You know it's coming. Just because it has only been the "big boys" as of late (Orlando, Pittsburgh et. al.) doesn't mean it can't happen to you.
A columnist in a secondary southern destination recently showcased his complete ignorance of destination marketing in attacking his CVB...but, in doing so, also highlighted the lack of community awareness of what DMOs do:
"Now, in writing this, I did not call the CVB and talk to them. That may make the CVB mad, but the point is simple: I shouldn't have to. Given both my position in this community and the fact that I live here, I should know what the CVB is doing..."
Ignoring his hubris ("given my position"...oh, puleeze), he has a point. He shouldn't have had to call the CVB...they should have inundated this columnist with information in order to avoid such a tirade. This column never should have been written.
But, past that, the writer picks at the most trivial things. The font. The slogan. And then suggests a private sector DMO. The guy is about as clueless as they come. But, amazingly, somebody gave him a forum.
It's all about communication. You wanna avoid this tripe? Work the columnists. They may not know shit...but the public doesn't know that.
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