Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Well Played, My Friends

Today's issue of the Z-News (our monthly e-mail newsletter) notes the retirement of 7 (count 'em, seven) DMO CEOs in just the past month. That's simply insane...but, it's a sign of the times.

If you didn't receive today's edition (which also features my commentary on the future of Strategic Plans and links to new DMOU Podcast episodes with Visit Jackson's Rickey Thigmen and Visit Bentonville's Kalene Griffith), click here for the web version, and here to never miss an issue.

And, to those stepping away from the Big Chair, congratulations on starting the next chapter of your lives. Y'all done good.

Where Are You?

These first few weeks of June have opened yet another door. What we do with the opportunity may define us.

The conversations about race in the DMO space have been challenging, yet respectful. I'm sure that the US Travel webinar opened eyes and the latest episode of the DMOU podcast hopefully suggested some next steps.

But, the open letter from the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals? Shit just got real, babies.

In the missive, Chairman Jason Dunn outlined the genesis story of the organization: In 1983, our founders assembled, organized and created a platform that spoke to the inequities, disparities and exclusion of African Americans within the industry before the word "diversity" was popular.

He also said this: Over the last few weeks, our country has come face to face with the ugliness of racism, police brutality and semantic injustice. Demonstrations, peaceful protests and civil unrest have taken place in ALL 50 states and around the World. The NCBMP Board, members and partners applaud the hospitality and events industry associations and corporations issuing statements to their employees, constituents and customers denouncing racism and injustice of any kind in their organizations and throughout society. While NCBMP applauds organizations and companies that have taken a stance and are standing in solidarity. We have also kept note of those who have remained silent. Your silence is loud and deafening.

And then this: We do business with our friends and one's silence jeopardizes our relationship.

I know that some may view this as a threat; something just short of a boycott. And, we all believe boycotts do serious harm to our industry. But please take a step back and view this for what it is. A statement with which we all can agree...we do business with our friends.

For every DMO out there...it's time to be that friend.

 

25 Years

It was 25 years ago tomorrow that this grand journey began. 25 years since I handed the reins of what is now known as Destination Madison over to Deb Archer and hung out the shingle for what is now known as DMOproz.

As I sat on my back deck that afternoon with a celebratory cigar and a rocks glass of bourbon, I looked out on a world in which I had no client visits on the calendar. Hell, I had no clients. Just a vision that I could make a difference in communities around the country with the truths I had learned (and the missteps I had survived) in my decade of leading DMOs.

Tomorrow, I will sit on my back deck with a celebratory cigar and a rocks glass of bourbon, and look out on a world in which I, for the first time in 25 years, have no client visits on the calendar. But, I have clients. Nay, I have friends. And, I trust that soon, we'll be back together again, causing some form of destinational mischief.

Until that time, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all who have made our lives so rich in experience and camaraderie.  It has been beyond exciting to see so many of our client destinations kick ass. And, in these dark days, you inspire us as you move to provide aid to industry partners. We'll continue to cheer you and, hopefully, return some inspiration from the sidelines through this blog, DMOU and the Z-News.

We are, indeed, blessed to call you friends and to work in an industry that is increasingly being understood as crucial to our economy and Quality of Life. Hell yeah...

The End of Tourism as We Know It

Observers of the Destination Marketing sector watched in disbelief as forces within Sedona mounted a full-goose frontal assault on the local DMO in 2018. It's one thing to challenge community policies and strategies...but this got personally ugly.

Which is why, 18 months later, it is so cool to see an article in the Sedona Red Rock News showcasing how the DMO there has heard the complaints and moved rapidly to develop a long-term sustainability plan for the region.

This is what it means to be a Destination Marketing Organization in the third decade of this century. And, to hear the back story, check out the DMOU Podcast with Jennifer Wesselhoff. It's powerful stuff.

The End of Tourism as We Know It? Yeah...it will be Tourism as we redefine our approach to it. And, that will be different for each one of us.

Fire Fast

Terri shared this graphic with me the other day and it transported me back over two decades to a moment when I learned that truth.

I had an employee that appeared to be universally loved by our industry partners...but was an insidiously growing cancer inside our DMO. It took me weeks to pull the trigger, hoping against hope that I could cure the disease, believing that my partners would be furious if she left.

When I finally did what needed to be done, I watched my staff walk on air for a week and took calls from industry partners saying, "what took you so long?"

If for no other reason, fire fast to preserve the organizational culture you've nurtured.

And, for more on developing a kick-ass work culture, check out the latest episode of the DMOU podcast with Visit Anchorage's Julie Saupe.

A Virtual Destination Marketing Summit

Excited to be presenting at The Destination on the Left Virtual Summit, a new kind of conference for the travel industry - one without registration costs or travel time. My friend and podcaster Nicole Mahoney has gathered 17 industry experts (and past guests on her show) that are ready to share their knowledge with you December 9th through the 11th.

The best part? You don't have to hop on a plane or book a hotel because you'll absorb hours of content, all from the comfort of your office or home. The second best part is it's free. Check out the lineup of speakers at the link above and reserve your free ticket.

And, you can get a sneak peek at some of the topics I'll be covering by checking out Nicole's interview with me earlier this year.

Sonia Dada

While there is so much wrong about what Facebook has wrought, there is the connectivity we are granted with long lost friends from other parts of the world. One of those (for me) is my friend Roman Sawczak (of Dancing Noodles fame) who, last weekend, relayed the news that Sonia Dada bassist Erik Scott had lost his battle with cancer (which, of course, sucks).

But, what also sucks is the Sonia Dada never hit that mass audience that they so richly deserved. Not unlike Eva Cassidy, Ari Herstand and countless others, their art was/is such an amalgam of styles that radio never quite knew what to do with them. So they did nothing. And, much of the world misses out.

As we bid godspeed to Erik on this Music Friday, we also bid you listen to an American treasure with a two-fer.

This is probably their biggest, from the first album: "Lover, You Don't Treat Me Good No More."

And, if you want to luxuriate in the entire experience, here's a full concert from their hometown of Chicago at the magical Vic.

Sublime.

 

Broadening Our Sensitivity

Air Travel is a pain in the ass. One of the moments that lifts my spirits is the subterranean passage between concourses at DTW.  Especially when the light show is pumping Motown.

Recently, I noticed an option that has been added at the entrances to the passage (click image to enlarge). It had never dawned on me that the light show I so love could be so uncomfortable to those with sensory issues. The ability to shut down the cacophony for a few minutes is a wonderful add to making the DTW experience work for everyone.

And, for more on designing a sensory sensitive destination, check out our DMOU conversation with Julie Pingston from the Greater Lansing CVB.

 

The Role of CEO

It's not to be the CEO of one's tenure at the helm.

That's what former Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi said at a recent international summit: “All CEOs should run the company for the duration of the company, not the duration of the CEO,” she said. “My success should be judged on how well my successor does, not just how well I did.”

Which is exactly what our friend Rick Antonson said a couple months ago on DMOU.

A powerful thought as we embark upon the day.

Truth in Advertising

Far too many Destination Marketing Organizations claim to have something for everyone...so, it's refreshing when one says "It's Not for Everyone."

My travel bucket list is pretty diverse. Oddly enough, Guam has been on mine for decades (which Katie Cook and I chuckled about on her recent DMOU podcast episode). The tiny island of Tuvalu is, too.

On their page on the South Pacific Tourism website, the DMO lists 13 things to know before visiting:

2. There are no ATMs and credit cards aren’t accepted anywhere, so it’s cash-only even at hotels and guesthouses.

8. If you hear an air-raid siren, don’t panic! It means one of the twice-weekly Fiji Airways flights is about to land; it’s a way of clearing the unfenced airstrip of pedestrians, motorbikes and cars.

9. You can buy a pre-paid internet card at some guesthouses, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to use it. WiFi is notoriously slow even in Funafuti, when it is working. For peace of mind, why not put on your out-of-office reply before you leave home, and enjoy a holiday from connectivity?

13. Tuvaluan food is predominantly simple, local and tasty. When eating with Tuvaluan people, be prepared to sit on the floor and eat with your hands.

Not for everybody, indeed...but that's what makes Tuvalu the real deal. And, isn't that what so many of us are searching for today?