Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Don't Pick Up That Phone...Yet

One of the best books on Sales I've ever read (and not because he mentions me in one of his examples) is by Tom Martin. The Invisible Sale is one of those tomes that will change the way most people will look at the Sales process because it doesn't often go with the flow.

Like his newest blog post. You've just received a call from a prospective client that says they were referred by a mutual friend. Your first inclination is to pick up the phone and return the call.

Tom says don't.

It's a great read.

Next Up on DMOU > Josh Schamberger

The Iowa City/Coralville metro population is roughly 175,000...and yet they host global events on an annual basis. In our last episode of 2023, we welcome our friend Josh Schamberger, CEO of Think Iowa City, to share his thoughts on the evolving role of Destination Marketing & Leadership Organizations and why the size of a destination means very little when you execute like no place else. It's a fascinating conversation with one of the thought leaders in our sector that proves second and third tier destinations can play at a first tier level.

Enjoy...and Happy Holidays!

New on DMOU: NYC's Fred Dixon

After a brief travel-induced hiatus, the DMOU Podcast is back with a wide-ranging conversation with New York City Tourism + Conventions' Fred Dixon. As Chair of Destinations International, Fred has laid out an ambitious agenda for his year including DEI and Accessibility, Global growth, Member sustainability and a renewed emphasis on meetings and business events. We discuss these topics and more...including a fascinating (and fun) story of how his DMO partnered with Taylor Swift.

Join us...and it's good to be back.

New on DMOU: PCMA's Sherrif Karamat on AI

PCMA CEO Sherrif Karamat is one of the deepest thinkers in the business events space on the planet. And, not unlike those old EF Hutton commercials, when Sherrif talks, I listen. So, when he said that DMOs were falling behind his members in the adoption of AI at Destinations International’s Annual Conference this summer, that was more than enough to earn an invitation to DMOU. Join us for a fascinating discussion of how he believes AI can reduce the mundane and better connect us to our clients…and where Sherrif believes the future of DMOs lies.

It's just one of over 120 powerful conversations you'll find in the DMOU Vault.

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.