Episodes
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
156: Cynthia Eichler • Visitor Centers Are Dead (except when they're not)
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
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.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
155: Doug Small • On Brand Pillars and Board Engagement
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
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.
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
154: Vic Isley • A DMO's Response to Disaster
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
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.
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
153: John Sage • Addressing Destination Travel Accessibility
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
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.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
152: Sonya Nash • Home Grown Customer Service Training
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
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.
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
151: Adam Stoker • The New Tourism Town Square Known as TourismIQ
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
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.
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
150: Anne Sayers • Landing and Maximizing a Season on Top Chef
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
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.
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
149: Corey Fram • Changing the Message to Pass STR Legislation
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
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.
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
148: Scott White • Building Pathways to Leadership for the Next Generation
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
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.
Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
147: Paul Beachnau • Turning Crisis Lemons into Sweet Lemonade
Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
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.
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
146: DMOU Turns 5 • The Best of the Bonus Round Question
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
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.
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
145: Jock Hedblade • Transforming Downtown Into a Monopoly Board
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
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.
Thursday May 30, 2024
144: Mark Ickes • Organizational Relevance and Impact of a Small Market DMO
Thursday May 30, 2024
Thursday May 30, 2024
One doesn't necessarily need millions of dollars to develop significant relevance and impact in a small market destination. Explore 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.
Tuesday May 21, 2024
143: Claude Molinari • Reclaiming Detroit's Narrative
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Tuesday May 21, 2024
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.
Thursday May 02, 2024
142: Santiago Corrada • How Tampa Bay Provides an Alternative to Boycotts
Thursday May 02, 2024
Thursday May 02, 2024
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.
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
141: Denny Edwards • Driving Destination Defining Development
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
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.
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
140: Ed Tomasi • The Promise of Esports
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
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.
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
139: Maura Gast • "If You Build a Place" Turns 15
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
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.
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
138: Sarah Miller • Entering the NIL Arena
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
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.
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
137: Mary Kay Wydra & Caroline Boland •Sister Cities Maximized
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
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.