For many DMOs, Stewardship and Sustainability are the furthest thing from their minds as they refocus on a target rich environment. But we continue to focus on this fascinating evolution from DMO to DSO because we believe it to be the future. And this week’s guest on DMOU is leading her community back from fires, pandemic and floods through an unabashed Stewardship approach. Sonoma County Tourism’s Claudia Vecchio joins us to talk about her approach to stewardship, their recent turn at SXSW and how engaging residents is key to everything they do.

The latest edition of America's Top Cities is out today and DMOU had the opportunity to talk with Resonance's Chris Fair on how the rankings are determined and why they matter. It's no surprise that big cities dominate the top 50 because they have more assets than smaller cities. But, there are some surprising cities in the bottom 50 that point the way to how DMOs can elevate community brand and magnetism to increase awareness and interest. Chris breaks it all down in this exclusive interview on how the rankings have evolved post-COVID. Cool stuff.

For DMOs that produce destination events, it often consumes months of staff time. Yet, Visit Estes Park turned a festival that a neighboring community was preparing to sunset into an event that garnered national media attention in just 100 days. CEO Kara Franker guests to tell the unique story of the revitalized "Frozen Dead Guy Days," an event that not only bolstered a need time on the calendar but also raised money for workforce housing and daycare initiatives. It's a stirring story of community collaboration you're not going to want to miss.

Just as Destination Marketing (and Leadership) Organizations are evolving, so too is the philosophy of Visitor Information Centers. On this episode of DMOU, we catch up with Chris Lewis, Director of Destination Development with Tourism Kelowna. In this fascinating conversation, you'll hear how Tourism Kelowna reimagined the Visitor Center concept into a "community hub," how they almost lost their "Social License" (but quickly regained it)...as well as one of the more interesting "first job" stories in over 100 episodes of the Bonus Round. Join us.

How does a very Blue City land a very Red Convention? Visit Milwaukee’s Peggy Williams-Smith joins DMOU to share the story of how her Team and City landed the 2024 Republican National Convention. We’ll also discuss how Milwaukee was named one of National Geographic’s Top Destinations and how Visit Milwaukee has expanded the organization’s community awareness, visibility and support. Plus a Bonus Round question on her deep Beer City roots.

The vast majority of Destination Marketing Organizations in the United States are independent non-profit agencies...but that doesn't mean other structures can't work. In this edition of DMOU, we talk with Discover Flagstaff Director Trace Ward on how his office is rockin' it as both a division of Economic Vitality and the City. And (not to be a spoiler), he says it's all about intentional design and intra-agency respect. 

It's not a part of the primordial DNA of DMOs, but Community Engagement is an increasingly vital component of our work. Visit Anchorage's Jack Bonney joins the show and shares his philosophies on how to build a rock solid community relations program that is based in the yin and yang of what your DMO can do...and can't. And, from that, building a relationship based on trust, service and admiration can be a beautiful thing.

A Destination Marketing consultant recently opined that diving into Sustainability and Stewardship carries with it some danger...and we don't disagree. But Durango's Rachel Brown counters with all the reasons her DMO believes they must engage. She discusses how they've adapted the Care for Colorado program on a local level and shifted their budget to Destination Management. Plus a Bonus Round question that features her staff's Team Building initiative. Very cool stuff.

BVK's Victoria Simmons joins DMOU to share some of the insights from their recent 2023 Trends Report. You'll hear findings that appear to mirror Roy Williams' 40-year Pendulum Theory and how Gen Z will be shaping how travel is delivered for, not just their generation but, all of us. Plus a fun Bonus Round rant on pet peeves in travel. Join us.

In December of last year, vandals compromised the power grid in Moore County NC, placing hundreds of merchants at a disadvantage during their biggest sales window of the year. In this episode of DMOU, we hang with our friend Phil Werz of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen CVB to hear him tell the story of "Moore Miracles," a program that kept local merchants alive during a trying time. You'll also hear about how his DMO is advocating for additional destinational assets...and his mid-life crisis as a PGA Teaching Pro.