Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

You Just Can't Fix Stupid

By the close of business today, Washington's State Tourism Office will be shuttered in a stunningly ham-handed attempt to balance the budget.

My friend Reyn Bowman (former CEO of the Durham CVB) beat me to the punch yesterday with a dead-on post on why Washington should have known better...and what that sensational destination now faces.

The only silver lining in this sad story is that the Destination Marketing industry will, in fairly short order, have another case study of why letting a Tourism Office go dark is a sensationally bad idea.

Only 30%. Really?

Surveys indicate that only a third of American hotel guests leave a tip for the housekeeping staff.

Really? REALLY?

Being involved in the hospitality industry, I know I may have a greater understanding of the culture of tipping than some. But, really...how self-absorbed can people be to not understand this basic tennet?

I continually shake my head at how clueless people are.

So Sad

It is, indeed, sad when a people are willing to pay a government to stop screwing with them.

Case in point, results from a new survey conducted by the US Travel Association that reveals that 75% of business travelers would pay $150 a year to avoid having to deal with TSA's bullshit.

Brings to mind the words of the founders of this country:

Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Over the Edge Thinking

Why think out of the box when you can be over the edge?

Or, in this case, ledge.

I had the chance to witness a very cool fundraiser last week, staged by Downtown Fort Worth. Ever thought it would be cool to rappele down an office building? Ever thought it would be cooler to make your boss do it?

60 people (or their friends/associations) chipped in $1,000 each for the experience.

$60,000, providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience and getting great media?

Priceless.

Clarence Clemons

For being "The Big Man," he was so sadly under-noticed. I'm not about to say that Bruce Springsteen wouldn't have become a huge hit without him...but Clarence Clemons' influence propelled the Boss beyond where mere mortals tread.

Now that he has sadly departed terra-firma, the accolades begin to appear. And, on this Music Friday, we offer up this insanely intense video, thanks to a tip from the Lefsetz Letter. Yes...this is the E Street Band at their zenith. And Clarence and Bruce at their best.

The passion. The sheer joy. The connection between two amazing talents.

RIP Clarence. You were so much more than you were ever given credit. We will miss you so.

A Classy Response

I just spoke with Visit Minot CEO Wendy Howe, whose destination is facing the spectre of a devastating flood. Almost half the city has been evacuated and we were discussing potential roles and responses for the CVB.

We talked about the organization's role in facilitating information flow for not just visitors, but residents as well through their website and social media outlets. We talked about how the DMOs in Tuscaloosa and Springfield responded in the face of their recent tragedies.

Minutes later, I came upon what Tourism Vancouver has done in the aftermath of the Stanley Cup-loss fueled riots that left 150 injured and the streets a mess...along with the city's image.

Not that I'm surprised that Rick Antonson and his crew would have a classy response, but check out ThisIsOurVancouver.com...which allows residents, friends and fans of this sensational city to post their thoughts, photos and videos.

A classy response that will serve to heal the wounds and the destination's brand faster than just about anything that could be done.Very cool.

And, Wendy...know that your friends in the industry have you and your destination in our prayers.

Thanks to Travel Industry Uptake for the catch.

How True

Tim Morrissey is an icon in Madison Media. He's also one of my favorite bloggers. And, not surprisingly, his is called "Rifles at Dawn."

We enjoy each other's screeds...commenting back and forth. But, there's just something about yesterday's post that rings so true.

I didn't ask him whether I could reproduce the close here...but, I don't think he'll mind:

"Some dweeb who wants to be President says we need to do away with Amtrak because it doesn’t make a profit. Hmmmm….I guess that means we’ll also have to do away with THE ARMED FORCES, because they don’t show a profit. Why is it so many people can’t seem to understand there are so many things critical to our way of life (education, policing, firefighting) which were never intended to “show a profit” and that “government” is not the same as “business”? How’d that work out when we “semi-privatized” the Post Office?"

Tim...as always, you so nailed it.

Greater Springfield CVB Pitches In

Destination Marketing Organizations are often seen as only caring about the attraction and experience of visitors...not residents. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. If our work doesn't benefit our residents, it's kinda pointless.

We told you how the Tuscaloosa CVB sprang into an online response after tornadoes ravaged that community. Today, we've learned that our friend Mary Kay Wydra and the Greater Springfield MA CVB and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association are teaming up to sponsor a major fundraising event to help that community rebound from the June 1st tornado that roared through town (click here to see an amazing video of the event).

Way to go, MK...and we wish you the speediest recovery for your cool destination.

What Fun Is That?

Is it just me? Or is there a mixed message in this bar?

Click image to enlarge.

Warren Zevon

Damn...I loved him. Loved his work.

Warren Zevon left terra firma almost eight years ago...yet it seems like yesterday.

I'm not exactly sure why his muse cycled through my mind this week...but I was remembering his Letterman appearance twenty years ago when he rocked "Finishing Touches."

Hell yeah...