Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

This is 50

Last night marked the 50th Anniversary of the birth of what is today known as Destination Madison, an organization I was proud and honored to lead during the first half of the '90s.

Thanks to Destination Madison for the kind shout out during last night's festivities regarding my part in securing the public referendum vote to build the world-class Monona Terrace Convention Center that served as the jumper cable for Madison's renaissance. 

And having my successor Deb Archer honored for her amazing 25 years at the helm of the organization was a true treat for Terri and me.

And here's to the next 50...

Bigger than the "Big Game"

What does it say when an event that simply picks future winners and losers without a resultant highlight reel is more important than the Super Bowl?

That's what the Mayor of Detroit said yesterday in announcing updated plans to hold the NFL Draft in the Motor City next April. “This is potentially bigger than the Super Bowl,” Mayor Duggan said. “Only 60,000 people can get tickets to the Super Bowl. But for the NFL Draft, hundreds of thousands can get in — and they stay for the weekend.”

That's why Detroit is reportedly changing the playbook from past NFL Drafts and concentrating all its events downtown. According to Duggan, “When you have 300,000 or 400,000 people coming from across America, we want to change the image of Detroit in their minds once and for all. We felt like to do that, we had to build the draft into the city.”

And, ain't that the whole point of events? To change perception of a destination?

Like Detroit did in 1896...when it launched a never-before utilized Convention Sales strategy to land national events to showcase the city to potential investors.

Ron & Sam

50 years ago...can it really be that long ago?

It was the Fall of 1973 that session guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who had worked with Van Morrison, Edgar Winter and Herbie Hancock, got his shot and released the self-titled debut, "Montrose."

It landed with a thud, mostly because the label didn't want to cannibalize airplay from their other rock acts like Deep Purple. But the "Montrose" album rocked with more authority than Deep Purple ever did.

Eventually, the world came around, in part because of the lead singer...a guy listed in the credits as one Sam Hagar.

On this Music Friday we look back 50 years to one of the greatest albums of 1973:

The first track that made so many throw their head back and say WTF: Rock the Nation (from a tribute concert for Ronnie).

Then there was the hot, sweet and sticky Rock Candy, done here by Sammy and Daryl's House Band.

And then, a year later, there was Paper Money and I Got the Fire.

Ronnie was an amazing guitarist. Sammy is an icon.

And Sam has just announced dates for 2024.

That means Good Rockin' Tonight.

New on DMOU: NYC's Fred Dixon

After a brief travel-induced hiatus, the DMOU Podcast is back with a wide-ranging conversation with New York City Tourism + Conventions' Fred Dixon. As Chair of Destinations International, Fred has laid out an ambitious agenda for his year including DEI and Accessibility, Global growth, Member sustainability and a renewed emphasis on meetings and business events. We discuss these topics and more...including a fascinating (and fun) story of how his DMO partnered with Taylor Swift.

Join us...and it's good to be back.

Migrants as the Solution

I get that news outlets believe they need to require readers to pay for content...but I'd love to see the abandonment rate when we all say no to a six-month subscription just to read one story. I'm guessing it's significant, but media seems not sophisticated enough to realize that sponsors will pick up the bill to get in front of us. Like YouTube.

So, I only have a short glimpse of a story from the LA Times (y'all really should be smarter) that suggests that hotels experiencing striking workers have turned to homeless migrants, who are all too eager to work, to fill those jobs.

The story further suggests that the DA is investigating that these hotels are underpaying these workers and are in violation of child labor laws.

So much to unpack here without the full story...but striking workers should expect scabs to slide into their positions. It's the downside of a strike; you can be replaced (especially in hospitality).

If hotels are under-compensating these workers, there isn't enough shame to be heaped upon them.

That homeless individuals are given a shot at a job that could elevate them to renting an apartment; how cool is that?

At the end of the day...hospitality must begin to treat and compensate their employees better. Strikes happen when work conditions reach the breaking point. That the hospitality workforce hasn't come back to pre COVID levels should say a lot. 

This is a sector that needs and deserves more respect.

 

New on the DMOU Podcast: The Illinois TID Win

It was 2011 when several DMO pros in Illinois began discussing the potential to introduce State legislation to add Tourism Improvement Districts into their funding mix. Earlier this year, that legislation finally passed and was signed into law. Rockford Area CVB CEO John Groh and Visit Quad Cities CEO Dave Herrell return to DMOU to share the up and down story of persistence, negotiation and being ready when the political winds were right. Even if your State already has TID legislation in place, this episode is a fascinating primer on moving an initiative through the political process.

It's just one of over 125 conversations waiting for you in the DMOU Vault.

Thanks to the Tourism Teacher

The Tourism Teacher is a relatively new podcast, hosted by our friend Andi Jaspersen, that is targeted to the padawans in the Tourism and Destination Marketing space. Part of Adam Stoker's Destination Marketing Podcast Network, the podcast has just wrapped its first season and I was recently honored to share my take on DMO Board Governance.

What we do in Destination Marketing isn't easy to understand for those from the outside world. Welcoming new employees or interns (or new Board members) into your DMO? The Tourism Teacher is a great primer to get people up to speed...fast.

Thanks, Andi. I loved our conversation.

The Board's Role

I have absolutely no idea of whether the CEO of the Long Beach CVB did what local media is accusing him of doing.

But his Board stepped up and did what DMO Boards are supposed to do...defend their CEO in the face of accusation. Sadly, so few do.

When accusations of these kind come forward, it is typically a surprise to the Board. And there are several case studies in which the Board freaks out and distances itself from its CEO, fearing a media splatter. That only makes it worse for the organization.

The best Boards push back on the accusations and then do their internal analysis of the situation. And, when they are done, take the appropriate steps...strongly support the CEO or cut bait. That didn't happen in Cleveland years ago...and it set that city back years in its convention center development.

Kudos to the Long Beach CVB Board for doing the right thing.

 

New on DMOU: Rick Antonson

If there is a short list of thought leaders in the DMO world, Rick Antonson is always on that list. He was our first guest 20 years ago on the DMOU Teleseminar and our first guest on the the resurrected DMOU Podcast (and that says a lot). On this episode, he’s back to talk Destination Marketing…but also to share thoughts about his latest book, Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer. Rick and I go deep into the meaning behind travel, the connections made and the life lessons learned. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that I believe you’ll love with one of the most eloquently expressive voices of our era.

On Board Leadership

As the host of the DMOU Podcast, it's a little surreal when I'm on the other end of the microphone. But, here's a shout out to The Tourism Teacher, which recently had me on as a guest to talk about DMO Boards.

Tourism Teacher is a podcast that aims to engage and inform those new to the Destination Marketing space and it was an absolute joy to talk with host Andi Jaspersen on this episode.

Thanks for the opportunity to share our thoughts...and we hope you enjoy the show.