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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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.