Development Counsellors International, also known as DCI, is a place marketing firm based in New York City that specializes in economic development and travel marketing, as well as investment lead generation services. Founded in 1960 by Ted Levine, the company now employs more than 60 people and has regional offices in Denver, Toronto and Los Angeles. Since its founding, DCI has worked with more than 500 cities, regions, states, provinces and countries, helping them attract both investors and visitors in order to better the lives of people in their local communities. The firm's clients include large economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community and destination marketing organizations with a focus on economic development and tourism marketing. DCI is proud to be a purpose-driven agency that holds its employees to its six values specific to the company’s role in marketing places. History According to the company founder, DCI began with just one client and two employees. The company's first office consisted of two small rooms in a medical supply warehouse on 14th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. As the U.S. director of public relations for Puerto Rico's Operation Bootstrap program, Ted Levine created a model economic development program for other countries wanting to boost tourism or encourage business development. Andy Levine, son of Ted Levine, joined DCI in 1991 and has grown to become the firm’s chairman today. The agency’s day to day management is headed by an all-female team and hiring efforts focus on attracting diverse marketing professionals from around the world. The company's use of an open-book management philosophy has led to unique monthly staff meetings, where employees, including administrative staffers, present the company's financial report for the previous month. To give every employee a financial stake in the outcome, when a certain profit is accrued, a "win" is declared and 30 percent of the profit is distributed across the company, based upon a formula derived from each staff member's base salary during the "win" period. DCI acquired Mondotels in 2010, creating DCI's meetings and incentive (MICE) division. Founded in 1982, Mondotels specialized in developing meeting and incentive business for destination marketing organizations and convention bureaus. Today, DCI continues to help destinations position themselves favorably to attract meeting and conference planners. In October 2012, DCI released the first 40 Under 40 Awards, a biennial competition to find rising stars under 40 years old who have achieved success