Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Opening a $107 Million Convention Hotel without a DMO

I'm pretty sure that the disillusioned head shake by hotel developers in Conroe has been more pronounced than that of the serial killer in the Geico commercial. As the City of Conroe footed most of the bill for the exceptional new Hotel & Conference Center that opened last week, you'd think someone would have considered that having a DMO with no staff to assist with the opening would have been a red flag.

Hey, if forces within the City wanted to fire accomplished, award-winning DMO leadership...that's fine. Completely their prerogative. But doing it weeks before one of their biggest private economic development partners opens such an ambitious project that needs a professional DMO (and not City Hall receptionists)...that's just carelessly clueless.

But hey, there's a lot of that going on out there.

Sadly.

The Return of Conference Swag

In keeping with our theme of what to Keep, Cut and Add to our program of work, we turn our attention to Sales Swag.

Now, to be sure, our firm isn't above providing gifts to past guests on DMOU...but we've always draw the line at passing out swag at trade shows and other appearances. We know what we do with the "premium items" that are often shoved into our hands and welcome bags (see image at left).

During the Plague, the amount of swag Destination Marketing Organizations bought and distributed clearly declined...because face-to-face events were few and far between. But, now that meetings and trade shows are returning...so is the swag. But, at what cost?

According to this article from Fast Company, the environmental cost of both producing and the discarding this stuff is substantial. And, then there is the cost to a Destination Marketing Organization's budget.

Is there another way to stay top-of-mind with potential customers you met? A follow-up phone call, maybe? A hand-written card?

Just a thought...

Women Who Roar

First off...hats off to Smart Meetings for one of the coolest magazine covers I can remember.

But kudos too for naming Puerto Rico's Kim DeRoja, US Travel's Tori Emerson Barnes, Visit Orlando's Casandra Matej, Monterey County's Lauren Siring, Las Vegas' Laurae Clifford, Walnut Creek's Nicole Hankton, Cedar Rapids' Julie Stow, Nashville's Marie Sueing, Rancho Cordova's Maggie Thyken Huss and Visit Indy's Susie Townsend to this year's Smart Women in Meetings 100.

Congratulations all...and here's to all that also roar that you may be included in next year's list.

 

Preparing the Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals

In our work with Destination Marketing Organizations across the nation since that first glimmer of comeback hope over a year ago, there has been one word on virtually everybody's lips: Workforce.

Or, more accurately, the severe, debilitating lack of it. And, a hundred different ways we've pondered how to emerge on the other side full-staffed. But, the problem is so monumental and pervasive...where to start?

Alabama announced a bold plan last week at their annual Conference on Tourism: $1 million to prepare the next generation of hospitality professionals. The program will allow students to train online through the State's 24-campus two-year college system, making the program accessible to virtually all citizens 16 and older, according to State Tourism Director Lee Sentell.

Bravo 'Bama. Looking forward to your lead!

 

The Future of Business Travel

Last week, the CEO of United Airlines predicted that business travel would fully return to pre-pandemic levels. He didn't predict when...but he knows it will return, because business is all about relationships.

Which caused me to think back to the classic 1990 commercial that strongly suggested that face-to-face was critical for business.  Interestingly, it was a United commercial designed to get business to book more flights. But, there is no arguing that the concept behind the ad was solid. We all know this is a relational business.

Whether he's right or wrong, United needs to bring that commercial back.

 

New on DMOU: Steve Moore

The latest episode of the DMOU Podcast just dropped...and we were honored to have former Visit Phoenix CEO Steve Moore grace the microphone for a free-flowing conversation focusing on his 46 years in the DMO sector and his view on the future of destination development. From politics to leadership (and a fun Bonus Round question), this is an episode you won't want to miss.

But Wait...There's More

Depending upon your age, you either know the name Ron Popeil...or your parents have at least one of his inventions in their house. Or maybe, you know the SNL parody with Dan Aykroyd (or the next one).

"The King of the Informercial," Ron dominated television in the 70s, 80s and 90s with a dizzying array of products that made life easier for an increasingly time-starved world. The Veg-O-Matic, the Pocket Fisherman, Mr. Microphone and the Smokeless Ashtray were just a fraction of the inventions he created and hawked on TV.

And, as the infomercial was coming to it's close and you were oh so close to picking up the phone, Ron would always intone, "But Wait...There's More" and toss in the closing offer. The "other" Bill Geist featured Ron Popeil on CBS Sunday Morning two decades ago.

Ron passed from this world last week at 86...and as I watched Bill's interview with him over the weekend, a stray thought came to mind.

Was Ron Popeil the inspiration for how Steve Jobs always closed out his product release events at Apple? And, if it worked for two of the greatest inventors of our time, what does that say to us?

The Folly of Fair

I support the notion of a level playing field in virtually everything. I say "virtually" only to cover my butt in case there is a situation I have yet to experience where it wouldn't make sense. But, I'm hard pressed to imagine such a situation.

Unfortunately "fair" is increasingly seeping into community conversations regarding contracts for Destination Marketing. Visit Duluth is in the midst of an RFP process with their City...and news out of Juneau AK indicates that its DMO will be facing a similar gauntlet.

Don't get me wrong...Cities have every right and responsibility to demand accountability for the revenues they invest in any endeavor. Unfortunately, those that go down this path haven't considered that their DMO is a classic example of a "Sole Source Provider." There are simply no other entities that provide the breadth of services that a local DMO does and can. Saying that we must be "fair" and let competitors state their case is flimsy, at best.

If it's an ad agency, they might have cooler creative...but they don't have a running relationship with a database of thousands of meetings and event planners across the country. If it's a Chamber of Commerce, they might have good relations with the region's business community...but they won't represent those cool businesses that make a destination magnetic if those businesses aren't members. And handing DMO responsibilities to a Convention Center that may have a database but no expertise in brand and social media? There are more examples of where it doesn't work than where it does.

It's called a Sole Source Provider for a reason.

And, let's not even go to engaging a vendor from out of town. This past year has shown how vital boots on the ground are. Would a vendor from Wichita have worked 70 hours a week to help save businesses in Duluth during the pandemic? Doubtful.

Again...I get that this might seem like a lot of money for Cities to invest (it's really not when one understands the true impact of Destination Marketing in Economic Development and Quality of Place) without a competitive process. But, when DMOs are the only entities with the experience, database and dedication to successfully (and singularly) market a community...these are RFPs that should have a pre-determined outcome.

Unless it's political...or about price. But, consider this...would a City contract with a road construction company that doesn't have graders and pavers just because of price?

Then why consider such a move with your DMO...if it isn't price or politics?

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!

Open for Business

While weddings, concerts and large events have been shown to be potential super-spreader events, we have been excited to see a number of larger conventions and meetings that have been staged without any transmission of the ‘VID. And, that’s because these events are run by professionals for professionals…in other words, people who take safety protocols seriously.

Greg Edwards and his crew at Catch Des Moines recently released a promotional video, assuring meeting and event professionals that the DMO is just as serious about health and safety as they are. And, it carries with it that conspiratorial wink for which Catch Des Moines (and, more specifically, Greg) is known.

Nicely played.