DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University

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. 

Brad Dean: Building a Best-in-Class DMO from Scratch

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.

Cristy Morrison: The Pros and Cons of 3 DMO Structures

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.

Dave Herrell: Engaging Residents to be Brand Builders

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.

The 3 Transformational Trends of the Future Study

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.

Martha Sheridan: All In with DEI and a TID

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.

Lee Tasseff: Destination Revitalization

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.

Jason Holic: The Next Step in Calculating ROI

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.

Steve Moore: 46 Years of DMO Wisdom

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.

Gretchen Hall: Destinations International's New Chair Sets Her Agenda

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.

Destinations International AC21: What 20 Will Keep

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.

Michael Crockatt: Innovative Strategies on Three Fronts

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.