Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:33:51 GMT By Geist
PhoCusWright is one of the premier tourism and travel research firms in the world. They are staging a Conference in November for which they are promot... ...read more...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:13:00 GMT By Geist
So...if we, indeed, are so non-plussed by our congressional leaders, why the hell do we keep voting for them? Or, do we trust the ones we elect from o... ...read more...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:15:43 GMT By Geist
For (as Maura Gast famously said) "the previously unchurched," Jim Steinman is the guy that wrote and produced Meat Loaf's most engaging songs. But he... ...read more...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:14:00 GMT By Geist
I've been a Mac since 1986. So, people are usually surprised when they learn I don't own an iPad.As I explain, I just haven't seen the need. I often r... ...read more...

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:06:00 GMT By Geist
Despite the fact that hotel profits are expected to increase again this year, some continue to cut back services that were once an expected part of ho... ...read more...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:03:19 GMT By Geist
The chance to spar with the amazing Stephen Colbert on the international stage must be an incredibly intoxicating opportunity. And, yet, supremely fri... ...read more...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:48:00 GMT By Geist
After a number of government agencies were caught spending an exorbitant amount of taxpayer money on over the top meetings and conventions, the Obama ... ...read more...

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:39:22 GMT By Geist
What is it about Sarasota?Seems like I'm always bumping into the progeny of the Allman Brothers Band when I'm in town. First it was a couple of torid ... ...read more...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:08:07 GMT By Geist
...and one of these days, they'll nail it.Google tried once before with City Tour. It was close, but no cigar. Now, they're quietly slipping back into... ...read more...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:10:00 GMT By Geist
Have we gotten to that point when it comes to violent weather?Until just recently, the National Weather Service would issue severe weather warnings fo... ...read more...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:28:38 GMT By Jeff Hurt
I decided it was a cold coffee type of a morning. A Starbucks Carmel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino would do nicely. Play That Funky Music White Boy! On th... ...read more...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:28:23 GMT By Jeff Hurt
Along with pending education trends that will influence conference education, there are significant challenges that will also have a tremendous impact... ...read more...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 05:00:31 GMT By Jeff Hurt
Is your conference guilty of creating content bulimia for its stakeholders? You attendees binge and purge information at great speeds as your presente... ...read more...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:54:25 GMT By Jeff Hurt
Two years ago, many of you contributed to a special research project that we conducted with Tagoras, a leading market research and consulting company ... ...read more...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:57:23 GMT By Jeff Hurt
The future of conference education is not necessarily about the next shining technology advancement, even though technology does play a fundamental ro... ...read more...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:57:57 GMT By Jeff Hurt
Today, if organizations don’t take the time, spend the money and learn how to build world-class learning programs both for their customers and their e... ...read more...

Fri, 31 May 2013 10:10:44 GMT By Jeff Hurt
It’s not often that we get a chance to fully immerse ourselves in an extraordinary conference experience. Such was the case for me last week at C2-MTL... ...read more...

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:42:11 GMT By Jeff Hurt
In 2010, Daniel Lamarre (CEO, Cirque du Soleil) longed for a new kind of business conference. One where business leaders from all walks of life might ... ...read more...

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:33:55 GMT By Jeff Hurt
Are you more likely to be killed by a shark or a deer? Did you say shark? If you did, you’re wrong. You are 300 times more likely to be killed by a de... ...read more...

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:25:47 GMT By Jeff Hurt
In order for conferences to compete in this new digital age, conference organizers must view conference education not as the place where content is de... ...read more...

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:02 GMT By Travel 2.0
10 ways for the tourism destination, DMO or NTO to help tourists, monitor marketing and track effectiveness. The post 10 Things DMOs Should Be Giving... ...read more...

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:46:17 GMT By Travel 2.0
What is the difference between a great conference speaker and an poor one? The great speaker got paid to speak. The post Why You Are Paying Me To Spe... ...read more...

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:20:06 GMT By Travel 2.0
DMOs and CVBs create a lot of questions when developing marketing and advertising campaigns. But what if they started creating more answers? The post... ...read more...

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:22:06 GMT By Travel 2.0
The tourist is leaving behind a trail of valuable information and data. And the tourism destination, the DMO, should be capturing and utilizing this ... ...read more...

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:52:49 GMT By Travel 2.0
A look at 3 strategic website lessons for tourism organizations redeveloping their website strategy and design. The post 3 Strategic Website Lessons ... ...read more...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:47:03 GMT By Baker
There are some who still regard the branding of places with suspicion. While there are plenty of poor place branding efforts out there, when done well... ...read more...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:14:04 GMT By Baker
During one of my recent destination branding presentations in Australia I made the point that during the brand planning process, logos and taglines so... ...read more...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:08:02 GMT By Baker
You may think that I am referring to some of the city branding efforts that have been in the news lately when I refer to Dull, Boring and Bland. Howev... ...read more...

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:18:03 GMT By Baker
During recent months I have conducted brand coaching seminars for small cities in USA, Canada and Australia. These sessions usually attract a wide ran... ...read more...

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:08:05 GMT By Baker
We have recently encountered situations where advertising, web design, visual design and communications agencies pitch for, and win, the development o... ...read more...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:41:00 GMT By Baker
Over the years I have admired the way in which Glasgow, Scotland overcame its reputation for urban and industrial decay to be recognized as European C... ...read more...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:46:01 GMT By Baker
At the conclusion of a recent presentation on place branding, I was approached by the CEO of a mid-west Chamber of Commerce who lamented that their br... ...read more...

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:11:03 GMT By Baker
When discussing the differences in branding places and consumer products with friends in advertising agencies, they frequently maintain that there is ... ...read more...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:23:05 GMT By Baker
I was pleased to read the report “Travel Means Jobs” by the U.S. Travel Association which highlighted the growing awareness of the role that tourism c... ...read more...

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:24:00 GMT By Baker
After decades of developing brand strategies for places of all sizes, I recognize that to be successful they are fundamentally an exercise in change m... ...read more...

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:13 GMT By Elliott
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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:00:40 GMT By Elliott
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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:30 GMT By Elliott
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Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:53:32 GMT By Elliott
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Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:13 GMT By Elliott
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Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:00:39 GMT By Elliott
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Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:00:57 GMT By Elliott
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Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:04 GMT By Elliott
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Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:18:14 GMT By Elliott
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Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:51:06 GMT By Elliott
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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:07:27 GMT By Bowden
There are enough venues that offer complimentary Internet service during meetings. This means when you’re competing for new business, keep this in mi... ...read more...

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:13:59 GMT By Bowden
Some of the latest trends in meeting planning is impacting destinations in a big way. For sample, getting approval is harder, so lead times are short... ...read more...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:46:16 GMT By Bowden
When meeting professionals were asked to list important deal makers when picking a meeting destination, this is what they said: 1. Available meeting ... ...read more...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:51:45 GMT By Bowden
When meeting planners were asked what areas of your budget are you cutting costs, this is what they said: SOURCE: Convention South Magazine ...read more...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 06:44:53 GMT By Bowden
When meeting planners were surveyed on what they expected in how attendance would be affected for 2013, this is what they said: SOURCE: Convention So... ...read more...

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:09:27 GMT By Bowden
When meeting planners were surveyed how they felt about the strength of the meetings industry as a whole, this is what we learned. ...read more...

Fri, 31 May 2013 07:10:57 GMT By Bowden
Dirty Little Secret #1 We’ve all taken the plunge into the realm of social media, especially when it comes to target marketing. The dirty little secr... ...read more...

Thu, 30 May 2013 06:35:11 GMT By Bowden
It seems that in a recent survey that travelers are not shy about mixing fun during a business trip. No, it’s not what you’re thinking. The typical b... ...read more...

Wed, 29 May 2013 06:20:46 GMT By Bowden
When meeting professionals were asked what method of transportation do attendees typically use, this was their response: ...read more...

Tue, 28 May 2013 06:55:48 GMT By Bowden
According to a recent survey of meeting planners, when asked what are hoteliers most willing to make concessions, this was the response: 65% Meeting ... ...read more...

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:45:36 GMT By Bowman
There were two conditions I had to meet before I could participate in my first roundup on the cattle ranch that had been homesteaded in my native Ida... ...read more...

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:41:38 GMT By Bowman
It struck me on a quick wedding-related weekend road-trip this month with friends, that I’ve lived nearly all of my six and a half decades along two ... ...read more...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:09:23 GMT By Bowman
My daughter turns 40 this month. That’s the age I was when recruited to Durham, North Carolina 24 years ago, where I still make my home during a new ... ...read more...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:47:45 GMT By Bowman
Few things are as symbolic of the western part of the United States as “ Mormon trees ,” a description given ubiquitous Lombardy poplars by the late ... ...read more...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:33:26 GMT By Bowman
Last month, after turning my Jeep Moab off I-40 W and onto US Route 421 for the 80 mile climb up into the mountains of northwest North Carolina, I wa... ...read more...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:13:56 GMT By Bowman
The write-up in the local newspaper on May 24th did a nice job of putting Durham, North Carolina’s growth rate into perspective. However, growth has ... ...read more...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:50:33 GMT By Bowman
As I turned off I-40 W last month and headed northwest up U.S. Hwy 421 into the North Carolina mountains, the coincidence of the terrain to my missio... ...read more...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:37:18 GMT By Bowman
Since 1982, the company TRU has been studying each new generation of young people from their early years into their 20s. Now part of The Futures Comp... ...read more...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:19:05 GMT By Bowman
Durham, North Carolina currently generates 14,500 tons of recyclable material. When 4,500 tons more is recycled, it will warrant its own material rec... ...read more...

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:02:46 GMT By Bowman
Communities such as Durham, North Carolina, where I live are well advised to create a local inter-agency and inter-organization counterpart to the re... ...read more...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 21:50:11 GMT By Hornyak
Let’s take a look at where CVBs stand on Pinterest! Some accounts have reached a few milestones worth noting in this update. *data collected May 30, 2... ...read more...

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:23:01 GMT By Hornyak
Pinterest is now offering analytics for business accounts. In order to get the analytics, you need to follow these steps: Convert your existing accoun... ...read more...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:23:44 GMT By Hornyak
Sushi, a ring and a dinosaur. Perfection. March 6, 2013. Itto Sushi – the location of our first date. Dave reserved the exact same table and arranged ... ...read more...

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:33:37 GMT By Hornyak
CVBs are doing a great job on Pinterest but are the US state DMOs keeping up? Kind of. Out of the 46 state DMOs on Pinterest, 12 accounts were inactiv... ...read more...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:52:35 GMT By Hornyak
It’s been an ENTIRE year since I started tracking CVBs on Pinterest! Can you believe it? Me neither. Since my first update (February 22, 2012), there ... ...read more...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:28:37 GMT By Hornyak
2013 got off to a great start on Pinterest. Many CVBs have seen incredible growth in followers and are being more strategic about their Pinterest effo... ...read more...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 07:13:52 GMT By Hornyak
A new year, a new start! Some of my closest friends live the farthest away but are always there for me. I think this will be my year. Pin of the week: ...read more...

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:27:35 GMT By Hornyak
2012 closed with 420 US CVBs and DMOs on Pinterest! I posted a lot of stats last month so let’s just get into the ranking! If you’re interested in how... ...read more...

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:10:32 GMT By Hornyak
Can you believe that 2012 is almost over? This year has flown by. I spent a third of it in bed with mono and have been trying to make up for lost time... ...read more...

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 07:13:10 GMT By Hornyak
Indiana Dunes has a great view of the Chicago skyline from across Lake Michigan. You can see the city on most days and I’ve photographed this view bef... ...read more...

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:51:16 GMT By Buzzmaster
We are drowning in data yet starving for knowledge (John Hope-Johnstone). Google Analytics can help us navigate our way through this maze but only if ... ...read more...

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:59:59 GMT By Buzzmaster
By buzzmaster on January 5, 2012 | Edit Happy New Year!! Okay, crystal ball in one hand, bottle of Whisky close by, I am ready for my 2012 annual prog... ...read more...

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:01:56 GMT By Buzzmaster
Sometimes the past can be a very comforting place. Marketing experts are even finding that in today's crazy world 20 somethings are as nostalgic as th... ...read more...

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:15:58 GMT By Buzzmaster
A look at how Google+ is fitting into the social marketing arena by looking at the present users of the platform. ...read more...

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:30:37 GMT By Buzzmaster
Social Media Marketing must be part of an integrated marketing stragegy and NOT a bolt on. It must fall under the top individual in the marketing depa... ...read more...

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:42:51 GMT By Buzzmaster
Permission based Text Marketing is a new kid on the block, but a newbie with lots of potential to fill restaurants, bars, hotels and attractions quick... ...read more...

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:22:26 GMT By Buzzmaster
Does Social Media Marketing really work? It's a big elephant in the room that must be addressed. The answere is YES, but only if it is integrated into... ...read more...

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:24:46 GMT By Buzzmaster
A close look at the role of social media and the Arab Spring uprisings and the recent riots in Great Britain. ...read more...

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:34:55 GMT By Buzzmaster
Do social media marketing promotions really work? This blog will help you decide on whether or not social media marketing promotions are right for you... ...read more...

Sun, 22 May 2011 16:08:53 GMT By Buzzmaster
Insights into trust and validation as a reason that social media and the Internet have become such an incredible phenom in the 21st Century. ...read more...