Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

It's Why DMOs Exist

As I told the gathered this afternoon at the Nebraska Tourism Unity Day, Destination Marketing Organizations exist to manage the message. Without DMOs, others can gain purchase in the court of public opinion.

Like the guy that has gone viral in Fort Myers with a window decal on his Jeep that says, "The Locals Hate You."

When tracked down by a local TV station, the owner of the Jeep said the decal was never meant to be taken seriously. “The decal is meant to be a joke."

It's not funny...and now the DMO has yet another battle to wage.

Just another example of how important it is that DMOs are having meaningful conversation with their citizenry to avoid this kind of mindless and misdirected static.

Jeff Speck

When I entered the Destination Marketing space over 30 years ago, I thought it was just a job. Within months, it became a passion. And, that passion caused me to ask a lot of questions. 

"Why" has always been at the root of my zeitgeist. Why are we doing it that way? Why does that matter? Why not try something different? Which is how thought leadership evolves. Asking why.

Jeff Speck asks why a lot. And while I have carved my niche in Destination Leadership, he has carved his in walkability. The very essence of why communities thrive or die.

We've never met...yet our work is connected on so many parallels. And, I'm elated that he's getting some serious visibility as of late. This documentary just dropped...and it's a microcosm of Jeff's work and vision.

Wanna go deeper? His book "Walkable City" is a masterpiece for anyone dedicated to saving their downtowns and neighborhoods.

Cool stuff.

 

Owning Your Space

You show me a record store in any town...and I'm there.

But I've never seen a record store own their brand essence like Black Hills Vinyl in Downtown Rapid City.

Most record stores use standard dividers between artist collections. Black Hills uses old LPs (click image to enlarge).

Yeah, I know. It may be a little thing. But we absolutely loved it.

Well played, Black Hills. Well played.

Smiles All Around

Walking back to my hotel after an early morning presentation to the Rockford Area CVB Board, I came upon a corner that made me smile (click image to enlarge). 

It was the stone in front of the Rockford Park District that read "Webbs Norman Center." Along with former CVB CEO Wendy Perks Fisher, Webbs was one of the early national visionaries that saw the potential in Sports Tourism almost 40 years ago. It was their early partnership that set into motion the transformation of Rockford Tourism. This video offers a glimpse of that relationship.

My smile grew larger when I noticed that the street in front of the Webbs Norman Center has been renamed Tim Dimke Drive...as Tim and his crew took Webbs' and Wendy's vision and expanded it even further with current RACVB CEO John Groh.

As I ducked into the sensational riverfront Embassy Suites Hotel for a quick bite before heading out, I had to smile again because I heard joy and laughter coming out of the kitchen...and that's a sound we've all missed over the past few years. But, there it was...and, as I surveyed my fellow diners, I could see how infectious it was for all of us.

And, that's just damn good management...the kind that empowers employees to have fun, please the guest and take incredible pride in their work.

Thanks Rockford...let's see if my next stop continues the streak.

New on DMOU: Embracing the Night Time Economy

A lot of attention is paid to the 6a to 6p economy...but that has been a disservice to its 6p to 6a sister of the night. 24 Hour Dallas intends to change that...and we talk with the organization's Coordinator, Bryan Tony, on the most recently released episode of the DMOU Podcast.

Chick here to listen...or find us on your favorite podcast platform.

Fresh Eyes

It's why DMOs hire us to "secret shop" their destinations. When you live in a place, you often become numb to its warts.

Our friend Brett Stawar (Port Aransas Tourism) recently went home for the holidays. He took a route into the destination that he typically didn't when he once headed the DMO there. And what to his wondering eyes appeared...but a serious fail in an embracing welcome to the destination (click image to enlarge).

It's the little things that we can catch that locals take for granted. Call us.

 

They're at it Again

As the pandemic began sweeping the world last year, Roger Amidon (GM of the Palm Beach Marriott) took two assets (and several staff members) to make some social lemonade of the giant lemon we were all handed.

Those two assets were his sensational view and a bunch of beach chairs. He had his crew set up the chairs to spell out messages of support and hope, changing the message up every day or two.

Well, they're back at it. This morning, Roger's team set up the chairs to read "Welcome Back" so they could take some pictures to use on Social Media next month to welcome back international travelers. And then, he asked the crew to re-arrange them again...but this time as a recruiting tool for employees (click image to enlarge).

I can't wait to see what he and the team will do next.

The Disconnect from Reality

As we continue to ride the ever changing tide from the plague, a curious consumer expectation has emerged. According to the most recent travel sentiment study from Longwoods International, 80% of travelers expect equal or higher levels of customer service on this side of COVID than they experienced before. And, a quarter of those consumers were disappointed in the service they have received this year.

Has the inability of the hospitality industry to rehire workers not been articulated well enough in the media? Or are 80% of us just too self-absorbed to read signs like this one (click image to enlarge) and connect the dots?

Parking

In roughly half of the Strategic Plans we facilitate, the lack of downtown parking comes up as an issue. And, while it may be an issue in some towns...research indicates that the real issue is more often the lack of effective signage directing consumers to exiting parking.

Indeed, a recent studies indicates that there are eight parking spaces for every car in America.

Next time the lack of parking is cited as an issue in your community...push back with the alternate view. 

It's likely simply poorly signed.

Teach 'em Some Respect

As we look hopefully to the return of travel around the world, it behooves us all to reconsider how that will look when cabin-fevered consumers collectively feel they've been given a green light. For those that have received their second shot...that time is sooner than later. For every such person we've talked to...indeed, it is now.

To avoid returning to "over-tourism" complaints by residents in some communities, many Destination Marketers are shifting where and how they plan to re-enter the marketplace to attract a more discerning consumer. In British Columbia, a number of DMOs are working with the Sea to Sky Corridor Destination Development Council to educate inbound visitors to "the concepts of respect, proper outdoor conduct, preparedness, environmental awareness and responsible social media use." In other words, encouraging visitors to stop acting like they were raised by feral pigs when they're in-market.

Pique published a great piece on the initiative that is worth your read. And, here's hoping it inspires others to take steps, while we still can, to mitigate the crowds we know will return.