Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

25 Years Ago Today

While it doesn't seem like yesterday, it certainly doesn't seem like a quarter century since Madison opened the doors on the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace Convention Center. Seven years almost to the day when then-Mayor Paul Soglin unveiled plans for adapting Wright's design into a convention and community center, during which the first two were consumed in a ferocious referendum battle that resulted in a 50.8% win. Walk downtown today and ask people if they voted for it and I'm pretty sure 4 out of 5 would say yes...that is how important Monona Terrace has been to Madison's renaissance.

I was part of the team that strategized and led the effort to get that referendum passed. In the process, I was mentored by two individuals that will, sadly, not be in attendance when those of us that moved this civic project to the goal line gather later this week. They are also, outside of my parents and a handful of professors, the two individuals that taught me life lessons that made me who I am today. Both Morrie Andrews and George Nelson departed terra firma in the past few years, but they were the men that made Monona Terrace happen. To be sure, there were hundreds of us that contributed and the Mayor got the ball rolling...but without George and Morrie, it never would have happened.

As we prepare to celebrate 25 years (and salute these two men), I went back and re-read my eulogies. You should, too.

George Nelson and Morrie Andrews...two guys that changed Madison forever.

New on DMOU: Michael Novakovich

This one was a hoot.

Last month, Michael Novakovich (Visit Tri-Cities) joined me on the DMOU podcast microphone to share how outlandish video (by DMO standards) has become such a positive tool for destination brand awareness...and organizational brand awareness. But, the real fun starts when we start riffing in the Bonus Round.

We dropped the latest episode last night. Check it out.

New on DMOU: Brad Dean

If you're not following the DMOU Podcast, you're not getting instantly notified when new episodes are uploaded. Oh sure, you'll hear about them later in the month through our Z-Newsletter...but, like the new Ghostbusters movie, don'tcha wanna see it now?

We just posted a great conversation with Discover Puerto Rico's Brad Dean in which he riffs on a host of topics...but more importantly, reveals that he is the "Underwear King" of Champaign-Urbana IL.

Yeah...it's so worth your listen.

A Serious Level of Recognition

Count me among those that believed the importance of the travel and hospitality industry would finally be recognized as the plague ripped this sector of our economy apart. Thus, count me among those that were scratching their head in disbelief when the hardest hit sectors of our industry (independent businesses) struggle so to find assistance.

But, there are lights appearing on the horizon...highlighted last week by the Governor of New York announcing $450 million in a “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” recovery package to reinvigorate domestic and international tourism as borders reopened. $100 million of the package will go to hospitality workers. $100 million will be dedicated to incentivize employers to bring back staff. There is also money for State and local marketing.

Here in Wisconsin, the Governor just released $15 million for local DMOs saying, “Wisconsin’s tourism industry was one of the first and hardest hit industries of the COVID-19 pandemic, but our local folks at DMOs have been innovative, dedicated and resilient…and it’s because of them that this industry is bouncing back and better.” 

Thanks, Tony. Your recognition and respect for the job that DMOs do everyday is refreshing.

Back on the Circuit

To say it feels great to be back on the speaking circuit would be a supreme understatement.

Thanks to Destinations International for inviting me to moderate a panel last week with the amazing Nan Marchand Beauvoir (US Travel), Beth Potter (Travel Industry Association of Canada via Zoom)) and Bari Golin-Blaugrund from the Cruise Lines International Association at the Advocacy Summit in Houston. Great insights and great content.

And thanks this week to Amanda Davis (Miami OK CVB) and Debra Bailey (Oklahoma Travel Industry Association) for asking me to riff on the post-Plague future of our industry...and open for an amazing presentation from Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. Dude connects the dots better than any elected official I've seen in years.

Yeah...so great to be back.

They're at it Again

As the pandemic began sweeping the world last year, Roger Amidon (GM of the Palm Beach Marriott) took two assets (and several staff members) to make some social lemonade of the giant lemon we were all handed.

Those two assets were his sensational view and a bunch of beach chairs. He had his crew set up the chairs to spell out messages of support and hope, changing the message up every day or two.

Well, they're back at it. This morning, Roger's team set up the chairs to read "Welcome Back" so they could take some pictures to use on Social Media next month to welcome back international travelers. And then, he asked the crew to re-arrange them again...but this time as a recruiting tool for employees (click image to enlarge).

I can't wait to see what he and the team will do next.

20 Voices

Just back from Destinations International's live, in person Annual Convention in Baltimore. Over 800 gathered last week in the Charm City...and suffice to say, it was good to be back. And, Al Hutchinson and his team at Visit Baltimore were the consummate hosts.

We'll do a recap of our take-aways in the Z-News later this week. In the meantime, we roamed the halls and meeting rooms asking DMO pros what they did differently during COVID that they will keep post-pandemic. And, you can hear those conversations in the latest episode of the DMOU Podcast.

Enjoy.

The Plight of Urban Destinations

In my years as a DMO pro, I've represented both urban and rural destinations. And, my heart breaks for my partners in urban.

As we emerge from the carnage of the pandemic, urban destinations aren't. A new study by the American Hotel & Lodging Association shows that only 29% of Americans feel comfortable traveling to an urban destination...and 71% say they won't. So pervasive is the fear that the Plague is waiting for you in the City.

According to Longwoods International, 50% of American travelers say that destinations with safety protocols in place will positively impact their destination choice this summer!

As much as we all want to drop masks...rural destinations must resist the urge. It's clear what the majority of travel consumers want from you.

Urban destinations? It's going to be about ignoring political grandstanding about dropping masks...and projecting a safe-is-the-new-black mantra.

Sigh...because it makes absolutely no rational sense. But, it is what it is.

Taking a Stand

Back in the '90s, a movement began that is de rigueur today in hotels around the world...that if you don't need your towels washed every day, you'd help save the environment. I remember making that then novel suggestion in my DMO's member newsletter and having an innkeeper tell me, "ohh puleeeze." In the end, she was wrong and I was right, as it caught on as both the right thing to do and a cost savings for hotels.

As we emerge into a post-Trumpian world where climate change is once again a valued concern, is this our moment to take a stand?

The Oregon Coast Visitors Association, the agency which promotes tourism on all 363 miles of the Oregon coast, joined tourism agencies around the globe this month when it declared a “climate emergency.”

The DMO says that its goal is to provide a “blueprint” for how the hospitality sector can reduce their carbon footprints. Recommendations will be completely voluntary...but that it's a necessary first step in environmental sustainability. It's also a sensational reaffirmation of the Coast's brand identity.

The movement has begun. Shall we join in?

Boycotts and Cancellations

A few years ago, North Carolina and Indiana infamously passed "bathroom bills" and quickly lost major sports events and future corporate investment. Both States ultimately backed off...but the damage was done to their national reputations.

Today, it's Georgia. After passing a law that many believe will restrict voter rights, Major League Baseball has pulled this year's All-Star Game from Atlanta. Will Georgia legislators blink?

Don't get me wrong, I abhor restricting voting rights for any citizen of this country. But, does pulling the All-Star game hurt the citizens of Cobb County more than the clearly teflon politicians that passed this tone-deaf measure? Will they back down as other States have done? Or does this reaction inflict further pain on a travel industry that has been decimated this past year?

I caught this interesting take yesterday from WSB Radio in Atlanta. Yeah...lots to unpack here.

The law still sucks...but, if Georgia legislators won't budge, who gets hurt?

The unintended consequence, indeed.