Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

New on the DMOU Podcast: Kara Franker

For DMOs that produce destination events, it often consumes months of staff time. Yet, Visit Estes Park turned a festival that a neighboring community was preparing to sunset into an event that garnered national media attention in just 100 days. CEO Kara Franker guests to tell the unique story of the revitalized "Frozen Dead Guy Days," an event that not only bolstered a need time on the calendar but also raised money for workforce housing and daycare initiatives. It's a stirring story of community collaboration you're not going to want to miss. You can find the conversation HERE.

And, while you're at it...check out the sensational video behind the story Kara tells on the podcast about backing a Room Tax increase to support local workforce housing and childcare.

Simply brilliant.

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.

Thanks, Jim

The things you see when you are "back of the house."

This is a shot (click to enlarge) of the underside of a conference table. Jim noted (with a Sharpie) that he repaired it in April of 1995. And again in June of 1995. And then in April of 1996.

And here it sits today, in 2023, still in service and leaning against a wall in a hotel, held together by duct tape.

So...did future repairs go unrecorded? Or did Jim's June '95 fix do the trick?

And...regardless...amazing that this table is still in service almost 30 years later.

Wisconsin...You're on Deck

Sensational news out of Illinois last week that their State Legislature has, on a bi-partisan vote no less, approved one of the best pieces of Tourism Improvement District legislation we've ever seen. Aided by our friends at Civitas Advisors, which recently assisted the launch of their 200th TID in Louisville, Land of Lincoln DMOs will soon be able to work with their local hotel communities to increase resources for Destination Marketing and Development.

Hey, Wisconsin? Your competitor to the South already has a sensationally better DMO grant program than you do (and has for almost 40 years). Gonna let them get even further ahead by continuing to sit on your hands?

Just sayin'

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.

Game Time is Money Time

For those of us that have worked in the Destination Marketing field in University towns with a high-end football fanbase, this is as second-nature as walking down the street. But, for many outside our world, they have no idea how much the time of kickoff dictates how business thrives (or suffers) on game-day weekends.

Great story from the Lincoln Journal Star on how an 11am kickoff produces a completely different result on area businesses than a 2:30 start, featuring our friend Derek Feyerherm from the Lincoln CVB.

And congratulations on a great Husker win last Saturday, my friend. 

I Get It...Kinda

Don't get me wrong. The plight of the homeless in this country and around the world tugs at my heart. But, what Los Angeles is contemplating makes my butt cheeks clench.

On the ballot next year will be a proposed ordinance that would require hotels to provide unoccupied rooms to the homeless. To be sure, these hotel stays would be reimbursed by the City...but for those hotels that have built their business on a luxury or lifestyle vibe, this has to send chills down their spine.

Wouldn't it make more sense to provide an incentive to those hotels that choose to do the right thing, rather than to force all hotels to provide a service that could irreparably harm their ability to succeed?

Just sayin...

The Dilemma of Housekeeping

As we all struggle to rebound from the carnage of the 'VID, travel has changed in ways that many consumers can't begin to understand unless they work in the industry.

While there was a heightened fear of having housekeepers in hotel rooms during the height of the pandemic (for all of us), hotels cut back on housekeeping...which, of course, slashed hours for hundreds of thousands of housekeepers. And, while fears of infection are lessening, most hotels are keeping with the "on demand" housekeeping strategy...which continues to sideline housekeepers as other hospitality jobs return.

The housekeepers that are back, however, are now facing rooms that take significantly longer to clean because, as one said in this article from Travel Weekly, "it's scum on scum." And, the way revenge tourists are now trashing rooms makes the job even harder for the individuals that have some of the hardest and most disgusting jobs in the sector.

All the more reason to add another buck or two to your standard housekeeper tip when when you check-out.

N'est-ce pas?

Smelling Like Weed

Over the past few months of being back on the road after over a year-long hiatus, we've noticed a distinct difference in the air quality at many of the hotels in which we've stayed. Over half of the hallways we've walked smelled like weed.

When I've asked Managers if they enforce the same smoking fines as traditionally applied to tobacco, most affirm that they do. "But they don't care," said one in Florida. "What's a $250 fine if it's split 10 ways? You get to smoke weed all night with your friends for $25? It's a deal."

Flash forward to a conversation I had recently about how a silver lining of COVID was that some hotels welcomed more locals trying to break the monotony of lock-down with a weekend getaway. I asked if this would continue as a target market for the next few years. He shook his head sadly and said:

"Local Equals Marijuana."

Sad, really. But I smell a market opportunity ahead.

Preparing the Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals

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!