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While I'm guessing that the wording of the question may have artificially skewed the results, the public presentation of a recent Starwood study causes some interesting consideration.
When frequent travelers were asked what one thing they would take with them on the road, 73% would choose their loyalty program over their spouse.
I'm not exactly sure what this means...but it clearly indicates that marriage ain't what it's cracked up to be.
Happy Valentine's Day...
By now, you've likely heard of the furor over remarks that Joplin CVB CEO Pat Tuttle made regarding the development of a visitors map that would show the path of last summer's devastating tornado. Whether the reporter embellished the story or Pat got carried away, we'll never really know.
But, the news that such a map would be developed has spawned an amazing community discussion over whether visitors are welcome in Joplin, if all they want to do is tour the destruction. The Mayor sees it another way, that of visitors coming to see the progress...and he's good with that.
But the fascinating part of the story to me is that the Weather Channel's Mike Bettes did an editorial smackdown of the CVB (which has apparently been removed from their website), saying that making money from a weather disaster was a bad idea.
Really, Mike? Because, err, isn't that what the Weather Channel has been doing for the past 30 years?
Just sayin....
Last weekend, I had the sensational pleasure to be in the musical presence of one of my favorite artists in one of the most intimate settings around. You've likely never heard of either.
The hall was the Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake, Wisconsin. And Karla Bonoff opened her set by saying how nice it was to be "in the middle of nowhere." True dat.
Karla is a songwriter extraordinaire that inexplicably never made it big on her own. From Linda Ronstadt's most evocative hits to movie soundtracks, you know her work. But there is so much more.
The performance was simply magical (and there are a couple videos from somebody that clearly sat near me that night on YouTube)...but there is so little compelling video of her amazing body of work.
Thus, on this Music Friday, I'm going to send you to her site's video page to experience several clips.
If, however, you don't mind YouTube video that has no video, I'll direct you to my two favorites from this exquisite talent: The Letter and Daddy's Little Girl (and, guys, if you have daughters and don't cry at the latter...there's something seriously wrong with you).
Both are as compelling as a lyric and its music can be.
Thanks, Karla. Please come back soon.
And thanks to the Wisconsin Arts Board for making her appearance possible.
We've been pretty clear about our feelings regarding "open" executive searches. You know...the kind where the finalists are outed to the media. And, even more bizarre, are put on parade in a public reception like so much livestock on which bids should be made.
Honestly? And this advances the community's interests how?
I have the utmost respect (and sympathy) for Searchwide, the firm that is handling the search for the new CEO of the Daytona Beach CVB. They would never divulge the short or long list of candidates to me. And, I certainly don't know whether the search committee asked Searchwide to bring a slate of candidates that ignored the best and brightest DMO pros in the nation.
But, that would be kinda odd, don'tcha think?
Nonetheless...that's pretty much what the final four looks like. With all due respect to the finalists, there are no instantly recognizable "name" candidates on the list. Which is odd for a "name" destination like Daytona Beach.
Only one in four is currently employed as a DMO CEO. To be sure, one used to be a DMO CEO. But the other two are from outside the DMO industry.
Not to be an "I told you so," but this is exactly the candidate pool I predicted a few weeks ago. Very few (as in ONE) sitting DMO CEOs would put their hat in such a dysfunctional ring. And, thus, Daytona Beach may well have forfeited its chance to lure a significant talent to their destination.
One of the four still in play may well be exactly what the destination is looking for...and I wish the ultimate CEO all the luck in the world. But the community will never know if it could have done better, thanks to its (and clearly not Searchwide's) hamhanded handling of the search process.
Sigh.
We suggested yesterday that there are those in the Knoxville media that really should find something else to do. When not playing class warfare with a story that was anything but, they question research findings based on the opinion of one man.
This Monday, after the Knoxville News-Sentinel and other media outlets had stirred up a hornets nest of discontent over former Knoxville Sports & Tourism Commission CEO Gloria Ray's compensation package, Columnist Tom Humphrey suggested that we should all be skeptical of a recent Longwoods International study of the impact of Tennessee Tourism marketing.
Nevermind that Longwoods is one of the most respected firms of its kind in North America...some guy said that he read the study and calls the claims in the report "absurd." And, sadly, that's what makes for news today. Some guy who apparently made some money with an internet play in the '90s and now is in real estate. Yeah...just some guy.
Not someone who has studied community economic development. Not someone who has experience in travel marketing and hospitality sales. No...just a guy that is part of the Tea Party movement.
Hey Tom? If I were to say that Copernicus' work was absurd and that the Sun revolves around the Earth, would you feature me in an upcoming article?
I didn't think so. But, would you if I was in the Tea Party?
'Cause that's the only reason you think this guy has credibility. And, that's not good enough.
The Class Warfare that has gripped this country will be its downfall. What people earn has nothing to do with what needs to be done.
Gloria Ray, former CEO of the Knoxville Sports & Tourism Corporation, has been under fire for the past few weeks for how much money she makes. Nevermind that her Board chose to pay her at that level for a reason. She made it rain.
But, she made "too much," according to the media and the Mayor.
After withering public criticism, Gloria resigned her post Friday. And the media responded with a retrospective of just how important Gloria has been to the community.
Really? I mean, REALLY?
Where the hell where you when this story broke? Oh, yeah...you WERE the story. You fanned the flames of discontent. You made people crazy that a person could make $400,000 doing what y'all simply don't understand is exceptionally difficult to do.
You created enough drama that she stepped aside to save the organization from more of your manufactured tripe.
And then you eulogize her as being a major player in your community's success?
Knoxville Media...you suck.
And, you've just cost your community increased visitor spending, taxes and jobs that she could have continued to bring to Knoxville.
Proud of yourselves?
This weekend's big story might have been the Stupor Bowl (yawn)...but the most interesting came out of South Florida where the wealthy founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach adopted his 42-year old girlfriend as one of his daughters.
Apparently legal, there are those that are accusing the man of merely trying to protect his financial assets as he faces DUI manslaughter charges in a hit-and-run incident.
I'm not a lawyer and I never played one on TV...but isn't sleeping with your daughter (even an adopted one) illegal in most States?
Just asking...
After a year of Music Fridays, I think you know I like it loud and chunky. Thus, Shannon Curfman should be no surprise. That is...if you know her.
Like Joe Bonamassa, she gets precious little airplay. And that's where we come in.
Check out this juicy little number from her album of the same name.
Ahh, yeah.
After a Trillion Dollars poured into the rat hole that is TSA, it still can't buy a clue.
Don't get me wrong, the vast majority of TSA agents I have met in my travels across this country genuinely believe they are making the skies safer for us. A few are just picking up a paycheck. A handful have power issues. And, a few are stealing our shit while we get wanded.
But, it's the inane directives and processes coming down from the TSA mothership that gives all the well-meaning agents a black eye. Confiscating holiday snow globes, cupcakes and insulin pumps. Patting down 90-year grandmothers and 6-year old children.
The newest? Deporting a couple of Irishmen at LAX after TSA reviewed Tweets from one that said he planned to "destroy America."
Except "destroy" is British slang for "get drunk."
As a Gizmodo UK writer said: "it's a little amazing and a lot disconcerting that the DHS mess up your holiday because it never learned its context clues."
Context indeed.
Thanks to my friend Josh Schamberger for the catch!
It is the soundtrack of our lives. And, those that have been in my audiences when I talk about destination marketing know that I think our industry is generally missing the boat by not connecting prospective visitors to what most of us crave. A cool club with a hot talent.
Whether it's a city known for being a music mecca or a community that may not have much nightlife...there is almost always someone playing somewhere every night. Yet, damned if I can find those options on most DMO websites. Which means I will most likely not choose your destination for this weekend's getaway (unless I accidentally stumble upon a club date on an artist's website...like this weekend's gig by Karla Bonoff in Green Lake). And, if I find myself IN your town...my wallet and I will probably stay in tonight. What a waste...for both of us.
So...while I wait for Destination Marketers to get a clue, I gotta give props to Gary Sherwin and the Newport Beach CVB for reversing the marketing conversation from service to attraction.
The Bureau is the sponsor of a new internet radio play called Rockin California. For the most part, it's a playlist of songs that make you feel like you're on the beach or cruisin the Pacific Coast Highway in a bitchin' Camaro. While there is the occassional Boston and Supertramp song to break the Cali-mood (at least for those of us that are paying attention), the vibe is great and the message is compelling:
"Rockin California, Presented by VisitNewportBeach.com. Fall in Love with Newport Beach...and Listen Loud."
Cool move, my friends.
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