Yeah...I know it's a sell-piece. But, I also know the crew at Eugene, Cascades & Coast...and they don't shill. Far from it.
So, this testimonial on how the Economic Impact Calculator worked for Track Town USA is the real deal. If you're not onboard with EIC, it's time to reconsider.
And, if you want to hear more about the destination's amazing 2022, we talked with CEO Kari Westlund on the DMOU Podcast las year.
Communities with a robust tourism economy know the benefits...and the challenges of welcoming the world. The Destination Marketing Organizations in the really successful communities often take a fair amount of resident heat for their perceived role in negatively impacting Quality of Life.
But, those criticisms rarely recognize the hidden benefits of visitor spending, such as jobs for friends and relatives and that many of the restaurants and attractions residents enjoy wouldn't exist without the infusion of outside dollars.
Every once in a while, an editorial writer attempts to tell a fuller story for readers that don't understand the depth of how tourism and DMOs power a community's success. The Charleston's Post & Courier's Brian Hicks articulates it better than I believe I've ever seen.
And, it's so worth your read.
Yeah, I know Summer doesn't "officially" arrive til mid June...but Memorial Day Weekend is my official Summer kick-off. Sadly, our Music Friday post last weekend transitioned to honor the amazing Tina Turner.
We had originally planned to welcome the season last weekend with KC Johns. I have no idea how I stumbled upon her a few weeks ago...but I did and I'm glad for the serendipitous insertion into my life because this is my new Welcome Summer song. It's "Shore Feels Good" with Steven Cade.
Sure does.
And you can catch her this weekend in Missouri and Oklahoma.
The latest edition of America's Top Cities is out today and DMOU had the opportunity to talk with Resonance's Chris Fair on how the rankings are determined and why they matter. It's no surprise that big cities dominate the top 50 because they have more assets than smaller cities. But, there are some surprising cities in the bottom 50 that point the way to how DMOs can elevate community brand and magnetism to increase awareness and interest. Chris breaks it all down in this exclusive interview on how the rankings have evolved post-COVID. Cool stuff.
The quicksand in which so many marketers find themselves is they believe they know what good marketing looks and feels like. Like, tourism video always needs a golf shot (we've proven that's a complete fallacy through DMOvizion...indeed it's the worst image you can show in run-of-schedule TV).
They believe they know the mediums that will be most effective to capture the imagination of their target markets. And...radio? No one listens to terrestrial radio anymore (which couldn't be further from the truth).
I haven't listened to local radio for years. I do when I'm on the road to get a sense of the communities in which I'm working...but, my home choice is always satellite, internet or my own playlist. But, what I do or prefer means nothing...research means everything. And this recent post from Roy Williams is a must read for any marketer that believes radio is dead.
I'm pretty sure that the disillusioned head shake by hotel developers in Conroe has been more pronounced than that of the serial killer in the Geico commercial. As the City of Conroe footed most of the bill for the exceptional new Hotel & Conference Center that opened last week, you'd think someone would have considered that having a DMO with no staff to assist with the opening would have been a red flag.
Hey, if forces within the City wanted to fire accomplished, award-winning DMO leadership...that's fine. Completely their prerogative. But doing it weeks before one of their biggest private economic development partners opens such an ambitious project that needs a professional DMO (and not City Hall receptionists)...that's just carelessly clueless.
But hey, there's a lot of that going on out there.
Sadly.
It was just two months ago that Terri and I were mesmerized by the traveling company of Tina: The Musical. If you get the opportunity to see this amazing production, it comes highly recommended from us (yeah, it's coming to Madison next summer...but we couldn't wait). And, for you, it will doubtless take on an even more special meaning, as she's now tearing it down in Heaven's House Band.
Known best for her iconic version of John Fogerty's "Proud Mary," our Music Friday homage will focus on the amazing duets Tina did during her sensational career. Not that her solo work was in any way lacking...but it was the sheer joy she exuded when riffing with others that always gave me goosebumps.
This list is by no means complete...but these are my favorites:
With Jimmy Barnes (probably Tina's most perfect vocal match) on "(Simply) The Best."
With Mick Jagger at Live Aid and "State of Shock/Only Rock n Roll."
With David Bowie on "Tonight," (and we can only pray they danced this week upon her arrival).
With Cher in 1975 and "Shame Shame Shame."
And, the one song I'd take to a desert island if I had only one to choose? "It's Only Love" with Bryan Adams.
The rabbit hole? There may be others that some may like better...but the concert I loved most was from the "Private Dancer" tour (and two of my favorite duets above are from that concert).
Thank you for all the love, Tina. We'll so miss you. And, that's all.
A destination that has gone through its fair share of political turmoil just announced they are rebranding their DMO to include the county's name (rarely a good idea, as most consumers don't know county names).
But hey, good for them. They're moving on...but, they're not.
Inspired by the article, I went to the DMO's website...and it's still showing the old brand (wouldn't you wait on the announcement of a new brand until the new look was up?). And, I'm confronted with this as the banner image (click above left to enlarge)?
I'm sorry. The county's median age is 36...and you're leading with a bunch of old farts drinking beer with some Zs? And, they're all white?
Oh yeah...and the DMO abandoned their old URL when they should have used it as a redirect so they don't lose their existing customer base?
Sigh...
This is the challenge, n'est-ce pas?
When the late former Illinois Tourism Director Donna Shaw announced that her office would be cutting back on promoting State Parks in favor of the rich experiences of Chicago, she defended the move as an attempt to attract the "high value consumer," referring to those that spend more than those that bring their own bed, beer and bait.
Cathy Ritter, another former Illinois Tourism Director, shared her definition of a high value consumer on the DMOU podcast as one that shared the values and honored the culture of a place.
Both are clearly in play in Hong Kong, according to this story in the New York Times.
But, what a conundrum, eh? How to be a welcoming destination (and DLO) when you really don't want "locusts" weaving through your community.
OK...I'm about as far from a conspiracy theorist as one can get. But this goes beyond coincidence.
Lou Malnati's Pizza is the bomb. But, I haven't enjoyed one in over 30 years since moving to Wisconsin. Likely haven't thought about one in over a decade.
In a conversation last week in our house, a friend told us that he often sends Lou Malnati's Pizzas as gifts to friends and family. That's how amazing they are. Not two hours later, I am served up a Facebook ad for Lou Malnati's Pizza.
Alexa's not only listening 24/7...but she's clearly sharing intel with other platforms.
It's been a couple years since we lost Michael Stanley. But, I smile every time his music shuffles forward.
It happened just the other day when "When I’m Holding You Tight" came on (sorry, no video)...and I reveled in the reality of the lyric:
So many nightsAlone in the darknessJust me and youBoth had someone to useWe played a game with no rulesFelt we couldn't lose
But it was the final few moments that made me really smile...when the singer screamed, "Ooh baby."
Such an homage to fellow Cleveland rockers The Raspberries and the classic "I Wanna Be with You."
Chills.
A recent piece on Local10 in South Florida suggests that the Governor's recent migrant relocation bill has resulted in undocumented workers walking off job sites. Which is not good for Florida's economy.
Whether true or not, I had to laugh at the Governor's response: “You can’t build a strong economy based on illegality.”
And yet, the economy he touts as one of the nation's best as he prepares to run for President, has been just that.
Just sayin...
For DMOs that produce destination events, it often consumes months of staff time. Yet, Visit Estes Park turned a festival that a neighboring community was preparing to sunset into an event that garnered national media attention in just 100 days. CEO Kara Franker guests to tell the unique story of the revitalized "Frozen Dead Guy Days," an event that not only bolstered a need time on the calendar but also raised money for workforce housing and daycare initiatives. It's a stirring story of community collaboration you're not going to want to miss. You can find the conversation HERE.
And, while you're at it...check out the sensational video behind the story Kara tells on the podcast about backing a Room Tax increase to support local workforce housing and childcare.
Simply brilliant.
Years ago, we began issuing "Air Laws" in an attempt to draw attention to the self-absorbtion of some passengers on airlines. Our very first Air Law was directed at those that mindlessly jack their seats back, with no thought for the person behind them.
A post by thelkshow recently suggested a novel solution: "When you are on a flight and the person in front of you reclines their seat all the way and leaves you no room, turn on the air conditioner above you on full blast and point it at the top of their head."
Brilliant.
Ocean City unleashed its new brand last week. And, when it comes to "all in," one can't do better than Ocean City CVB Director Tom Perlozzo, who launched the brand dressed in a suit covered in the new logo.
OC's longtime Mayor Rick Meehan was also on hand...and we smile every time we see him, because it brings back memories of the only tourism ad by a politician that ever worked.
For so many acts, they come on stage and start the show. And that's OK, I guess. But I want something more. Like the beginning of Lou Reed's show years ago...where the intro of "Sweet Jane" teased the audience to a frenzy.
On this Music Friday, we offer this video of the opening of Alice Cooper's show at the Olympia in Paris...which transitions into one of his best: Poison.
Love it.
While the Hawaiian Legislature spent an inordinate amount of time attempting (and, ultimately failing) to end the Hawaii Tourism Authority...they absolutely whiffed on a bill that would have had a profound impact on protecting the State's delicate infrastructure.
Despite widespread public support, a bill that would have imposed a fee for tourists to visit State Parks and trails that would have funded the maintenance and protection of parks, coral reefs, forests and wildlife such as dolphins. And yet, legislators apparently couldn't agree on details before the session concluded.
Isn't that what we elect leaders to do...represent our interests?
For the past 5 years, Shannon Overby took the destination marketing of Conroe TX beyond what most would consider possible. She recently got caught up in political shitshow when forces within the City decided that the DMO should serve as the receptionist for City Hall and she pushed back.
Conroe let her go for her "insubordination." And, within days, she is snapped up by one of the top DMOs in the State of Texas.
Hey Conroe? Does that suggest to you that you have no friggin' idea what you're doing? Or the talent you just frittered away?
Yeah...probably not.
One of the coolest streaming shows of the year has been Poker Face, the cameo star-studded collaboration between Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne. As Terri and I evangelize the show to our friends, we say that Natasha's character is like a modern day Columbo.
Most people have no idea what we're talking about. That TV show aired 50 years ago...about the same time the detective show Kojack was popular.
The ad agency posing as Duluth's DMO is launching a campaign in its top feeder market, repurposing Kojack star Telly Savalas' TV ad extolling the virtues of Duluth...from 40 years ago.
Hey, they may be onto something, as emerging travelers are fascinated with nostalgia...and Roy Williams' 40-year Pendulum is certainly in play.
But, I'm not holding my breath.
Should be interesting to see if this moves the needle. Any needle.
Last week, we shared the good news that Minnesota and Indiana finally joined the club and will be investing meaningful dollars into their Destination Marketing efforts. The proposal to knee cap Florida Tourism stalled and an attempt to eliminate the Hawaii Tourism Authority failed.
But, not so fast. While the HTA survived, the State Legislature ended their legislative session last week without budgeting a single dollar for Destination Marketing.
The HTA will have to "apply" for funding and the requests will be vetted by the Department of Budget and Finance. Lawmakers and the Governor's Office. According to a news release from the Governor's Office, this is the result of a "compromise solution" with HTA...one that HTA CEO John DeFries says he is "thankful for a funding approach that will allow HTA to continue its important work in destination management and visitor education to keep supporting our top economic driver.”
Let's all hope so.
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