Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Shakespeare on the Zoom

One of the delights in living in South Central Wisconsin is American Players Theatre. Shakespeare (and other classics) are performed each evening under the stars (and the bats) and weekend afternoons, on a stage nestled into a hillside near Spring Green (Frank Lloyd Wright's former Wisconsin haunt). It is one of the blessings we look forward to as Winter gives way to Spring, and Spring to Summer.

Alas, poor Yorick, there will be no outdoor season in this year of "the VID." But, that's not stopping APT from "playing in the woods" (albeit virtually). Tomorrow evening, they'll be performing "Julius Ceasar" via Zoom on Wisconsin Public Television and their own American Players Theatre Facebook page.

And yes, I know tomorrow is also the premiere of "Hamilton" on Disney+. Luckily, both will be available to stream on your schedule...and Wisconsin Public TV is waiving its geographic restrictions so anyone can see all of APT's Zoomy productions through July 26. 

Thanks APT...this will make this season's parting a far less sweet sorrow.

That Fine Line

As governments begin to consider the relaxation of restrictions on business and gathering, Destination Marketing Organizations, as they are financially able, will begin to re-enter the arena of competing for the visitor economy.

In our discussions with DMOs across the nation this past week, several are preparing for that moment to launch new initiatives to restart travel to their communities. When a State or City says the economy can restart, their DMOs will be ready.

But, should they? There is a new balance that must be weighed between our job and our residents. While government may say that our communities are open, will our residents feel the same? Will our natural urge to market be viewed by locals as a threat to their health? 

I totally get that we need to bring visitors back to our hotels, restaurants and attractions, stat. Our economies require no less. But, we need to balance that need with the fear our residents may feel about inviting outsiders into our towns. 

I don't have the answer...only the knowledge that we need to get this balance right.

Sweet Lemonade

As we at DMOproz exist in the travel space, the impact of COVID-19 has been pronounced. But, just as we talk about those being impacted that are not in the frontlines of our hospitality world (like butchers), there are countless other businesses impacted that we rarely consider.

One of Terri's acquaintances is a professional photographer...who is likely getting a raft of wedding postponements. But, Samantha Cole isn't about to curl up in a ball. Check out this recent post from her:

Since we are all sticking this out together, and most of you are home with your family, this might be a great time to capture some (distance) family photos.

How is this done? You step outside on your porch quick for a family photo and I stay in my car or just outside of my car and shoot from a distance. I have a great lens to get close from a far distance.

This might be a great way to capture some family moments and also keep our safe distances.

If interested let me know. Email: scolephoto@gmail.com

$35/Family :)

Plus, I would LOVE to donate $5 of each session to our local food banks.

I love the ingenuity of us all...and the care for those that hurt.

We are so going to beat this.

And, yeah...the image is one of her creations.

You Can Check in Anytime You Like

Alas, the Night Man in the Eagles' classic "Hotel California" said that to a guest over 40 years ago...and it's just becoming a thing.

We've all been there, especially those of us that red-eye or fly internationally. But, even those of us that hit town at Noon have had to wait until the obligatory 3pm check-in time at most hotels. And, of course, short-staffed hotels are increasingly missing that mark.

But a movement has begun in the smaller, upscale, independent hotel groups around the world to allow customers, upon room availability, to check-in at any time of the day or night. While it could become an additional revenue stream, several of the hotels interviewed for a recent Skift article maintain the move is an opportunity to build loyalty among clients that have many choices in where they lay their head.

And, implementation is deceptively simple. Rather than having a morning and an afternoon crew to clean and prep rooms, these ingenious hotels are scheduling housekeepers on an hourly-rotating schedule.

Brilliant...and it only took 40 years.

A Virtual Destination Marketing Summit

Excited to be presenting at The Destination on the Left Virtual Summit, a new kind of conference for the travel industry - one without registration costs or travel time. My friend and podcaster Nicole Mahoney has gathered 17 industry experts (and past guests on her show) that are ready to share their knowledge with you December 9th through the 11th.

The best part? You don't have to hop on a plane or book a hotel because you'll absorb hours of content, all from the comfort of your office or home. The second best part is it's free. Check out the lineup of speakers at the link above and reserve your free ticket.

And, you can get a sneak peek at some of the topics I'll be covering by checking out Nicole's interview with me earlier this year.

Broadening Our Sensitivity

Air Travel is a pain in the ass. One of the moments that lifts my spirits is the subterranean passage between concourses at DTW.  Especially when the light show is pumping Motown.

Recently, I noticed an option that has been added at the entrances to the passage (click image to enlarge). It had never dawned on me that the light show I so love could be so uncomfortable to those with sensory issues. The ability to shut down the cacophony for a few minutes is a wonderful add to making the DTW experience work for everyone.

And, for more on designing a sensory sensitive destination, check out our DMOU conversation with Julie Pingston from the Greater Lansing CVB.

 

It All Starts with a Visit

It was ten years ago this month that Irving's Maura Gast unleashed the phrase "It All Starts with a Visit" during her closing address as Chair of Destinations International. If she had a Franklin for every time that phrase has been uttered over the past decade...well, let's just agree she wouldn't need to purchase a lottery ticket ever again.

It surfaced in the media again last week as Southern Delaware Tourism announced a collaborative Visitors Guide with Sussex County Economic Development. As CEO Scott Thomas said, “All the time, we see first visits turning into summer vacations that become beloved traditions families share for generations. For entrepreneurs and business executives, first visits often lead to serious, detailed inquiries about our local business climate and, from there, to new local businesses. It just makes sense to offer information of interest to both visitors and entrepreneurs in the same resource guide because the two groups often overlap."

As Tourism is the first date for Economic Development, this is an interesting partnership...and I can't wait to see how this plays out.

And, for more thought leadership from Maura, don't miss the chance to listen to her recent interview on the recently resurrected DMOU.

Saying You're Sorry

I seriously don't know where most people learned (or, more appropriately, didn't learn) to drive. The times I'm almost sideswiped when a self-absorbed asshole merges into my lane on an interstate has increased tenfold. And, those drivers that juke in front of me to get into a different lane? It happens daily.

Not unlike Air Laws, there should be Road Laws. And, the Number One Road Law should be, if your move into another driver's lane causes that driver to touch their breaks, you shouldn't have made that move. Period.

Now, far be it for me to say I haven't, on occasion, been absent-mindedly guilty of this as well (it happens). And, because I feel so strongly about this "Road Law," I've wished I could say, "sorry, my bad." But, you just can't.

But, now you can. And, not through hand gestures.

A new KickStarter project called RoadWayve offers an LED message board to communicate with other drivers on the road. Sample messages include short phrases such as “I’m sorry,” “Thank you,” “Turn off high beams,” “Let me merge,” “Go around me” and more. There is also a custom message option that is safely activated via voice control in the mobile app.

They've already tripled their KickStarter goal...so the concept seems to be resonating. If you want to get in on the ground-floor, click HERE.

Disclaimer: I have no experience with the company or the product. I just think it's a way cool idea.

 

A Sharing Economy that Shares?

Home sharing plays, such as Airbnb, have not only disrupted the taxi industry...but, according to many, neighborhoods that report increasingly unaffordable housing, lack of sufficient parking for residents and the "evisceration" of the character locals love. And, as tourism must work first for residents, that's not a good thing.

Enter Fairbnb, a Dutch start-up that is about to launch a sharing play that gives back to the community to fund projects in the neighborhood, selected by the residents being impacted. It's not a perfect solution, but this story from City Lab offers hope to neighborhoods what welcome Fairbnb into their homes.

The Impossible Slider

I outgrew my affection for White Castle sliders in my early 30s (somewhat simultaneous to my not still being on the streets at bar time, I believe). But, I must admit, when I'm in a destination that boasts the home of the slider (my home State of Wisconsin only features one, two hours away), I'll swing through the drive-thru for a trip down my culinary memory lane.

That White Castle was the first burger chain to embrace the Impossible Burger nationwide, it was just a matter of time before I'd have the chance to taste test the new with the classic, side by side. And, that opportunity finally presented itself.

The results? Pretty damn close to the original, if not slightly better. It's definitely thicker. They are cooked to order, so they are always hot off the grill and not reheated (just know that, if you're in a hurry, you should choose the original).

White Castle is a guilty pleasure no more. And, good on them for making the first move.