Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Some Good News for A Change

With all the chaos surrounding us, it's heartening to see that the boneheaded experiment to abandon its DMO in Duluth has officially ended.

The writing has been on the wall since the new Mayor took office and Madden Media won the contract to lead the marketing of the community during the reconstitution of the DMO (if you're new to this saga, you can hear the backstory on the Destination Discourse podcast).

But, it became official Monday night, as the Duluth City Council voted unanimously to award a 5-year contract to Visit Duluth. And that will make it much easier for the DMO to secure its next CEO.

Great news for Duluth...and DMOs everywhere.

Fish Fry

Decades ago, when the web was young, a DMO pro told me she was going to launch a site called "50 Fabulous Fish Fries." It never happened (I think because she couldn't find 50 Fish Fries in her destination), but I loved the concept and the alliteration.

But in the Fox Cities of Wisconsin? There are plenty of Fish Fries (it's a 'Sconie thing, y'all)...and the Fox Cities CVB has just launched the Fox Cities Fish Fry Trail with 68 participating venues.

Gotta love it!

Truth in Advertising

I know truth doesn't count for much anymore...but it should.

Or, is it just junior copywriters that fall in love with the phrases they create that can't bring themselves to edit them for accuracy.

I was at a hotel the other day and wasn't in the mood to go out (I know). So, I fired up the TV for the onsite opportunities. One looked great...but the description didn't ring true:

"Dine on delicious American cuisine, with breakfast and all-day menus. This signature restaurant is anything but ordinary."

It's also anything but "all-day," as the hours are 6:30 to 10:30 and 4 to 10:30.

So much for "all-day."

Here We Go Again

As the old saying goes,"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." And, the insanity is back...this time in Montana.

From the age-old case study in Colorado to Buffalo to Sedona and countless destinations in between, when revenues dedicated to destination marketing are slashed, revenues to the community declines. I don't care how cool a community is today (even with the Yellowstone Effect), it won't last without effective marketing. Case in point, I don't hear anybody talking about Sedona anymore.

A Senator in Montana is pushing a bill that would redirect the lion's share of the revenue from the State's lodging and rental car taxes into a property tax relief account. If successful, property owners in Montana could expect to see $437 in property tax assistance in 2026.

The hubris of the bill's sponsor (a builder of elegant multi-million homes by trade) however, is laughable: “Tourism is valuable. I get that. But tourism is also alive and well," he said after a hearing in which the measure was properly toasted last month. 

Tourism won't be "alive and well" if this bill passes. And, for $437 a year? Think of those hospitality workers living in apartments who will see no benefit (rents never go down) and could lose their jobs if tourism falters. Or the small business owners in the sponsor's hometown of Kila (pop. 440) that stand to lose thousands of dollars in sales.

As Explore Whitefish Executive Director Julie Mullins said, “While we understand the intent of this legislation to provide short-term property tax relief, we are deeply concerned about its long-term ramifications.” 

As are we all.

Calm Down, Everyone

Those of us that have followed the sad saga of Visit Duluth, the award-winning Destination Marketing Organization that was dismantled by a Mayor in favor of an out-of-state advertising agency, can be forgiven for freaking out at reports that the new Mayor has done it again.

News reports over the weekend suggested that the new Mayor, who lambasted the former Mayor for her boneheaded move to place the entire DMO function (except convention sales) in the hands of an out-of-state agency, has just approved another out-of-state agency are not completely accurate. Sadly, for those not conversant in the DMO world, they'll never understand the nuance. But we do.

Because what was so wrong about the last Mayor's play was that she didn't understand that a DMO isn't an ad agency (and, let's be honest, after the job DMOs did nationwide to save businesses and jobs during the Plague, how couldn't she?). Today's DMO is the choreographer of a destination's brand, a partner to its business community and an asset to the economic development community. No ad agency from out of State could ever fill that roll.

So, here's the deal: The new Mayor is dedicated to rebuilding Visit Duluth to be the DMO that his community deserves (yeah...more than an ad agency). But, that could take 12 to 18 months. In the meantime, somebody needs to handle the marketing of the destination because the contract with the incumbent is expiring (and won't be renewed). Thus, the City is turning to Madden, a firm with deep experience in destination marketing.

When Visit Duluth is back on its feet, it will contract with the agency it believes will be best equipped to market the destination. Assuming Madden rocks the next couple years, the decision should be easy. And, if bringing the marketing back to a local firm is that important to the community, so be it.

But, let's be clear...this is the best bridge solution for the community to get back in the game. And the City is to be commended for doing the right thing.

What Some of Us Would Like to Say

2024 will go down as the year of the grand resident push-back on mass tourism across the globe, most evident in Europe. Those of us in Destination Marketing and Leadership are well aware of what causes residents to protest levels of visitation that are simply unsustainable.

However, most of us are reticent to say what we believe. Except for Doug Lanskey.

If you laugh, it's because you know it's true.

Simply Brilliant

Here in Wisconsin, today marks the first day back to school. The end of summer. The end of fun.

But, not so at the nearby Lone Girl Brewing Company.

This morning, parents are invited to drop their kids off at school and head to Lone Girl for "Bevs and Breakfast" from 7:30 to 10:30 am.

On their website: "Who said Back to School was just for the kids?  Leave the ABCs to them and join us for some ADULTing at our Back to School Party! 

Drop off the little scholars and swing by for a brew-tiful morning. We’ve got the three Rs covered: Relax, Recharge, and Refreshment! Plus, grab a light breakfast and raise a toast to freedom!

 

See you at the brewery – where class is always in session."

 

If we didn't have a full morning of client calls, we'd be there even though we no longer have kids in school...just to see the joy on those parent faces.

 

So smart.

Next on DMOU: Wisconsin's Anne Sayers

As we celebrate out 150th episode of the DMOU Podcast, we hang with Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers and talk about how the Badger State captured the culinary world’s attention with the most recent season of Top Chef. Anne explains how Wisconsin Tourism made it happen through amazing collaborations and shares how they are extending the reach of the series (and major events like the Republican National Convention and next year’s NFL Draft) far beyond the events themselves. Plus, a Bonus Round question that involves Muppets. Join us.

Really?

There are some cities that simply don't have a clue. Uvalde TX seems to be one of the latest.

In 2022, the City was dragging its feet on renewing its contract with its Destination Marketing Organization. The writing was on the wall. There were forces in City Hall that wanted to contract with the Chamber. And, they did.

Now, not quite a year into the new agreement, a member of City Council wants to end the contract with the Chamber because they are, in his view, not spending enough on advertising. Except the contract approved by Council a year ago stipulates how much money is to be spent on advertising...and it looks like this: $5,550 to print media advertisements; $15,996 to online ads, including social media and possible influencer collaborations; $1,750 to public relations, $500 to attract bird watchers and about $1,100 to attract hunters. 

$25,000. 

Annual room taxes collections (which in Texas must go to tourism promotion and development) have been coming in at roughly $750,000 a year...and you're allocating $25,000 for advertising? In a town that seriously needs a brand make-over?

$25,000? 

Hey, I don't live there. But if I was on City Council, I'd put all $750,000 on red and add another $250,000 from the general fund to create a $1 million a year fund to attempt to make Uvalde attractive to visitors, future residents and investors. 

Because, right now...you aren't looking so great.

But, that's just me.

And what do I know?

Image: One of the murals commemorating those lost in the Uvalde School Shooting.

New on the DMOU Podcast: Lemons to Lemonade with Paul Beachnau

Gaylord is one of Michigan’s top spots for outdoor recreation (and one of our favorite getaways), where this week they celebrate Alpenfest. But in the past couple years, the community has been buffeted by a tornado, a virtually snowless winter and, like most destinations, a serious shortage of available hospitality workforce. Convention & Tourism Bureau Chief Paul Beachnau joins DMOU to talk about the resilience of the community and how his DMO managed their media relationships to emerge stronger than ever. And produced a video with locals for locals to encourage residents to consider a career in hospitality. Plus, a harrowing Bonus Round Question in which Paul shares possibly the worst day of his life. Join us.