Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Dilemma of Housekeeping

As we all struggle to rebound from the carnage of the 'VID, travel has changed in ways that many consumers can't begin to understand unless they work in the industry.

While there was a heightened fear of having housekeepers in hotel rooms during the height of the pandemic (for all of us), hotels cut back on housekeeping...which, of course, slashed hours for hundreds of thousands of housekeepers. And, while fears of infection are lessening, most hotels are keeping with the "on demand" housekeeping strategy...which continues to sideline housekeepers as other hospitality jobs return.

The housekeepers that are back, however, are now facing rooms that take significantly longer to clean because, as one said in this article from Travel Weekly, "it's scum on scum." And, the way revenge tourists are now trashing rooms makes the job even harder for the individuals that have some of the hardest and most disgusting jobs in the sector.

All the more reason to add another buck or two to your standard housekeeper tip when when you check-out.

N'est-ce pas?

Thoughts & Prayers

One has to wonder, when the majority of Americans believe in a path forward, why a political movement (I can't even call it a party) ignores that plurality in the politics of partisanship.

I'm a guy that sees a challenge and says, "let's solve it." But, those beholden to special interest money cannot.

So, this Music Friday post is from Will Hoge...this is "Thoughts and Prayers."

Enough.

Really...how can we continue to elect people who can't see the truth and provide solutions we crave?

Uvalde

OK...every time this shit happens, I'm going to post this video.

Because it's time to take Australia's lead.

That's All You Got?

OK...full disclosure (and for regular readers, no surprise), I thought the City of Duluth's decision to sideline their award-winning DMO for an out-of-market ad agency was beyond boneheaded. And, I'll admit that I may not reside in the destination's target market (though I like hip, urban destinations with a vibrant culinary and nightlife culture and I have a fair amount of discretionary money to spend on my weekend getaways, live just a few hours away and have loved my previous days and nights in Duluth). 

All that said, all I'm getting served up in my Facebook feed over the past month are sponsored posts with this image (click to enlarge) and the words: "From the world-famous to local favorites, discover what makes Duluth so special. You’ll get it when you get here." Only this image. Only these words....which virtually any destination could utilize (and do). 

Hammocks? That's all you got? That's unique? That's gonna make me book a visit?

Madam Mayor? When you intimated that you wanted an edgier approach to community marketing as you shredded your DMO, is this what you had in mind?

Because, we need to have a serious conversation about what "edgy" means.

Just sayin...

50 Years of Exile

Sensationally hard to get one's head around that the Rolling Stones released Exile on Main Street 50 years ago this week. Mick called it a reflection of "runaway outlaws using the blues as (their) weapon against the world."

The critics weren't initially impressed...but the album went to Number One in the States within weeks. Time heals most wounds, as the album has, more recently, been included in several Top 10 lists.

For this Music Friday, we're going with the track the kicked off the double LP. This is "Rocks Off." Critic Jason Ankeny said the song "perfectly sets the mood for what's to follow – murky, gritty and menacingly raw, its strung-out incoherence captures the record's debauched brilliance with marble-mouthed eloquence."

Here's to incoherence!

The Future of Destination Marketing

Want to divine the future of Destination Marketing and Sales? Look no further than this sensational compilation of visionary thought from Destinations International's 2022 30 Under 30 Class in SmartMeetings.

Among our favorites:

"I’m looking forward to having less cookie-cutter events in the future and more experiences that are by and of the community that is hosting them.” - Tyler Cole, Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism.

"It is wonderful to see more and more meetings going in a sustainable direction. Knowing people care about our environment and our planet is very comforting.” - Amy Shen, Destination Toronto

“Give-back programs at meetings and events are the future. Having purposeful experiences at conferences for attendees is something that I enjoy. Attendees are interested in having an opportunity for a hands-on eco-tourism experience to give back to the host destination. Seeing those experiences on conference schedules allows for breaks and the ability to do something good for the community attendees are visiting.” - April Brown, South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

For those of us on the back nine...are we listening to the future leaders of our industry?

Mickey Gilley

Before I found my future in Destination Marketing, I spent my days (and nights) in Rock Radio. I've often opined on the bifurcation of musical genres. In the 60s and early 70s it was just cool music...we didn't care if it was Country, Rock, R&B, etc. We loved it all.

Things began to split in the late 70s...but the movie Urban Cowboy was that one moment when Country, Rock and Soul combined once again.

It was Mickey Gilley who orchestrated the jump that made Country cool when he appropriated the Ben E. King hit "Stand By Me" for his appearance in the movie. All of a sudden, the Country icon was cool and rockers gave Country another chance (along with mechanical bull riding).

We lost the man a few days ago...but his legacy of making Country cool can't be overstated. While not from the movie, on this Music Friday, we say farewell with a TV appearance and rendition of the classic.

Just one question...is actor Scott Wolf (from the cheesy but guilty pleasure TV show Night Shift) his son? Because he's a dead ringer to play him in the movie that is sure to be in development.

Just sayin....

Cleveland Rocks

A couple years ago, we penned a white paper on why and how community development groups should come together and engage their Destination Marketing Organization to take the lead in a collaborative marketing initiative. Yesterday, Visit Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership announced they were joining forces to do just that.

Last week, we posted a new episode of the DMOU Podcast with our guest David Gilbert of Destination Cleveland. Their community development agencies came together earlier this year to discuss a workforce development initiative...and Destination Cleveland was asked to take point. As David said so eloquently during the episode, Destination Cleveland isn't going to do Job Fairs and Site Inspections. But, they are experts at talking to consumers...which is what top talent is.

Check out the conversation here. It'll open your eyes to a wealth of possibilities.

Steal This Plan

With a tip of the hat to Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book" (which he later admitted that it was embarrassing that a guy trying to take down the government had a best selling book), we encourage you to do the same with Jeff Speck's work on behalf of Cedar Rapids IA.

Only, you're not really "stealing it," because Jeff wants you to "copy" it. Really...a consultant wants you to copy their work so you don't waste money replicating the base tenets required to support your plan? Yep...that's Jeff.

Back story: Cedar Rapids lost an estimated 660,000 trees in a derecho two years ago...and Jeff was the guy that helped "Releaf" (get it?) the city. In a recent e-mail, Jeff said,"Nobody should ever again have to write a paragraph about how trees absorb stormwater, cause drivers to slow down, reduce crime, etc. It’s done." And Jeff did it.

Dude...you da man.

Naomi

We lost one of Country Music's most iconic figures this past week with the passing of Naomi Judd. Mother of Wynonna and Ashley, she wasn't shy about sharing her story of the mental illness that apparently robbed us of this talent. Through the music she made and the books she wrote, we were always drawn to her art and story.

As we say farewell, it's a 2-fer on this Music Friday. One of my favorites...and, from 1991, the seemingly appropriate "River of Time."

Oh yeah...and the time she sang halftime at the Super Bowl.