How We Work With DMCs
Since 2019, boxthecity has partnered with Destination Management Companies across the U.S. to create meaningful, locally-sourced gifting and activations that elevate the guest experience and reflect the destination.
Because gifting requires thoughtful sourcing, creative development, and coordination with small makers, how we engage depends on where you are in the process.
Please review the pathways below so we can support you efficiently and successfully.
REPEAT PROGRAMS
Have We Worked Together on A Specific Program Before?
✔ Same client
✔ Same or similar gifting
✔ Confirmed business | Ready to contract
Great – welcome back.
Please email us: info@boxthecity.com
Be sure to include the program name, any updated quantities, dates, and any changes.
We’ll streamline the process and move forward quickly.
BID / NON-CONFIRMED BUSINESS
Are You Bidding on Business That Has Not Yet Been Awarded?
We’re pulling for you – truly.
However, boxthecity does not curate, source, or build custom gifting proposals for non-confirmed business.
At the bid stage, we invite you to:
- Explore our Ready-to-Gift collections for inspiration and budget planning
- Review sample price ranges and timelines
- Reference past work featured on our site
This allows you to include gifting in your proposal without placing unnecessary strain on creative resources, makers, or timelines.
Once business is confirmed, we’re happy to engage fully.
CONFIRMED BUSINESS / PROPOSING GIFTING
Is the Business Confirmed and You’d Like to Propose Gifting?
✔ Client awarded
✔ Budget discussion underway
✔ You’d like boxthecity to curate options
To initiate sourcing and curation at this stage:
- A design deposit or signed agreement is required
- Deposits are applied to the final invoice
- Projects must meet minimum spend and lead-time requirements
This ensures we can thoughtfully design gifting that reflects both your client and our standards.
CONFIRMED BUSINESS / READY TO PURCHASE
Is the Business Confirmed and You’re Ready to Purchase Gifting?
✔ Budget approved
✔ Direction confirmed
✔ Timeline aligned
Perfect – let’s go.
All purchase-ready projects require:
- Minimum order quantities
- Deposit to begin production
- Approved timelines (rush fees may apply)
WORKING DIRECTLY WITH PLANNERS (OPTIONAL PATH)
Prefer to Connect Us Directly to the Planner?
Many planners prefer to work directly with us on gifting. When appropriate, this often results in:
- Clearer creative direction
- Better use of budget
- Faster approvals
- Stronger outcomes
DMCs who introduce boxthecity directly to the planner may earn a referral commission when gifting moves forward and program criteria are met.
👉 Learn more about our DMC Referral Partner Program below.
WHAT TO EXPECT (GUARDRAILS)
To ensure a successful partnership:
- Minimum per-person spend applies
- Deposits are required to initiate sourcing
- Lead times vary by product and customization
- Speculative or last-minute requests may be declined
These guidelines allow us to protect our makers, our team, and the quality of work we deliver.
We deeply value the creativity and care that goes into destination planning, and we’re honored to be part of the experience when it comes to thoughtful, branded gifting.
With that, we'd like to take a moment to clarify how we support our partners, especially when requests are part of a competitive bid:
Sourcing vs. Curating
- Sourcing: If you already have a clear vision—specific items, quantities, or budget—we’re happy to provide pricing and fulfillment details at no cost or commitment.
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Curating: When you're seeking creative direction, themed concepts, or custom gift set development based on limited criteria, this involves a deeper investment of time and resources.
We treat curation as a dedicated service, and as such, we reserve it for confirmed projects or those with a formal deposit or commitment.
We understand that many DMCs are bidding on behalf of clients, and while we want to support your efforts, we also need to protect the integrity of our creative process.
A New Way to Partner
To make collaboration more seamless and rewarding, we now offer a referral-based gifting model:
- You refer your client directly to boxthecity for gifting.
- We handle all creative development, client communication, and fulfillment.
- You receive 10% referral credit on all orders placed by your client.
This approach ensures your client receives the highest level of service and customization, while you benefit from a successful gifting experience—without the burden of speculative creative work.
We’re excited to continue building meaningful partnerships and would love to explore this model with you on your next opportunity.