Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

New on DMOU: Lynn Tillotson

Imagine a world in the Destination Marketing space in which there was absolutely no public funding made available to your agency. Could you make that work?

That's exactly how Maine's Visit Portland operates...and CEO Lynn Tillotson joins us on this week's edition of the DMOU podcast to share how she does it AND survived during the Plague.

I certainly don't recommend it (just imagine what she and her team could accomplish on behalf of their community if public investment were added to the mix)...but what they've done without it so far is powerful.

Brilliant

I've never quite understood how Martha and Snoop connected and continue to play off each other. But this POP display by BIC (click image to enlarge) is epic.

Image Credit: @WeedPorns

Better than Any Super Bowl Ad

Terri caught this in her feed the other day and it's too sensational not to share. It's Frito-Lay's homage to the World Cup pitting Payton Manning against David Beckham (with an assist from a host of soccer-related cameos) on whether to call the sport Soccer or Futball.

Yeah...it's Soccer.

Pat Benatar

We normally pivot our Music Friday post the day after Thanksgiving to focus on Holiday tunes. But, having just seen Pat and Spider's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I've had an epiphany.

When Pat broke onto the scene, there was another female rocker looking to break through as well...Karla DeVito.

Both armed with powerful voices...but most rock radio programmers had this amazingly myopic view that they would play only one female artist per hour. Stupid, yes...but it was the early '80s when Rock bands were fronted by men.

It was the induction video that was the lightbulb for me. Pat played it angry and rough. Karla was coquettish and cute.

Angry won.

Pat and Spyder's induction into the Rock Hall is so worth your time.

Thank You

As we wind down this Thanksgiving 2022, Terri and I toasted our friends and clients (so often one and the same) over our so not-traditional feast of sensational lemon butter sea bass and risotto. You've all made our lives rich in so many ways we could never have imagined twenty years ago. And, we so hope that we have, in some small way, returned that favor. 

As I thank all our friends this Thanksgiving evening...I must also thank Terri for everything she does to take this business, our homestead and my life to a level I also could never have imagined. And, while we have eschewed marriage as unnecessary when one is blessed with such a bond...this song from Keith Urban pretty much sums it all up.

Thanks, babe. Thanks for everything.  

Inevitable?

That's what the pundits say (and who exactly anointed them as such?). Recession is coming.

What if there were no pundits? Would we think we're heading over the cliff?

Doubtful.

In an effort to increase viewership, these individuals that are often chosen more for their looks than their intellect or experience have the ability to sway public opinion and markets.

Me? I much prefer the opinion of those on the frontline.

Brains & Beauty

That's what Business Events Canada says: The combination of Canada's brains and beauty, and everything else that makes up this unique country, make it a truly unparalleled event destination.

And, like the smartest destinations courting conventions and events, Canada is suggesting the availability of the best and brightest speakers on industry-specific topics is a compelling reason to meet in the Great White North.

And, doesn't that make a ton of sense? One of the biggest cost centers for any meeting planner is the talent they'll place on stage to inspire their attendees. And, when you boast some of the smartest minds in the sector in the host community, there can be a significant cost savings. I know I'll speak locally for a lot less than I charge when I hafta get on a plane...plus, there's no travel charges to the planner.

Intellectual Capital...if you're not considering the opportunity to step ahead of the competition with possibly the most important competitive asset you have, why not?

Just saying...

Municipalities Should Have the Authority

Let's be clear, some of our best and most memorable overnight stays have been in short term rentals. But, STRs are strangling workforce development in several communities around the nation by taking full-time housing off the market. That's a dilemma.

Outside of the gobs of money that STR companies are funneling into political candidates, how does a State say to its municipalities that they do not have the authority to regulate the voracious consumption of housing stock that is creating existential harm to residents and workforce?

It's like an issue we've struggled with for decades here in Madison. Because there are so many State and University owned buildings downtown (that are exempt from local property taxes), city residents are forced to pay significantly more in property tax than those in other cities. To make up for this, the City has asked for the ability to enact a half penny sales tax (which most thinking Madisonians would approve) in order to reduce property taxes. But the State blocks this because legislators want to be able to say they are holding the line on taxes so their re-election chances improve.

Municipalities should have the option to do what they believe is right for their residents without State intervention. If taxes get too onerous, residents will turn out those responsible. We really don't need the State to tell us how to run our communities. But they can't hep themselves, apparently.

Kudos to Akron for jumping ahead of a State bill that would prohibit requiring STRs to play by the same rules as other lodging businesses. And, by a 13-0 vote.

I mean really, cosmetologists and hairdressers must be licensed. Someone renting out their home as a business shouldn't be?

Sigh....

 

 

Sounds Like

George Harrison was found guilty of plagiarism because "My Sweet Lord" sounded suspiciously like the Chiffons' "He's so Fine." Prince famously called Journey's Jonathan Cain to ask if "Purple Rain" was too derivative of "Faithfully." And, so it goes...at some point in time (especially with a new generation that may never have heard the originals), riffs must be recycled.

But I had to shake my head on this Music Friday when I listened to Larkin Poe's "Holy Ghost Fire."

For anyone that grew up in the '80's...that's clearly Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla."

Just sayin...

Two Kinds of People

There are two kinds of people...those who gamble and those who don't.

To be sure, there are sub-groups here (e.g., I gambled that a DMO consultancy would work...but I don't play casinos). 

But those who do gamble at casinos lost a record $15 billion during Q3 this year. Really? As pundits predict a looming recession?

Gambling historian David Schwartz says people are clearly still willing to lay their money down at casinos, regardless of economic conditions.

"I think it speaks to the continuing appeal of gambling, and that there may be even more appetite for it in uncertain times," he said in a recent article.

Fascinating take. Uncertain times indicate to some that it's time to hoard. Others, to throw caution to the wind.

The next year should be fascinating to watch.