PCMA’s new AI-powered platform, streamlines destination research with verified data, AI-driven RFP matching, and curated insights
For planners tired of wading through outdated brochures, conflicting Google searches, and endless “dates, rates, and space” spreadsheets — help has arrived.
Destinaitor, launched by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) in partnership with dFakto, promises to streamline destination and venue research for business event strategists. Unveiled at edUcon 2025, the tool leverages AI, verified destination data, and curated insights to help planners find the right destination faster—without the noise and inefficiency that often slows down site selection.
“I believe Destinaitor will revolutionize how business events strategists research destinations and venues,” said Sheriff Karamat, President & CEO of PCMA and CEMA. “The platform is dynamic. This is going to be a continued evolution.”
Moving Beyond “Dates, Rates, and Space”
Traditionally, planners spend countless hours comparing venues and destinations across inconsistent or incomplete data sources. Destinaitor’s goal is to fix this by aggregating verified data across categories like sustainability initiatives, safety measures, citywide events, infrastructure developments, and economic sectors.
Through strategic data partnerships with Tempest and Simpleview, Destinaitor integrates meetings and events data, enabling planners to compare multiple destinations using objective, validated insights—not just sales claims.
AI That Actually Helps
Destinaitor includes an AI-powered RFP feature that can analyze your request for proposal and recommend matching destinations based on your event’s unique requirements. Instead of broad, unqualified responses, planners can expect destination recommendations aligned with your event’s size, needs, and values, addressing common frustrations with the traditional RFP process.
“The business events industry is rapidly evolving, with increasing demand for secured and compliant AI-powered solutions and data-driven decision-making,” said Thibaut De Vylder, CEO of dFakto. “For destinations and venues, it’s an opportunity to control their data and brand narrative while gaining performance insights through analytics on search patterns.”
Verified Destinations and Dynamic Data
Participating destinations and venues can verify and update their profiles on Destinaitor, ensuring planners see accurate and current information. Destinations achieving “Verified Destination” status can use the platform to highlight unique value propositions while tracking performance data on what planners are searching for.
For planners, this means reduced time spent on research while increasing confidence in data accuracy. For destinations and venues, it’s an opportunity to showcase offerings to planners actively seeking the right match, reducing spam RFPs and focusing on quality leads.
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Free Access for Planners
Insights from Destinaitor are complimentary for business event strategists, aligning with PCMA’s mission to empower planners with intuitive, responsive tools that support better, faster decision-making.
Destinations and venues interested in being searchable are required to join a DestinAItor pilot for review of AI-generated destination data and to move forward with achieving the “Verified Destination” badge to appear on the platform.
While Destinaitor’s debut version is already robust, PCMA and dFakto plan continued enhancements as planners and destinations use the platform, with new features rolling out regularly to address evolving industry needs.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo by Getty Images For Unsplash+
