DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University

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.