Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

My Kinda Resort

Seen at a resort in Northeast Ohio (click image to enlarge).

Necessities indeed.

I'm there.

When You Start Believing in Your Cleverness

One of my favorite "Dirty Harry" lines was, "a man's got to know his limitations." At the same time, one should also be fully aware of their strengths...but never to the point of self-deception.

Which certainly sounds like what happened to the Arizona State Senator that represents Sedona. As I read this piece over the weekend, another movie quote came to mind, as I could almost hear the Senator channeling Peter Pan: "Oh, the cleverness of me."

Far from having the whole backstory (or why he would pull such a Frank Underwood-style move), the politics surrounding Destination Marketing in Sedona have been far from productive over the past few years. From fears of over-tourism by some to the objection by others that the City simply "gives" money to the big bad Chamber of Commerce (it doesn't...it invests in its Destination Marketing program), there's been a lot of noise out there.

But honestly, in an age where there is always a digital footprint, how does a State Senator think he can get an investigation started against a Chamber in his own District by getting another Senator to introduce the complaint and then say he had nothing to do with it...when there are e-mails that prove that's exactly what he did?

So, I'll end with another quote. "(Bobby)...you got some 'splainin' to do."

Everyday Prince

Last month, as Terri and I wandered this land between leaving our last home and getting the keys to our new crib, we hung for a time in the Twin Cities. While there, we made our pilgrimage to Paisley Park. 

We can't lie...the experience wasn't nearly what we expected. The interpretation is sadly lacking in so many ways.

But, there is something simply powerful just being in the space that the man once roamed. And seeing rooms that we didn't anticipate. Rooms where choreography was rehearsed. Rooms where he often took his meals; the office where he worked. So, yeah...you should go.

And then, there was the cavernous hall where videos were shot, impromptu concerts were held and magic was made.

I'm pretty sure this New Year's Eve concert happened there. And we offer a slice of it here on this Music Friday.

It's Prince, Larry Graham and members of the Family Stone with "Everyday People."

Hell yeah.

Busted

It was around mid-day that I got an e-mail from a DMO pro that posed an interesting question regarding yesterday's post.

He said, you're talking to smaller destinations...but you're using larger city examples. Got any for us little guys?

Busted.

But, let's break this down. Nothing that the bigs do can't be replicated in a smaller community. People often claim money is the issue for not being able to do something...but money is never the issue if it's important enough to the community. If it's important, the money will always be found.

So, to my friend and his peers, let's start with that. Can you make the case to the City that a vibrant Nighttime Economy will spur economic and residential growth? Then, the City should invest revenue to make that happen. It is, after all, economic development. And, what City can argue with that?

But, I hear you. City leaders often aren't that sophisticated. Now what?

May I suggest that, if you're dedicating resources to content creation and industry partner relations, you're already halfway there. Because, if you already have boots on the ground, connecting with your nighttime economy is a simple adaptation of a work shift. As I said to my CEO friend, dedicate one day to working 2 to 10. Meet the people that are making the nighttime economy hum. Capture and post soundcheck from a band. Grab and post photos or videos from restaurant kitchens as they work their magic. The people who's job it is to know the destination should know it more than 8-5.

You've got this.

The Power of the Nighttime Economy

It's what encourages a drive visitor to stay the night and not head back home after whatever they came for (assuming it wasn't a nighttime experience). And yet, the magnet of music, theatre and comedy is missing in so many communities. In our work with destinations, we often survey community stakeholders as to what they think would move the needle for both enhanced livability and tourism growth. In second and third-tier cities, the answer is almost always "something to do when the sun goes down."

But how? How does a Destination Marketing Organization encourage business owners to take a chance and make an investment that may not pay off? And, as a DMO pro once said to me, "we don't have a relationship with those entrepreneurs because they're coming to work as we're heading home."

My smart ass answer, of course, was that he should spend at least one day a week working a 2 to 10pm shift in order to better understand (and build a relationship with the purveyors of) the nighttime economy.

That's what Chattanooga's Mary Howard Ade does as she connects the dots in Chattanooga's ascendant music scene.

And, the City of Vancouver is about to launch a one-year pilot program to hire a Music Advocate to attempt to mitigate the obstacles local performers face so that the music can flow and produce an even greater dent in the economy than its current $690 million, supporting 8,000 jobs in the city.

Just saying you support local music doesn't get the job done. Somebody has to own it. 

Chattanooga and Vancouver understand that fact.

Here's hoping many more cities see the light.

A Government Agency that Gets It

First off, what POS would report a 13-year-old kid for selling hot dogs in a neighborhood? As a true believer in karma, there's a special place waiting for that individual.

But, what happened next is pretty freaking cool.

According to the CNN story, Jaequan Faulkner had been cooking hot dogs outside his home in North Minneapolis to raise money for new clothes. The Minneapolis Department of Health got the call and, instead of shutting him down, worked with him to get a permit. As Minneapolis Environmental Health Director Dan Huff said. "Let's make this a positive thing and help him become a business owner."

So cool.

 

 

We've Lost Our Human Compass

An annual vacation was once considered a God-given right. Or, if not ordained, something that one just did. Not just for those with means. Everybody. People that were just scraping by would find a way to take the family on vacation. For many, it was the focal point of the year.

I know it was for my family, as we would annually find a cabin in Northern Wisconsin to chill, reconnect and luxuriate in the Northwoods. Terri's family would often head west to Oklahoma, Wyoming, the Dakotas and Colorado. We just did.

So, to hear that the latest consumer study by Allianz says that 51% of us didn't vacay in the past 12 months (and that roughly 40% haven't in two years) is painful, to say the least.

US Travel's Project Time Off is a start...but DMOs need to take up the mantle and inspire Americans to not lose touch with what it means to live.

Owner of a Misunderstood Heart

I'm increasingly drawn to the creatives that mash two or three songs together to create an altogether fascinating take on the originals.

Ryan Nellis is one of those audio geniuses.

On this Music Friday, we're going with his mash of '80s disco and prog rock...Santa Esmeralda's cover of the Animal's cover of "Don't Let Me Be Understood" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by Yes.

And, it so works.

The Tourism Trade War

As much gnashing of teeth there has been regarding the Trade War with China that has been set in motion by President Trump, there hasn't been much in the media about the impact it could have on travel between countries. Besides this article from Skift, the mainstream media is more freaked out about bourbon.

Greater Boston CVB CEO Pat Moscaritolo recently opined on how Tourism is just as (if not more) vulnerable on WBUR.

It's worth a listen.

Without a Plan B

While the importance of the Visitor Economy and the work of Destination Marketing Organizations is becoming more and more understood...there are still those among us that haven't a clue. And, when they are also the very people that are elected to ensure the highest possible Quality of Life for residents, it can be a scary combination.

The City of Santa Clara has elected to cancel its contract with the Chamber/CVB at the end of the month, effectively putting 14 employees on waivers.

The City's Plan B? They apparently don't have one.

With hundreds of millions of visitor spending (and hundreds of jobs) on the line, wouldn't you think a City Council would have a plan to replace a DMO before cutting their current one loose? But, because most politicians aren't anything more than part-time amateurs at running cities, this is what you get.

Imagine if an audit came back raising concerns about the Fire Department. Think the Council would shut it down and then go on summer vacation without a plan forward?

Of course not.