Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Prime Visibility

On an episode of the DMOU podcast, Visit Nashville's Butch Spyridon quipped that he never thought he'd be a film producer. But, with last year's release of the sensational "It All Begins with a Song," he did.

I'm guessing Visit St. Pete/Clearwater's Steve Hayes could say the same thing after "Life's Rewards" premiered on Amazon Prime last week. A story of a guy who loses everything (except his billions of hotel points), the series is shot on location at the Don CeSar hotel on St. Pete Beach (TripAdvisor's 2001 Best American Beach).

The first DMO-produced TV series designed to stream on a major platform, "Life's Rewards" is a joint project by Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the St. Pete Clearwater Film Commission and Visit Florida and stars Sebastian Rocha. You can check out the trailer here.

Gotta love it!

We Are Back

The notion of gum commercials and exhilarating creativity rarely appear in the same sentence. With this new video from Extra...that ends right here, right now.

I know, I know...we are so not out of the woods yet. But, if this video doesn't move the unvaccinated to jump onboard, nothing will.

Enjoy...and thanks to TravelAbility's Jake Steinman for the catch.

The Chef as The Story

If you've yet to catch an episode of the new CNN travelogue series Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, treat yourself. Beautifully shot, the series explores the variations in cuisine, traditions and preparations throughout the country.

Just as beautifully shot (and no less culinarily compelling), is a new online series we recently stumbled upon from our friends at VisitNorfolk.  City with Bite is a semi-weekly video series featuring local food and culture icon Nomarama as your host with a stated mission to try all 600 of Norfolk's independent restaurants. And, with 4 episodes already online and streaming, we're so planning our next visit to the city!

Click on the slightly irreverent trailer and I dare you not to watch all four episodes.

Congratulations to Kurt Krause and the crew at VisitNorfolk. Sensationally played!

10,000

When we relaunched DMOU (Destination Marketing Organization University) as a podcast in the Summer of 2019, I'm not sure we had a goal in mind...other than to share compelling stories from people in and around the Destination Marketing space. It's what we love to do; shining a light on people who are making a difference.

But, waking up this morning to the fact that, overnight, DMOU passed the 10,000 download mark? That's cause for humble celebration.

Thanks to the over 50 guests over the past year and a half that have taken time out of often brutal schedules to share their truths. You inspire us...and we're thrilled to give your voices wings. And, to those that have powered the downloads, thanks for valuing what we've created.

And, if you've yet to listen, the entire library of conversations is available here, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other audio platforms...including our latest episode with Visit Alexandria's Patricia Washington.

Here's to 20,000!

Jimmy P

If you thought the Florida State CFO's attempt to lure the 2021 Olympics to the Sunshine State was a one-off, think again.

Earlier this week, Jimmy Patronis encouraged the New York Stock Exchange to relocate to Florida.

And, you hafta admit...the offer makes a ton of sense.

 

 

When Mayors Represent

I (almost) always cringe when business owners want to do their own ads. And, when politicians want to be featured in their destination's Tourism ads, it usually turns into a train wreck.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule...like this classic featuring Ocean City's Rick Meehan. And, now...Moose Jaw Mayor Fraser Tolmie, who narrated his community's very cool promotional video, unfortunately, just days before the pandemic began to sweep the world.

The City's newest ad, featuring the Mayor, is priceless.

Well played, Moose Jaw. Well played.

An Americana Tradition

Groundhog Day is upon us...but, unfortunately, the festivities on Gobblers Knob will be replaced by a virtual version tomorrow morning. As has been our world since this time last year.

I had the rare privilege to experience the 24 hours surrounding the event back in 2007...and, in an uncommonly long post (I believe my longest in 15 years), I chronicled my experience in Punxsutawney PA. Most of the links are long broken...but you'll get the essence of the moment.

This is what we miss when we failed to have a coherent national strategy to beat back a virus.

Sigh.

 

First Bigfoot, Now Nessie

On Monday, we shared the news that a lawmaker in Oklahoma had filed a bill to create a Bigfoot Hunting Season to spur tourism in his district and the State.

Now, we have three sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. Not to say that Scotland Tourism is involved in any way...but nothing screams "visit" during a pandemic than being able to try to capture a glimpse of mythical creatures.

At the very least, these stories remind us of how desperately we all want to get back out there. Tuesday was "Plan Your Vacation Day."

Did you?

These Are the Drones You're Looking For

Holiday Lighting installations have become major destination drivers over the past couple decades...but, in the year of the 'VID, what is a community to do?

Last week, Milwaukee's Holiday Lights Festival added 200 drones to the show...and, it is absolutely amazing and mesmerizing.

The Creative Venue Pivot

Last week, we shared the story of how Visit Tulsa had transformed a drive-in movie theatre into a venue for their Annual Meeting. No sooner than we posted, we saw that Darien Schaefer had a similar idea for the Visit Pensacola annual meeting. But, rather than be on the silver screen, his program was staged from home plate at the baseball stadium where the Blue Wahoos play.

Who else has gotten creative with their DMO's Annual Meeting?

Photo Credit: Gregg Pachkowski / Pensacola News Journal