DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University

Jason Fulvi & Craig Davis: Preparing for the Big Chair

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.

Cleo Battle: Successfully Mitigating the Loss of a Convention Center

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.

Mya Surrency: Expanding Your Meetings Marketing to Incorporate Economic Development

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.

George Tzougros: The Power of the Arts in Place Making

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.

Jack Johnson: Destination Marketing as a Community Shared Value

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.

Julie Pingston: Developing a Sensory Sensitive Destination

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.

Greg DeShields: The Power of PHL Diversity

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.

John Groh: Evolving Beyond Just Destination Marketing

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.

Katie Cook: Next-Gen Trends in Digital Destination Marketing

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: The New Imperative of Place Branding

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.

Deb Archer: No Fear Advocacy

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.

Spero Batistatos: A DMO that Markets to Future Residents

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

Linda John: The NextGen Visitors Center

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.

 

Amir Eylon: Getting Inside the Minds of Consumers & Residents Alike

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: CDME, DMAP and Building a Destination

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.

Rick Antonson: Looking Back and Forward

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.