Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

New on the DMOU Podcast: Cannabis Tourism

Almost half of American States have legalized the recreational use of cannabis...but many DMOs in those States struggle with ways to promote the advantage they possess against States that don't. On this episode of DMOU, we talk with Brian Applegarth, the foremost expert in the intersection of cannabis and tourism, about how to escape the stigma...and focus on the health, wellness and inclusionary aspects of this amazing community asset. A fascinating episode.

Smiles All Around

Walking back to my hotel after an early morning presentation to the Rockford Area CVB Board, I came upon a corner that made me smile (click image to enlarge). 

It was the stone in front of the Rockford Park District that read "Webbs Norman Center." Along with former CVB CEO Wendy Perks Fisher, Webbs was one of the early national visionaries that saw the potential in Sports Tourism almost 40 years ago. It was their early partnership that set into motion the transformation of Rockford Tourism. This video offers a glimpse of that relationship.

My smile grew larger when I noticed that the street in front of the Webbs Norman Center has been renamed Tim Dimke Drive...as Tim and his crew took Webbs' and Wendy's vision and expanded it even further with current RACVB CEO John Groh.

As I ducked into the sensational riverfront Embassy Suites Hotel for a quick bite before heading out, I had to smile again because I heard joy and laughter coming out of the kitchen...and that's a sound we've all missed over the past few years. But, there it was...and, as I surveyed my fellow diners, I could see how infectious it was for all of us.

And, that's just damn good management...the kind that empowers employees to have fun, please the guest and take incredible pride in their work.

Thanks Rockford...let's see if my next stop continues the streak.

What Hoteliers are Thinking Today

Prior to the Plague, the best Destination Marketing professionals had a pretty good idea of what their hoteliers were thinking. But today? 

The DMOU podcast is back from Holiday Hiatus with STR's Vail Ross, talking about the new demands, pressures and opportunities facing today's hotel executives. And, it's one of over 100 conversations waiting for you in the DMOU vault.

And, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to ensure that you're notified the moment a new episode drops. Because we're looking forward to a great 2023.

Missing a Market?

As Americans over 65 are increasingly in line for their vaccinations across the country, one could make the case that they may be the first back out on the road.

Indeed, TravelAbility's Jake Steinman said as much in an article he posted earlier this week, adding that this cohort is also sitting on 70% of this nation's discretionary spending power. They're also more likely to require special accessibility features in hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Sounds like a perfect time to start re-imagining how we all serve this growing market. To get you motivated, check out our conversations with Jake, Greater Lansing's Julie Pingston and Visit Mesa's Marc Garcia on DMOU podcasts.

Room Immersion

Themed hotel rooms are nothing new. The Sybaris chain of hotel suites for amorous couples was launched in the mid-70s. A couple years ago, Travel & Leisure featured 20 such rooms around the world including homage rooms to 007, Batman, Star Trek and more. In Fort Wayne, home of pro music gear supercenter Sweetwater, select rooms in one of their hotels are tricked out in various music motifs and genres for visiting musicians. And, I've raved before about a '60s-looking hotel on the outside doubling down on being a '60s hotel on the inside, complete with shag carpeting and lava lamps.

My new fave is a collaboration between our friends at VisitLEX and the simply sensational 21c hotel. Based on "The Queen's Gambit" (if you've yet to stream this gem, treat yourself), you can now immerse yourself in chessmaster Beth Harmon's world...right down to imagining chess moves as you lie in bed.

Simply brilliant. And, channeling Samuel L. Jackson, "what would make sense in your town?"

The Other Side of Recovery

Terri and I work in the Destination Marketing space, advising DMOs on governance, management, strategy, funding and development. Thus, a lot of what we post on this blog focuses on this side of the hospitality business.

Spero Batistatos (President of the South Shore IN Convention & Visitors Authority) is one of the top DMO CEO minds in our sector. Unlike me, he actually started his career in the "back of the house" at a hotel/theatre complex (where I'm quite sure we met years before we became comrades in arms because I used to introduce a number of acts at the theatre during my turn in FM rock radio).

Over the weekend, my friend penned a fascinating piece on how hospitality businesses need to be planning to successfully emerge from quarantine...from a decidedly "back of the house" mentality.

It is definitely worth your read.

Everything Comes Back Around

A number of years ago, tired and late, I pulled up in front of my hotel in Wildwood NJ and let out a long sigh. It was a decidedly '60s hotel, the kind with keys (not cards) and room doors opening to the outside balcony. Not what I was expecting from the client who made the reservation.

Which was a good thing...because I was blown away as I walked into the lobby by the attention to detail the owners had exercised as they made this '60s hotel a '60s hotel. Black and white checkerboard tile floors, a jukebox, formica chairs and period lighting put a big smile on my face. Which broadened when I got to my room and found a lava lamp.

And, that's where the Howard Johnson brand has announced it's going with its remaining hotels...back to the '60s.

“Say ‘HoJo’ and people can’t help but to smile as they think back on the memories they’ve made with us over the decades,” said Clem Bence, the brand’s vice president of operations. He promises a "playful" re-design to evoke the nostalgia gene in everyone who remembers the iconic orange roofline, family road trips and fried clams.

Howard Johnson has committed $40 million to the mid-century redesign. It'll be worth every penny.

The Way it Should Be

A great article in Skift yesterday (and, who knew their mission was to keep the travel industry accountable?) on how IHG is pledging to not only do away with plastic straws but eliminate those mini-bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion in favor of bulk-size, refillable dispensers.

Best part of the story: IHG CEO Keith Barr says it's not pressure from governments that encouraged the move...the real pressure coming from guests.

“Governments collectively haven’t taken significant action in this space,” Barr told Skift. “The reality is our colleagues and our customers expect us to take a leadership position on things like waste.” 

And, ain't that the way it should be. Hell yeah.

Double Duty

You gotta love the innovation that Brandon Rounds brings to his job at Madison's HotelRED. 

By day, he is the hotel sales and events manager. On select nights, he becomes Bianca Lynn Breeze and presides over the hotel's Drag Queen Bingo, drawing over 100 each night.

It's the perfect combination of visitor and local activation of a hotel...and a blast, to boot.

Very cool.

Image Credit: Jenny Peek / Isthmus

The Hotel of the Future

It’s always fun to imagine the future. From the Jetson’s to The Time Machine and Star Trek to Soylent Green, we’ve envisioned the years ahead in a myriad of ways.

But, no one has ever envisioned the hotel room of the future quite like this.

This video is the winning concept from a competition to imagine the hotel room of 2033.

Hotel room, hell…I want this for my house!