Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

He's Baaack

Appropriate on this Halloween. After attempting to gut his State's Tourism Promotion Agency last session, Florida Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran is back with proposed legislation targeting his State's local Destination Marketing Organizations. Among a number of new restrictions he hopes will strangle DMOs' ability to maneuver to acquire business for their communities, one stands out as a real head-scratcher.

Employees of local DMOs would be barred from earning more than the sitting Governor ($130,000). Which really isn't that much of a head-scratcher...because the Speaker knows that most of his base doesn't earn six figures. Thus, he'll get an aggrieved "hell yeah" from most of those for whom is his playing the envy card.

But, here's the deal. It's basic supply and demand. Anybody can run for public office and win (obviously). Not just anybody has the experience and talent to successfully market a destination. And, the ones who can often command significantly more than $130,000 on the open market. Thus, under this proposal, the best and the brightest Destination Marketers will depart Florida for States that value their talent and ability to draw visitors and their dollars.

Oh, tying Destination Marketing salaries to that of the Governor sounds good on the surface to Joe and Jill Public. But, that the Speaker is once again putting at peril his State's visitor economy in a desperate attempt to look good to the electorate is nauseating.

When It's Time to Bid Adieu

Not to be too morbid on a Monday morning, but one's headstone may be the last opportunity to say something profound...or funny.

While the contemplation of the topic may be sad, the results are often pretty hilarious, as evidenced in this great piece by Šarūnė Mac, "50+ Brilliant Tombstones by People Whose Sense of Humor will Live Forever."

But, a warning. Amid the smiles are the headstone messages that are so profound that they can, indeed, elicit a tear. Like the first one, marking the final resting place of a Gay Vietnam Veteran:

"When I Was in the Military, they gave me a medal for killing two men...and a discharge for loving one.

 

 

Hey, Mr. President?

A year ago, days before a Reality TV Star was elected President of the United States, the Parisian band Delgres played this song at the World Music Expo in Santiago, Spain. The band describes its sound as "where delta blues meets the Caribbean lament. Deep roots music. Intimate though universal." 

It's as if they were playing it today.

I know we should be honoring the late Fats Domino...but, on this Music Friday, we give you Delgres and "Mr. President."

My friend Tim Morrissey will love this on several levels...

That's a Stretch

I once had a Mayor of a destination wink at me and say, "Son, you know that Hotel Tax is just funny money."

But, that's just it. It shouldn't be.

It is a punitive tax upon hoteliers that was initially sold as a funding mechanism to promote future visitation to a region. But, "original intent" means nothing to today's political leaders. So, they search for ways to redeploy the funds in ways that they can hide behind the law and laugh all the way to the next election.

I've witnessed a myriad of "honestly?" definitions in my 30 years in Destination Marketing. And, I'm pretty sure I just saw the most egregious definition yet last week.

County Commissioners in Mercer County WV approved the continuation of using Room Tax to fund the Library because the Library has a collection of  music CDs available for patrons to enjoy. Those CDs qualify as "promoting the arts," a permissible use of local Room Tax revenue. But, I'd be willing to bet that there isn't a single CD by a Mercer County artist in that collection. 

Another angle offered was that the Library curates history, thus it qualifies as a recipient of Room Tax revenue because it helps "preserve history." Another Commissioner opined that writing is also an art form that would make funding libraries appropriate under culture and the arts that are related to tourism appeal.

Oh, please.

But, congratulations Mercer County. You have succeeded in promoting the name of your destination across the country.

Because I'll refer to you to all my clients and audiences across the country as the destination with the worst abuse of Room Tax law in the land.

 

On a Dusty Boxcar Wall

I'm a sucker for a great lyric...and even more for a gender change-up that gives a song a new twist.

Such it is with a song called "Dusty Boxcar Wall" by one Eric Anderson. First released in 1965 on his debut album, this haunting slice of rural Americana chronicles the age-old "I'm-leaving-you-babe-on-the-next-train" storyline...but with a lyrical richness that draws you in.

In the hands of a woman, the song becomes infinitely more powerful.

On this Music Friday, we give you  "Dusty Boxcar Wall" by Eilen Jewell.

And, you can almost hear that mournful train whistle...

Tourism...by God's Hand

I'm guessing it might have something to do with the translation from Hungarian to English...but Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently said that "Hungary was created by God to enable tourism to be one of its driving sectors."

But, that may actually be exactly what he meant...as he went on to say that tourism is not just a source of income or a high-performing sector of the Hungarian economy, but also a form of patriotism. And, that is the mission of his Tourism Office.

Interesting thought, that. Especially here in America where the promotion of Tourism is often held to insanely rigorous ROI standards. But, isn't Tourism promotion also a way to promote our cities, States and Country to the world? And, why would we do this (besides the revenue it attracts)?

Yeah...because we love our town, State and Country. Because we are proud of the land we inhabit. Because we want others to love us too. And, for the most part, we want others to join us in the town, State and Country in which we live.

Tourism is patriotism in a time when Nationalism has become a dirty word.

Tourism helps balance the world's opinion of us with the reality that our political leaders (with the possible exception of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán) don't define us.

We do.

 

Fear v. Fascination

With the exception of one of my daughters, I don't think I've ever known someone as freaked out by spiders as the person with whom I live this blessed life.

My daughter came by her phobia understandably, having been in a kayak when an egg sac burst, propelling hundreds of babies all over her legs while we were off the coast of Maine. But Terri? I'm still not sure where that comes from.

Yet, I am often dispatched to kill the tiniest of creatures that unfortunately (for them) creep into our abode.

Except for this guy.

We've watched this monster build a sensationally cool circular web over the past few weeks in one of our windows. Watched her grow larger and larger.

And, she's absolutely fascinated. She's bummed when she isn't in the window. She's sending pictures to friends and family.

I get that the glass between us provides a sense of security...kinda like at the zoo.

But, I think it's the sheer beauty of this creature that pulls her closer. Run of the mill spiders may be creepy. But, this is different. 

And, as winter edges inexorably closer, there is the growing concern that this creature may not survive to amaze us next year (although many can).

There's no real point to this post...other than the simple appreciation of nature. And Terri's fascination with a spider.

 

When You're Simply Too Close to the Fire

We recently received an invitation from a DMO to a reception to celebrate and show off their new office location. The graphic invitation was colorful, enticing...and totally useless.

They had failed to include the address.

It's why so many communities have horrible wayfinding signage. The people in charge know too much, are way too close and can't put themselves in the mindset of someone who doesn't live in their world.

Over the weekend, I received an invitation from one of my alma maters to a "Leadership Speaker Event." The invitation included the date, time and place. It offered a link to register. It even provided a bio on the featured speaker.

What it failed to say is exactly what the speaker would be addressing. It failed to communicate what the value would be to me in attending.

So I won't.

Before posting up your next invitation to an event, hand it to someone that doesn't walk in your shoes to see if they understand it. And, if you're just too pressed for time, use the two-step question that USA Today once demanded of its reporters: "Why Now and Who Cares?"

I'm sure I should care about the Leadership speaker...but nobody bothered to tell me why.

Leading with the Truth

Destination Marketers can be forgiven for desperately wanting to assure consumers that their region is "open for business" after a high profile catastrophe has befallen the community. But, if it was, indeed, a high profile crisis, consumers will be skeptical, at best, when confronted by such a message.

And, that's why it so refreshing to see what the Tourist Development Council in the Florida Keys has done with a new video that dropped last week.

It shows the devastation...and it shows the resiliency of its people as they begin to rebuild paradise.

It shows the truth.

Well played.

Happy 70th, Sam

When he burst on the rock scene in 1974 as the lead vocalist of Montrose, he was billed as Sam Hagar. Today, not unlike Bono, Sting and Pink, one only needs to say "Sammy," and everyone knows who we're talking about.

And, he turns 70 today. 

I get that Jagger, Dylan and McCartney are over 70...but, they don't stomp on terra firma. Sammy still does...and still hits all the notes.

We saw him a few weeks ago at the new Irving Music Factory and couldn't have rocked harder.

To celebrate the Red Rocker's 70th on this Music Friday, we offer up 7 to build your Weekend Playlist:

The one that made him an international star.

One of the earliest videos of Sam up front in 1974.

The pivot from rocker to party master.

One of his first and hardest, redone with Michael Anthony and Tommy Lee.

When the Van Hagar Germ was Sowed.

A Van Halen Classic.

And, one of my non-hit faves to motivate us all.

Happy 70th, Sam. You rock.