I want to take this opportunity to express to you my heartfelt gratitude for the professionalism demonstrated during the planning, organizing, and the execution of our Homecoming Reunion. You and your team exude a keen understanding of behind-the-scenes reunion planning and instill confidence throughout the entire process. Thank you for a job WELL DONE!
Joseph E. Dennison, CMCPO, USN (Ret)
USS Manley DD-940 Association
 
Phillips Destination Management Services: 30 years of success!

Phillips Destination Management Services

Anne Phillips, Brooke Garrett, Marjorie Phillips Mace

Retirement brought Phillips Destination Management Services plenty of work.  Marjorie Phillips Mace started the business in 1978, when World War II veterans were beginning to retire and stream into Norfolk to celebrate their reunions.  Mace hired her daughter-in-law, Anne Phillips, as a tour guide in those early years. Phillips took over the business in 1998 and changed the name from Marjorie Phillips Tours to Phillips Tours.

Phillips expanded the company to offer comprehensive destination management services – from airport “meet and greets” to V.I.P. tours – for conventions and association meetings. The company also became a shore excursion provider for major cruise lines coming into Norfolk.

Now a third generation Phillips woman is involved in the business – Phillips’ daughter, Brooke Phillips Garrett, is a partner in the company. Since Garrett joined, the company has become a member of the Association of Destination Management Executives and changed its name, once again.

Phillips is optimistic Phillips Destination Management Services is positioned to survive in the today’s economic climate, which she said is shrinking tourism nearly to post 9/11 levels. “Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area have so many unbelievably fantastic cultural and historical attractions,” Phillips said. “I think if people are going to go anywhere, they’ll come here.”

Originally appearing in Inside Business on 12/29/08