LLC) is a privately held Chicago-based company founded in 2017 that operates a two-pronged platform for the global meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) industry. Its DMC Collective is a curated network of 20+ independently owned destination management companies providing local ground-handling and program design across 100+ destinations in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Pacific. Its PlannerConnect Events are scheduled in-market marketplace gatherings that connect qualified meeting planners (those booking 10+ guest rooms at luxury hotels and/or using DMC services) with luxury hotels, CVBs, and DMCs through a "Marketplace" exhibit floor and a "Think-Tank" luncheon format, typically running 11:00AM-2:00PM or 4:00PM-7:00PM.
The company's underlying technology is modest: a WordPress marketing site with The Events Calendar plugin for planner registration and a separate GPS Connected Community membership platform (gating events calendar access to registered members), supplemented by iCal/.ics calendar export. There is no public or partner-facing API, no mobile application, and no disclosed integrations. The core value to planners and exhibitors is human-mediated (RFP submission, qualification, pre-event marketing, buyer profile delivery, and post-event reporting) rather than software-mediated.
The business model combines two revenue streams. First, GPS earns referral or commission fees by routing corporate meeting and incentive business from planners to DMC Collective partners. Second, it sells exhibitor packages into PlannerConnect Events that include exhibit space, a Think-Tank luncheon seat, pre-event marketing, in-depth buyer profiles, and a post-event summary; pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires direct contact. The go-to-market is primarily event-driven: members of the GPS Connected Community and attendees of PlannerConnect form the buyer pipeline, supported by affiliations with MPI, ADMEI, FICP, and SITE and an outbound RFP form on the website. The company operates with a small core leadership team of five (President/Managing Director Mark Marino, Global Destination Manager Darryl Nielsen, Director of Operations Melody Clark, Event Marketing & Operations Coordinator Samantha Steiner, and Sales & Marketing Specialist James Serra), with no disclosed external funding.
GPS Destinations firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GPS Destinations
- Legal name
- Global Partner Source, LLC
- Website
- https://gpsdestinations.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- GPS Destinations is a privately held Chicago-based firm (Global Partner Source, LLC) that connects corporate meeting planners with a global network of 20+ destination management companies across 100+ destinations and runs PlannerConnect, a series of curated in-market marketplace events linking qualified planners with luxury hotels, CVBs, and DMCs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GPS Destinations industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Destination Management & Event Services
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152)
- SIC
- Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Service Destination Management (Ground Handling & Onsite Operations) (THAHADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Inbound DMCs (Full-Service Ground Handling) (THAKAEAA), Destination & Itinerary Management (DMC-Led Experiences, Excursions, VIP Access) (THAHANAE), Luxury & High-End Incentives (Private Jets, Yachts, Ultra-Luxury Stays) (THAHADAK), Events-Integrated Corporate Travel (TMCs with Meetings/Groups) (THACAAAH)
Keywords
Where GPS Destinations is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Not specified in website content
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GPS Destinations business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- DMC Collective Referral Services: GPS Destinations operates as a network/aggregator of independent Destination Management Companies serving 100+ global destinations. The company connects meeting planners with DMC partners and likely earns referral/commission fees for successful bookings. Services cover meetings, incentives, conferences, and events across Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and South Pacific.
- PlannerConnect Event Registration: PlannerConnect Events serve as marketplace showcases connecting luxury hotels, CVBs, and DMCs with qualified meeting planners. Exhibitor registration includes exhibit space, Think-Tank luncheon seat, pre-event marketing, buyer profiles, and post-event reports. Event pricing requires direct inquiry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Exhibitor packages include exhibit space, luncheon, and marketing materials |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
GPS Destinations product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GPS Destinations operates a global DMC Collective network of independently owned Destination Management Companies serving 100+ destinations across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and South Pacific, connecting corporate meeting planners with vetted local DMC partners for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events. It also runs PlannerConnect Events, a series of in-market marketplace showcase events that bring qualified meeting planners together with luxury hotels, CVBs, and DMCs through The Marketplace exhibition and The Think-Tank luncheon formats.
Product overview
GPS Destinations operates as a two-pronged platform for the meeting and incentive industry: (1) the GPS Destinations DMC Collective — a global network of independently owned Destination Management Companies serving 100+ destinations across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and South Pacific, providing local expertise for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events; and (2) PlannerConnect Events — industry marketplace events that connect qualified meeting planners with luxury hotels, CVBs, and DMC suppliers through structured marketplace and think-tank formats. The two products are complementary: the DMC Collective provides the destination services infrastructure while PlannerConnect provides the networking and business development events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GPS Destinations DMC Collective: A global network of Destination Management Companies delivering expert local knowledge and exceptional service for memorable meetings and incentives.
- PlannerConnect Events
Products and services
- GPS Destinations DMC Collective A global network of independently owned Destination Management Companies (DMCs) delivering local knowledge and exceptional service for corporate meetings, incentives, conferences, and events across 100+ destinations in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and South Pacific; designed for corporate meeting planners and incentive travel decision-makers.
- PlannerConnect Events Industry-leading marketplace events that bring together qualified meeting planners and luxury suppliers (hotels, CVBs, DMCs) through The Marketplace exhibition and The Think-Tank luncheon formats, typically operating 11:00AM-2:00PM or 4:00PM-7:00PM, with tailored pre-event marketing, buyer profiles, and post-event summaries for exhibitors.
Companies that use GPS Destinations
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
GPS Destinations technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
GPS Destinations partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PR Incentives (Italy)corePR Incentives DMC represents over 30 years of experience in the Meetings Industry. A female-owned, SITE Crystal Award winning team based in Sicily, Rome, and Milan. Members of SITE and MPI, adhering to Code of Ethics. Serves all Italy destinations including Florence/Tuscany, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, Apulia, Sardinia, The Lakes, Turin, Bologna, Naples. Specializes in incentives, conferences, meetings, product launches, and luxury travel.
- Into Africa DMCcoreDestination Management Company based in Cape Town, South Africa, dedicated to sustainable and responsible tourism. Serves Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Team of 20+ individuals with strong service ethos. Focuses on partnerships with clients and suppliers, promoting local communities and conservation organizations.
- Communications & Destinations (UK)corePremier Destination Management Company headquartered in London with dedicated office in Edinburgh. Fully privately-owned company specializing in high-quality group travel and hospitality programs, strategic meeting management concepts, and cruise ship land programs and shore excursions including pre and post tours. Serves England and Scotland.
- MI Malta LtdcoreFast-growing, hands-on DMC established in 2006, offering wide spectrum of hospitality and ancillary services to Malta's MICE sector. Team of 12 people. Services include conference budgeting, creative conference packages, accommodation sourcing, exclusive venue selection, ground handling, logistics, transportation, tailor-made excursions, and round-the-clock supervision.
- Montenegro Concierge DMCcoreLifestyle and DMC with over 10 years of experience, providing high-end tailor-made experiences. Multi-lingual team focused on tourism and sustainable activities. Services include MICE events, incentive trips, team buildings, and bespoke itineraries. Serves Montenegro with VIP access to exclusive venues and immersive cultural experiences.
- CITITRAVEL (Spain & Portugal)corePremier DMC in Spain and Portugal with over 30 years of experience and numerous service awards. Privately-owned company with headquarters in Málaga on Costa del Sol, branch offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Tenerife, Mallorca, and Lisbon. Specializes in Meeting, Incentive, and Conference programs.
- DreamCatcher DMC (Monaco & Southern France)coreOver a decade of creating extraordinary event arrangements with exclusive experiences. Known for extensive network of local suppliers and service providers, strong local connections, and exceptional value through partner relationships. Serves Monaco, Nice, St Troppez, Provence. Specializes in unique experiences not available to independent visitors.
- Circa DMC (Texas)coreDestination Management Company serving Dallas and San Antonio, Texas. Known for extensive network of locally, regionally, and nationally cultivated supplier partners. Specializes in conventions, corporate meetings, association conferences, non-profit organizations, and group gatherings. Known for providing 'the ungettable get' for clients.
- Impact Destinations & Events (Northern California)coreFastest-growing DMC in Northern California, dedicated to high-touch, completely customized programs. Serves Wine Country, San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Monterey & Carmel, Lake Tahoe. Focus on laser-focused approach to client objectives with customized experiences aligned with organizational goals.
- Impact DMC (UAE & Oman)coreAward-winning integrated Incentive Travel and Event Production company for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. Offers turn-key solutions including in-house AV production, furniture rental, event branding, staffing, government licensing, and conference permits. Serves as one-stop solution for MICE projects.
- Tekser DMC (Turkey)coreLeading DMC in Turkey for over four decades with motto 'Personalized service at its best.' Serves all Turkey destinations including Istanbul, Izmir, Ephesus, Canakkale (Troy), Antalya, Antakya, Urfa (Gobeklitepe), Ankara, Bodrum, Cappadocia. Known for versatility in designing new and out-of-the-ordinary events.
- The Shackman Group (New York)coreWoman-owned, owner-operated DMC dedicated exclusively to New York City and tri-state area. Over 30 years of experience with in-house creative expertise, operational precision, and deep local relationships. Primary destination: NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island). Extended area: Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT).
- NOLA DMC (New Orleans)coreFull-service DMC with 30+ years of experience, led by tenth-generation New Orleanian Meg Baird. Locally owned and operated team of professionals with deep understanding of New Orleans culture, traditions, and customs. Specializes in authentic New Orleans experiences for events, activities, tours, transportation, and program logistics.
- Maritur DMC (Mexico)corePremier DMC with over 40 years of experience serving Mexico destinations including Acapulco, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Merida, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit. Professional corporate solutions for incentive travel, international congresses, and business group meetings.
- Symphony DMC (Greece)coreBoutique DMC offering unique client attention. Philosophy: 'quality over quantity, originality over repetition, attention to detail over mass production.' Serves Paros, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kalamata. Specializes in organizing, planning, and executing Conferences, Meetings, Incentives & Events in Greece and Greek Islands.
- Symphony DMC (Cyprus)coreBoutique DMC offering unique client attention. Serves Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia, Ayia Napa. Focus on year-round sunshine, crystal-clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and historic sites for meetings and incentives.
- Horizons IrelandcoreLeading DMC and event management company based in Ireland. Team driven by passion for design, culture, sustainable travel, and innovation. Self-described as 'Curators of Luxury and Masters of Detail.' Services include incentive trips, executive retreats, launch events, and experiential marketing.
- MARBER DMC (Croatia)corePrivately owned DMC offering luxury and travel services in Croatia. Experienced project managers organize incentive trips, events, meetings, and customized travel experiences. Serves Dubrovnik, Split, and islands with dedication to creating positive emotions through fulfilling experiences.
- Moose Tracks Events (Washington DC)coreBoutique events company with leadership team boasting 150+ combined years of experience. Specializes in creative and unforgettable events with heart, soul, and true connection. Focus on giving back through wildlife conservation, veterans' support, and philanthropy. Serves Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
- DMC Department (South Pacific)coreDMC dedicated to the South Pacific with 15+ years of experience. Services include Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tahiti. Delivers programs that define clients and their brands. Offers incredible exchange rate advantages (40-56% on US dollar) for certain destinations.
- Castillo Destination Management (Puerto Rico)coreFull-service DMC with 45+ years of experience in Puerto Rico. Event design and luxury experiences with boutique personality and large-scale capabilities. All-female team with years of experience in wide array of events. Specializes in custom experiences from 1 to 500 attendees.
- MPI (Meeting Professionals International)minorProfessional affiliation. MPI is the world's largest meeting and event industry association, providing resources, education, and networking for meeting professionals.
- ADMEI (Association of Destination Management Executives International)minorProfessional affiliation. ADMEI is the global association for destination management executives, providing certification, education, and industry standards.
- FICP (Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals)minorProfessional affiliation. FICP is the association for professionals who plan insurance and financial industry meetings and events.
- SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence)minorProfessional affiliation. SITE is the leading professional organization for incentive travel and motivational experience professionals, offering certification and the SITE Crystal Awards.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
GPS Destinations competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Maritz Global Events: Long-established full-service meeting, incentive, and event management company. Comparable to GPS Destinations in targeting corporate incentive travel buyers, though with integrated service delivery rather than an aggregator model.
- Cvent: Leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology platform now owned by Blackstone. Comparable as a platform connecting meeting planners with hotels and venues, though broader in scope and with proprietary technology advantage.
- American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT): Major corporate travel management company with growing meetings and events division. Comparable in serving corporate event buyers through an integrated corporate travel + meetings platform, though much larger in scale and corporate travel-focused.
- BCD Meetings & Events: Major global meetings and events agency serving large enterprise clients with full-service event management. Comparable as a competitor in the corporate meetings and incentives space, though with a much broader corporate travel parent (BCD Group).
- ITA Group: Engagement, incentive, and event solutions provider serving large enterprises. Comparable in the corporate incentive travel and meeting space, with vertically integrated design and execution capabilities.
Direct peers
- ConferenceDirect: Global meeting solutions company offering venue sourcing, event management, and DMC services. Directly comparable as a multi-service intermediary serving corporate meeting planners with both technology and human services.
- HelmsBriscoe: Largest global venue sourcing and meetings management company, connecting meeting planners with hotels and venues worldwide. Highly comparable to GPS Destinations as a network/intermediary serving the same MICE buyer persona with a global reach model.
Emerging players
- groups/360: Group booking platform connecting meeting planners with hotels through technology, with expanding event marketplace features. Comparable as an emerging technology-enabled intermediary targeting the same corporate meeting planner segment.
- Eventbrite: Event marketplace and ticketing platform with growing presence in professional events. Comparable as an event marketplace technology player, though focused on broader event categories than MICE.
Others
- Corporate Event Marketing Association (ADMEI): Industry association for destination management executives. Comparable as an ecosystem player—GPS's DMC partners are ADMEI members—but not a commercial competitor. Included as an industry context reference.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GPS Destinations social profiles
Digital presenceGPS Destinations financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GPS Destinations leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
GPS Destinations funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GPS Destinations M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GPS Destinations
What does GPS Destinations do?
GPS Destinations operates a global DMC Collective network of independently owned Destination Management Companies serving 100+ destinations across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and South Pacific, connecting corporate meeting planners with vetted local DMC partners for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events. It also runs PlannerConnect Events, a series of in-market marketplace showcase events that bring qualified meeting planners together with luxury hotels, CVBs, and DMCs through The Marketplace exhibition and The Think-Tank luncheon formats.
Is GPS Destinations a public or private company?
GPS Destinations is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GPS Destinations founded?
GPS Destinations was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is GPS Destinations based?
GPS Destinations is headquartered in Not specified in website content, United States, in the North America region.
How does GPS Destinations make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. DMC Collective Referral Services are the primary driver. The others are plannerConnect Event Registration.
Who are GPS Destinations's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Maritz Global Events, Cvent, American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), BCD Meetings & Events and ITA Group. Direct peers are ConferenceDirect and HelmsBriscoe. Emerging players are groups/360 and Eventbrite. Corporate Event Marketing Association (ADMEI) is listed as an others.
Does GPS Destinations have an API?
No public API is recorded for GPS Destinations.
What industry is GPS Destinations in?
GPS Destinations's product category is Destination Management & Event Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHADAA, Full-Service Destination Management (Ground Handling & Onsite Operations), with a secondary code of THAKAEAA, Inbound DMCs (Full-Service Ground Handling). Its NAICS code is 561520 and its SIC code is 8744.