Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

10,000

When we relaunched DMOU (Destination Marketing Organization University) as a podcast in the Summer of 2019, I'm not sure we had a goal in mind...other than to share compelling stories from people in and around the Destination Marketing space. It's what we love to do; shining a light on people who are making a difference.

But, waking up this morning to the fact that, overnight, DMOU passed the 10,000 download mark? That's cause for humble celebration.

Thanks to the over 50 guests over the past year and a half that have taken time out of often brutal schedules to share their truths. You inspire us...and we're thrilled to give your voices wings. And, to those that have powered the downloads, thanks for valuing what we've created.

And, if you've yet to listen, the entire library of conversations is available here, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other audio platforms...including our latest episode with Visit Alexandria's Patricia Washington.

Here's to 20,000!

Home Field Advantage

For those who follow sports, there is the belief that playing at home, in front of your team's faithful fans, will give you an edge. And, indeed, home teams historically have had an advantage.

Except in this year of no fans in the stands. As the NFL playoffs progress this weekend, we can look back on the regular season and note that, for the first time in the Super Bowl era, visiting teams won more than home teams. Put another way, this has never happened in over 50 years...and the only rationale is the absence of fans in the stands.

So what does this hafta do with Destination Marketing Organizations? This proves that the more supportive voices (fans) you can assemble at budget time DOES make a difference. The Home Team wins with fans in the stands. 

Cultivate them now...because the reckoning is just around the bend.

Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune

Time to Step Up

We were honored last Fall to be invited to be a contributor to a video series developed by BVK that addressed the need for DMO transformation. Clearly, we've been singing that song for years...but it was cool to have an accomplished agency like BVK embrace our ideas.

The first three videos in the series are out...but we really want to direct you to the opening salvo from Erin Francis-Cummings from Destination Analysts. They recently surveyed over 240 DMO executives and found that 95% recognize the need to transform to meet changing realities. But, less than half believe they can...or are willing to exert the effort.

Erin's episode is a must-see...if for no other reason to realize that you are not alone. And, that you should not shy away from the knowledge that change is required...and you're just the DMO pro to do it.

And, DMOproz is here to assist.

And, One More Thing

In yesterday's post, we referenced a stunning report from PGAV and H2R that was eerily prescient upon its pre-VID completion.

In regards to NET promoter scores regarding diversity, there's this: "People of color are largely less satisfied with their attraction visits; and the younger an American is, the more likely they are to represent a more diverse lineage. It is possible that some attractions are not reflecting these populations proportionately in their leadership and boards, and are therefore not adapting their content, messaging, and attractions/interests to meet these populations’ interests and styles."

It's just one of the reasons, along with Searchwide Global and Destinations International, we penned a position paper on the imperative of Board Diversity.

Oh yeah...and one more thing. Vote like your life depends on it.

 

Join Us Tomorrow

Four former Destination Marketing Executives have been invited to share their take on 21 predictions for 2021 tomorrow at 1 ET / 10 PDT. David Downing, Matt Stiker, Josh Collins and I will be on a panel as part of the eTourism Summit.

To join us, register here: http://bit.ly/2UAk80d

Should be a wild ride.

Gaining a Broader Understanding

Last month, the President issued an Executive Order that would prohibit federal agencies from offering diversity, equity and inclusion training for government workers. In doing so, he called DEI initiatives "divisive" and "un-American."

I'm not sure how helping government workers better understand unintended bias and identify ways to open up opportunities for all is "un-American," but the American Society of Association Executives last week urged the Administration to rescind the directive, post haste.

Truly, the only people that believe that DEI programs are "divisive" are those that want a strict continuation of the status quo...a status quo that pretty much sucks. Which is one of the reasons we issued our position paper on Board Diversity in collaboration with Searchwide Global this summer.

It's also why you should consider the Travel Unity Summit October 21-23. The All-Access Pass is only $50 and offers sessions from some of the top names in travel accessibility and DEI, including Destination DC's Elliott Ferguson, Sports ETA's Al Kidd, HospitableMe's Billy Kolber and many more. And, there are a handful of sessions that are free, including the keynote from Travel Unity Executive Director Roni Weiss.

For more on the Travel Unity Summit, click HERE.

A Powerful Local Message

Full disclosure: DMOproz facilitated the Strategic Planning process for Visit Champaign County...but that really has no influence on my affection for how that DMO has rolled out their Annual Report to the community, along with a simply sensational video designed for local consumption.

As I noted in the June edition of the Z-News (and, if you attempted to subscribe in the past few months and haven't seen an issue, we have recently discovered a subscriber field glitch that dumped up to 100 of you...so please, try again), we reviewed all the Strategic Plans we created in 2019 to see if they were still relevant. What we found is that they were (Marketing Plans were another story). Indeed, our Strategic Plans were often more relevant in a world gripped in crisis than they were when designed. When life is good, it's hard to get motivated. With the 'VID, it's imperative.

Jayne DeLuce is the CEO of Visit Champaign County...and both the Annual Report and video offer a proud and positive message to a community that has been rocked by our government's response to the 'VID and the Big 10's decision to postpone football. Her Chair's Opening Letter to the community is impressively empowering ("Our timelines may be altered, but we remain steadfastly committed that our destination vision...will come to fruition").

The video is simply inspiring.

Jayne and her team nailed it.

 

This is What DMO Pros Do

In yesterday's post, we shared a story about how a City government has shifted from "them's the rules, bub" to "how can we make this work." Refreshing...and as Quint Studer points out in Building a Vibrant Community, that's exactly what today's local governments should be doing to encourage private sector Place Making.

The back story makes this tale even better. Amie Burrill is the Executive Director of Experience Burnsville. The reporter who wanted to do a story on the soon-to-open Ineffable Brewing Company had reached out to Amie via the DMO's Facebook page using Messenger on Monday morning around 10. That would be the morning of Labor Day, when Experience Burnsville was closed, for a Labor Day story to run that evening.

Never fear...because DMO pros like Amie don't pay attention to holidays or operating hours. Even when they are out of town, as Amie was. But, because she brought her "business phone" along on her trip, she picked up the message in minutes, connected the owners of Ineffable to the reporter and alerted a Board member (also a City Council member). An hour later, the TV crew arrived at the brewery to interview the owners (and the City Council's Dan Gustafson). And, the piece aired that evening, showcasing not only the brewery but the City's can-do response to entrepreneurial opportunities for viewers throughout the Twin Cities.

This is how it's done in the pros.

Nicely played, Amie.

 

Deb Archer

When I told my Board Chair that I intended to step down to launch my consultancy, he initially considered the process of a national search. I remember giving him "the look" and saying, "Really? Your next CEO is right here...and you know it."

A year previously, we had been able to snare Deb Archer from Visit KC as our VP of Sales. We had help in the process, as she was dating a Madison guy. But, from the moment she joined our team, it was clear to me that, one day, she would lead it and Madison's visitor economy. And, for just over 25 years she has done just that...and then some.

When I stepped away in May of 1995, I was intentional in laying low. Because I had been at the forefront of the fight to build our Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Convention Center, my face was synonymous with the DMO. I wanted to make sure that Deb became the focus. And, during that summer of '95, I rarely ventured out in public.

To set the story, you must know that Deb often busted my chops for spending too much time with elected officials...and not enough helping her close business or schmooze clients. I still smile today when I remember bumping into her on State Street on a brisk autumn day, six months after she had taken the helm..

She gave me "her look" and said, "I really hate you." As I recoiled in surprise, she said with a sigh, "I haven't been able to sell anything in months (and Deb loved to sell). All my time is spent with the Mayor and the Council and the County Board." And, we shared a laugh at what managing a Destination Marketing Organization had become.

Today, Deb announced her retirement from Destination Madison. She never lost her affection for destination sales...but she evolved into one of the best DMO CEOs in the nation. Had she not ultimately married her Madison boyfriend, I have no doubt that she would have gone on to lead a Top 20 DMO. Luckily for us, she stayed here in Madison.

Thank you, Deb, for all you've done for this community. While I may have played a role in the referendum win to build the Convention Center, you powered Destination Madison (the organization and the community) to heights that were unfathomable back then. This community owes you a debt of gratitude that will, sadly, never be repaid.

Now go enjoy your next chapter. You have been a blessing to us all.

 

A New Vision

We have several ways to stay connected with our friends and clients in the Destination Marketing space. Of course, there is this (almost daily) blog, coming up on its 14th anniversary.

We also publish a monthly newsletter in which we share sector news and a commentary from yours truly. I tweet sporadically. And we repurpose the important missives on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Oh yeah...and the podcast is here.

Why am I reminding you of this? You may be a regular on this blog...but not a subscriber of the Z-News. And, if that's the case, you missed yesterday's release of our new position paper on how community marketing must change if we are to maximize resources, talent and opportunity. And, we think it's unlike anything you've seen.

We're boldly going where only a handful of visionaries have gone before...and we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled blog.