Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Be a Midwesterner for a Day

Over 20 years ago, a couple Midwest DMO CEOs, miffed that the then-IACVB Annual Convention was going to be held in Hong Kong (like they'd be able to defend that expense to their Board or community), decided to stage their own DMO-centric conference in the Heartland that year for the rest of us. And, it was so well received that the conference continues to this day.

Like with most events, the 'VID caused last year's Upper Midwest CVB Fall Conference to cancel...but, they'll be back this September in Des Moines. To whet attendees' appetites for the Des Moines event, UMCVB is hosting a virtual half-day Spring Summit next Thursday, April 8th.

I'm honored to keynote the event...but, check out this line-up: Rockford's John Groh and Martesha Brown, CFO by Design's Julie Hart, Visit Tulsa's Ashleigh Bachert, Branson's Greyson Miller & Rachel Wood and closing out with Destinations International's Jack Johnson. All packed into three and a half hours.

Oh yeah...did I mention that registration is free? 

Join us.

 

The Politics of a Pandemic

President Trump has said he didn't want to freak us out...and people needlessly died (including former Presidential candidate Herman Cain). Following his lead, many Republican politicians downplayed the plague and played to their base of science-eschewing independents that rejected the idea of the good of the whole in favor of their individual "right" not to wear a mask. I guess they never watched Star Trek.

Part of the argument, they say, is that the economy needs to recover; that the cure cannot be allowed to kill the patient. But, Texas Governor Greg Abbott's recent rescinding of the mask mandate in his State has resulted in at least 4 conventions cancelling, robbing the Austin hospitality community of critical revenue.

It's such a little thing...continuing to wear masks. I mean, we all hate it...but we've grown accustomed to it, right? Is it really that hard to go a few more months until this thing is under control?

Apparently not, when one is trying to get re-elected in a Red State.

36 Minutes of Inspiration We Need

For Destination Marketing pros, saying that this last year sucked is like saying that the February ice storm in Texas was a cold snap. But, imagine being in Puerto Rico. Double-slammed by two hurricanes, a President that shamefully refused to release disaster aid, then Zika, three weeks of earthquakes, political upheavals and a fiscal crisis. And then, one of the most aggressive responses to the plague in the nation. Yeah...you simply do not get to bitch about the virus.

You want 36 minutes of pure inspiration? The Simpleview Future of Tourism Podcast (hosted by our friend David Peacock) featuring Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean dropped yesterday...and I dare anyone to say these 36 minutes aren't the other shot you need in your arm.

Yeah, he kindly drops my name. But really...it's a sensational conversation with two of the brightest voices in our sphere. Treat yourself.

This is How it's Done

Last week, Visit Savannah CEO Joe Marinelli joined us on the DMOU podcast to discuss, among other topics, their highly successful "Savannah Safe" Pledge, one of the first COVID-era responsibility promise programs in the nation. And, he shared that his Team was planning to refresh the campaign for St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break and Mother's Day.

Yesterday, we sadly reported how Spring Break went so wrong in Miami Beach over the weekend. But so far, that seems to be a fairly isolated occurence.

This Spring, over on the Gulf Coast, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (like all beach and resort destinations) faced a dilemma. Up until now, it had been difficult for communities to pin previous viral spikes on the DMO. Those occurred because people ignored exhortations to avoid Thanksgiving and the Winter Holidays. But, Spring Break? In destinations that have grown weary of bad behavior in their communities, associated with Spring Break revelers, DMOs often get the stink-eye as being at least somewhat responsible.

Beyond all that, educating today's visitors to the expectations of a community is becoming more and more important for DMOs. To do that, Steve Hayes and his crew at Visit St. Pete-Clearwater created the "Rise to Shine" program, sweetened by a sweepstakes: "When you travel in St. Pete/Clearwater, we ask that you do so responsibly. Sign the Rise to Shine Pledge to mask up, spread out and wash hands - and be entered for a chance to win the Ultimate Beach Getaway, including airfare, beachfront accommodations and a private beach cabana!"

To date, over 25,500 have taken the Pledge. And, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater isn't done there, as staff is roaming the destination passing out $25 gift cards when they see Spring Breakers following protocols.

Very very smart.

Not a Good Look

This is what happens when there are mixed messages in the face of a national health crisis.

Don't get me wrong, Florida's decision to eschew CDC guidance hasn't made them the biggest super-spreader State. It also hasn't won them any awards for keeping residents from dying. But, shouldn't have someone seen this coming? Next to Mardi Gras and Sturgis, how many other events come to mind that scream "do whatever the hell you want" than Spring Break?

And, that's just what has been happening in Miami Beach as tens of thousands of revelers threw caution (and respect for the host city) out the window this past weekend. Over 1,000 arrested (over half from out of State). A restaurant destroyed. Fights, shootings and stampedes in the street. I mean, the Police called out SWAT teams and a curfew has been set for 8pm...possibly into mid-April. And, officials say these offending visitors aren't college students...they're adults.

And, though a subtle mention in news stories, the media deftly pointed out the city's DMO just spent $5 million on its biggest advertising campaign in two decades. Watch...they'll get the blame when I seriously doubt the people causing the trouble saw a single ad.

A Tale of Two Countries

In the days before the 'VID, residents in Iceland were pushing back on the overwhelming onslaught of international visitors. Today, just a handful of flights arrive at their international airport and the country is starved for visitor spending.

In New Zealand, it's a different story. They too were dealing with an influx of visitors that was threatening their way of life. However, Leadership there is viewing the pause in visitation as a moment to rethink how it will manage tourism in future years.

This is not to say that leaders in Iceland aren't having the same conversations (it just wasn't part of the story that created the juxtaposition that spurred this post). But, shouldn't this be the discussion we all should be having?

After the pause...what do we want visitation from the outside to look like in our communities? The decision is wholly in our hands....and the clock is ticking.

Death to Zoom Happy Hours?

It was a year ago that Zoom Happy Hours had their genesis...and we craved those early times to share our shifting realities and raise a glass with friends and associates in a hope that it would all go away by Easter.

Remember how much we looked forward to those meet-ups?

Today...sigh. Another one? Really? Many of us would rather sort our socks.

To be sure, there aren't nearly as many Zoom Happy Hours as last Spring, when we so needed the camaraderie and support. But, they still happen and a lot of people are done, according to this study from Australia.

It's one thing for friends to Zoom voluntarily...but required Happy Hours to build team culture appear to be over.

Something to consider...

To Be Young Again

To a point, with every rotation around the Sun, our individual life expectancy increases as we learn to be more careful with this most precious of gifts called life.  And, it's been fascinating to watch how political affiliation has tampered with this naturally increasing instinct for caution in the face of the 'VID.

But, when we were young, we were teflon. We were indestructible. Even if we really screwed up, we'd likely heal. These days, I look at my shins and marvel at how many scars I have from my days playing catcher when metal cleats were still allowed. Who would stand there and dare someone to slide into you as fast and hard as they could with spikes on their feet? Yeah...a 20-something.

I considered that this morning as I scanned Destination Analysts' weekly COVID update that shows a marked uptick in travel interest since the President guaranteed vaccines for all by Independence Day. But, it also showed that 43% of Spring Breakers are "very concerned" about contracting the virus.

If I was "very concerned," I'd stay home. But yeah...I'm not Gen Z.

Ahh, to be young again.

When it Hit Home

It was a year ago this week that the ramifications of the 'VID finally came home for yours truly. I was still on the road, completing an assignment with an Ohio DMO. People were still shaking hands and our Strategic Planning workshop was pretty typical in its physical set-up...except that, at the last minute, it was decided to put an extra chair between each participant. Those that gathered experienced physical distancing for the first time.

And then, the word came down. The NCAA was cancelling its Basketball Championships. And then, it was clear. None of us were getting anything close to a straight story from our government. The NCAA was.

As we closed our workshop, I received a text from Delta informing me that I probably wouldn't make my connection through DTW. They wanted to route me instead through ATL which, if something went wrong there, would put me even further from home. I thanked them for their offer...but I realized then and there that it was going to be a while before I boarded another plane.

And then, I drove home.

Teach 'em Some Respect

As we look hopefully to the return of travel around the world, it behooves us all to reconsider how that will look when cabin-fevered consumers collectively feel they've been given a green light. For those that have received their second shot...that time is sooner than later. For every such person we've talked to...indeed, it is now.

To avoid returning to "over-tourism" complaints by residents in some communities, many Destination Marketers are shifting where and how they plan to re-enter the marketplace to attract a more discerning consumer. In British Columbia, a number of DMOs are working with the Sea to Sky Corridor Destination Development Council to educate inbound visitors to "the concepts of respect, proper outdoor conduct, preparedness, environmental awareness and responsible social media use." In other words, encouraging visitors to stop acting like they were raised by feral pigs when they're in-market.

Pique published a great piece on the initiative that is worth your read. And, here's hoping it inspires others to take steps, while we still can, to mitigate the crowds we know will return.