DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University

Greg Edwards: Getting on Everyone’s Top Ten List

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: Building a DEI-focused DMO

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.

Live in Toronto: The New Gigs in Destination Leadership

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.

Anthony Everett: Transitioning a DMO to a Social Enterprise

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: Breaking Convention

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.

Kari Westlund: Managing a Destination’s Biggest Year Ever

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.

Don Cason & Eric Woolridge: Designing a Magnetic Tourism Master Plan

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.

David Gilbert: A DMO Taking Point on Talent Acquisition

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.

Brett Oetting: Innovation in the Eye of a Pandemic

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.

Nicole Hankton: A Different Way of Looking at Sales and Mentorship

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.

Gregg Mervis: Designing a DMO-Convention Center Combo That Works

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.

Greg DeShields: The Opportunity Within Tourism Diversity Matters

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.

Arica Sears: A DMO Addressing Climate Change

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.

Jayne DeLuce: Viewing the DMO’s Role Through New Eyes

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.

Virginia Haley: A DMO-EDO Workforce Acquisition Collaboration

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.

Tom Martin: Destination Sales in a Post-Pandemic World

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.

Jennifer Bowen: Creating an Experience Center

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.

Michael Novakovich: Utilizing Music and Video to Power Brand & Community Engagement

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.

Chelsea Ruby: The Power of New Year’s Resolutions on Travel Choice

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.

17 on 22: What 17 Destination Leaders Plan New for 2022

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.