Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Critical Importance of Tourism

Community excellence occurs when we collaboratively develop a really cool place to live and visitors agree. Sophisticated community leaders know the power of tourism (which I'll be speaking on today at the Mississippi Tourism Association's Spring Conference in sensational Meridian). But, there are still those that refuse to accept that supporting a Visitor Economy is a pre-requisite to community exceptionalism.

That wasn't the case in McDonald County MO in 1961. Apparently, the highway leading to the lakes and attractions was omitted from the State Map. Within weeks, a movement to secede from the State was mounted. "Adjoining counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma were invited to create a 51st state. Stamps and passports were printed and, most importantly, the news hit the national press. A border guard of volunteers formed. They delighted in toting muzzle-loading rifles and black powder revolvers. It made for great photos," according to Joplin Globe writer Bill Caldwell.

"Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus stirred the pot by inviting McDonald County to join Arkansas as its own bootheel on the west. Joplin’s Chamber of Commerce invited the territory to have an embassy in Joplin for passports and visas."

Cooler heads, of course, prevailed. But, isn't it fascinating how important tourism was to a county in the 1960s.

It's just as important today.

Image Credit: Missouri Life

Belizesure

While one might be tempted to criticize the latest marketing move by the Belize Tourism Board as too micro-focused, the reality is simply the opposite. More than 4 out of 5 of us have "bleisured" in the past year (that's combining business and leisure). So, what the BTB has done is pretty brilliant.

The newest promotion is a giveaway of a 5-night stay in an overwater beach bungalow on Tobacco Caye, complete with a standup desk and "pretty OK Wi-Fi." The video says it all. And, even if one doesn't register to claim the trip, the vibe of the beach side of this sensational destination comes through loud and clear.

Well played, my friends. Well played.

The Impossible Slider

I outgrew my affection for White Castle sliders in my early 30s (somewhat simultaneous to my not still being on the streets at bar time, I believe). But, I must admit, when I'm in a destination that boasts the home of the slider (my home State of Wisconsin only features one, two hours away), I'll swing through the drive-thru for a trip down my culinary memory lane.

That White Castle was the first burger chain to embrace the Impossible Burger nationwide, it was just a matter of time before I'd have the chance to taste test the new with the classic, side by side. And, that opportunity finally presented itself.

The results? Pretty damn close to the original, if not slightly better. It's definitely thicker. They are cooked to order, so they are always hot off the grill and not reheated (just know that, if you're in a hurry, you should choose the original).

White Castle is a guilty pleasure no more. And, good on them for making the first move.

What's For Dinner Tonight?

If it's not Burger King's "Nightmare King," you must not live near one.

I mean, really: The meat pile layers a quarter-pound of beef under a crispy chicken fillet, bacon, cheese, mayo and onions. All of it is loaded onto a glazed sesame seed bun that is nuclear green. 

Happy Halloween, y'all.

Not For Everyone

By now, you've likely seen that Nebraska Tourism has created amazing media buzz with its new campaign. 

Eschewing its "Nice" persona, they are unabashedly saying that the Nebraska experience isn't for everyone.

Simply brilliant.

If you haven't seen the coverage, here it is.

 

The Other Bill Geist

After inadvertently starting a small online ruckus after posting a piece entitled "Saying Farewell" (I was just moving...not stepping away), all the online pieces about Bill Geist's retirement are bound to raise a few eyebrows.

That would be the CBS Bill Geist...not me.

We two Bills have had led curiously connected lives. Both from Illinois. Both authored books (his sold considerably more than mine). Both of us have spent time on TV (he on CBS Sunday Morning; me on the CBS affiliate in Madison WI). And, we both have daughters named Elizabeth (his goes by Libby; mine by Liz). We have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (but he earned it).

We've never met face-to-face, but corresponded via e-mail. That I own the billgeist.com domain, I would often receive story ideas meant for him. I would dutifully pass them on.

I met his son Willie a couple years ago. When I introduced myself, he said, "Oh yeah...you're the guy from Wisconsin." Too funny.

Bill leaves a legacy of fascinating stories, told in a style that are all his own. A handful were excerpted yesterday as he said farewell on CBS Sunday Morning. My all-time favorite was his visit to the Heart Attack Grill.

Thanks for the smiles, Bill. Sunday mornings will never be the same.

 

Toga!

Sometimes, you roll into a town for the first time and just know you've been there before.

That was the experience I had last week as I rolled into Cottage Grove OR. A cute downtown; one with real potential. But, it was the banner across Main Street that caught my eye. I'd seen this streetscape, this architecture and that sign before. But, where?

Try 40 years ago (and every time I've watched the movie since). It's the parade route for the climactic scene in Animal House, filmed in Cottage Grove.

This weekend, they'll attempt to regain the Guinness Book of World Records' status as largest Toga Party in history. If you're near...go.

We planned this for Music Friday, but, we're going with it right now. It's back to Otis Day and the Knights...and the song that is forever linked to Togas.

Shout!

Wait'll Otis Sees Us...

The Summer of 1978 was the Summer of Animal House.

Forty years later, I find myself still quoting lines from the film (usually the exchange between Otter and Flounder...but also, Bluto's call to action upon learning they've been kicked off campus). 

But, imagine my surprise on a road trip in Oregon to find THE Dexter Lake Club to which Otis Day was so happy to return.

It's still there, looking pretty much as it once did from the outside. Sadly, the inside has been renovated and the iconic booth is no longer there (we so wanted a selfie there). But the NW Brisket is orgasmic.

On this Music Friday, it's Otis Day and the Knights with "Shama-Lama-Ding-Dong."

So, hit tit!

On the Other Hand

The Capital of Lithuania is turning heads with its newest Destination Marketing campaign: "Vilnius: The G-Spot of Europe."

“Nobody knows where it is, but when you find it, it’s amazing,” the city’s DMO teases in its latest attempt to attract visitors.

And, when you look at it that way...it makes perfect sense.

But, through another lens...does this suggest that, since most men have no idea where it is, they'll never find it?

Just a thought....

The Tourism Slogan

Destination Marketers angst over logos and slogans.

We probably shouldn't. For every "Virginia's For Lovers," there are hundreds of slogans that litter the landscape like tissue paper.

Some destinations defy such applications. Conde Nast recently produced a sensational video of 60 people reciting their country's slogan...and about 10 that couldn't (which was just as interesting, if not more heartfelt).

As the world's Destination Marketers converge for their annual conference this week...this is about as cool as it gets.

Even for the countries that don't have slogans.