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Very cool new writing instrument (writing? what's that?) from Austria that alerts the writer through a vibration if they have made a mistake in spelling, grammar or legibility.
Just one question. What if I meant to spell a explative that way for effect...or, as I am wont to do, spell stupid with "oo" for emphasis?
Oh, never mind...I'm sure the vibration will give me a thrill.
Thanks to Springwise for the catch.
You may remember the story earlier this month that Islamic extremists had seized control of the fabled city of Timbuktu, the focus of a very cool book by my friend Rick Antonson.
Say what you will about the willingness of the French to engage an enemy; they get the thanks for leading the liberation of the city over the past 48 hours, along with forces from Mali...but not before scores of historic manuscripts were torched as the extremists fled.
Here's hoping that, in time, we can all go to Timbuktu for a haircut.
An appeals court has found that Online Travel Agencies (such as Expedia, Travelocity, etc.) owe Hawaii over $150 million in unpaid taxes and Interest on sales dating back as far as 2000.
According to Travel Weekly, this marks the largest judgement to date against OTAs that maintain they should only pay taxes on the wholesale rate of a hotel room...not the final sale price. Obviously, local governments think the opposite...and this is a huge win for them.
Smoky, sweaty, old school, familial, funky, krunky...hell, I just love this song.
Images of those too tight clubs with low ceilings where you emerge into the parking lot after closing time and the steam rises from your soaked skin into the nightime air of the city as you fall together in an everlasting kiss. Yeah...that's what I see when I hear this song.
A little Hendrix, a pinch of Kravitz...hell, there is so much going on in Gary Clark, Jr. that it is a disservice to allude to others.
Dig "Ain't Messin Around" on this Music Friday.
And shake a tail feather this weekend!
Or, really...any space that hopes to host lots of people.
We're just back from our seemingly second home of Sarasota where we had the opportunity to celebrate the grand opening of the city's newest hotspot, Blue Rooster. Cool space, mouth-watering comfort food and a dedication to live music...this will be another notch in the destination's growing cred for culinary and nightlife.
On stage last Thursday night, Sarasota transplant David Smash, a past finalist on Lithuania's Got Talent. Really.
And while we totally dug his music and persona...I was instantly taken by how smart this restaurant is about its customers. Juice at every booth.
Yeah...it's all about the juice.
After a decade of being perched at the top of the J.D. Power Guest Satisfaction rankings for hotels in the economy/budget sector, Microtel lost that honor last year to Jameson Inns.
Earlier this month, Jameson's new owners announced they would reflag the chain.
Now, I don't purport to possess the wealth of consumer data that Aimbridge Hospitality must have in making this move. But, when you're number one, changing your name so that the customers that made you number one can no longer find you doesn't sound like the smartest move on the board.
But, that's just me.
A few weeks ago, the new Miss Tourism International was crowned at an event in Petaling Jaya.
With all due respect to the contestants, there is such a beauty pageant, ummm....why?
Is there a Miss Auto Industry? A Miss Chiropractic Industry? A Miss Agriculture International?
A Miss Any Industry International?
Naw...I didn't think so.
Oh yeah...and the winner is not even from the tourism industry.
She's a nurse.
Yeah...as in the Brothers.
I'm not sure what it is about our visits to Sarasota, but we've caught Gregg's boy twice over the past couple years...the last time last month in an impromptu gig at Pastimes Pub. As in, Devon called the club owner one afternoon and said, "we're in town. Mind if we swing by and rock?"
A voice like his Dad, a face more like his Uncle and a style all his own, Devon's new album is set for release next month. And, if his set last month is any indication, this will be the CD that breaks him open to a much wider audience.
On this Music Friday, we present "Time Machine" from Devon Allman.
Enjoy...
Last month, the headline screamed out that the "Brand USA Scandal Deepens."
Ummm...what scandal?
A consulting firm that, after a review of its website, appears to have exactly zero experience in destination marketing and branding, issued a report last month that suggested that Brand USA was rudderless, with no clear understanding of its mission.
Nevermind that the organization, less than a year old, was still developing its game plan after the surprising about-face of the President to support the initiative. After all, who the hell thought this would ever happen? Really...besides Roger Dow. Who?
And yet somebody decided that a firm with no practical experience in destination marketing should "audit" this upstart organization. Oh, and when he did, he found they had a penchant for spending.
Errr, that's what Destination Marketing Organizations do. They spend money to attract attention to the product and the brand. But, the consultant questioned a bunch of stuff, including $2700 for business cards for 26 staffers. Honestly? $100 per is a deal for DMO pros that are going to be expected to shake a lot of hands and open a lot of doors in their first year.
The article in the Washington Free Beacon (a fledgling publication in its own right that is a mouthpiece for the conservative right that opposes anything the President supports) goes on with a litany of supposed egregious expenditures and innuendo. None of which seems particularly out-of-line with the need for a first-year organization to get noticed on the international stage.
My question is who hired this guy?
He claims to be a former Director of Business Development (whatever that is) who "simplifies the development process and expertly guides individuals and teams through change." And, yet, he doesn't seem to understand that start-ups require leadership that is unique to creating something out of nothing.
And, that the first CEO was gone in a year is not in the least surprising...especially when replaced by the interim Carolyn Beteta and the new CEO, Chris Thompson, two of the hottest Destination Marketers in the business. Jim Evans did his job. He created the structure and the initial buzz. Now, it's up to Chris and his team to make it rain.
And...in just a few short months they have.
Of course, such facts tend to get in way of an agenda.
You wanna trash a DMO, you get a consultant who doesn't have any experience in the sophisticated nuance of the industry. You want a real analysis? There are four or five of us in this country that do.
I'm waiting.
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