Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

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...

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?

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.

Forbes and Rockford

I've never understood why Forbes believes it makes business sense to call out communities as "miserable." How in the world does that advance commerce and community growth?

Rockford IL was one of those towns Forbes targeted a decade ago. Of course, Rockford shot back with an incredible video.

But today, Forbes celebrates Rockford (without noting that they once slammed them). I'm a guy that holds grudges...but the Rockford Area CVB's John Groh takes the lemons and makes lemonade by saying, "An article like this helps us see the broader theme."

True dat, brother. Rockford rocks.

 

The Yin and Yang of Vacancy

As we travel this continent, it is sadly rare when we come upon a fully occupied downtown. More often, we are confronted with vacant storefronts, laced with graffiti covered plywood protecting empty windows; a cancerous look that implies danger. And, that hurts a community in more ways than just forfeited business opportunity.

While some vacancies are the result of the economy, the Mayor of Vancouver is advancing a concept to address a specific part of the problem: taxing speculators who buy and hold property, sometimes for decades, preventing a community from putting its best face forward. Your town may well suffer from one or more of these property owners.

On one side of the coin, it's their property and they should be able to do with it what they want. On the other, their actions (or inaction) is dragging down the neighborhood around it. It's kind of like the anti-vaxers. Yeah, you have the right to say no...but do you have the right to infect others?

To be sure, taxing speculators as a means to force them to actively lease their space has some inherent flaws (most of all that those that have squatted on buildings for decades have the means to do so...and an additional tax won't dissuade them). But, it should be interesting to watch this play out...if for no other reason than to figure out what will work to put these properties in our communities back in play.

Image Credit: Robert Merkel

$25,000 for the Win

Destination Marketing Organizations across the land have marked National Travel & Tourism Week (traditionally the first week of May) for years. Celebratory luncheons, cook-outs, media conferences...all designed to highlight the advantages gained in our communities from a robust Visitor Economy and the role DMOs play in that ecosystem.

But, we've never seen a Tourism Week splash like what is being prepared by our friends at Visit Brookings. They're planning a $25,000 sweepstakes for workers within their hospitality industry. 

According to Visit Brookings Executive Director Laura Schoen Carbonneau: “When travel shut down in 2019, our friends who work in the hospitality industry were suddenly thrust into a world of uncertainty. First, they weren’t sure if they would have jobs. Then they worried for their own health as they served the traveling public. Now that travel is nearly back to normal, those same employees are finding themselves working incredibly long hours for little pay. This is a way to show them how much we appreciate their dedication to the tourism industry.” 

Very cool concept...and one that will be noticed.

Nicely played.

The Room Tax Balancing Act

In some States, Legislatures have enabled the imposition of local Hotel Room Taxes without any guidance on how these revenues should be invested. As one can imagine, the abuses of original intent are significant.

More sophisticated States have been very clear on such investment...and their Visitor Economies have flourished.

Up until last week, Colorado was one of those States, directing that 100% of local Room Taxes go to Destination Marketing and Development. But, in the face of some local communities pushing back on visitor congestion and a disturbing lack of workforce housing, the Governor has signed a bill allowing communities to spend up to 90% of collections on initiatives outside of marketing.

Can you say "knee-jerk?"

Hey...I have no qualms with redirecting Room Tax revenues to where it needs to go as the hospitality industry fights to regain its footing. But, let's be clear, saying only 10% must go to marketing will become the new norm...and only 10% is what will be end up being invested in marketing.

Until Colorado has another 1990's moment and tries to claw back its losses in tourism spending.

Couldn't we have tried 50% to start?

Just a thought.

Are You Profiling?

A recent study out of Montana indicates that the majority of residents believe that tourism is good for the economy...but, at the same time, think the State is being overrun by tourists, challenging their Quality of Life. Over the past two COVID-powered years, public opinion has shifted dramatically to a majority of residents believing tourists are responsible for overcrowding.

But, let's take a step back here. Is it really tourists? Or could it be new residents or second homers that are escaping metros across the West? Or, it is residents that are much more present than they may traditionally have been in the past because they just want to get out of the house? How do residents know that it's "tourists?" Profiling, anyone?

I recently saw a presentation by Zartico that showed that a sensationally clogged community one weekend was actually mostly residential in nature (all the visitors were at the beach). Same thing here...you may feel tourists have overrun your town. But, is that just an easy target for your ire?

Yeah...I don't doubt there are more people in your midst and it may be a pain in the ass. But, are you sure they aren't residents?

Just sayin'

Good Day, Tater

If you enjoy the work of Ron White, you know the phrase. If not, just remove the "Tater."

This week, President Biden signed the omnibus spending package that includes the Restoring Brand USA Act, which provides $250 million in relief funding to the nation’s Destination Marketing Organization. It also allows the Department of Homeland Security to exempt returning H-2B workers from the statuary cap on H-2B visas and requires the State Department to create an action plan to address visa application wait times. All are desperately needed to bring our economy back.

It's been far too long since Congress and a President worked together on behalf of the industry that helps power the American economy.

It's a very Good Day. And one for which we all need to thank those in Congress that supported this effort.