Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Adding Resident Acquisition to the Job

Yesterday, we shared how Destination Cleveland was capitalizing on its hosting, beginning tomorrow, of the NFL Draft. But, they've taken it so much further.

A couple years ago, the South Shore CVA spearheaded a campaign targeting residents of Chicago's suburbs to consider jumping the State line and move to Indiana. South Shore CVA CEO Spero Batistatos shared the story on an episode of the DMOU podcast, which is worth a listen.

David Gilbert and his intrepid crew at Destination Cleveland are taking advantage of this week's Draft to also expand their role in Destination Marketing to include future residents. The DMO is leading a "Cleveland Wants to Draft You" campaign to show people why Cleveland is more than a great visitor destination...but also a great place to live.

As we've said before (and we'll say again), the future of DMOs will be to become the community's marketing agency, targeting everybody for every reason.

Well done, Destination Cleveland.

36 Minutes of Inspiration We Need

For Destination Marketing pros, saying that this last year sucked is like saying that the February ice storm in Texas was a cold snap. But, imagine being in Puerto Rico. Double-slammed by two hurricanes, a President that shamefully refused to release disaster aid, then Zika, three weeks of earthquakes, political upheavals and a fiscal crisis. And then, one of the most aggressive responses to the plague in the nation. Yeah...you simply do not get to bitch about the virus.

You want 36 minutes of pure inspiration? The Simpleview Future of Tourism Podcast (hosted by our friend David Peacock) featuring Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean dropped yesterday...and I dare anyone to say these 36 minutes aren't the other shot you need in your arm.

Yeah, he kindly drops my name. But really...it's a sensational conversation with two of the brightest voices in our sphere. Treat yourself.

This is How it's Done

Last week, Visit Savannah CEO Joe Marinelli joined us on the DMOU podcast to discuss, among other topics, their highly successful "Savannah Safe" Pledge, one of the first COVID-era responsibility promise programs in the nation. And, he shared that his Team was planning to refresh the campaign for St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break and Mother's Day.

Yesterday, we sadly reported how Spring Break went so wrong in Miami Beach over the weekend. But so far, that seems to be a fairly isolated occurence.

This Spring, over on the Gulf Coast, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (like all beach and resort destinations) faced a dilemma. Up until now, it had been difficult for communities to pin previous viral spikes on the DMO. Those occurred because people ignored exhortations to avoid Thanksgiving and the Winter Holidays. But, Spring Break? In destinations that have grown weary of bad behavior in their communities, associated with Spring Break revelers, DMOs often get the stink-eye as being at least somewhat responsible.

Beyond all that, educating today's visitors to the expectations of a community is becoming more and more important for DMOs. To do that, Steve Hayes and his crew at Visit St. Pete-Clearwater created the "Rise to Shine" program, sweetened by a sweepstakes: "When you travel in St. Pete/Clearwater, we ask that you do so responsibly. Sign the Rise to Shine Pledge to mask up, spread out and wash hands - and be entered for a chance to win the Ultimate Beach Getaway, including airfare, beachfront accommodations and a private beach cabana!"

To date, over 25,500 have taken the Pledge. And, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater isn't done there, as staff is roaming the destination passing out $25 gift cards when they see Spring Breakers following protocols.

Very very smart.

10,000

When we relaunched DMOU (Destination Marketing Organization University) as a podcast in the Summer of 2019, I'm not sure we had a goal in mind...other than to share compelling stories from people in and around the Destination Marketing space. It's what we love to do; shining a light on people who are making a difference.

But, waking up this morning to the fact that, overnight, DMOU passed the 10,000 download mark? That's cause for humble celebration.

Thanks to the over 50 guests over the past year and a half that have taken time out of often brutal schedules to share their truths. You inspire us...and we're thrilled to give your voices wings. And, to those that have powered the downloads, thanks for valuing what we've created.

And, if you've yet to listen, the entire library of conversations is available here, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other audio platforms...including our latest episode with Visit Alexandria's Patricia Washington.

Here's to 20,000!

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.

Hey Ma...I'm on the Radio

If you are from the Destination Marketing world, you likely know (or know of) Kurt Burkhart. He spent over a quarter century helming DMOs in Charlottesville, Carlsbad and Flagstaff along with other high level tourism related posts in the Northern Mariana Islands.

He's just added radio talk show host to his impressive resume and I'll be his guest on this Sunday's show at 11am EST...along with Dave Bratton from Destination Analysts, Ryan George from Simpleview, Esra Calvert from Entrada Insights and Justin Kerns from the Winchester-Frederick County (VA) CVB. For our segment, we'll be discussing our recent position paper on the future of Community Marketing & Development.

Join us online.

A New Vision

We have several ways to stay connected with our friends and clients in the Destination Marketing space. Of course, there is this (almost daily) blog, coming up on its 14th anniversary.

We also publish a monthly newsletter in which we share sector news and a commentary from yours truly. I tweet sporadically. And we repurpose the important missives on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Oh yeah...and the podcast is here.

Why am I reminding you of this? You may be a regular on this blog...but not a subscriber of the Z-News. And, if that's the case, you missed yesterday's release of our new position paper on how community marketing must change if we are to maximize resources, talent and opportunity. And, we think it's unlike anything you've seen.

We're boldly going where only a handful of visionaries have gone before...and we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled blog.

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...