Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Tina

It was just two months ago that Terri and I were mesmerized by the traveling company of Tina: The Musical. If you get the opportunity to see this amazing production, it comes highly recommended from us (yeah, it's coming to Madison next summer...but we couldn't wait). And, for you, it will doubtless take on an even more special meaning, as she's now tearing it down in Heaven's House Band.

Known best for her iconic version of John Fogerty's "Proud Mary," our Music Friday homage will focus on the amazing duets Tina did during her sensational career. Not that her solo work was in any way lacking...but it was the sheer joy she exuded when riffing with others that always gave me goosebumps.

This list is by no means complete...but these are my favorites:

With Jimmy Barnes (probably Tina's most perfect vocal match) on "(Simply) The Best."

With Mick Jagger at Live Aid and "State of Shock/Only Rock n Roll."

With David Bowie on "Tonight," (and we can only pray they danced this week upon her arrival).

With Cher in 1975 and "Shame Shame Shame."

And, the one song I'd take to a desert island if I had only one to choose? "It's Only Love" with Bryan Adams.

The rabbit hole? There may be others that some may like better...but the concert I loved most was from the "Private Dancer" tour (and two of my favorite duets above are from that concert).

Thank you for all the love, Tina. We'll so miss you. And, that's all.

The Self-Absorbtion of Reclining

Years ago, we began issuing "Air Laws" in an attempt to draw attention to the self-absorbtion of some passengers on airlines. Our very first Air Law was directed at those that mindlessly jack their seats back, with no thought for the person behind them.

A post by thelkshow recently suggested a novel solution: "When you are on a flight and the person in front of you reclines their seat all the way and leaves you no room, turn on the air conditioner above you on full blast and point it at the top of their head."

Brilliant.

That's Bold

Every year seems to favor a new word...intentional one year, paradigm the next, pivot during the plague, etc.

In virtually every interaction I've had with community leaders in the destinations with which we've been working, this year's word is "bold." As in community leaders looking to their Destination Marketing Organization to "be bold." While DMOs are under fire in several destinations, there are many other communities that are looking to their DMOs to step up and lead. Which is exactly what we should be doing. As I've said before (and will to my last breath), our sector is less DMO than DLO: Destination Leadership Organizations.

And, there is no other DLO that has been bolder this year than the Sedona Chamber and Tourism Bureau. Readers of this blog have followed with us the dumpster fire of a community that lost their shit 5 years ago. Listeners of the DMOU podcast have heard former CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff explain how the Chamber moved aggressively to mitigate issues that residents found onerous.

On Monday, the Sedona Chamber cut ties with the City and called upon it to rescind the portion of the Room Tax that historically funded tourism promotion. In doing so, the Chamber took a bold step to support local business and the community's economy in ways in which elected officials are unable...doing what's right without fear of retaliation or retribution by people who are singularly motivated by what will get them re-elected and not what's right for the community.

Bold kudos to you, Sedona Chamber/Bureau. Here's to doing what's right, regardless the cost.

A Cautionary Tale

This isn't the story of a clueless Destination Marketing Organization. Indeed, two of their six Directors within the past decade have gone on to work at the State Tourism level, one as Director of the State's Tourism Association. So, it's not that they haven't been blessed with experienced talent.

Rather, this is the story of a careless DMO Board that, according to a just settled lawsuit, passed over an experienced Number 2 to install an individual with no apparent experience in the hospitality and travel industry as its new CEO. The lawsuit claimed the reason for the hire was that he was Black and she was White. In the filing, the Board was accused of saying that, since the town is predominantly Black, the DMO should be headed by someone who is Black.

The story gets more convoluted...and you can follow the rabbit hole if you choose. But suffice to say the Board ultimately hired the Number 2 as interim when the original hire split after less than half a year...while the lawsuit was in play.

But, here's the true cautionary tale: The company that issued the Directors & Officers insurance has alerted the local agent that they are dropping the DMO...and the local agent told the Board that he's having a hard time finding another company that will touch them, if they don't stop making "stupid decisions." When the Board President shot back that "it hasn't been proven nowhere," the agent said, "All right, that's what I needed to hear. Y'all need to get (your insurance) from somewhere else." And he walked out of the meeting.

Losing D&O Insurance is significantly more troubling than settling a discrimination lawsuit which, of course, is troubling enough. Because now, with no insurance, who is gonna wanna serve on that Board?

There are consequences to everything...and some really hurt.

 

 

Nuts!

As the Southwest Airlines meltdown played out over the holidays, I went searching for a book in my library that I likely hadn't touched in 20 years. Nuts! (by Kevin and Jackie Freiberg) tells the fascinating saga of Southwest's initial fight for life and ultimate emergence as a dominant player in the airline world. And, they did it by breaking all the rules.

What caused me to pull the book for a skim was an open letter from a veteran Southwest pilot that explained that early leadership of the company was based on operational optimization. Things changed when accountants took over from founder Herb Kelleher.

What also apparently changed was the unwavering focus Herb had on placing employees first. One of my favorite stories about the Southwest Airlines culture was that you'd never find the then 60-something CEO in his office on the day before Thanksgiving (one of the busiest travel days of the year) because he would be on the tarmac at Love's Field slinging luggage with the baggage handlers. That's leadership.

Though the book is approaching its 30th anniversary, Nuts! is worth your time...because Herb's vision and leadership was timeless.

Do the Math

The arguments surrounding Short Term Rentals are as varied and nuanced as a Pantone Color Wheel. Even more so for me, as I often choose these accommodations based on my need and circumstance. So, I am definitely not anti-Short Term Rental.

But, I come down squarely on the need for licensing, inspection and tax policy that mirrors the requirements government places on traditional lodging. It's only fair. And that extends to enforcement...which apparently isn't happening in Los Angeles.

A recent study suggests that nearly half of the city's Short Term Rentals were in violation of L.A.'s home sharing laws...opening up the opportunity for the City to collect over $300 million in fees and fines. They collected less than $40,000 last year.

C'mon guys...I know that local governments often fail to think like entrepreneurs. But, do the freaking math. Isn't the promise of $300 million worth hiring 10 or 15 compliance officers? Even the most arithmetically challenged among us can see that.

Just saying...

Nothing About Us Without Us

I've been pondering this quote almost every day since I heard it this summer at the Annual Convention of Destinations International. And, we included it in our DMOU podcast episode in which we asked DMO pros about new positions and titles they were considering that they never would have in 2017.

Well, we decided to go deeper. And, on the just dropped 100th episode of DMOU, we talk with Ottawa Tourism's Catherine Callary about how Canada's indigenous story is being told through an increasingly authentic lens...and learn about the Ottawa Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneur Training program.

Good Stuff.

It's the Statehouse, Stupid

How has America veered so wrong?

This is a fascinating analysis that avoids blaming the commonly held belief that it is all about the former President.

It's not a short read...but, as we head to the mid-terms, it's revealing as hell.

Oooops

Destinations International has been a shining light in opposing the weaponization of boycotts against travel to make a political statement. While the fiscal pain the boycotting state or city inflicts on another can be substantial...it doesn't take into consideration the pain and loss that is also inflicted on hospitality workers (many that may agree with the boycotter's position...but need to score a regular paycheck to survive).

So, it's not with a bit of irony that we see California Governor Gavin Newsom vacation with his family in a State that his State has said is verboten for State-funded travel because Montana's politics don't jibe with California's. Of course, his trip is personal and not funded by the State (though there is some question of who is paying his security detail).

Hey...I couldn't be more pleased that the Governor is spending his money in a State that really needs visitors this year. But, can we stop with the political grandstanding that hurts visitor economies and the people that most need a paycheck?

And, if not for them, because this will always come around and bite you in the butt during the next campaign.

Revenge Conventions

Destinations International has been crystal clear in its opposition to the weaponization of meetings and conventions for political reasons, as such decisions hurt local residents employed in the hospitality industry. But the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade promises to, at least in the short term, play a significant role in the decisions being made by event planners, associations and corporations.

A recent Northstar Meetings Group survey indicates that 80% of planners will favor states that allow abortions and 54% said they will not meet in States with anti-abortion laws.

To those destinations in Red States? Good luck.

To those displaced workers that bear the brunt of these decisions...it's time to start to vote.

Image Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago