Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Consequence

Several years ago, we opined on the unintended consequence of the things that come out of our elected officials' mouths.

Before he became this country's greatest Tourism President since Eisenhower (though that was never Ike's intent), Barack Obama chastised corporations for staging conventions in Vegas, Orlando and Hawaii in the wake of some high profile conventions exposed for over the top spending. The result: millions in lost conventions and thousands of jobs sacrificed.

Of course, Obama soon learned the importance of the visitor economy after this gaffe and green-lighted BrandUSA.

Now, a President that one would think would know better (he is, after all, a hospitality industry entrepreneur) announces that visitors from certain countries are not welcome. And, the result? Online search for options to travel to America has decreased across virtually the entire world (but, interestingly, not Russia).

A study by travel company Hopper discovered that international search demand for flights to the U.S. was down 17 percent after the President announced the travel ban compared with the week before his inauguration.

The unintended consequence, indeed.

 

 

Dumb and Dumber

As we continue to watch machinations of a bunch of bat shit crazies attempting to throttle Florida's economy, we are continually amused (but no longer amazed) by the stuff that come out of people's mouths.

Part of this is the 24/7 news beast that requires comment (not fact) to keep things interesting. But that doesn't qualify these nutjobs to get quoted.

I once asked the editor of one of our local newspapers if he would print an article in which I claimed to have a cure for cancer. When he said "no," I asked why he printed the insane rant of someone that clearly wasn't connected to reality.

Gotta present both sides, he said.

Rubbish. We need the media to present rationale thought.

So, here's one from the shitshow in Florida. And, naturally, it comes from "Americans for Prosperity Florida."

“We want people to continue to come to the state,” said Andres Malave, the group’s spokesman. “Before Visit Florida existed, Florida was a hotbed for tourism, and it’s going to continue to be a hotbed for tourism because of the all the great infrastructure we have, our low tax base and people want to come to the state of Florida and continue to visit.”

Again, let's break this insanity down.

Yes, Florida was a great destination before Visit Florida. But, people go where they are invited. And, you're no longer the default destination. As part of a DMOvizion project, we recently asked three focus groups in Toronto to name their favorite beach destinations. Florida wasn't mentioned once. 

Every other destination in the country sees what you've done in Florida...and they want some. So, California (which also has Disney and great weather) is spending $100 million to convince me to visit. If I don't hear a compelling reason otherwise, where do you think I'll go next year?

Hey, Andres? If y'all are successful in this witch hunt to get Visit Florida defunded...please let us know where we can find you in a year or so when voters start losing their jobs because visitor spending declines in your wake. I'm sure they'd all like to convey their heartfelt thanks.

 

The Funky Drummer Departs

If you're from the Mad City, you know the name Clyde Stubblefield. The "Funky Drummer" behind some of James Brown's biggest hits (like "Cold Sweat") moved to Madison after leaving the band in 1970 and, for over four decades, played with a potpourri of local talent and international trend-setters. Indeed, his Funky Monday jams were a local institution. In 2014, LA Weekly named Clyde as the second best drummer of all time, behind John Bonham.

He could have lived anywhere. He chose to live in Madison.

There is a certain justice in the fact that Rolling Stone, USA Today and the rest of the world media noted his passing last weekend. He would have smiled that smile...but the pain would remain.

As many artists in the early rock era, Clyde never got credit for his contributions to some of the biggest songs of a decade. Thus, he only was paid for his studio time, while laying down tracks that made millions. And, then, to add insult to injury, he became the most sampled drummer of all time by artists as diverse as Public Enemy, Sinead O'Connor, N.W.A, Prince and scores more.

Indeed, almost none of them felt the need to compensate Clyde for his art. Except Prince, who quietly paid all of Clyde's medical bills a few years ago as he fought through bladder cancer.

In a great Facebook eulogy, my friend Phil Lyons spoke fondly of the gigs he played with Clyde, how the Funky Drummer had mentored him as a young bass player and then, there was this:

"And of course (there were) many shitty gigs in rural Wisco at supper clubs and honky tonks. When people would request 'Wipeout,' Clyde would say 'bring me a triple vodka and 50 bucks and you MIGHT hear 'Wipeout!'"

Too funny...and so Clyde.

And, then...there was that iridescent smile. Through all of the pain...there was always that smile.

On this Funky Music Friday, we share with you the Funky One himself with "Funk Thing."

And, that band in Heaven just got a whole lot funkier...

And, if you're in or near the Mad City this evening, the Madison Concourse Hotel is hosting a celebration of Stubblefield's life in its Capital Ballroom from 5-8 p.m. Next Monday, the Clyde Stubblefield All-Stars will play a benefit performance at the High Noon Saloon to assist his wife with funeral expenses.

Best Obit Ever

I was screwing around online over the weekend, looking for background on jazz chanteuse Chris Connor. Imagine my surprise when the the first page of Google's responses was the obituary for one Chris Connor of York ME by way of Quincy MA.

Now this is a man I would have loved to have met. As someone posted on Legacy.com, the Dos Equis man is now the second most interesting man in the world.

Let's all commit, this day, to living life as fully as Chris.

A Witch Hunt by Any Other Name is...

I can't know for certain, but the words coming out of a County Commission Finance Chairman in Tennessee sound suspiciously familiar to the words used by the Florida Speaker of House in his drive to eliminate that State's Destination Marketing Organization.

The opening salvo in Chattanooga: The Finance Director cited "out of control spending" and "carte blanche" handling of tax revenue at the city's tourism agency and called for the DMO's payroll and marketing budgets to be slashed by $2 million.

A fairly rapid and vigorous response was mounted by the Chattanooga CVB and its partners through the media, challenging the Finance Director's understanding of how Destination Marketing works.

Like the Florida Speaker, who has now backed off of eliminating Visit Florida (but slashing its budget and layering on a boatload of requirements that would significantly impede the agency's mission of driving visitor spending into the State), the County Finance Director has done likewise.

Earlier this week, he claimed that he was not on a "witch hunt"...but that the Bureau pushed back so hard, they must have something to hide. So, while publicly stating, "Without question, the CVB has done very good work for our Community and I thank you and your staff for all the good work," he calls for a complete and thorough audit of the Bureau:

"Let me be clear. I intend on making a full, unencumbered audit of CVB and my findings will be released to the public."

A witch hunt is defined as a searching out, for the purpose of persecution, persons that are doing something wrong.

Hey Tim? Isn't that what a "full and unencumbered audit" is?

Just sayin...

And, this is what the freak show in Florida will do across this land. It will become the playbook for politicians looking to make a name for themselves. Make media-worthy accusations about your DMO and then back away, smug in the knowledge that you've just scored points with your base and visibility with the rest. But, never considering the good people that are hurt in your wake of self-aggrandizement.

Swell.

Sunshine State Psychosis

It's getting curiouser and curiouser in the State of Florida.

News out of Tallahassee last evening indicates the Speaker of the House is preparing to introduce an amendment to his bill today to eliminate Visit Florida (and a gaggle of other Economic Development initiatives) that would preserve the agency but gut its budget by two thirds.

And, add a number of draconian controls such as requiring the Governor to approve all out-of-state and foreign travel, directing that all contracts of $750,000 or more be given to the Legislature for consultation and requiring Senate confirmation of Visit Florida's CEO.

OK...let's break this down. Do we really need a Governor to approve staff travel to IPW (or to the Emerald Coast for a photo shoot)? Do we need the Legislature to opine on the efficacy of a marketing plan when none of them are expert in Destination Marketing? And, if the Speaker thinks Visit Florida should be eliminated, why is it important enough to warrant Senate approval of its CEO?

For a political party that is supposed to be pro-business, they've certainly de-evolved into a bunch of childish ideologues that care little for the carnage they are about to leave in their wake.

For them, this is a game that is all about playing to their base that wants lower taxes.

Except, these clowns aren't sophisticated enough to realize this will result in just the opposite.

Sigh.

 

The Most Influential Restaurant in American History

It's not McD0nald's. But, if you're under 50, you may never have heard of Howard Johnson's.

Not the hotels...the restaurants. While they often resided within the "HoJo" Motor Lodges, there were over 400 Howard Johnson restaurants before the first motel was ever launched in the mid '50s. Over a thousand thrived throughout this land at the height of the empire.

For the vast majority of those that remember the iconic brand, it was the fried clams. For others, it was the 3-D burger and fries.

The last one is about to become history. The end of a dynasty that was the American chain restaurant movement in the days before Ray Kroc.

As Nicholas Varchaver said, there is a "poignant, gorgeous melancholy" to the story of the last HoJo's. A lone restaurant with two stars on Yelp and a manger who is steadfastly resistant to technological change.

It's another American icon, sadly lost.

I so loved those fried clams.

 

Al Jarreau

The migration of amazing musical talent continued this week as jazzman Al Jarreau departed terra firma.

A 'Sconnie by birth, he always exuded a European flair. And, in the days before radio bifurcated into strict genres, it wasn't unusual to hear him on rock stations.

The crossover hit was "We're In This Love Together." But, on this Music Friday tribute, I'm going with his cover of the classic "Take Five."

Such an amazing talent, taken way too soon.

RIP, sweet prince.

 

 

Great Memory

It was ten years ago that I delivered our analysis and recommendations following a Destination Assessment to a room full of Quad Cities community leaders.

Imagine my surprise in seeing my "Tourism is like Rodney Dangerfield...No Respect" quote as the lead of a Dispatch-Argus editorial over the weekend urging Davenport to reconsider a proposed reduction in the investment that City makes in Visit Quad Cities, the regional CVB.

While I don't use the quote as much as I used to (it has, to be sure, gotten a little better), it still holds true in many locales across the land.

Thanks for the memory, Dispatch-Argus. That was a great project...and we've been excited at the resulting developments your destination has made in the ensuing decade. Here's hoping the City of Davenport realizes one doesn't have the luxury to coast in today's competitive tourism environment.

 

Dude Gets It

After a week of watching the politically fueled machinations in Florida, it's refreshing to see a City Administrator in a small town who "gets it."

For your consideration, I give you the City of La Mars IA, population 10,000. Described in its promotional video as "diligent and fun-loving."

Yeah...we need to work on that.

But, during budget deliberations, the City Manager there went on record as opposing the city's contribution of roughly a quarter of Room Tax collections to a gaggle of special events and festivals. Instead, he said, 100% should go the the local Destination Marketing Organization.

While he'll likely suffer the slings and arrows of pissed off special interests, angry that one of their revenue streams could go dry, it's a bold move that makes a lot of sense. 

Now, let's be clear. I have no idea what kind of visitation can be expected from a 5K that is asking for $619 or the $3,000 being requested for the FrostyCross. But, on the surface, they don't sound like events that will generate a lot of ROI.

Instead, wouldn't it make more sense for the DMO there to pledge to market these events on their behalf? The DMO buys more media than any of these events so, it would reason, it could get $1000 of media for $619 if the DMO placed the buy rather than a one-off event.

Just saying...