Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Lunch is Not Enough

Had a great conversation the other day with Adam Stoker on his Destination Marketing Podcast in which we went deep into the malaise we both are sensing in some of the Destination Marketing and Leadership Boards with which we work. While there are a number of reasons behind this de-evolution, I've always maintained that what we do has gotten so sophisticated (and the expectations of DMOs so expansive) that virtually no one knows what we do.

For DMO Board members, that's unacceptable. And, on Adam's Podcast, I threw down the gauntlet and said the primary reason that today's Boards aren't as effective as they were a decade ago is due to lousy orientation programs. We can't expect our Boards to understand that their job is not to help design the marketing plan if they don't understand what we do. And an "orientation" conversation over lunch just doesn't cut it.

Thanks Adam...for the opportunity to get that off my chest. And, to announce that registration for the 3rd Annual Board Leadership for Destinations Symposium is now open. Hope to see some of you in Orlando!

Next Up on DMOU > TourismIQ

On the newest edition of DMOU, we check in with Adam Stoker, author of Touchpoints and progenitor of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network to get under the hood of a new free online town square for Destination Leaders. It’s called TourismIQ…and Adam walks us through its genesis, its current build out and what users can expect in the near future. Join Us.

How You Like Me Now

Thanks in part to a horrible piece of legislation that ultimately puts the distribution of local room tax revenues into the hands of Wisconsin mayors, a number of small communities are electing to pull out of regional destination marketing organizations. Many of them say they are being overshadowed by the magnet city in their region… but there's a reason for that. Typically the largest city has the most assets, better transportation infrastructure and larger name recognition. Suburbs and rural communities that are in orbit around the largest city benefit from that halo. Every Single Day.

And, the magnet city benefits from the surrounding communities. Every Single Day.

But of course, small town ego won't allow for rationality.

Over the past few months, the city of Weston has been threatening to pull out of their contract with the Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB. They said they didn’t believe they were getting enough ROI and could probably do a better job on their own with their $108,000 investment (snort). But, about a week ago, they decided to extend their contract one more year.

Could it have anything to do with the fact that the Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB just landed the 2026 and 2029 World Horseshoe Pitching Championships? The ones that will be held in Weston?

Yeah, how you like me now?

Next on DMOU: Wisconsin's Anne Sayers

As we celebrate out 150th episode of the DMOU Podcast, we hang with Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers and talk about how the Badger State captured the culinary world’s attention with the most recent season of Top Chef. Anne explains how Wisconsin Tourism made it happen through amazing collaborations and shares how they are extending the reach of the series (and major events like the Republican National Convention and next year’s NFL Draft) far beyond the events themselves. Plus, a Bonus Round question that involves Muppets. Join us.

Really?

There are some cities that simply don't have a clue. Uvalde TX seems to be one of the latest.

In 2022, the City was dragging its feet on renewing its contract with its Destination Marketing Organization. The writing was on the wall. There were forces in City Hall that wanted to contract with the Chamber. And, they did.

Now, not quite a year into the new agreement, a member of City Council wants to end the contract with the Chamber because they are, in his view, not spending enough on advertising. Except the contract approved by Council a year ago stipulates how much money is to be spent on advertising...and it looks like this: $5,550 to print media advertisements; $15,996 to online ads, including social media and possible influencer collaborations; $1,750 to public relations, $500 to attract bird watchers and about $1,100 to attract hunters. 

$25,000. 

Annual room taxes collections (which in Texas must go to tourism promotion and development) have been coming in at roughly $750,000 a year...and you're allocating $25,000 for advertising? In a town that seriously needs a brand make-over?

$25,000? 

Hey, I don't live there. But if I was on City Council, I'd put all $750,000 on red and add another $250,000 from the general fund to create a $1 million a year fund to attempt to make Uvalde attractive to visitors, future residents and investors. 

Because, right now...you aren't looking so great.

But, that's just me.

And what do I know?

Image: One of the murals commemorating those lost in the Uvalde School Shooting.

Welcome to Chicago

The eyes of the nation will be on Chicago next week as it hosts the Democratic National Convention; a convention just as historic as the one the Windy City hosted in 1968.

In a sensational piece in the Chicago Sun-Times today, Neil Steinberg asks the question: how will the City of Big Shoulders be viewed at the end of next week? Some believe it will be an opportunity for Chicago to shrug off all the shade being thrown its way for being a dangerous place. Others believe it to be a lose-lose proposition because people who are predisposed to believe Chicago is dangerous won't care if it looks spectacular...they'll hold on to those beliefs.

My favorite quote in the piece, though, comes from political publicist Thom Serafin, who says people in Chicago tend to look at the cost but not the benefit of big events.

“Like NASCAR,” he said. “The revenue numbers did not substantiate all the effort. The profit is in people watching all over the world. Watching that skyline, thinking, ‘I’m going to go there next year. I want to be there. It’s a beautiful city. The setting is so beautiful.’”

And, that is why we host big events. Detroit absolutely changed its narrative it with the NFL Draft.

Here's hoping Chicago can do the same next week.

New on DMOU: New York State's STR Legislation

When it comes to Short Term Rentals, trying to put the genie back into the bottle has proven elusive for most governments. Initially defended as a property rights play, elected leaders are now grappling with its unintended impact on affordable housing. On this edition of DMOU, we welcome 1000 Island International Tourism Council CEO Corey Fram with a fascinating story of how, after several twists and turns, the New York State Legislature actually passed a bill this session that brings STRs outside of New York City into the Tourism and Community Development eco-system. And, it all came down to framing the issue as not a Tourism or Fairness issue…but as one that cities, towns and villages actually cared about. Plus a Bonus Round question that has me remembering the best moments of “Slap Shot.” Join us.

Stepping Across the Line

As we touched on yesterday, residents of destinations around the globe are beginning to push back against the mass tourism they believe is negatively impacting their Quality of Life. And I get it. I've been a destination marketer for decades...and, for the first time, found myself face to face with the ugly side of mass tourism last summer as I watched 7 cruise ships jockey for position along the Alaska Coast.

Of course, when I asked our driver why the City didn't cap the number of boats each day, she looked at me like I was crazy. "Why would we do that," she asked. Of course, I was talking to a person whose livelihood depends on more and more boats...and not a resident.

But, the anger is real...and it got very real last week.

We're becoming used to seeing graffiti and banners expressing frustration with tourists. "Your Paradise, Our Hell," "Tourists Go Home" and "Tourism = Terrorism."

But, this was a first..."Kill a Tourist" on a wall in Majorca.

OK...this is over the line. Because some nut job will think this is the will of the people. Just like a lot of nut jobs thought occupying the Capitol was a good idea.

This level of rhetoric needs to stop. Good people are addressing the issue...maybe not as fast as you want. But they are.

Just Stop.

Image Credit: The Daily Mail

The Moment It All Changed

It was 15 years ago this afternoon that the Irving CVB's Maura Gast stood on the stage in Atlanta at the Annual Convention of what is now Destinations International and spoke the words "If you build a place..."

And, in the ensuing 15 years, that video has inspired countless DMOs to re-examine their mandate to include economic development, quality of life and new resident acquisition. It challenged us to, as Rafiki said, "look harder" at our role and responsibility to our community.

I shot that video because the then-DMAI had stopped its practice of recording sessions...and I thought Maura might like a remembrance of her speech. Little did either of us know that I would capture lightning in a bottle that afternoon. And, those words would become mantra for our sector (for more of the back story, go here).

Maura, you changed the trajectory of Destination Marketing forever. And while the Destinations International Hall of Fame now requires a 2-year waiting period after retirement to be considered for induction...I think we all can agree there needs to be a waiver granted in your case. As in, the day after you hang up your skates, you're in.

Thank you for all you've done for our sector. We love you.

Last Week

Our past couple posts have reminisced about our annual industry conference ten years ago when we hung with Robin Zander at MSP and scored an Eric Wahl painting by facing my fears on stage.

Fast forward to last week in Tampa where almost 2000 of our peers gathered to network and celebrate this incredible sector of Destination Leadership. I was honored to facilitate a killer panel featuring Brad Dean, Al Hutchinson and Molly Rawn in CFObyDesign's CEO Lounge. And, I had a bit part in Josiah Brown's standing room only, showstopping breakout on how to effectively communicate with local stakeholders and politicians. Once again...the best session of the conference.

Not to brag...but, for the past couple decades, Berkeley Young and I have been two of the go-to speakers at tourism conferences across the nation. And, we still enjoy the opportunity to share our thoughts with audiences around the country.

But, Josiah Brown is the next big deal in this space. If you have a role in planning your next tourism conference, give Josiah a serious look. 

And, thanks Josiah, for giving me a fun roll in your DI session. Too fun to riff with you, brother.