DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University: Recent Episodes
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DMOU features the brightest voices in the Destination Marketing field, sharing innovative case studies and evolving philosophies.
Fresh off our time in Portland at the Annual Convention of Destinations International, we had the opportunity to welcome Visit Lake Charles CEO and new DI Board Chair Kyle Edmiston to the DMOU microphone. The result: a wide-ranging conversation in which we discussed the upcoming search for a new DI CEO, what Kyle is looking for in the DMO sector’s next leader and his goal of continuing to build a culture of excellence throughout the organization. We also discuss the similarities and differences between the Brand USA Board and that of DI. Join us.
Destination Canada is very likely the most innovative DMO on the planet when it comes to redefining the tourism industry’s impact (both social and economic). Now, they have developed the Canadian Tourism Data Collective, an insanely expansive hub of research and information that is available not just for their use but the use of over 280,000 tourism businesses throughout the country. Destination Canada’s SVP, CFO and Chief Data and Analytics Officer Meaghan Ferrigno shares how the Collective was developed, what it means to the industry and how two new industry tools have emerged from the data, Aurora AI and Tourism Twin. Join us for this sensational conversation.
Matt Pivarnik has held community leadership positions in Tulsa, Topeka and, now, in Myrtle Beach. All three DMOs have been connected in one way shape or form to their Chamber of Commerce, organizational structures that have increasingly fallen out of favor over the past 30 years. But Matt has made each one work through collaboration, shared vision and a clear understanding of how revenues can and should be invested. Join us for this fascinating conversation with one of the truly innovative minds in the Chamber-DMO-EDO space.
Establishing a Tourism Improvement District is rarely easy…but in Chicago, it took almost 15 years. But, when the City Council approved the first TID in Illinois earlier this year, the vote was unanimous. On this edition of DMOU, Choose Chicago’s Kristen Reynolds and the CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, Michael Jacobson, share how this final push was different and how regional collaboration among groups previously on the sidelines won the day.
I've always referred to my friend Chris Ihrig as "the Culture Guy" (probably because his company is called Fired Up! Culture). But after reading his latest book "Would You Work for You," I now realize that he's "the Leadership Guy." Join us for this fascinating conversation on how leadership is developed and how leadership begets culture...and how organizational culture results in success. And, a chance to score a free copy of Chris' book.
Over the past 18 years, Dan Rowe built Visit Panama City Beach into one of the most recognized DMOs in the Southeast, growing its influence well beyond its marketing mandate and establishing it as a genuine community builder. Forged by the challenges brought by hurricanes, oil spills, a spring break pivot that no one thought possible, Visit Panama City Beach was designed to withstand crisis…and this winter, it did again. In this exclusive conversation, Dan Rowe sits down with DMOU’s Bill Geist to share the story behind the alleged embezzlement by trusted staff members, Dan's decision to step away for the good of the destination and a recent position paper in which Dan reflects on his career and his 11 principles of Leadership. Join us.
When we launched DMOU as a tele-seminar series over 20 years ago, it was designed to showcase the coolest innovation out there in Destination Leadership. For Visit Macon, this past year has been beyond innovative. They bought an FM radio station. They bought a tour bus company. Is this the future for DMOs? You decide…with this sensational conversation with CEO Gary Wheat. Join us.
When Auvis Cole stepped into the role of Director of Discover Crystal River, he sensed a lack of organizational connectivity with his industry partners…and set out to improve those relationships. He and his team developed a program called “Partners in Tourism” that creates professional development, co-op marketing and networking opportunities for area businesses. That program has, in turn, resulted in a workforce development initiative with area schools and colleges…and the DMO is also pursuing a plan to engage Short Term Rentals that may be on independent online platforms. Oh, and in the Bonus Round? A great story of how he met one of the biggest names in music. Join us.
On this episode of DMOU, we welcome back our friend Amir Eylon from Longwoods International. Their monthly analyses of American traveler sentiment are always must-reads for anyone in Destination Marketing…but the most recent dove into Americans’ attitudes toward attending events such as America 250, the Centennial of the Mother Road and the World Cup. In this conversation, Amir shares what is powering this spike in interest (and how Destination Marketers can tap into this zeitgeist)…and his greatest travel pet peeves in the Bonus Round. Join Us.
Ryan Short works in an arena that many refer to as “place branding.” But, he believes that our communities deserve more…and has written a book called The Civic Brand: The Power and Responsibility of Place. On this episode of DMOU, we sit down with Ryan to explore his definition of a “civic brand" and how it can guide policy, development and engagement to build shared pride and prevent homogenization. Join us.
Going in, I thought we were going to talk about how Brad Jones is nailing the Tourism Ambassador Program in Bellevue WA (and before that, in Rochester MN). But our conversation went way further…into the development of an amazing transit program for workforce, residents and visitors and a movement into culinary that engages the creators as a critical part of the mix. Oh yeah…and that he’s a Parrot Head. Join us.
Santa Clara has the unique honor of hosting both the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup matches in the same year. As we ramp up to Super Bowl 60, we speak with Discover Santa Clara CEO Christine Lawson on how her organization has prepared for this weekend’s turn on the global stage, how it informs this summer’s FIFA events and how they plan to use the visibility to gain global recognition that they are a destination for the world. Join us.
What if your governmental leaders and your hospitality partners were completely bought in to your DMO’s strategies, funding and program of work? On this edition of DMOU, Tourism Kingston CEO Megan Knott joins us to share the story of how her community came together to create a DMO…and a complimentary culture of collaboration that has resulted in a series of Integrated Destination Strategies that guide the future development of the community. It’s a fascinating story of innovation. Join us.
We’re kicking off the New Year on DMOU with one of our favorite DMO pros, Visit Albuquerque’s Tania Armenta. As she marks 10 years as CEO, Tania looks back on the work to regain the City’s trust (after years of them putting the DMO contract out to bid), creating a Marketing District resulting in a doubling of the organization’s budget and spearheading a community-led Master Plan. She also shares why the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) has been so impactful for both her community and her professional staff. Join us.
We close out 2025 with one of our favorite conversations of the year. Mammoth Lakes’ John Urdi (soon to be the CEO of Surf City USA) shares how his community embraced a Tourism Business District that extended past lodging to include restaurants, retail and attractions. But it goes further, as his destination has endured California fires. And his DMO has played a leadership role in attempting to mitigate the environmental realities that threaten the very existence of the destination. Join us.
Domenic Bravo is one of the most unconventional DMO pros in America…which is why his approach over the past five years as the Director of Visit Cheyenne has found an amazing level of both success and community support. On this episode of DMOU, you’ll hear how an event strategy drove visitation and community support during the darkest days of COVID…and how the DMO has embraced the nighttime economy as a way to invigorate the vitality and magnetism of the community. Join us.
Kelly Haussler is the Director of Destination Development at Ottawa Tourism. She served as lead on their 10-year Destination Stewardship Plan that focuses on 3 primary pillars: Planet, Place and Prosperity…and when they all work in concert, magic happens. Such as a Destination Food Recovery Plan that has blown through all expectations. And for her Bonus Round question we explore her fascination with a creature that terrorizes most. Join us for this fascinating conversation.
The 2025 edition of the World’s Best Cities is being released today at World Travel Mart in London…and DMOU scored an exclusive sneak peak into the results and a look at the constantly evolving methodology. Resonance Founder and CEO Chris Fair returns to DMOU to share some of the findings of both this study as well as this past summer’s America’s Best Cities rankings. And, he takes his Bonus Round question in a completely different direction as we discuss how he believes Climate Change will impact future rankings...along with the lovability of our cities going forward. Join us.
Kelly Miller is a 35-year veteran in the Destination Leadership space. From Juneau to Atlanta to Asheville to Tampa to Surf City USA, he has left an indelible mark on our sector with innovative thinking and strategies that are so far beyond the box that there isn’t a box. In this episode, Kelly shares his journey, his stories…and, in his amazing Bonus Round, the tale behind his completion of the 21 stages of the Tour de France. Join us.
This weekend marks the 50th Anniversary of Cadillac MI High School welcoming the then-fledgling band known as Kiss to play at their Homecoming Dance. Cadillac’s Kathy Morin joins DMOU to tell the back story and how her community has prepared for this weekend’s festivities. But, Kiss is just a small part of the Cadillac story…and we go deeper into her work with developing sustainable trail policies that go beyond seasonality and developing a decidedly non-silo approach to community development. Join us.
Pure Michigan is one of (if not) the most iconic tourism marketing brands in history, completely transcending logo or tagline. Kelly Wolgamott joins us for a fascinating conversation covering the origins of the campaign, its future vision…and its entrance into the fragrance space to allow destination fans and the curious to experience the scents of Pure Michigan. And, insights into how the voice of the brand is being expanded for future generations. Join us.
What started out as an invitation to Discovery Albany CEO Jill Delaney to discuss her recent CDME paper evolved into a wide ranging discussion that included how she and her organization have had a meaningful impact on hospitality workforce development in her community. How she has, over the past 7 years, reframed the organization’s importance in the eyes of local investors. And yes…the research she did regarding the long standing debate between DMO Membership vs. Partnership (spoiler alert: there is no one-size-fits-all answer). Join us for this fascinating conversation.
Over the past 40 years, Sports Tourism has grown into a juggernaut for many destinations across North America. Most of the economic impact statistics have focused on participatory Sports Tournament events. But there is another facet of Sports Tourism that has previously gone undocumented… and that is Spectator Sports events. On this edition of DMOU, we welcome John David, the CEO of Sports ETA to share findings of this landmark study as well as his take on how virtually every community can benefit from the Sports Tourism economy. Join us.
Every few years, Destinations International commissions a study to help Destination Leadership understand, interpret and marshal the future. Called the Futures Study and conducted by MMGY NextFactor, this year’s edition stakes out new ground and strongly suggests tactics for future success. On this episode of DMOU, we welcome Cassandra McAuley to discuss the methodology, findings and recommendations of this breakthrough edition of the Futures Study. Join us…and secure your copy, pronto.
On this edition of DMOU, we welcome Destination Door County CEO Julie Gilbert to discuss how under-managed tourism had begun to challenge the summer retreat of my youth. A half a century ago, Door County was a quaint, easy to maneuver vacation destination for those of us who had discovered these unique villages. As she arrived in 2021, it was clear that action was needed to preserve paradise. In this episode, we’ll discuss Sustainability, Community Relations and developing a substantial Grant Program that endears the DMO to its residents. Join us.
As is our custom on DMOU, we annually feature the incoming Chair of Destinations International to outline their agenda for the coming year. And Leslie Bruce does just that in this episode…but we go much deeper to explore her work in working with her community through Radical Collaboration on an initiative called Lead Tourism for Good. And, we discuss her work with the 7 indigenous nations in Banff and Lake Louise to empower indigenous entrepreneurs to launch new businesses in the community. Join us.
Sacramento is a city that had traditionally looked to meetings and conventions as its target market; after all, it is the State Capital. But Visit Sacramento CEO Mike Testa saw that as a one-trick pony approach. In this conversation on DMOU, you’ll hear Mike’s take on building a leisure brand based on culinary excellence and major magnet events that have transformed Sacramento’s image as a government town. It’s a very cool conversation. Join us.
Stuart Butler likes to stir the pot as host of the Destination Discourse podcast. And, since joining Visit Myrtle Beach as Chief Marketing Officer four years ago, he’s been shaking up the way that destination’s marketing lives and breathes to considerable success. Join us for a lively conversation spanning the future of search, consumer choice and destination websites, travel accessibility, launching a TV show on Peacock, publishing a children’s book and developing a line of merchandise to extend the Myrtle Beach lifestyle brand even further.
Oklahoma City has been one of the most exciting success stories in American urban redevelopment for over 30 years. And, on this episode of DMOU, we welcome Visit OKC’s Zac Craig to share how residents have repeatedly voted to tax themselves to enhance quality of life, how those same residents recently voted to substantially increase the Room Tax (for all the right reasons)…and how OKC landed two competitions in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, 1300 miles away. It’s an inspiring conversation. Join Us.
On this edition of DMOU, we welcome the inimitable Brad Dean back to the microphone to talk about how a CFO morphed into one of the most highly regarded Destination Leaders in the Americas. We discuss his time in Myrtle Beach and then heading up the insanely successful start-up of Discover Puerto Rico. And, we delve into his recent decision to transition to lead Explore St. Louis, where we have no doubt he’ll work his magic for a third time. Oh yeah, and a Bonus round in which he shares his experiences with Drake, Dale and Uma. Join us.
We’ve shared the DMOU mic with some pretty big DMOs (Boston, Detroit, New York City, Puerto Rico, etc.). But sometimes, it’s the smallest DMOs that share truths from which we can all learn. Jim Zaleski has worked in major markets and with major brands in his career…and today, he heads the DMO in Labette County KS, based in a town of 10,000 people. And, yet…in this fascinating episode, Jim shares how he runs his small town DMO like a million dollar operation. Cool concepts for big and small destinations…and everyone in between. Join us.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Destination Marketing sector over the past 25 years has been how to explain what we do and why to an often skeptic public. We've often used language and metrics that don’t resonate outside our industry as proof of our value when we’re the only ones that speak that language. That is about to change however, as Destination Canada has recently unveiled its Wealth & Wellbeing Index. On this break-through episode of DMOU, you’ll hear from Director of Strategic Planning Lisa Barrett about how the Index goes well beyond wealth generation to focus on six interconnected outcomes (the 6 Es)…and their hope that the Index goes global. Join us.
Telling the DMO story has never been more important than it is right now…and Visit the Palm Beaches’ Senior Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy Sergio Piedra joins us on this episode of DMOU to lay out their blueprint for community engagement. It’s a 3-step plan that combines intentional storytelling, community engagement and destination visioning…and it is a model for DMOs everywhere. Plus, in the Bonus Round, you’ll get not just one ghost story…but two. Join us.
On this episode of DMOU we are joined by Visit Lake Charles President & CEO Kyle Edmiston who counts the organizational culture be has nurtured within his DMO as one of his proudest accomplishments in a career in which he’s won about as many awards as one can. Kyle shares how tools like remote work and flex time have resulted in a rock solid team that stuck together through COVID and hurricanes…and how he measures progress in building that culture. Join us.
One of the best parts of the annual Board Leadership for Destinations Symposium is the Roundtable sessions where Board members discuss issues with their peers from around North America, individuals with whom they rarely, if ever, have a chance to interface. Last year, Visit Colorado Springs CEO Doug Price and his Board Chair took that concept to the next level, visiting neighboring DMOs to continue the CEO/Chair conversations on a wide range of governance and funding topics. On this episode of DMOU, Doug shares that experience along with how his DMO spearheaded over $2 billion in new asset development…and how they are aggressively addressing mobility issues in their destination. Join us.
Kicking off the New Year on DMOU, we have for you a fascinating conversation with Visit Charlottesville Albermarle CVB CEO Courtney Cacatian. Her recent book “The Future of Destination Organizations: A Guide to a Community-Based Welcome,” chronicles her path in helping the community acknowledge its past and begin building for the future. From spearheading the award-winning Black C’ville to becoming the initial model for Tourism for All, Courtney recounts the journey her DMO has taken in building a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
On this final episode of DMOU for 2024, we welcome our friend Beth Erickson to the microphone. The CEO of Visit Loudoun (DC’s Wine Country), Beth shares how her organization has met existential challenges (such as bugs that like grapes) while making the visitor economy visible in a region that previously didn’t see itself as a destination. Plus, in the Bonus Round, she shares how she became one of the most feared poker players in the DMO space. Join us.
While DMOs are increasingly engaged in (and in Destination Cleveland’s case, leading) workforce development and talent acquisition initiatives, Visit Dublin OH is playing the long game by working to show High School students the breadth and excitement of hospitality as a career choice. Scott Dring joins the program to outline how the newly launched Travel & Tourism Academy in the Dublin School System came to fruition. The program merges traditional learning curriculum (designed by the region’s top academic institutions) with real life onsite exposure, becoming one of the most talked about Academies on campus. Scott also shares how the Dublin Link has both created a new local destination but enhanced its historic downtown. And, a Bonus Round question that involves 4 guys in a van in an attempt to visit every major league baseball park in America...without GPS or mobile phones. Join us.
We still believe in Visitor Centers, even though Visit Fort Colins CEO Cynthia Eichler recently wrote a CDME paper entitled, Visitor Centers are Dead. Why then did she just open a Visitors Center in Downtown Fort Collins? Because it’s not simply a Visitor Center. Join us for a fascinating conversation on the creation of a Community Hub, the partnerships that came together to make it happen and how the Center is blowing away initial estimates and expectations. And, we spend one of our questions on the innovative online retail hub they created during the Plague that helped save several Fort Collins businesses.
On this edition of DMOU, we sit down with Experience Grand Rapids CEO Doug Small and talk about how his community continues to evolve, how his DMO has doubled down on their brand pillars…and how he takes his Board of Directors to travel trade shows so they can experience, first hand, what we do to bring business to our communities. And, a Bonus Round where we geek out on cooking and herbs. Join us.
On this special edition of DMOU, we catch up with Vic Isley, CEO of Explore Asheville. In the devastating aftermath of the one-two-punch of torrential rains and then Hurricane Helene, Vic shares how the Asheville region is bouncing back…and how Explore Asheville is playing a vital and meaningful role in the recovery. From their presenting sponsorship of the upcoming Concert for Carolina to innovative initiatives like Always Asheville and Love Asheville from Afar, it’s a fascinating story of grit and resiliency…and you’ll learn how you can directly support Asheville’s recovery. Join us.
On this edition of DMOU, we settle in with John Sage of Sage Inclusion. We met John at the Destinations International Annual Convention and were fascinated by his take on what destinations and DMOs get right (and wrong) about travelers with disabilities, a market cohort that is only growing with an aging population. In our conversation, John demystifies ways that DMOs can play a pivotal role in making their destinations more accessible. Join us.
On this edition of DMOU, travel with us to Shipshewana, Indiana…where roughly half the population (and a big part of the destination’s allure) aren’t online. Sonya Nash shares insights into her community’s Amish Culture and how her DMO has developed a home-grown, customized customer service program that meets the unique needs of her community, from hospitality to pharmacies, that graduated their first class earlier this year. Plus, a Bonus Round Question that shines a light on Sonya’s record-breaking turn at a McDonald’s Drive-thru. Join us.
On this Edition of DMOU, we check in with Adam Stoker, author of Touchpoints and progenitor of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network to get under the hood of a new free online town square for Destination Leaders. It’s called TourismIQ…and Adam walks us through its genesis, its current build out and what users can expect in the near future. Join Us.
On this episode of DMOU, we hang with Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers and talk about how the Badger State captured the culinary world’s attention with the most recent season of Top Chef. Anne explains how Wisconsin Tourism made it happen through amazing collaborations and shares how they are extending the reach of the series and major events like the Republican National Convention and next year’s NFL Draft far beyond the events themselves. Plus, a Bonus Round question that involves Muppets. Join us.
When it comes to Short Term Rentals, trying to put the genie back into the bottle has proven elusive for most governments. Initially defended as a property rights play, elected leaders are now grappling with its unintended impact on affordable housing. On this edition of DMOU, we welcome 1000 Island International Tourism Council CEO Corey Fram with a fascinating story of how, after several twists and turns, the New York State Legislature actually passed a bill this session that brings STRs outside of New York City into the Tourism and Community Development eco-system. And, it all came down to framing the issue as not a Tourism or Fairness issue…but as one that cities, towns and villages actually cared about. Plus a Bonus Round question that has me remembering the best moments of “Slap Shot.” Join us.
Each year on DMOU, we invite the new Chair of Destinations International to share their agenda for the upcoming year. On this episode, Visit Greater Palm Springs’ Scott White shares his goal of providing a higher level of engagement and mentorship to the generations entering the DMO sector…and talks about how his DMO is engaging members of his community to become part of the hospitality community with a pathway to senior management. And then, there is a Bonus Round Question that explores a fascinating love story. Join us.
Gaylord is one of Michigan’s top spots for outdoor recreation (and one of our favorite getaways), where this week they celebrate Alpenfest. But in the past couple years, the community has been buffeted by a tornado, a virtually snowless winter and, like most destinations, a serious shortage of available hospitality workforce. Convention & Tourism Bureau Chief Paul Beachnau joins us to talk about the resilience of the community and how his DMO managed their media relationships to emerge stronger than ever. And produced a video with locals for locals to encourage residents to consider a career in hospitality. Plus, a harrowing Bonus Round Question in which Paul shares possibly the worst day of his life. Join us.
This month, we celebrate 5 years of the DMOU Podcast (damn, that went by fast). And to celebrate this milestone, we’ve decided to replay some of the funniest and most insightful moments of the Bonus Round question, that portion of the show where we go off topic with our guests to learn things about them that most people don’t know. From kicking a half-time field goal on Monday Night Football to working a summer on an Alaskan fishing boat…to being the Underwear King of Champaign-Urbana, treat yourself to this trip back memory lane with the Bonus Round.
Imagine your town square. Now imagine it as a one-million square foot game board. That’s what Macomb CVB CEO Jock Hedblade and his community have done in transforming Downtown into the world’s largest Monopoly Board. On this episode of DMOU, Jock joins us with the backstory of how a succession of destination wins produced a sensational visitor magnet and has set the community up for future successes. And, the Bonus Round features a story of a home town kid…who came home. Join us.
One doesn't necessarily need millions of dollars to develop significant relevance and impact in a small market destination. Visit Altoona's Mark Ickes shares how his team connects with his community at every level, building support and appreciation for the work they do. And, while far from being ready to hang up his skates, Mark shares his dream job for his retirement years in the Bonus Round. Join us.
This year’s NFL Draft was a stone cold win. The biggest first day crowd in history. The biggest global television audience ever. And, it placed Detroit on the world stage for three sensational days. Ummm, Detroit? On this episode of DMOU, we meet Claude Molinari, who describes the philosophy behind recasting the Motor City’s narrative and the tactics Visit Detroit is employing to set Detroit up as the new American renaissance city. And, in the Bonus Round, one of the more interesting side hustles we’ve heard. Join us.
Destinations International has long held that boycotting States over legislation that runs counter to an Association’s values has the unintended consequence of hurting the very people we purport to support. And, Tampa Bay’s selection as this year’s Annual Conference site certainly raised some eyebrows in some quarters. DI has countered by saying this year’s event will serve as a Case Study in showing how destinations can support communities that would otherwise be negatively impacted by a boycott. On this episode of DMOU, Visit Tampa Bay’s Santiago Corrada joins us to share how his DMO has been connecting convention attendees with unconventional experiences, the kind attendees will be glad they didn’t boycott. Join us.
One would be hard pressed to identify a destination with more assets in the pipeline than the Greater Raleigh Region. $400 million Convention Center expansion, $75 million HQ Hotel, $300 million in Arena Upgrades, $75 million Sports Complex…and more. Visit Raleigh’s Denny Edwards joins us to tell the stories behind how so many projects came to fruition. From Conventions to Sports to Major Events…you’ll hear it all.
For some destinations Esports is a mystical new market that they’re just not sure how to address. For others, they may believe the early adopters have already sown up the opportunities. On this episode of DMOU, Esports expert Ed Tomasi de-mystifies this exciting new market and shares how virtually every community can assess where in the sport’s ecosystem they reside and whether they can thrive. Ed offers the stages that every community must traverse to effectively compete…and a great Bonus Round story about his days as a College Cheerleader. Join us.
The philosophies that underpinned the art and science of the Destination Marketing world changed 15 years ago this Summer. That’s when Maura Gast first uttered those now famous words, “If you Build a Place…” On this edition of DMOU, Maura shares the backstory of how her “Building Blocks” came to be and how the entire community development sector is coming around to recognize that “it all starts with the visit.” Plus, she shares her thoughts on additional ways to explain the value of DMOs and her take on highlights from the Board Leadership for Destinations Symposium.
One of the newest marketing opportunities out there is NIL (Name / Image / Likeness)…and we touched on it briefly in Episode 122 with Experience Columbia SC’s Kelly Barbrey. On this edition of DMOU, we sit down with Destination Ann Arbor CEO Sarah Miller to hear how they have entered this arena and what they believe the future holds for them and other DMOs in this space. We also discuss her experience as a relatively new CEO...and talk about our shared experiences at the A&W. Join us.
Sister Cities. Many communities maintain such relations but how many maximize the opportunity before them? On this episode of DMOU, Mary Kay Wydra (Explore Western Mass) and Carline Boland (Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance) share their sensational experience of developing a bi-continental relationship that drives culture, heritage and significant visitation between the two destinations.
On this very special edition of DMOU, Destinations International’s Chief Social Inclusion Officer Sophia Hyder Hock shares the evolutionary shift from EDI to a more inclusive platform in which DMOs can move beyond silos to develop truly welcoming initiatives. We talk about how this concept came to fruition and how DMOs can successfully utilize new resources through the Social Inclusion portal of the DI site. And, you’ll hear how Sophia’s parents elegantly reacted when, as a child, she asked for a baby elephant.
Community engagement has never been more important than it is today for Destination Marketing Organizations. And, after a public debate that called into question the importance of Explore Fairbanks to its community, the DMO has a stepped up its outreach. CEO Scott McCrea joins DMOU to discuss his DMO’s recent foray into local radio, their work in welcoming service men and women to town each week and flipping their membership program to partnership. Plus a Bonus Round Question that involves outhouses. Join us.
You’d have to have been living under a rock to not have seen the international media attention VisitLEX has received after sending an interstellar message of welcome to the TRAPPIST-1 solar system. On this episode of DMOU, we hang with VP of Marketing Leslie Miller to get the inside story on how the initiative came together and how it plays into the broader campaign to build brand awareness for Lexington.
There's a reason why Chamber-DMO combos aren't as prevalent as they were in the '80s and '90s...and that's because they generally don't work all that well. But, the ones that do, tend to rock their communities. Cheryl Kilday is the CEO of Destination North Myrtle Beach and, on this episode of DMOU, she shares how she has cherrypicked the best aspects of both models to create a community asset that drives the economy and the region's Quality of Life. And, how 55 community leaders landed 138 new members in a three hour span.
After over 45 years in the Tourism trenches, Randy Fiveash retired last year for the second time after a sensational career in the Destination Marketing world. From his local DMO work in places like Branson, Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg to leading State Tourism Agencies in Kentucky and Connecticut, he’s seen it all…and, on this episode of DMOU, we learn his life lessons that still resonate today. From paying it forward to sharing his thoughts on what we once knew about Destination Marketing that we’ve somehow lost…it’s a fascinating conversation with an industry icon. Join us.
As we kick off a new year of conversations on DMOU, we start you off with a bang. Visit Lauderdale’s Stacy Ritter is a force of nature…and has been an unapologetic voice against some of the policies coming from the current State’s political leadership that have caused some conventions and events to cancel bookings in her destination. We talk about how the culture of the community and the DMO simply require no less of a response, as well as discussing her DMO’s work in the DEI space before there was such an acronym. And, on her Bonus Round Question, she shares her experiences as the Florida Chair of the first Obama for President Campaign. Invest a half hour in this fascinating conversation.
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.
Over the past 5 years, observers of Puerto Rico Tourism’s comeback from hurricanes, earthquakes, Zika, the Pandemic and political turmoil have marveled at the brilliant efforts of Discover Puerto Rico in guiding that renaissance. CMO Leah Chandler shares the remarkable story of a start-up DMO that took its time to understand its existing brand awareness, and then strategically built out a series of initiatives and promotions that have resulted in five years of record growth to the island. Treat yourself to a masterclass in how to execute a magnificent destination marketing plan.
Josiah Brown (Famous Destination Marketing) is one of this sector's newest thought leaders. We had the opportunity to work with Josiah on a destination assessment project in 2018 and were instantly taken by his "outsider" grasp of the intricacies of Destination Marketing. In this episode, we go deep on his take on what DMO pros get wrong when explaining the power of what we do...as well as his thoughts on the muddled state of branding, taglines and campaigns. And, a pretty hilarious story about his first job in the world of septic fields. Trust us...this is one of the hot new voices in our sector. Enjoy.
After a brief travel-induced hiatus, DMOU 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.
It was 2011 when several DMO pros in Illinois began discussing the potential to introduce State legislation to add Tourism Improvement Districts into their funding mix. Earlier this year, that legislation finally passed and was signed into law. Rockford Area CVB CEO John Groh and Visit Quad Cities CEO Dave Herrell return to DMOU to share the up and down story of persistence, negotiation and being ready when the political winds were right. Even if your State already has TID legislation in place, this episode is a fascinating primer on moving an initiative through the political process.
If there is a short list of thought leaders in the DMO world, Rick Antonson is always on that list. He was our first guest 20 years ago on the DMOU Teleseminar and our first guest on the the resurrected DMOU Podcast (and that says a lot). On this episode, he’s back to talk Destination Marketing…but also to share thoughts about his latest book, Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer. Rick and I go deep into the meaning behind travel, the connections made and the life lessons learned. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that I believe you’ll love with one of the most eloquently expressive voices of our era.
As Destination International’s Advocacy Summit is just around the corner, there’s no better time to talk with Visit Rapid City’s Brook Kaufman who, when she was with Visit Casper, ran and won a seat on her County Board. On this episode, you’ll hear why Brook thinks that more DMO pros should run for office…as well as her experiences during the last Total Eclipse of the Sun and how, as the first non-resident to helm Visit Rapid City in 40 years, she built a culture of trust with both stakeholders and staff. And, oh yeah…how she developed 40,000 Social Media followers during her quest for her first Marathon. Join us.
PCMA CEO Sherrif Karamat is one of the deepest thinkers in the business events space. 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.
Experience Columbia SC's Kelly Barbrey joins DMOU to share how her DMO has reimagined the traditional Ambassador program into a sensationally high-profile strategy that utilizes select residents as subject experts to share the destination's stories. She also outlines the success of the Pimento Cheese Passport campaign and her organization's initial foray into NIL Sponsorship of Collegiate Athletes.
When the moderator went to the audience this year at the Annual Convention of Destinations International asking, "what keeps you up at night," Lviv's Olena Pavlyuk held out her mobile device and replayed a recording of an air raid siren. In this fascinating episode of DMOU, Olena shares how war has changed her community into one of volunteers, how Lviv has become a hub for medical tourism through UNBROKEN...and how the DMO secured and serviced over 600 events last year, despite the constant threat of missiles and power black-outs. It's a spirited conversation of inspiration, selflessness and the power of the human spirit. Listen in.
Almost half of American States have legalized the recreational use of cannabis...but many DMOs in those States struggle with ways to promote the advantage they possess against States that don't. In this episode of DMOU, we talk with Brian Applegarth, the foremost expert in the intersection of cannabis and tourism, about how to escape the stigma...and focus on the health, wellness and inclusionary aspects of this amazing community asset. A fascinating episode.
Each year at the Annual Convention of Destinations International, we roam the halls asking a single question. This year, that question was how DMOs were beginning to utilize Artificial Intelligence (or AI). In this episode, you'll hear from a handful of DMO pros on how they are using AI to jump start ideation and save time in the composition of written communiques. And, as you'll hear, this is just the beginning for our sector.
This week, we welcome back Adam Stoker (the Podcast Whisperer) for a thought provoking conversation on how DMOs should view their role in promoting their communities. According to Adam, for years, we have been "renting" visibility in traditional media, online, etc. Shouldn't we be owning it? And, to use another analogy (hunter / farmer), should we be targeting consumers or cultivating them? A fascinating conversation that deserves your listen.
When the Houston CVB was folded into the Houston First Corporation, many saw the move as wrong-headed. But CVB CEO George Franz joins us to share the advantages that were realized in being closer linked to destination assets like the Convention Center and other visitor magnets. And now, the CVB has created the Houston Hospitality Alliance to marshal the power of over 800 members to advocate for the destination. Cool stuff.
When Robert Lopez took the helm of the Abilene CVB, he embarked upon a "Meeting and Eating" tour of community leaders. And, it became clear through those conversations that the destination brand had become stale. Listen in to this conversation on how Robert and his team dove into a brand "refresh" within his first year in-destination. It's a great story of how fresh leadership can often move the needle before the opposition can begin to form.
For many DMOs, Stewardship and Sustainability are the furthest thing from their minds as they refocus on a target rich environment. But we continue to focus on this fascinating evolution from DMO to DSO because we believe it to be the future. And this week’s guest on DMOU is leading her community back from fires, pandemic and floods through an unabashed Stewardship approach. Sonoma County Tourism’s Claudia Vecchio joins us to talk about her approach to stewardship, their recent turn at SXSW and how engaging residents is key to everything they do.
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.
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.
Just as Destination Marketing (and Leadership) Organizations are evolving, so too is the philosophy of Visitor Information Centers. On this episode of DMOU, we catch up with Chris Lewis, Director of Destination Development with Tourism Kelowna. In this fascinating conversation, you'll hear how Tourism Kelowna reimagined the Visitor Center concept into a "community hub," how they almost lost their "Social License" (but quickly regained it)...as well as one of the more interesting "first job" stories in over 100 episodes of the Bonus Round. Join us.
How does a very Blue City land a very Red Convention? Visit Milwaukee’s Peggy Williams-Smith joins DMOU to share the story of how her Team and City landed the 2024 Republican National Convention. We’ll also discuss how Milwaukee was named one of National Geographic’s Top Destinations and how Visit Milwaukee has expanded the organization’s community awareness, visibility and support. Plus a Bonus Round question on her deep Beer City roots.
The vast majority of Destination Marketing Organizations in the United States are independent non-profit agencies...but that doesn't mean other structures can't work. In this edition of DMOU, we talk with Discover Flagstaff Director Trace Ward on how his office is rockin' it as both a division of Economic Vitality and the City. And (not to be a spoiler), he says it's all about intentional design and intra-agency respect.
It's not a part of the primordial DNA of DMOs, but Community Engagement is an increasingly vital component of our work. Visit Anchorage's Jack Bonney joins the show and shares his philosophies on how to build a rock solid community relations program that is based in the yin and yang of what your DMO can do...and can't. And, from that, building a relationship based on trust, service and admiration can be a beautiful thing.
A Destination Marketing consultant recently opined that diving into Sustainability and Stewardship carries with it some danger...and we don't disagree. But Durango's Rachel Brown counters with all the reasons her DMO believes they must engage. She discusses how they've adapted the Care for Colorado program on a local level and shifted their budget to Destination Management. Plus a Bonus Round question that features her staff's Team Building initiative. Very cool stuff.
BVK's Victoria Simmons joins DMOU to share some of the insights from their recent 2023 Trends Report. You'll hear findings that appear to mirror Roy Williams' 40-year Pendulum Theory and how Gen Z will be shaping how travel is delivered for, not just their generation but, all of us. Plus a fun Bonus Round rant on pet peeves in travel. Join us.
In December of last year, vandals compromised the power grid in Moore County NC, placing hundreds of merchants at a disadvantage during their biggest sales window of the year. In this episode of DMOU, we hang with our friend Phil Werz of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen CVB to hear him tell the story of "Moore Miracles," a program that kept local merchants alive during a trying time. You'll also hear about how his DMO is advocating for additional destinational assets...and his mid-life crisis as a PGA Teaching Pro.
Tracy Kimberlin is an innovator. His concept to increase funding for Missouri Tourism was as elegant as it was efficient. On this episode of DMOU, we riff with the recently retired CEO of the Springfield MO CVB on generating new revenues for Destination Marketing and orchestrating the chess board to fund exciting new destination assets.
As the Neil Diamond lyric goes, "it's a time to groove." But communities are just starting to get serious about supporting their night time economies. Bryan Tony is the Project Coordinator for 24-Hour Dallas, an organization that is dedicated to representing and enhancing the business and culture of the night. In this fascinating conversation, we discuss how his organization is working with local officials to dispel negative beliefs about the night, provide educational support to area businesses to enhance safety and inclusion and develop programs to highlight businesses that adopt best practices (all critical aspects to creating a magnetic experience for visitors).
To kick off the 2023 season of DMOU, we turn to Vail Ross, STR’s Senior VP of Sales & Marketing. And, in this episode she shares her insight into what matters most for hoteliers now as we emerge from the ravages of the pandemic. It’s a fascinating look into one of a DMO’s most important client bases that you won’t want to miss…plus how Vail went from wanting to be a political operative to one of the most quoted hospitality experts on the planet. Join us.
In Maine, all hotel Room Tax revenue (the most common source of public funding for DMOs across the U.S.) is retained by the State. Visit Portland's Lynn Tillotson shares how her DMO has built its programming based completely on private sector investment...and what that meant during COVID. It's a fascinating look at how a business community has come together to power the work of its DMO.
As is our practice at DMOU, we roam the halls at Destinations International events asking attendees a single question. At this year's Advocacy Summit, we asked DMO pros what their "go-to" response was when challenged that Tourism and Destination Marketing aren't critically important to a region's economy and Quality of Life. We offer their responses here to assist you in crafting your next come back.
As is our practice at DMOU, we roam the halls at Destinations International events asking attendees a single question. At this year's Advocacy Summit, we asked DMO pros what their "go-to" response was when challenged that Tourism and Destination Marketing aren't critically important to a region's economy and Quality of Life. We offer their responses here to assist you in crafting your next come back.
I heard a line at Destinations International’s Annual Convention this past summer that I think about almost everyday: “Nothing About Us, Without Us.” It refers to how many Indigenous people in Canada are interfacing with their country’s DMOs. And, on this 100th episode of DMOU, we sit down with Ottawa Tourism VP of Destination Development Catherine Callary to learn more about how Canada is working to tell the indigenous story through the eyes and experiences of the people and how Ottawa Tourism has helped develop a program for indigenous tourism entrepreneurship.
As Visit Baltimore's Al Hutchinson enters his Q2 at Chair of Destinations International, he returns to the DMOU mic to discuss two of the four pillars of his agenda for the organization (workforce and DEI). We also discuss the HBCU Scholarship Program that has blown past initial expectations, causing many behind the movement to think even bigger...and he reveals his choice for the best band ever in the Bonus Round. Join us
This year's Annual Convention of Destinations International included a "challenge" from the Foundation: How would members of the 2022 Class of 30 Under 30 and veteran Destination Leaders interact to jointly address issues of violent crime in our communities and developing a new model for community measurement of what DMOs do. In preparation for future conversations on these topics and more at next month's Advocacy Summit in Bloomington MN, Andreas Weissenborn joins DMOU to share the background on this Summer's Challenge and what we can all expect from this year's event.
Later this year, Appleton WI will play host to the World Axe and Knife Throwing Championships. The Fox Cities CVB's Pam Seidl joins DMOU to share how this community of 70,000 beat out major metros for the honor to host this incredible event. She also discusses how her DMO has always been in the destination development game through an innovative grant program that enables capital projects to come to fruition. Join us.
It's been a phenomenon that has been fun to watch. Over the past 20 years, Des Moines has gone from being known as just another Midwest town to being on virtually every cool Top Ten list there is. On this episode of DMOU, Greg Edwards (CEO of Catch Des Moines) shares the evolution story of his destination's ascendancy, how regionalism has expanded its magnetism and how humor and video play a key roll in staying on top. Plus, a Bonus Round question that deals with the concept of perspective. Join us.
Sonya Bradley was the CMO for Visit Sacramento...about as high on the Org Chart as one can get in a DMO without being CEO. But then, she was offered the opportunity to transition to lead the organization's efforts in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this fascinating conversation, Bill and Sonya discuss the process of building a culture of DEI both internally and throughout a community. Plus...a Bonus Round story with which so many of us can identify.
At this year's Annual Convention of Destinations International in Toronto, Terri and I roamed the hall asking attendees to share the new titles or positions they had added at their DMOs (or were planning to add) that never would have been a consideration in 2017. Over 30 DMO pros took our challenge and the resulting answers paint a fascinating picture of our sector's evolution.
Even before COVID, Anthony Everett sensed that a change in how DMOs operated was necessary. But, the pandemic gave him and his organization the opportunity to flesh out the need to transition his DMO to a "Social Enterprise." In this fascinating episode, you'll hear the story of the evolution of 4VI as a force for good and how this new approach to Destination Leadership has attracted other community development organizations to partner with 4VI in ways that wouldn't previously have been imagined.
Tavis Hall (CEO of Experience Waterloo IA) breaks rules. He recently positioned his community as the Black Capitol of the 5th Whitest State in the nation, refers to his DMO as a DXO and is running for political office. Is that enough to qualify for a conversation on DMOU? Absolutely...and his Bonus Round question response regarding his role in the 2008 Iowa Caucus is pretty cool, too. Join us.
Eugene OR is in the midst of a simply amazing year, hosting a non-stop schedule of premier, state, national and international track and field events including, for the first time in the United States, the World Athletic Games. But, when your destination is also home to the Cascades and the Coast, balancing the needs of this sensationally diverse destination requires skillful thought and care. CEO Kari Westlund joins DMOU to discuss how 2022 came about, how the rest of the destination benefits and how the region is contemplating its next facility developments.
When we saw the Rutherford Bound Tourism Master Plan, we knew we had to meet the people behind it. On this episode of DMOU, we talk with the Rutherford County NC TDA's Don Cason and Destination by Design's Eric Woolridge on a range of topics from the genesis story of the plan (a pre-requisite for Don taking the job) to the community buy-in and investment committed to how visualization was key to building wide-spread support for the Plan.
For years, DMOproz has espoused the concept that DMOs should be the marketing agency for every aspect of a community (not just the Visitor Economy). But, nobody has made that case as eloquently as Destination Cleveland's David Gilbert, whose DMO has recently been charged with encouraging top talent to view the city as THE place to relocate. In this fast-paced episode, David shares how having a DMO lead community marketing makes perfect sense...and what DMOs should encourage other organizations to do to elevate their regions.
Visit Corpus Christi CEO Brett Oetting's first day in his new destination coincided with the moment that the world stopped in 2020. And yet, he says his team was more productive in its first year than he could have imagined in two. In this episode of DMOU, Brett shares the backstory of the all new Corpus Christi Tourism Academy, the development of the Gulf Coaster Ambassador program and how he builds a staff of passionate professionals.
We discovered Nicole Hankton (Director of Sales and Marketing at the Walnut Creek CVB) when she was named one of this year's 100 Smartest Women in Smart Meetings magazine...and we were immediately attracted to her take on the DMO world. On this edition of DMOU, Nicole shares her views on the future of destination sales and how she has taken what she learned in hotels to develop a new way to pursue destination marketing...plus a great Bonus Round question.
In theory, merging a Destination Marketing Organization with a Convention Center sounds like a logical collaboration. In practice, however, that's not often the case...except in Akron OH, where Gregg Mervis manages three separate business units under the Akron-Summit CVB umbrella. On this edition of DMOU, we delve into why the "Akron model" works so well and, in the Bonus Round question, hear about a make-or-break moment as Gregg was in the hunt for the Big Chair.
As the Destination Marketing sector began to seriously address inequality and diversity after the Summer of 2020, SearchWide Global helped develop an organization that would go beyond "committee work" to actually address the challenge before us head on, 24/7. That organization is Tourism Diversity Matters and CEO Greg DeShields returns to DMOU to share the genesis story, their successes with DMOs to date and where the organization intends to be by 2023, providing the tools and expertise for DMOs to be their best. It's an inspiring (and fun) conversation. Join us.
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association has identified Climate Change as an existential focus of its work. And, unless you are a Climate Change denier, this is becoming an issue that many DMOs will need to face...but how to address such a monumental undertaking? Deputy Director Arica Sears shares how the OCVA is engaging in this endeavor through collaboration with other agencies and industries...and how other DMOs can take their first steps to be part of the solution.
It wasn't necessarily the pandemic that powered Visit Champaign County to rethink its role in the community...but it gave them time to work through powerful goals in their Strategic Plan. On this edition of DMOU, CEO Jayne DeLuce shares the thinking behind VCC's new Community Benefit Funding Model, the upcoming launch of a sustainable African-American Heritage Trail and the triumphant return of the State Boys Basketball Tournament this month.
Visit Sarasota County's Virginia Haley joins us to discuss a recent collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota in which the EDC came up with the tagline and VSC brought it to life. "Work Where You Want to Live" targets potential visitors to also consider the opportunities to change their zip code. Virginia tells the story of how the collaboration came together and how both agencies are successfully deploying content that neither might have considered before the campaign. Cool stuff.
Over the past two years, the face-to-face interaction with which we all believed was crucial to initiating relationships and closing business was replaced by Zoom meetings, e-mails communiques and telephonic calls. Has this forced era of digitization changed Sales forever? On this episode of DMOU, Tom Martin (author of The Invisible Sale) makes some bold predictions of what's next, how Propinquity is your best new friend and how to make our "new normal" work even better than before. Plus, a "hot and tasty" answer to the Bonus Round Question. Join us.
As we all attempt to emerge from the ravages of the pandemic, the efficacy of Visitor Information Centers continues to be a hot topic in our discussions with DMOs around the country. And, when we find one that redefines the genre, we're all too excited to share the story on DMOU. On this episode, Destination Augusta (GA)'s VP of Destination Development Jennifer Bowen shares the decade long process to reimagine their Visitor Center into a community asset (named Augusta & Co.) that combines retail, culinary and storytelling into a Downtown attraction in its own right. Plus, in the Bonus Round Question, she shares her brush with Hollywood Royalty.
Most Destination Marketing pros understand the power of video to drive brand identity and awareness. But, most don't work on as many levels at Visit Tri-Cities' CEO Michael Novakovich. On this roller-coaster episode of DMOU, Michael shares how his team has embraced video as a brand tool and provided pandemic safety messaging on behalf of area health officials...not to mention how his 40+ member Board rocks. Plus, you'll get an insider's look at his time with the Destinations International House Band and his experience as an alt-grunge drummer in the Bonus Round. Fun stuff...enjoy.
It's the first week of the New Year...and how are those resolutions going? During the Holiday Season, we checked in with West Virginia Tourism's Chelsea Ruby, who recently commissioned a study to identify how such annual promises to one's self impact our travel decisions. The results are fascinating and she shares how consumers are now viewing travel as a wellness and family bonding imperative...and how that will change how her State communicates its value proposition going forward.
As we round out another challenging year, we posed a question in the halls of the Destinations International Advocacy Summit to Destination Leaders from across the Americas: What will you do new in 2022? 17 DMO leaders rose to the challenge of answering that question and we share their responses for inspiration as you ponder the opportunities before you in the New Year ahead.
In the weeks and months after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico put into play plans to develop an independent Destination Marketing Organization and ultimately hired Brad Dean to build the agency from scratch. We caught up with this year's State Travel Director of the Year to hear how he made the decision to leave a great gig in Myrtle Beach for Puerto Rico, his philosophy behind hiring top talent and how the crisis of COVID drove his staff to create marketing magic that earned Discover Puerto Rico five Emmy nominations. Oh...and one of the funniest answers to the Bonus Round question yet. Join us.
Stillwater's Cristy Morrison holds a distinction that few, if any, do. She has led the Destination Marketing effort for her city as a City Department, a Division of the Chamber and as an Independent 501(c)(6). And, she faced an RFP challenge, which has become increasingly prevalent in the DMO space. On this episode of DMOU, Cristy joins Bill to chronicle the pros and cons of each structure and share insights from her successful RFP experience.
Since his arrival in the Quad Cities, CEO Dave Herrell has been on a mission to awaken his community to its boundless potential as a premier travel destination. Attempting to counter an all too prevalent Midwest sense of understated pride, he and his Team have launched several initiatives to persuade Quad Citizens to stand up for their community in order to attract more visitors. On this episode, Dave riffs on how his DMO is utilizing TXT, an Ambassador Program and the Web to encourage residents to share their destination favorites with the world. And, yeah...he shares his favorite concert of all time in the Bonus Round. Join us.
Every few years, Destinations International commissions a Futures Study to attempt to identify next steps for DMO pros to consider as we move our sector forward. The latest was released this July at the Annual Convention in Baltimore. On this episode of DMOU, we sit down with Charles Harris (CEO of the Reno-Sparks CVB) and Gabe Sedar (Senior Director of Advocacy Policy and Program Development for Destinations International) to discuss and debate the Top Three Trends revealed in this year's Future Study. Join us.
Since taking the reins of the Greater Boston CVB in 2018, Martha Sheridan has been on a whirlwind ride, made even more so with the events of the past 18 months. Hear the former Destinations International Chair describe how her DMO worked with the City to make the destination more welcoming, secured a Tourism Improvement District during COVID and share the lessons learned in her first three years in a Top 25 city. Oh yeah...and how she found her way into the Destination Marketing world in the Bonus Round Question.
Home to the Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield has emerged as an international destination after Shawshank Redemption was filmed there. But the story goes much deeper, as our guest Lee Tasseff (CEO of Destination Mansfield) shares. In this episode, you'll hear how his DMO worked with the preservationist side of the historic prison to ultimately transition it to a site for one of Ohio's biggest rock concerts.
For Destination Marketing Organizations, proving ROI has been the Holy Grail. And, with political pressures becoming even more pronounced in our world, the need has never been greater. During the pandemic, Experience Kissimmee's Jason Holic dedicated time to developing a tool that his DMO could use as they emerged from they crisis, using a myriad of data points that were already at their disposal. In this edition of DMOU, we go down the rabbit hole with Jason to learn about "The Impactulator," an ROI calculator that Experience Kissimmee is making available to DMOs everywhere.
One of the most recognized and respected DMO pros in America retired this summer after 46 years in the sector. Former Visit Phoenix CEO Steve Moore graciously joins us on DMOU this week to discuss lessons learned and battles won, where he believes the future lies in destination development and what must have been in the water for the Houston CVB to have become a breeding ground for so many DMO CEOs over the years. It’s a fun conversation with lots of Steve-isms…and a Bonus Question that reveals his past as a Dialogue Coach on a major motion picture. Join us.
Little Rock's Gretchen Hall was installed as the new Chair of Destinations International earlier this month at the Annual Convention in Baltimore. In this special episode of DMOU, she shares her three-pronged agenda for the year ahead...Diversity, Global expansion and Advocacy as her pillars. And, she shares the backstory of the video that introduced her and Little Rock to the assembled.
On this very special episode of DMOU, we deviate from our "3 Questions and a Bonus Round" format to ask just one question. Last week, Bill roamed the halls of the return-to-in-person Annual Convention of Destinations International in Baltimore and asked DMO pros to share the one thing learned or implemented during COVID-19 that they intend to continue doing post-pandemic. Thoughtful, sometimes poignant and all adoptable, the ideas and concepts abound. And, thanks to the 20 individuals that took time out to share. Y'all rock.
Tourism Ottawa's Michael Crockatt is our guest on this fascinating look into how his DMO is finding innovative ways to drive business and diversification in Canada's Capital Region. You'll hear about their recent foray into live streaming concerts exclusively into area hotels to encourage overnight stays...as well as their work in launching the global Hybrid City Alliance to drive meeting and convention business. He also shares the work their DMO has been doing through its Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurship Training initiative, both opening business opportunities and sharing the cultural heritage of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.
Regardless of what it's been called over the past century, the platform for DMO professionals to exchange data on meetings, conventions and events has constantly evolved from paper-based to digital to cloud. Christine "Shimo" Shimasaki joins DMOU to share the exciting upgrades being made to MINT+ through a collaboration between Destinations International and Simpleview. From cleaning up frustratingly inaccurate data to creating a more robust category search function to target specific industries, this new iteration is pretty powerful. And, Shimo shares a sneak peak into what MINT+ hopes to roll out later this year. Cool stuff.
As video becomes increasingly important in all facets of marketing, the team at Visit St. Pete/Clearwater pondered how it could tell the destination's story in a different way. In this episode of DMOU, CEO Steve Hayes joins us to recount how his DMO collaborated with Visit Florida to produce a charming Amazon Prime series called "Life's Rewards," the saga of a down-on-his luck corporate playboy reduced to living on hotel points in an iconic hotel in St. Pete. And, then there's the Bonus Round question where he reveals he high-sticked his own son. Join us.
As we watch DMOs shutter their Visitor Information Centers, we invited Travel Oregon's Welcome Center Manager Allison George and Research mavin Ladan Ghahramani to share recent research into the ROI of interfacing with visitors. The increased spending stats of those that visit Welcome Centers are well beyond anything we've ever seen. And, as we emerge from the Plague, will Visitor Centers become even more important as consumers reject advice from those they don't know? A fascinating conversation that bridges the divide between old-school and new-age visitor engagement.
Former Visit Oakland CSO Rhanee Palma has worked on all three sides of the Destination Sales triangle; hotel sales, DMOs and, now, a Third-Party planning firm. She joins DMOU to share her take on what each partner can learn from the other in our joint effort to bring more business to our respective communities. Plus, in her Bonus Round question, she shares an experience that left a scar...but one she recalls with fondness.
Authentic. It's the word we often hear when Destination Marketers attempt to develop messaging for consumers. But when reaching out to a market that doesn't look or live like you, achieving authentic is often elusive. In this episode, HospitableMe's Billy Kolber and Kenny Porpora break down how DMO pros should approach the LGBTQ+ market. From working with the local community to determine whether your destination is ready to designing and executing authentic messaging, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Plus, they reveal details on their new Master Class, with a discount for DMOU listeners through June, 2021.
Tourism is one of the most fiercely competitive environments on the planet...yet a new research study shows that collaboration produces more winners than losers. Break the Ice Media's Nicole Mahoney joins us to share the fascinating results of a landmark study into the power of collaboration and coopetition. You'll learn about the three types of collaborators, hear case studies...and, on the Bonus Round question, get the backstory on Visit Syracuse's brand ownership of Winter, one of the gutsiest DMO moves ever. Join us.
Say "High Value Visitor" to most and it sounds somewhat (if not outright) elitist...but not to former Colorado Tourism Office CEO Cathy Ritter. In this episode, she shares several new, inspiring definitions for "High Value." She also discusses how "Dispersive Travel" benefits virtually everyone, her ground-breaking "Colorado Cares" initiative...and how she landed her first State Tourism Director post in Illinois in the '90s. It's 30 minutes that just may change the way you view the future of Destination Marketing.
Kristen Jarnagin has been reinventing Destination Marketing in her community since taking the helm of Discover Long Island in 2015. On this edition of DMOU, she shares the backstories of their recent forays into producing a weekly YouTube TV Show, a Video Podcast and their blazing success on TikTok (where they have over 55,000 followers). Oh yeah...and a Bonus Round question that likely beats your most-unusual-summer-job-ever story. It's a lively half hour of conversation with one of the bright new stars of our sector. Join us.
Earlier this year, Destination Greater Victoria became the first major metro DMO in North America to achieve a Carbon Neutral designation. CEO Paul Nursey shares how Sustainability went from near the bottom of the list of 300 things he planned to achieve when he took the helm of his organization to one of their North Stars. From intentionally analyzing the environmental cost of his own team's travel to launching a national convention (hosted in Victoria) focused on Sustainability in Travel and Tourism, Paul's story is a compelling example of how we all have a role in preserving our communities.
Visit Savannah is known as one of the most innovative DMOs in America...and that didn't stop with COVID-19. On this episode of DMOU, CEO Joe Marinelli shares the story behind one of the first Safety Pledges in the nation...and how the program will likely evolve in the future. You'll also hear how Savannah successfully staged live conventions during the height of the virus (which encouraged other meetings clients to move their events to Savannah) and how the community is just about to break ground on a Convention Center expansion during a moment in time when other destinations are backing off their plans.
Destination DC's Elliott Ferguson is Chair of the recently founded organization called Tourism Diversity Matters. On this episode of DMOU, he shares the vision for the organization, why (with everything else going on in DC the past year) he felt compelled to take on this role at this time and how DMOs can continue to up their game in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It is about the uncomfortable conversation...one that Elliott encourages us all to have more often.
We had the opportunity to work with Montana's Glacier Country Tourism last year and were simply blown away with how engaged the Board of Directors was in driving home the Vision and Mission of the agency. CEO Racene Friede joins DMOU to share how their unique brand of onboarding, diversity in member selection and an annual Strategic Planning cycle makes GCT one of the highest performing DMOs in the nation. And, you'll hear how a serendipitous business trip changed her life on our Bonus Question.
Visit Alexandria CEO Patricia Washington joins DMOU for a wide-ranging conversation that focuses on the transformation of her destination. From ensuring a more representative marketing message to flipping the historically heritage-facing brand to a hipper rendition of the community's primary strengths, you'll hear how the DMO and its partners are capitalizing on a more recent heritage that is more compelling for today's consumer that is searching for the truth. And, answering a rare fourth question, Patricia shares her suggestion on how her peers can capture this moment in time and turn it into something special.
On this edition of DMOU, we welcome Destination Analysts' Erin Francis-Cummings to the microphone for a wide-ranging conversation that showcases exclusive new research into how DMO leaders perceive their future. She also shares fresh insights into how Meeting Planners view DMOs in a post-COVID world...and other insights relative to the pandemic that will help DMO pros prepare for the days ahead.
Jim Cowan heads the Chickasha OK Economic Development Council...and is playing the long-game. While he certainly hosts potential investors to the community, Jim is focusing a lot of his work on the Chickasha brand. On this episode of DMOU, you'll hear the unique philosophy and vision of an Economic Development guy that sounds a lot like a Destination Marketing pro. Music Videos. PR coups that go International. And, a story about Jimmy Stewart. It's a refreshing conversation with a bright new voice in Community Development.
It's been over two decades since destination marketing turned digital...and the number of platforms we use to touch consumers and clients has exploded. TwoSix Digital's Dave Serino and Brian Matson share their thoughts on what's next for destination marketing, how DMOs are missing opportunities to own their data and how e-mail marketing is far from passe. Plus, you'll learn what Dave aspired to be, growing up as a kid in Pennsylvania, in the Bonus Round.
As Co-Chair of Destinations International's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, Visit Baltimore's Al Hutchinson has been at the forefront of the movement to accelerate change across the travel, DMO and hospitality sectors. In this episode, he shares the backstory of this Summer's manifesto from Black leaders in the DMO space, the newly released CEO Pledge from Destinations International and how Visit Baltimore is partnering with Guinness on an innovative apprentice program. Oh yeah...and a Bonus Round question that screams "Hit Me." It's a great way to kick off a bold New Year of DMOU.
All destinations aspire to be welcoming communities...but only a handful of communities have moved to ensure that the welcome truly extends to those on the Autism spectrum. Visit Mesa CEO Marc Garcia recently shepherded a community-wide effort that resulted in his city becoming the first Autism Certified destination in America. On this episode, Marc shares his story from genesis to certification...and his road to becoming a DMO pro.
Norfolk and Virginia Beach are less than a half hour apart but have been destination competitors for decades. In a DMOU episode recorded in September, VisitNorfolk's Kurt Krause shares the process that brought the two destinations together for a legendary campaign that very well may have serious post COVID legs. You'll also hear how VisitNorfolk is working to bring the story of the region's Underground Railroad to life.
One of the nation's most sought after marketing strategists joins DMOU to offer her take on what's ahead for Destination Marketing and the Experience Economy in a COVID-vandalized world. In this episode, Marsha Lindsay suggests ways for DMOs to underscore relevance and teach our communities how to fall in love with themselves once again. She also shares her views of how forces outside the DMO world will impact our lives going forward. It's a fascinating conversation for anyone trying to divine what's next.
DMOs that are active in the Sports Tourism and Events field have a new tool created to measure their competitiveness, enabling them to make more informed choices in future facility development and event acquisition. On this edition of DMOU, Jon Schmieder (Founder of the Huddle Up Group) shares the evolution of the Sports Tourism Index, how it works...and a sneak peak into the imminent launch of Scout, a new searchable database designed to match events and destinations.
The fall-out from the pandemic has impacted Destination Marketing Organizations particularly hard...and no one is more tied into how that is impacting DMO Culture than Tammy Blount-Canavan (former DMO CEO, past Chair of Destinations International and now EVP with Fired Up Culture). On this episode, Tammy shares her thoughts on how Zooming has impacted leadership and collaboration, how this moment in time is an opportunity to diversify professional staff and much more...including the story of when she once stood on the top of Seattle's Space Needle.
Jake Steinman joins DMOU to share the evolution story of the TravelAbility movement. From creating a Summit that brought the disability community together to help advise the tourism and hospitality industry to next steps during the pandemic, Jake shares his exploratory journey into the realization of our collective lack of empathy for travelers with disabilities. And yeah, there's a Bonus Round question you're not gonna want to miss.
As with most public gatherings, Destinations International's annual Advocacy Summit is going virtual this year. On this episode of DMOU, Jack Johnson, Andreas Weissenborn and Gabe Seder preview the upcoming Summit and discuss the need for diversified revenue streams, the updated 2020 lexicon and the opportunities to more effectively tell our story.
Stevens Point is the 28th largest city in Wisconsin, yet its DMO's utilization of sector-specific technology rivals first-tier destinations across the country. We sit down with Sara Brish of the Stevens Point Area CVB to discuss her philosophies on investing in technologies to compete more effectively and operate more efficiently...and not letting destination size or budget prevent her DMO from operating like a major market operation.
This Summer, Nashville's Butch Spyridon assumed the Chairmanship of Destinations International. On this edition of DMOU, he outlines his agenda for the organization in the coming year, focusing on Diversity and Advocacy. In our conversation, Butch goes deep on both topics and shares his experience in producing brand-defining documentaries that showcase the voices behind Music City.
Earlier this year, Simpleview asked sector veteran David Peacock to lead its Future Tourism Group, a think tank created to envision next steps and design the necessary tools to get there. In this episode, we sit down with David to discuss how the process began, pivoted and is positioning itself to guide DMOs into the future. Plus, we talk about broken bones and how an unintentional Visitors Center almost cost a destination a boatload of money. Join us.
Shelly Green (former CEO of Visit Durham) is one of the DMO world's thought leaders. Thus, when she wrote her CDME paper on Ethics, we were all over learning about her research into what we're doing right...and wrong. In this episode, Shelly shares the concept of "ethical blindness" and offers up examples of how the best intentions can trip us up. And, you'll learn more about her international musicality in the Bonus Round.
When Ray Hoyt was named CEO of Visit Tulsa, he knew Job #1 was increasing revenue for the DMO. Over the past decade, he has grown the organizations budget from $1.8 million to $7 million by increasing his City's investment of Room Tax, developing an aggressive Corporate investment program that is a model for the DMO sector and managing an exhaustive drive to establish a Business Improvement District. In this edition of DMOU, Ray shares his path forward in diversifying his DMO's revenue streams and positioning Visit Tulsa to continue to be able to drive business, even in an economic downturn.
17 years ago, Dave Nolan was serving as the CEO of what is now known as Destination Cleveland. To say he was riding high would be a considerable understatement. Awarded the key to the City, his Convention Sales Team was shattering production records (without a convention center), the national media had fallen in love with the city's renaissance...and then, it all came crashing down. They weren't "rookie mistakes," Dave says. "They were veteran mistakes." He recently reached out to DMOU to share the caution signs he says he missed in hopes that others never have to go through what he did. Join Bill and Dave in this, at times, painful and yet powerful conversation.
Adam Stoker is the author of the new book, "Touchpoints: A Destination Marketer's Guide to Brand Evaluation and Enhancement." He is also the host of the Destination Marketing Podcast. Thus, we so needed to have him on the show. In this episode, Bill and Adam riff on cutting-edge destination marketing campaigns from State to small town, and everything in between. We also discuss some of Adam's tenets from the book and how he believes that addressing those destination challenges you can control makes it easier to deal with those you can't.
DMOU catches up with Destinations International CEO Don Welsh and the Foundation's Jack Johnson to discuss how the industry's trade association is responding to the cascading challenges relative to the pandemic. In this episode, you'll hear their thoughts on the availability of an online portal for DMO pros to connect and share, the increased online content that the Organization is creating for everyone in the DMO space (and not just for members) and plans for next month's Annual Virtual Convention on July 14-15.
Richmond Region Tourism EVP Katherine O'Donnell joins DMOU to share how her Organization has made significant strides in changing her destination's narrative with two community-based initiatives to highlight and support LGBTQ and Black Tourism. Far from "checking a box," Katherine walks us through the extensive process RRT used to ensure deep community engagement. She also discusses how the RRT Board recently made the difficult decision to advocate for the removal of Confederate Statues, despite concerns by some that such a move would negatively impact the Visitors Economy. If Diversity and Inclusion are increasingly on your radar, this is an episode you need to hear.
On this episode of DMOU, Bill Geist hangs with Bentonville CVB CEO Kalene Griffith to drill down on how her DMO has become a model of community engagement. From weekly meetings with key community leaders to being engaged in virtually everything that screams Bentonville, Kalene has developed an agency that is a true Shared Community Value. You'll hear her strategy for engaging community leaders, building a rock star staff...and how Rugby prepared her for leading her organization.
The conversation regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the DMO space is nothing new. But, over the past few weeks, the drumbeat has become significantly more pronounced. On this edition of DMOU, we sit down with Visit Jackson CEO and industry veteran Rickey Thigpen to discuss race, the lack of diversity in the C-suite and on DMO Boards and his suggestions for how we can all be more intentional about righting this wrong. Plus, in the Bonus Round, you’ll hear what letters Rickey will be adding to his name in the weeks ahead. As Rickey says, “we can all do better,” and this episode is a start.
In our last Z-News Commentary, we opined that the traditional structure for community marketing and development was passe. Indeed, Gary Sherwin has been experimenting with a more logical structure for years in Newport Beach. In this edition of DMOU, Gary shares the genesis story of Newport Beach & Company, an organizational structure that may be the new model for communities across North America in the post-COVID world. He also discusses his view that DMO Sales may be more important now than ever before...and reveals a Bonus Round answer about his youth in Hollywood that you'll love.
Want a visual as Gary walks through the Org Structure? Click HERE. And, if you want to really want to head down the rabbit hole, click HERE for one of the most impressive Business Plans we've ever seen.
Destinations International's Jack Johnson has been extolling the concept of DMOs becoming a "Shared Community Value" for over a year...and one would be hard pressed to find an organization that more exudes that philosophy than Visit Anaheim. Just before COVID-19 caused us all to pivot, CEO Jay Burress sat down with DMOU to discuss three breakthrough programs that address community needs while his DMO works tirelessly to attract the world. On this episode, you'll hear how Visit Anaheim works with meeting professionals to "give back" to local schools, how professional staff volunteers with local neighborhoods, how a local initiative became a $250 million City program and how the agency is inspiring high school students to consider hospitality and travel as a career. Want to blow your mind without hallucinogens? This is the episode for you.
Twenty years ago, more professionals in the Travel Industry feared TripAdvisor than embraced it. In those early years, the fear of giving voice to bad reviews often obscured the opportunity that the platform offered. Of course today, many DMO pros realize the power of partnership with the iconic company. On this edition of DMOU, we catch up with our friend Steve Paganelli, CDME and Trip Advisor's Head of Destination Marketing for the Americas. As we (hopefully) emerge from pandemic travel restrictions, Steve shares data from how consumers are planning for the future to ways smart marketers can partner with TripAdvisor to drive greater intent to travel to your destination.
Crisis Communications has always been an artful dance on a tightwire stretching between truth and reassurance...but it has taken on new meaning for DMOs during the pandemic. Communications strategist Meghan Risch (R4 Communication Strategies and formerly Choose Chicago) joins DMOU to share her take on how our messaging needs to resonate in these difficult times (and everyday). From selecting the right message to the most appropriate messenger, Meghan offers ways for DMOs to convey relevance and compassion in desperate times...and how Chicago reached out to help a post-Katrina New Orleans.
As DMOs have dedicated themselves over the past month to setting up a support net for their industry partners, it's time to ask "what's next" in the aftermath of the "shelter in place" orders that have halted the Visitor Economy in its tracks. For guidance in these difficult days, we reached out to our friend Julie Hart (CFO by design) for counsel. In this timely episode of DMOU, Julie shares her thoughts on dealing with declining revenues, re-imagining how DMOs will reorganize over the next six months and why accountability is more important than ever before. Plus, you'll hear a response to a Bonus Round question that conjures up visions of "I Love Lucy." Join us.
Bill Geist takes a rare turn as both host and guest in another special COVID-19 edition of DMOU. The past few weeks have seen DMOs come to the aid of hotels, restaurants, bars and attractions like never before. But now, DMO Boards have a meaningful role going forward to ensure that their Organizations are sustainable. From ensuring that community leaders are kept abreast of the Organization's efforts to save local businesses and jobs to working to diversify future revenue streams, Bill encourages DMO Boards to step up to the new opportunity to solidify their Organizations as a Shared Community Value.
In this special COVID-19 episode of DMOU, Greenberg Traurig's Bryan Grimaldi (former COO of NYC & Company) shares his thoughts on next steps for Destination Marketing Organizations as we look beyond this crisis. From planning for that moment that the virus releases its grip on the Visitors Economy to taking immediate steps to survive until that time, Bryan suggests a number of opportunities for DMO consideration in the next few weeks.
For the past decade, many DMOs have slowly evolved from being Destination Marketing Organizations to Destination Management Organizations. The Little Rock CVB, however, has been managing destination facilities there for half a century. CVB CEO Gretchen Hall joins DMOU to share her tales of managing and renovating iconic public facilities. You'll also hear how she helped shepherd forward a downtown entertainment district (featuring an open-drink zone) last summer and how she can trace every good thing that's happened in her career...to basketball.
We are coming up on four years since Don Welsh was named the CEO of the organization today known as Destinations International. In that time, the organization has increased member outreach, professional development options and industry advocacy efforts. In this episode of DMOU, we sit down with Don to discuss what's next...from the revolutionary new joint partnership with Simpleview to create the all new MINT+ meetings database to new services and offerings for small to medium DMOs. If you're a DMO and not a member of Destinations International (or even if you are), this episode is for you.
While most in the Destination Marketing sector signed up because we loved Sales, Marketing and our communities, being adept at politics is becoming more important with each passing year. Monica Smith, CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society, joins DMOU to share her experiences in communicating the value of Destination Marketing and the Visitor Economy to elected leaders...from the nation's Capital to back home in Georgia. In this episode, you'll gain common sense insights into working with legislative leaders (and members of their staff), finding common ground on which you can agree and why taking your message to Capitol Hill is such a powerful move.
In our work with DMOs throughout the Americas, we rarely experience the organizational culture we experienced in our work with Visit Anchorage. So naturally, we needed to understand how this Team was so different. On this episode of DMOU, Visit Anchorage CEO Julie Saupe shares what she believes to be the "secret sauce" behind the staff culture over which she presides. From recognizing staff for the little things to breaking from conventional wisdom on being cool with staff working remotely, Julie suggests some interesting thoughts on way to cultivate a staff culture that rocks. Plus, in the Bonus Round, you'll hear her experience in watering the roof of her first DMO.
Over the past two decades, Searchwide Global's Mike Gamble has seen a significant evolution in what communities and their DMOs expect from their next leaders. On this edition of DMOU, Mike shares the changes he's seen from Board Search Committees over the years and offers suggestions for how DMO pros who are looking for that next opportunity can build their magnetism. Kick off the new year with sage advice from the man that has placed more DMO CEOs than anyone else.
As the pressure builds on public sector investment into Destination Marketing, smart DMOs are looking for alternative revenue streams...and the most successful strategy for over 200 communities has been establishing Tourism Improvement Districts. On this episode of DMOU, we catch up with the man who has had a hand in virtually all of them, John Lambeth of Civitas. In this wide ranging conversation, John shares the genesis of the concept, how DMOs can begin down the path and some exciting news regarding how the Improvement District movement is seeing expansion to other sectors of the hospitality industry. This is a "must-listen" for anyone concerned with the future viability of DMOs.
When a community pushes back on the industry that is its lifeblood, what is a DMO to do? Jennifer Wesselhoff of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce sits in on this episode of DMOU to share the story of how a DMO that thought it was being responsive to its community found itself using all the wrong measures and all the wrong words. Today, the Chamber is at the vanguard of global sustainability, heralded as a model for international DMOs. Jennifer's story is both compelling and inspirational for all Destination Marketing leaders.
What does it take to make the jump to the Big Chair? Two former Number Twos share their experiences as Visit Pittsburgh CEO Craig Davis and Visit KC CEO Jason Fulvi join us for this episode of DMOU. From the importance of mentorship to volunteer engagement in Destinations International, this dynamic duo of DMO Leaders discuss their respective paths to CEO…as well as learning to fly and making the perfect margarita.
While those of us with Convention Centers always dream of upgrades and expansions...what if that renovation meant your primary asset would go dark for two years? In this edition of DMOU, we hang with Louisville Tourism COO Cleo Battle, who shares that the loss of their Convention Center actually made their DMO better. You'll hear how they adapted their team and approach in response to the closure and how they've evolved into a much more effective agency.
DMOs have been marketing to meeting planners for years and the opportunity to innovate their approach is huge. Digital Edge, headed by Mya Surrency and Shirley Smith, helps DMOs use tactics to appeal to meeting planners in new and different ways. Mya joins DMOU to discuss a recently developed program focusing on creating partnerships with local economic development offices to develop more targeted group business and create more alliances in-market.
There are few destination assets as powerful as the Arts in helping to define and magnetize a community...and, for more than just Tourism. George Tzougros (co-founder of the National Creativity Network and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Arts Board) joins DMOU for a wide-ranging discussion of how DMOs can more effectively promote and nurture the creative artists and initiatives that exist all around us. You'll also come away with a deeper understanding of how the Arts can create a powerful platform for community development.
Destination Marketing has never been more politicized…but recent budget attacks have actually indicated a path forward in the way we communicate the value of what we do. Destination International’s Jack Johnson shares the research behind the new lexicon that DMO pros will need to employ to establish Destination Marketing as a Community Shared Value. You’ll also hear Jack’s take on refining our message from one of logic and fact to one utilizing emotion in order to capture the imagination and support of residents and community leaders.
And, to see Jack's presentation on the subject from this year's Annual Convention of Destinations International, click HERE.
DMOs often talk about making their destinations “Visitor Ready,” but what about those prospective visitors that are unable to experience our communities due to sensory or developmental issues? On this edition of DMOU, the Greater Lansing MI’s Julie Pingston walks us through how a sensory-friendly theatrical performance of “The Lion King” led to a complete re-thinking of how the Organization would reach out to this previously under-served market. And, you’ll learn how they have engaged over 850 individuals in the community to be trained to assist these individuals.
Targeting Multi-Cultural Meetings and Conventions is nothing new. Destinations like Chicago began addressing this lucrative market over 40 years ago. But, PHL Diversity, a division of the Philadelphia CVB, has taken its work in the space 360 by dedicating their efforts to also ensure that the Multi-Cultural community is visitor ready. PHL Diversity’s Greg DeShields shares the story of how his agency engages Philadelphia’s Multi-Cultural partners to ensure that they benefit from the visitor economy while connecting event planners to authentic experiences while in market.
As the philosophical discussion of whether the "M" in DMO stands for "Marketing" or "Management" (or both) continues in many quarters, the Rockford Area (IL) CVB has blazed its own path over the past decade by focusing on what's best for the community. RACVB CEO John Groh guests on this edition of DMOU with his thoughts on how a "Citizens First" mantra has lifted Rockford's image of itself and for others. You'll also hear why having exceptional video assets at the ready offered the RACVB the opportunity to punch back when Forbes dissed the city...and about one of the most interesting internships one could imagine.
What keeps one of the top Digital Marketers in the DMO space up at night? Visit Austin’s Katie Cook shares her thoughts on the new expectations regrading attribution, new tracking tools that enable smarter marketing decisions (as well as destination development advocacy) and what’s around the next corner (both exciting and potentially disturbing). Plus...a brief travelogue from an island destination you've likely never visited.
Bill Baker’s latest book is called “Place Branding for Small Cities, Regions & Downtowns.” We recently caught up with Bill to learn more about the new book and, more importantly, where he sees the future of Place Branding taking us all. Armed with several case studies to drive home his philosophies, Bill suggests that destination logos may well be giving way to font type to represent a brand…and several other game-changing concepts. Oh yeah...and there's a story about bagpipes and a kilt in there, too.
When Destination Madison publicly endorsed an ambitious lakefront hotel project a decade ago, the push-back was as unexpected as it was swift. While a scaled back version of the project eventually came to fruition, CEO Deb Archer took steps to ensure that the organization would never be in that position again. In this episode of DMOU, Deb recounts the process and shares how her DMO developed a “Decision Matrix” tool that vets every project or legislative initiative that comes before it. You’ll also learn how a Destination Madison-sponsored public art project impacted the community in multiple ways.
Longwoods International's "Halo Effect" study proved there was a direct correlation between tourism marketing and an increased interest to move to a destination. The South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority took that concept to its ultimate expression by partnering with other community development entities to launch a "Grass is Greener" campaign to attract Illinois residents to move to Indiana. CEO Spero Batistatos shares the evolution and execution in this episode of DMOU...plus a few other gems.
To see the "Grass is Greener" campaign, click HERE
Is the Visitor Information Center still viable? In this episode of DMOU, we meet Linda John, the CEO of Visit Eau Claire WI. She shuttered her Visitor Center a decade ago, believing them to be passe. She moved to a mobile Visitors Center, which she has just sold. Today, she is back to welcoming the world to a new physical Visitors Center...with an entirely new philosophy.
Check out this walk-through video...and hear the background on this edition of DMOU.
Longwoods International changed the way many understand the impact of Destination Marketing on Economic Development with its "Halo Effect" study. The research consultancy now is changing how the industry views and interacts with residents. In this episode of DMOU, we talk with Longwoods CEO Amir Eylon for a deeper dive into these new tools...and more.
For background on "The Halo Effect," click HERE. For the new "Resident Sentiment Survey," HERE.
Maura Gast (FCDME, past Chair of Destination International and the CEO of the Irving CVB), is one of the true thought leaders in the Destination Marketing space. In this episode of DMOU, she talks about the changes and upgrades to CDME and DMAP...and, how she helped guide Irving's renaissance into a meetings, events and entertainment mecca.
Author and raconteur Rick Antonson is the former CEO of Tourism Vancouver. In this first episode of the new DMOU, Rick discusses the progress the tourism industry has made to be more green, the concept of "Cathedral Thinking" and what he knows now that he didn't know then.
For more on Rick, click HERE. For more on "Cathedral Thinking," HERE.