Last week, we shared the story of how Visit Tulsa had transformed a drive-in movie theatre into a venue for their Annual Meeting. No sooner than we posted, we saw that Darien Schaefer had a similar idea for the Visit Pensacola annual meeting. But, rather than be on the silver screen, his program was staged from home plate at the baseball stadium where the Blue Wahoos play.
Who else has gotten creative with their DMO's Annual Meeting?
Photo Credit: Gregg Pachkowski / Pensacola News Journal
Earlier this year, we shared the story of The Spot, a Galveston beachside restaurant that, in the middle of the pandemic, boosted employee paychecks...by a lot. The owner believed that by giving big raises, his employees would, in turn, spend more with other local businesses. And, that could hopefully save several independents from closing their doors. It worked...at the same time The Spot had its biggest May in history.
Another "Pay it Forward" type story has just broken in Toronto. This Summer, Andy Dinner took over the lease of a building in his neighborhood with the intention of opening a barbershop...at a time when trips to hair stylists were banned. When he finally opened, he offered $5 off any haircut if the customer could produce a receipt from another business in the neighborhood.
According to this story from the CBC, Andy shared that "the number of bar owners and restaurant owners reaching out to me and expressing their gratitude has been really emotional, it's been really overwhelming for me." And, several businesses have said they've been able to stay open, in part, because of Andy's love of the neighborhood in which he grew up.
He says he now understands why his small idea has had such a significant impact.
"People need good news. The world is so starved right now for positivity, everything is so dark right now. We are going to get through this and we're gonna come out stronger by little things like this. By doing our best."
Cheers to you, Andy. Next time I'm in Toronto, I'll be sure to swing by for a cut...and to discover your sensational neighborhood.
Photo Credit: Nick Purdon / CBC
Months before the 'VID darkened all our lives, research was suggesting that we were, as a consumer base, beginning to cocoon.
That this data from PGAV and H2R was initially published before the pandemic could cause some to discount it...but, 2019’s data provides a critical baseline understanding for when the tourism industry reopens, for consumers that desperately want to return to 2019.
"Destinations must quickly advance to offer exciting, new, high-fidelity experiences that “outsell” the comforts of home, enriched by the opportunities only you can offer, the stories and knowledge only you possess, and the comfort and growth only you can offer in times of unrest."
Truer words, my friends....good stuff. Despite the 'VID.
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.
Congress takes a lot of crap for being out of touch...but we keep electing them. And, maybe our own collective lack of understanding of what makes an economy hum is reflected in their utter lack of concern for just how bad it's gotten for the hospitality industry.
This article from one of Madison's newspapers is simply chilling (no pun intended). With temperatures dropping into the 40s and 50s, outdoor drinking and dining becomes increasingly difficult. And, with the virus spiking in Wisconsin, patrons here are increasingly skittish to head indoors.
The result, scores of restaurants are closing for the winter...and some forever. If you're from around here, you know the names. If not, trust me, these are big names and icons we're talking here.
Without another round of financial assistance, our communities will be mere shells of what made them attractive and successful. The losses we are experiencing here in Madison is just the tip of a mammoth iceberg that nobody seems to want to notice.
Winter is coming.
Destinations International staged the first day of its annual Advocacy Summit as a virtual event last week...and the early returns are two thumbs up.
There were a ton of takeaways during the day long idea-fest...but one resonated most with me.
Gary Sanchez, Director of Public Affairs for Visit Dallas, shared some of the trials and tribulations his organization endured after an external audit excoriated the agency last year, putting its contract in jeopardy with the City. While many of the findings merely showcased that the auditors didn't understand how Destination Sales and Marketing works, there was enough smoke to capture the attention of the City Council, some of whom were demanding a split with Visit Dallas.
How did it come to this? Gary said, "We sold Dallas...we never sold Visit Dallas."
And, ain't that the truth? We are often so busy doing our work that we forget to let our investors know what and how we do.
As we emerge from this tragic crisis, we must vow to never lose sight of the fact that we are in service to our communities. And, that means copious communication until we are sick of communicating.
Because, at that moment, we will have just cracked the surface.
Day Two of the Advocacy Summit is November 12th.
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.
I've always been fascinated that nobody seems to care that the two most important jobs in the land are simply ignored for two months every four years. Indeed, the jobs of those running for re-election at any level are pretty much abdicated as incumbents turn their focus solely on keeping their jobs.
In a normal year, I suppose we could let this slide...but, this is far from a normal year. There are initiatives on the table that require immediate attention. Not after the election and not after the inauguration. Now.
And, as the Senate turns its attention to confirming a Supreme Court Justice (when the ranking Party blocked the previous administration's attempt to fill an empty seat on the grounds that an election was nigh), forgive me for my short-term view of the world. In the hotel world alone, the absence of another round of Federal relief will force 74% of hotels to lay off additional staff and 67% would face closing their doors and moving into foreclosure.
And, the Administration is tinkering with another round of aid to the airline industry because they've got a bigger lobby.
Every hotel in the land should ensure that every employee is registered to vote. And, every hotel should provide transportation to the polls next month for those that choose to vote in person.
Because this Congress and this President have failed you all.
Saying that he can no longer wait on the Federal Government, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers yesterday announced $100 million in relief to the Tourism and Hospitality industry and small businesses within the Badger State...and, yes, Destination Marketing Organizations will be part of the package.
“Small businesses, including the tourism and lodging industries, are the backbone of our Wisconsin communities,” said the Governor. “The ongoing pandemic, combined with a lack of action at the federal level may force many of these businesses to shutter their doors for good. That’s why we’re investing another $100 million in businesses and communities across our state. Our communities are in desperate need of additional federal support, but we can’t wait a moment longer to do what we can here in Wisconsin.”
Bravo, Mr. Governor. And, thank you.
A coalition of over 200 travel-related businesses, municipalities and associations is demanding that Congress act on a relief plan before the November election. It's hard to believe, but that last relief plan Congress provided some segments of the economy was in March. And, that plan didn't focus on the segments of the service economy most impacted by the government's response to the 'VID.
But, as I mused earlier this month, members of Congress must be reminded of the sheer number of voters who are incredibly pissed off at their inaction...and will likely vote against any incumbent, at this point in time. The clock is ticking for a lot of voters.
For others, it's already over.
Here is COVID Relief Now's open letter to Congress.
Check out the signatories. While nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Washington politics, I sure wouldn't want to be standing for re-election and know that I have been complicit in the carnage that awaits.
Recent Comments