The Portals Project is a way cool movement to shine a light on life in other places. Star Trek-esque portals are currently in place in New York City and Dublin, allowing people in both cities to see each other in real time.
Waving, blowing kisses and dance off challenges are fairly typical. But, as the Irish Times reports, it didn't take long for a New Yorker to flip off onlookers in Dublin.
To which they "enthusiastically" returned the gesture.
Too funny.
Destinations International has long held that boycotting States over legislation that runs counter to an Association’s values has the unintended consequence of hurting the very people we purport to support. And, Tampa Bay’s selection as this year’s Annual Conference site certainly raised some eyebrows in some quarters. DI has countered by saying this year’s event will serve as a Case Study in showing how destinations can support communities that would otherwise be negatively impacted by a boycott.
On this episode of DMOU, Visit Tampa Bay’s Santiago Corrada joins us to share how his DMO has been connecting convention attendees with unconventional experiences, the kind attendees will be glad they didn’t boycott. Join us.
Mystified by the explosive growth of esports? Prepared to be de-mystified as PLAYHRDR Advisors’ Ed Tomasi joins us on the latest episode of the DMOU Podcast. In this wide-ranging conversation, Ed explains how both large and small destinations can break into this growing market and shares the steps DMOs need to take to understand their opportunities in the esports ecosystem.
And PLAYHRDR has just released a study on trends in the esports tournament arena. You can find that report HERE.
The philosophies that underpinned the art and science of the Destination Marketing world changed 15 years ago this Summer. That’s when Maura Gast first uttered those now famous words, “If you Build a Place…” On this edition of DMOU, Maura shares the backstory of how her “Building Blocks” came to be and how the entire community development sector is coming around to recognize that “it all starts with the visit.” Plus, she shares her thoughts on additional ways to explain the value of DMOs and her take on highlights from the Board Leadership for Destinations Symposium.
One of the newest marketing opportunities out there is NIL (Name / Image / Likeness)…and we touched on it briefly in Episode 122 with Experience Columbia SC’s Kelly Barbrey. On this edition of DMOU, we sit down with Destination Ann Arbor CEO Sarah Miller to hear how they have entered this arena and what they believe the future holds for them and other DMOs in this space. We also discuss her experience as a relatively new CEO...and talk about our shared experiences at the A&W. Join us.
While a myriad of lawsuits are piled up to block it, New York City is preparing to levy a $15/day charge on cars entering Manhattan south of Central Park. Proponents say it will will lead to fewer traffic jams, reduce air pollution, and provide a desperately needed annual cash infusion of around $1 billion to support public transit.
But, the devil is in the details, eh? What about teachers, first responders, hospitality workers? Got an exemption for them? Most importantly, the nightime worker that can't utilize public transit that doesn't run after Midnight. Once again, a perfectly constructed argument is derailed by reality.
Should be interesting to watch.
Over the past decade, a number of beach destinations have said "no mas" to the chaos of Spring Break crowds. Miami Beach is the latest with a masterful video that proclaims, in no uncertain terms, that they are "breaking up with Spring Break."
The video works on so many levels: the visible distain of the first voice, the no-nonsense reminder of the carnage of last year and the utilization of spokespersons that are just slightly older than the target audience, hopefully creating a degree of connectivity. The video simply nails it.
But, then there are those destinations that still see the value of Spring Breakers, like South Padre Island. And are ready if crowds get unruly.
It's the difference between playing defense and offense...and here's to both destinations realizing their goals.
Sister Cities. Many communities maintain such relations but how many maximize the opportunity before them? On this episode of DMOU, Mary Kay Wydra (Explore Western Mass) and Carline Poland (Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance) share their sensational experience of developing a bi-continental relationship that drives culture, heritage and significant visitation to their respective destinations.
When 2500 Pittsburgh and Philadelphia residents were recently offered free subscriptions to their local newspapers...44 responded.
Yeah...that's <2%.
Researchers are suggesting a number of reasons, including a mistrust of local news by those on the other side of a newspaper's editorial lean. But that should still mean that roughly 50% should have taken the offer.
I think it's because we've been programmed to believe free = a catch (as I opined in the last edition of the Z-News).
Just sayin....
Let us, for a moment, believe that the growing number of States that are eliminating Sales Tax on groceries are doing so to help struggling families put food on the table for their children. I know...I think it's just a ploy to win votes, too. But, let's just say that it is for the good of the people.
Except Oklahoma, which just eliminated its Sales Tax on groceries last week, now faces a $415 million budget shortfall.
In this edition of the Route 50 Weekend Round-Up, there is suggested a smarter way. Rather than eliminate the Sales Tax on groceries (which benefits high earners more than others), States should offer Tax Credits.
Except that's too confusing of a concept for voters. Just saying you've eliminated a tax is much easier to understand.
And so, yes...we're back to winning votes...and not sound fiscal management.
And where is that $415 million gonna come from?
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