Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

How Do You Like Me Now?

They say that crisis brings out the best in so many of us. And, the stories emerging from communities across the country about how Destination Marketing Organizations pivoted on a dime when they realized what was about to descend upon the hospitality community are as heartwarming as they are expected.

Most Americans are just now beginning to understand the importance and fragility of a sector of the economy they always took for granted.  To be sure, airlines and hotels were impacted briefly after 9/11. But, most other facets of the hospitality industry felt no more than a speed bump...because residents were there to continue eating out in restaurants, meeting co-workers after work at the local watering hole and seeing music, theatre and comedy with friends. Indeed, after the initial shock of 9/11 that had us all glued to our televisions, we needed to go out and be with others.

And, in this crisis, we can't.

Never one to say "I told you so," there is the slightest satisfaction that the recent flirtation some communities have had with shopping their DMO contract out to ad agencies should likely now come to an end.  In a recent interview, the Chairman of the Board of Visit Stillwater OK (which last year went through just such an RFP process) was asked what the DMO was doing during the pandemic:  

"We have transitioned our focus from marketing to visitors to communicating to residents to better support our local business partners. Our staff has called almost 200 local businesses to promote their hours of operation, delivery, pick-up or curb-side services, online shopping options and the availability of gift cards. They continue to update the information on our website and social media throughout each day since things are continually changing. Staff has also recently added a coloring contest for kids and adults online, as well as incorporated virtual tours featuring many of our local museums, attractions and restaurants. These 360-degree images will give our residents something to look forward to and visitors' incentive to visit when traveling again."

I'm pretty sure no ad agency could ever do that.

Well done, Visit Stillwater...and all the other DMOs that know that we are the only agency in our communities prepared for days like these for our destination partners.

Creating Destination Buzz from Politics

I so had to laugh when I saw that Oregon Republicans had taken a page from the playbook of Wisconsin Democrats when they recently failed repeatedly to show for a vote, thus avoiding quorum. In 2011, Wisconsin's Democratic Senators decamped for neighboring Illinois to (temporarily) stop a vote on a bill they violently opposed.

In one of our favorite DMO marketing moves to capitalize on current affairs, we once again share the trilogy of videos that the Rockford Area IL CVB uncorked (produced by their creative partner Graham-Spencer) to capture the attention of those watching the "drama" in Wisconsin.

The first video sets the stage. The second drives home the message. And, the third is just pure fun (with a now-former Mayor that the camera loves).

Over 125,000 YouTube views? Hell yeah.

 

 

The Most Important Board in the City

There's no need to identify the destination or link to the story. Where it was said isn't as important as that it was said by both a reporter in a major market publication and a resident he interviewed.

In the piece, the Destination Marketing Organization Board was called both "the most important" and "the most prestigious" Board in the city. Which is why some in the community are questioning the recent appointment of an individual to the Board; that this person somehow doesn't live up to his inclusion on such an influential Board.

But, here's the thing. That who sits on the DMO Board matters to Joe and Jill Public? Isn't that exactly what we've been talking about with the concept of DMOs becoming a Shared Community Value?

For at least one community, theirs already is.

Blind Faith No More

For as long as I can remember, people have questioned the honesty of the election process. From technical issues (like hanging chads and Iowa apps) to foreign and party boss intervention in ballot counting, how can any of us really be sure of the outcome?

Yet, we continue to stand in lines and secure absentee ballots on the blind faith that our votes will be tallied. That is, until it happens to us.

We moved in the summer of 2018 from the deepest of blue cities to the fairly red countryside. That fall, I swung by the Town Hall to pre-vote, as I would be on the road on election day. When the guy that registered me to vote asked where I had moved from, I distinctly remember the dismissive look I got when I said "Madison." In fact, I also remember joking with Terri when I got back home that my ballot and registration were likely in the trash.

Sure enough, when I went to vote in the Wisconsin Primary on Tuesday, the people at the registration table looked at me quizzically. "You're not registered," they said. I just shook my head and chuckled.

And then, I registered again. And, I voted (and watched the very cool new voting machine process my choice).

And, I have no idea if it made any difference at all.

Sigh...

 

He's Baaack

Actually, he never went away. While Richard Corcoran is no longer Florida's Speaker of the House (he's now the State Education Commissioner), he still has it out for Destination Marketing Organizations.

He filed suit against Tampa for enacting what is typically referred to as a Tourism Improvement District assessment, a fee added to the bill on a hotel room to be used for marketing and community enhancement programs. Last week, a judge struck down the ordinance on grounds that it violated State law.

Cloaking his cause in the robe of "taxpayer relief," Corcoran has once again shown how sadly misunderstood Destination Marketing is in enhancing Quality of Place and Life for residents. 

City Appointments to a DMO Board

The Ringgold WV City Council is considering changing its DMO's By-Laws to allow City appointments to hold successive terms on the DMO Board. And, I think I understand the premise. The sitting Board appointee believes that another term would allow him to be even more effective because he now knows the ropes. And, he's correct there.

But, here's the other side of the conversation. What is most important in City Council or other governmental appointments is that we cycle as many elected officials through DMO Board experience as we can. That way, we expose as many as possible to the importance and impact of the organization in which they invest each year.

And, that is how we build broader support with our elected officials. Because, once they experience the discussions at the Board level, they'll understand that DMOs are a Shared Community Value.

Quotes That Make You Shake Your Head

Solvang CA was one of a handful of communities that severed their contract with their Destination Marketing Organization last year...without a Plan B.

The City seems to have figured out its path forward and, upon executing an agreement with a firm to provide some services, looks to move on from talking tourism.

According to the Santa Maria Times, “I want to come to these meetings and talk about water and quality of life and sewers and things like that and I’m really done talking about tourism,” said Mayor Pro Tem Robert Clarke.

With all due respect, you've just learned how important tourism is, if you've been talking about it for six months. Just as important as the things you think you should be talking about.

Just saying....

 

The Impact of Elections

Sometimes, you just get a sense that something is amiss.

I remember that feeling in 2008, 2012 and 2016 when so many of our clients in the Destination Marketing space were wringing their hands because convention bookings for the following year were off. In 2008, I suggested to a few peers that it might have been that meeting planners were reticent to pull the trigger during an election year. We pondered that briefly and moved on.

It happened again in 2012 as we heard our clients bitch about how sucky 2013 looked. And, it happened again in 2016. Thus, while I can't prove it, I believe there is a pattern here (how do 2021 convention bookings look for you?).

As a corollary, a piece in Skift last week suggested that Leisure Travel declined in each election year during the same period. And, they have the data (not just anecdotal comments).

Except for 2020, which they believe will be solid. And here's hoping they're correct!

Happy New Year, y'all.

One Voice...Together

As is our custom, we offer up a music video each New Year's Eve. For the most part, these posts shudder at how inhuman humanity is becoming.

It started in 2006 with an exceptionally powerful song by the forgotten Living Loud. In 2008, the late Jimi Jamison moved us with "Can't Look Away." In 2011, it was Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." In 2016, we questioned how our government had become a monster with a song from 1969 (some things were clearly prophesied). The following year, we suggested that we might / should be on the "Edge of a Revolution."

Of course, that just didn't happen.

Last year, Jackson Browne asked us all, "How Long." 

This year is no different...and, on this New Year's Eve, we offer up Martin Sexton, begging us to join "One Voice Together."

Pass it on.

Thanks to All Who Made the Call

There were two paths forward for the reauthorization of BrandUSA...as part of an omnibus spending package that needed to get approved before Congress headed home for the Holidays and one right after they would return. And, thanks to work of the US Travel Association and many of us in the Destination Marketing industry who made calls to our legislators, the bill is now headed to the President's desk.

From US Travel: "Thank you, Senator Roy Blunt, Amy Klobuchar, Senator Cory Gardner and Catherine Cortez Masto for all your work to help reauthorize this important program before the end of the year."

Hell yeah. 

Now, it's on to Michigan and Florida.