Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Most Cost-Effective Path Forward

This just in...the Destination Marketing Organizations in Manitowoc and Two Rivers WI have announced they will be collaborating on a joint Visitors Guide next year.

According to the Interim Director of Explore Two Rivers, such a collaboration “provides the most cost-effective path forward for businesses to market themselves to tourists with the distribution plan and the power of a joint visitor guide.”

Ummm, tell me again why y'all thought breaking up the DMO that represented both communities last year was such a great idea? 

Because it never sounded like a cost-effective path forward.

Just sayin...

It's the Statehouse, Stupid

How has America veered so wrong?

This is a fascinating analysis that avoids blaming the commonly held belief that it is all about the former President.

It's not a short read...but, as we head to the mid-terms, it's revealing as hell.

25 Years Ago Today

While it doesn't seem like yesterday, it certainly doesn't seem like a quarter century since Madison opened the doors on the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace Convention Center. Seven years almost to the day when then-Mayor Paul Soglin unveiled plans for adapting Wright's design into a convention and community center, during which the first two were consumed in a ferocious referendum battle that resulted in a 50.8% win. Walk downtown today and ask people if they voted for it and I'm pretty sure 4 out of 5 would say yes...that is how important Monona Terrace has been to Madison's renaissance.

I was part of the team that strategized and led the effort to get that referendum passed. In the process, I was mentored by two individuals that will, sadly, not be in attendance when those of us that moved this civic project to the goal line gather later this week. They are also, outside of my parents and a handful of professors, the two individuals that taught me life lessons that made me who I am today. Both Morrie Andrews and George Nelson departed terra firma in the past few years, but they were the men that made Monona Terrace happen. To be sure, there were hundreds of us that contributed and the Mayor got the ball rolling...but without George and Morrie, it never would have happened.

As we prepare to celebrate 25 years (and salute these two men), I went back and re-read my eulogies. You should, too.

George Nelson and Morrie Andrews...two guys that changed Madison forever.

Oooops

Destinations International has been a shining light in opposing the weaponization of boycotts against travel to make a political statement. While the fiscal pain the boycotting state or city inflicts on another can be substantial...it doesn't take into consideration the pain and loss that is also inflicted on hospitality workers (many that may agree with the boycotter's position...but need to score a regular paycheck to survive).

So, it's not with a bit of irony that we see California Governor Gavin Newsom vacation with his family in a State that his State has said is verboten for State-funded travel because Montana's politics don't jibe with California's. Of course, his trip is personal and not funded by the State (though there is some question of who is paying his security detail).

Hey...I couldn't be more pleased that the Governor is spending his money in a State that really needs visitors this year. But, can we stop with the political grandstanding that hurts visitor economies and the people that most need a paycheck?

And, if not for them, because this will always come around and bite you in the butt during the next campaign.

IN Indiana

It's the new tourism campaign that the State of Indiana unveiled last week that officials are smartly saying is more than a tourism campaign. Indeed, any entity wanting to promote the State for any reason (like workforce or economic development) should utilize the campaign. They just want those intending to use the campaign to run it past them first.

Which, of course, just isn't gonna happen. The State's Democratic Party has already adopted the slogan to slam the incumbent Republicans with "Gas costs more IN Indiana."

The best laid plans...

 

Thoughts & Prayers

One has to wonder, when the majority of Americans believe in a path forward, why a political movement (I can't even call it a party) ignores that plurality in the politics of partisanship.

I'm a guy that sees a challenge and says, "let's solve it." But, those beholden to special interest money cannot.

So, this Music Friday post is from Will Hoge...this is "Thoughts and Prayers."

Enough.

Really...how can we continue to elect people who can't see the truth and provide solutions we crave?

That's All You Got?

OK...full disclosure (and for regular readers, no surprise), I thought the City of Duluth's decision to sideline their award-winning DMO for an out-of-market ad agency was beyond boneheaded. And, I'll admit that I may not reside in the destination's target market (though I like hip, urban destinations with a vibrant culinary and nightlife culture and I have a fair amount of discretionary money to spend on my weekend getaways, live just a few hours away and have loved my previous days and nights in Duluth). 

All that said, all I'm getting served up in my Facebook feed over the past month are sponsored posts with this image (click to enlarge) and the words: "From the world-famous to local favorites, discover what makes Duluth so special. You’ll get it when you get here." Only this image. Only these words....which virtually any destination could utilize (and do). 

Hammocks? That's all you got? That's unique? That's gonna make me book a visit?

Madam Mayor? When you intimated that you wanted an edgier approach to community marketing as you shredded your DMO, is this what you had in mind?

Because, we need to have a serious conversation about what "edgy" means.

Just sayin...

Real ID? Really?

Four years after 9/11 (really...it took four years?), Congress passed a law to make State Drivers Licenses compliant as a means of uniform and accepted identification on flights and border crossings. Yeah...2005.

Never mind that it is a piece of cake for High School kids to get fake IDs...this was gonna make us safer?

It was then 2013 (yes, eight years later) when we were told that our Drivers Licenses would need to be compliant within the year. Which was delayed several times because we were apparently not ready. Oh yeah...and then COVID happened (whatever).

Now, we all must have a Real ID by next May. Really?

And, 17 years later, how has all this kept us safer? All to get a star on our license?

This is why I grit my teeth every time I write a check to the government. I mean, really...WTF?

Masks on a Plane

Let's be clear; a judge declared that the government did not have the right to mandate masks on planes. That doesn't mean it's not advisable as cases of the variant plague begin to rise.

Big difference (as a maskless woman is hacking up a lung next to me as we wait to board).

Just sayin...

The Room Tax Balancing Act

In some States, Legislatures have enabled the imposition of local Hotel Room Taxes without any guidance on how these revenues should be invested. As one can imagine, the abuses of original intent are significant.

More sophisticated States have been very clear on such investment...and their Visitor Economies have flourished.

Up until last week, Colorado was one of those States, directing that 100% of local Room Taxes go to Destination Marketing and Development. But, in the face of some local communities pushing back on visitor congestion and a disturbing lack of workforce housing, the Governor has signed a bill allowing communities to spend up to 90% of collections on initiatives outside of marketing.

Can you say "knee-jerk?"

Hey...I have no qualms with redirecting Room Tax revenues to where it needs to go as the hospitality industry fights to regain its footing. But, let's be clear, saying only 10% must go to marketing will become the new norm...and only 10% is what will be end up being invested in marketing.

Until Colorado has another 1990's moment and tries to claw back its losses in tourism spending.

Couldn't we have tried 50% to start?

Just a thought.