A lot of attention is paid to the 6a to 6p economy...but that has been a disservice to its 6p to 6a sister of the night. 24 Hour Dallas intends to change that...and we talk with the organization's Coordinator, Bryan Tony, on the most recently released episode of the DMOU Podcast.
Chick here to listen...or find us on your favorite podcast platform.
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.
For as long as I can remember, those who serve as Chair of Destinations International do so with an agenda that layers on top of the organization's Vision and Mission. It was the Environment for Rick Antonson and Transparency for the late Spurgeon Richardson...just to name a few.
For Visit Baltimore's Al Hutchinson, his role as Chair will be marked by "four pillars." And, he and I go deep on two of them (Workforce and DEI) on the latest episode of the DMOU Podcast that just dropped this morning. Plus, we'll discuss the HBCU Scholarship Program that is surpassing all initial expectations.
And...in the Bonus Round, the man who, at the age of 8, saw James Brown perform in concert reveals his favorite all time band.
Check it out.
As we noted yesterday, addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is so much bigger than ethnicity and gender. It also can extend to how Destination Leaders address ensuring that visitors with sight challenges are able to enjoy the experiences we offer.
Travel Yukon has partnered with EnChroma to deploy special glasses designed to help the color-blind among us to see the Northern Lights in all their radiant glory. As the news release from EnChroma notes: "Ten tourism operators in Yukon, and the Yukon Visitors Information Centre, will loan EnChroma glasses to color blind visitors. This partnership will enhance accessibility and inclusion, help attract more tourists and make the visits of those who are color blind more colorful and memorable."
Wanna experience what one man saw? Click Here.
And, for the millions around the globe with colorblindness, this is so very cool.
As Visit Baltimore's Al Hutchinson said on stage at this year's Annual Convention of Destinations International in Toronto, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion "is never about pushing anyone from the table...but bringing more people to the table and expanding opportunities for all.”
While the majority of DEI work has been focused on race and gender...one cannot forget the inclusion of language as a means to accessibility. Visit Sacramento has just launched a Spanish-language section, saying they "understand and acknowledge the many contributions of Latinos in Sacramento and beyond, who trace their cultural heritage to Mexico, Central and South America and have shaped the “Farm to Fork” capital with rich culture and tradition.”
As over a quarter of Californians speak Spanish in their homes, this kind of outreach positions Sacramento as a welcoming destination to a significant portion of its target market.
Well played...
And, to hear more about Visit Sacramento's DEI initiatives, check out the DMOU Podcast with VP of EDI Sonya Bradley.
I'm hazy as to the chronology...but it wasn't all that long ago that Destination Marketing pundits told us we needed to lead with the faces of visitors enjoying our communities. "Let the consumer place themselves in that picture, imagining the experience they'd be having," they'd say. But, what if those faces didn't look like the person viewing the image, I often mused?
Then, at least 5 years ago (and I'm guessing more), I remember a post in a DMO-centric group from one of the marketers at West Virginia Tourism saying that they were getting far better engagement on Social Media with pictures of their magnificent scenery...pictures that had no faces whatsoever.
Fast forward to last week when our friends at Destination Analysts shared this sensational infographic of the answer to the question: Which of these images would you generally find more appealing in a travel advertisement?
Uh-huh...it's Beautiful Scenery / Landscapes for the win.
Earlier this month, we were honored to speak with Tourism Diversity Matters CEO Greg DeShields on the DMOU podcast...and that episode dropped earlier this week. Greg shares the organization's genesis story, the past year's successes (including his stellar work with the Greater Lansing MI CVB and Julie Pingston, a past DMOU guest) and where TDM is headed this year.
Check it out...and then, if it's right for your destination, give 'em a call.
The 45-year evolution of Victoria's Secret has been fascinating, if not inexorably slow.
Starting out as an ultra-sexy competitor to FBS, in an otherwise world of sensationally boring bras (outside the then over the top Frederick's of Hollywood), Vicki's was the bomb. Over time, as they courted the teen market, the brand became muddled. Is it Pink...or is it the nationally televised Angels runway events? And, let's think about that for a moment. A network event that showcased stunning models in underwear on a runway?
Victoria's Secret became a "whatever" brand and opened the door for countless online plays to recapture Vicki's initial persona of sexy.
This week, we welcome the new Victoria's Secret. Terri received a mailer last week that was sensationally diverse. Not in the style of the product...but in the bodies it covered. Big. Skinny. Black. White. Brown. Young. Old. And, on crutches.
And with Down Syndrome.
If this isn't just a fleeting moment of consciousness, Victoria's Secret has reclaimed relevance in a simply sensational fashion.
Welcome back.
For Destination Marketing Organizations, the heritage side of our product line is often a challenge. Museums and heritage sites are decreasingly valued by the consumers we court...and yet, we know that the compelling stories these assets tell differentiate us from other communities and celebrate our history and diversity. Adding on to this conundrum are often site managers that press DMOs to do more to promote these assets, as their livelihood depends on visitation.
In our recent work with a destination, we interviewed a museum director (among scores of stakeholders) to determine his view on the efficacy of his DMO. Initially, he shrugged off the question, saying that destination marketing wasn't going to be the key to his future success. This museum, he said, isn't enough of a magnet to draw visitors to town.
And then, he nailed what he really needed. "I need people in this community to have enough pride of place that they invite their friends and relatives for a visit," he said. "Because if their friends and relatives come for a visit, their host will bring them to the museum."
Breathtakingly brilliant.
And, another reason why a DMO's work often starts at home...and not 50 miles away.
In our work with Destination Marketing Organizations across the nation since that first glimmer of comeback hope over a year ago, there has been one word on virtually everybody's lips: Workforce.
Or, more accurately, the severe, debilitating lack of it. And, a hundred different ways we've pondered how to emerge on the other side full-staffed. But, the problem is so monumental and pervasive...where to start?
Alabama announced a bold plan last week at their annual Conference on Tourism: $1 million to prepare the next generation of hospitality professionals. The program will allow students to train online through the State's 24-campus two-year college system, making the program accessible to virtually all citizens 16 and older, according to State Tourism Director Lee Sentell.
Bravo 'Bama. Looking forward to your lead!
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