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A few weeks ago, prior to a presentation in Warsaw IN, my hosts introduced me to a fabulous eatery in the Village at Winona called Cerulean. Works from Village artists grace the walls and the chefs adorn the plates with a unique fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.
Everything looked great...but I can only personally vouch for the Seared Tuna over Orzo with Basil Oil, Asparagus and Tomatoes.
At least until my next visit...
The Green Bay Packers elicit fervent adoration and loyalty from their fans. I see it first hand here in the land of cheese, beer and brats...and have friends around the country that make an occasional pilgrimage to Lambeau Field.
But, I've never seen the level of dedication that I'm seeing from Australian Wayne Scullino...who quits his job, sells his house, uproots his family and travels to America to live the dream of following his beloved Packers. As he posts on his blog:
45,000 kilometres, 28,000 miles. 162 days. 16 Games, 9 Stadiums. 1 family and the Green Bay Packers.
Despite being a Packer fan, I don't get it...but I dig it.
Way to go, Wayne! Lovin' your posts...
And thanks to the Green Bay VCB's Jason Ring for the pointer...
I've been smokin' busy the past couple weeks, so I just haven't had time to buy you a present.
What did you get me?
My friend Beth Anne McPheeters of the Asheville CVB pointed this gem out to me last week.
Due to commerce service in December, Seattle's new South Lake Union Streetcar service has been renamed by locals who think the ride is less of a streetcar and more of a trolley. Of course, changing the "s" to a "t" (as in the South Lake Union Trolley) changes the acronym.
Sure 'nuff, a local coffeeshop began selling "Ride the S.L.U.T." T-shirts...and promptly sold out.
Too funny.
Photo from the HeyRocker collection on Flickr.
Richard Florida and I both swung through Iowa last week (sounds like we were campaigning, don't it). He spoke in Ames and I routed through Sioux City, on my way to speak to the Upper Midwest CVB Conference across the river in Nebraska.
As Rich spoke at Iowa State University, Des Moines Register reporter Richard Doak had an interesting revelation that developed into a story in which he suggested:
"Let's just give up trying to promote Iowa. Then let's abolish the state Department of Economic Development. Finally, let's erase the state's borders. Let the state fade into a general region known as the Midwest, rather than remaining a rather small, arbitrarily created governmental entity known as Iowa."
Rich's response is certainly interesting...and makes me wonder if the Upper Midwest CVB Conference shouldn't start thinking bigger (like the amazing Southeast Tourism Society) and start advocating for and marketing the entire region.
Imagine...
Just back from the Upper Midwest CVB Conference in South Sioux City NE...and, while there were a number of great presentations, the one that is sticking with me was decidedly different from just about any other I've ever heard at a Tourism Conference.
The speaker was Thomas Miller, VP of Business for Diplomatic Action.
The stat: 76% of American Voters think our image around the world stinks. But, do ya think that any of the current crop of candidates has put two and two together to realize that a national tourism strategy that welcomes visitors from around the world to see that we're not the demons at home that we are perceived to be abroad is the answer?
'Course not...but Tom's group is out to change that. Check out the website. Pass the word.
Wonderful dining experience at the Chianti Grill in Burnsville MN (suburb of the Twin Cities). Great, high-ceilinged ambiance and sensational service.
Suggested: The Salmon Ripenio - Fresh Atlantic Salmon stuffed with spinach, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives and basil marinated tomatoes. Topped with a white wine
cream sauce.
It works.
Holiday Inn (the official hotel of Major League Baseball) has been offering live MLB play-by-play audio to its guests through their in-room internet connection. Every game. Every day.
And, this year, Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., has signed on as their spokesmodel.
I know that Cal has the bluest eyes on earth...but, this photograph, seen on the Burnsville MN Holiday Inn website, is proof that aliens walk among us (click the photo to enlarge).
Which, of course, anybody that plays 2,632 consecutive games must be.
Word out of Gulf Shores, site of this week's Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism:
Alabama's new tourism slogan will be what we always thought it should be..."Sweet Home Alabama."
Hell, yeah...
I remember the day that I returned to my college fraternity lounge for the first time in 20 years. As I cleared the door, I was overcome with the smells of those keggers, lo those many years ago.
And, as I drove away from campus, memories of people and experiences that I hadn't thought of for years washed over me. And, I knew these were thoughts that would never have been triggered, without that descent into our party lounge.
My buddy Reyn Bowman remembers smells too. Cool Post.
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