Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

America's Top Cities

The latest edition of America's Top Cities is out today and DMOU had the opportunity to talk with Resonance's Chris Fair on how the rankings are determined and why they matter. It's no surprise that big cities dominate the top 50 because they have more assets than smaller cities. But, there are some surprising cities in the bottom 50 that point the way to how DMOs can elevate community brand and magnetism to increase awareness and interest. Chris breaks it all down in this exclusive interview on how the rankings have evolved post-COVID. Cool stuff.

The Trap

The quicksand in which so many marketers find themselves is they believe they know what good marketing looks and feels like. Like, tourism video always needs a golf shot (we've proven that's a complete fallacy through DMOvizion...indeed it's the worst image you can show in run-of-schedule TV).

They believe they know the mediums that will be most effective to capture the imagination of their target markets. And...radio? No one listens to terrestrial radio anymore (which couldn't be further from the truth).

I haven't listened to local radio for years. I do when I'm on the road to get a sense of the communities in which I'm working...but, my home choice is always satellite, internet or my own playlist. But, what I do or prefer means nothing...research means everything. And this recent post from Roy Williams is a must read for any marketer that believes radio is dead.

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.

Can We Do Better?

A destination that has gone through its fair share of political turmoil just announced they are rebranding their DMO to include the county's name (rarely a good idea, as most consumers don't know county names). 

But hey, good for them. They're moving on...but, they're not.

Inspired by the article, I went to the DMO's website...and it's still showing the old brand (wouldn't you wait on the announcement of a new brand until the new look was up?). And, I'm confronted with this as the banner image (click above left to enlarge)?

I'm sorry. The county's median age is 36...and you're leading with a bunch of old farts drinking beer with some Zs? And, they're all white?

Oh yeah...and the DMO abandoned their old URL when they should have used it as a redirect so they don't lose their existing customer base?

Sigh...

The Challenge

This is the challenge, n'est-ce pas?

When the late former Illinois Tourism Director Donna Shaw announced that her office would be cutting back on promoting State Parks in favor of the rich experiences of Chicago, she defended the move as an attempt to attract the "high value consumer," referring to those that spend more than those that bring their own bed, beer and bait.

Cathy Ritter, another former Illinois Tourism Director, shared her definition of a high value consumer on the DMOU podcast as one that shared the values and honored the culture of a place.

Both are clearly in play in Hong Kong, according to this story in the New York Times.

But, what a conundrum, eh? How to be a welcoming destination (and DLO) when you really don't want "locusts" weaving through your community.

They are Listening...and Sharing

OK...I'm about as far from a conspiracy theorist as one can get. But this goes beyond coincidence.

Lou Malnati's Pizza is the bomb. But, I haven't enjoyed one in over 30 years since moving to Wisconsin. Likely haven't thought about one in over a decade. 

In a conversation last week in our house, a friend told us that he often sends Lou Malnati's Pizzas as gifts to friends and family. That's how amazing they are. Not two hours later, I am served up a Facebook ad for Lou Malnati's Pizza.

Alexa's not only listening 24/7...but she's clearly sharing intel with other platforms.

Say What?

A recent piece on Local10 in South Florida suggests that the Governor's recent migrant relocation bill has resulted in undocumented workers walking off job sites. Which is not good for Florida's economy.

Whether true or not, I had to laugh at the Governor's response: “You can’t build a strong economy based on illegality.”

And yet, the economy he touts as one of the nation's best as he prepares to run for President, has been just that.

Just sayin...

New on the DMOU Podcast: Kara Franker

For DMOs that produce destination events, it often consumes months of staff time. Yet, Visit Estes Park turned a festival that a neighboring community was preparing to sunset into an event that garnered national media attention in just 100 days. CEO Kara Franker guests to tell the unique story of the revitalized "Frozen Dead Guy Days," an event that not only bolstered a need time on the calendar but also raised money for workforce housing and daycare initiatives. It's a stirring story of community collaboration you're not going to want to miss. You can find the conversation HERE.

And, while you're at it...check out the sensational video behind the story Kara tells on the podcast about backing a Room Tax increase to support local workforce housing and childcare.

Simply brilliant.

The Self-Absorbtion of Reclining

Years ago, we began issuing "Air Laws" in an attempt to draw attention to the self-absorbtion of some passengers on airlines. Our very first Air Law was directed at those that mindlessly jack their seats back, with no thought for the person behind them.

A post by thelkshow recently suggested a novel solution: "When you are on a flight and the person in front of you reclines their seat all the way and leaves you no room, turn on the air conditioner above you on full blast and point it at the top of their head."

Brilliant.

The Definition of "All In"

Ocean City unleashed its new brand last week. And, when it comes to "all in," one can't do better than Ocean City CVB Director Tom Perlozzo, who launched the brand dressed in a suit covered in the new logo.

OC's longtime Mayor Rick Meehan was also on hand...and we smile every time we see him, because it brings back memories of the only tourism ad by a politician that ever worked.