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How it started...
Our story is a story of a small island-nation, Aruba. A Dutch-Caribbean island that has forever changed since the introduction of new and exciting type of visitor, the Meetings and Conventions visitor. Thirty years ago, Wichita Villacres founder of ECO Destination Management Company, had the vision and pioneering spirit to introduce this island-nation to the Meetings and Conventions Market and dedicated the company to hospitality, and the MICE industry. Wichita recognized the need for a DMC, to coordinate all details, agendas, itineraries and ideas with local vendors, and having watched from the sidelines for over five years, she finally rolled the dice in 1987, and Eco Destination Management Services (ECO DMS) was born.
Today, ECO Destination Management and founder Wichita Villacres are widely recognized on the island for having the insight and the pioneering spirit for the introduction of the Meetings and Conventions Market in Aruba.
The Legacy
The Legacy
Over the years, Wichita pushed and lobbied for the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, an international, non-profit, professional association exclusively devoted to the pursuit of excellence in incentive global market to hold its meetings in Aruba, as a way of introducing the island and all its treasures to top decision makers in the travel industry. Her dream subsequently came true when the SITE international Conference unfolded on the island with members of the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives coming here for an important business forum.
In 2014, Wichita welcomed her daughter Maoreen Every into the business and since then the two of them have been achieving several industry accolades and they seem to be on an ongoing mission to continue the legacy.
Throughout its journey, ECODMS has delivered outstanding events and has been presented with the following prestige awards as Leading Destination Management Company:
2023
Achievement
We are delighted and proud to announce that ECODMS is part of euromic’s global portfolio of the world’s most celebrated DMCs.
2020 & 2021
Award
BizBash Event Style Award: Best Guerilla Marketing Initiative or Campaign.
BizBash Event Style Award: Best Fair/Festival.
2018 & 2019
Award
SITE Crystal Award: Excellence in Incentive Travel Latin America & Caribbean Region. SITE Crystal Award: Excellence in Incentive Travel Latin America & Caribbean Region.
2018
Achievement
Maoreen Every became the first DMC professional in the Dutch Caribbean region to obtain the CITP (Certified Incentive Travel Professional) certification.
2017 & 2018
Achievement
BI Worldwide (BIW) is a global engagement company that recognizes outstanding service in destination management services. As Mary MacGregor, Vice President of Event Solutions at BIW said, “We are proud to honor ECODMS as an Inspirational Partner. Their high standards and attention to detail help us to deliver the excellent service our clients deserve.” ECODMS won the BI Worldwide: Outstanding Service in Destination Management Services
2017
Award
ECODMS won the NorthStar Travel Group: Stella Awards. In 2017 NorthStar Travel Group produced its first-ever Stella Awards to recognize and honor suppliers who, consistently deliver quality service and innovation to meeting and events worldwide.
2016
Achievement
Maoreen Every became the first DMC professional in the Dutch Caribbean region to obtain the DMCP (Destination Management Certified Professional) certification.
2016
Award
ECODMS owner and CEO Wichita Villacres was honored with the SITE Kevin Forde Spirit Award. This recognition is given each year to a SITE member who exemplifies the traits that Kevin Forde was known and respected for: generosity of time and energy to those in the industry who needed help or advice.
2015
Award
The David Riddell scholarship winner: Kelsey Gernert, was awarded for her commitment to SITE and the incentive travel industry. Presented by: the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence.
2015
Maoreen Every became the first DMC professional in the Dutch Caribbean region to obtain the CIS (Certified Incentive Specialist) certification.
2011
Wichita Villacres won The Simon R. Oduber Recognition of Excellence, the SHOCO National Award of Tourism, for her Pioneering Spirit in the MICE Market. Presented by: The Ministry of Tourism, Transportation & Labor of Aruba and The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA).
2006
The IMA Circle of Excellence Award, which defines best practices in the development and execution of successful incentive programs, presented by Incentive Marketing Association. ECODMS received the IMA: Circle of Excellence Award.
2002
ECODMS was awarded the Carlson Marketing Crystal Award, for the Outstanding Ovation Award‚ for the most creative DMC.
1995
Wichita Villacres was recognized by the Aruba Hotel School for her invaluable contribution.
1991
ECODMS was awarded two SITE Crystal Awards for “Outstanding Single Event” and “Best Trip Delivery over 5-Nights” by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence. Two reputable Crystal Awards both for outstanding and unique theme event creations, presented by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), an international non-profit professional association exclusively devoted to the pursuit of excellence in the global incentive travel market.
