DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University

Destination Canada is very likely the most innovative DMO on the planet when it comes to redefining the tourism industry’s impact (both social and economic). Now, they have developed the Canadian Tourism Data Collective, an insanely expansive hub of research and information that is available not just for their use but the use of over 280,000 tourism businesses throughout the country. Destination...

Matt Pivarnik has held community leadership positions in Tulsa, Topeka and, now, in Myrtle Beach. All three DMOs have been connected in one way shape or form to their Chamber of Commerce, organizational structures that have increasingly fallen out of favor over the past 30 years. But Matt has made each one work through collaboration, shared vision and a clear understanding of how revenues can and...

Establishing a Tourism Improvement District is rarely easy…but in Chicago, it took almost 15 years. But, when the City Council approved the first TID in Illinois earlier this year, the vote was unanimous. On this edition of DMOU, Choose Chicago’s Kristen Reynolds and the CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, Michael Jacobson, share how this final push was different and how regional...

I've always referred to my friend Chris Ihrig as "the Culture Guy" (probably because his company is called Fired Up! Culture). But after reading his latest book "Would You Work for You," I now realize that he's "the Leadership Guy." Join us for this fascinating conversation on how leadership is developed and how leadership begets culture...and how organizational culture results in success. And, a...

Over the past 18 years, Dan Rowe built Visit Panama City Beach into one of the most recognized DMOs in the Southeast, growing its influence well beyond its marketing mandate and establishing it as a genuine community builder. Forged by the challenges brought by hurricanes, oil spills, a spring break pivot that no one thought possible, Visit Panama City Beach was designed to withstand crisis…and...

When we launched DMOU as a tele-seminar series over 20 years ago, it was designed to showcase the coolest innovation out there in Destination Leadership. For Visit Macon, this past year has been beyond innovative. They bought an FM radio station. They bought a tour bus company. Is this the future for DMOs? You decide…with this sensational conversation with CEO Gary Wheat. Join us.

When Auvis Cole stepped into the role of Director of Discover Crystal River, he sensed a lack of organizational connectivity with his industry partners…and set out to improve those relationships. He and his team developed a program called “Partners in Tourism” that creates professional development, co-op marketing and networking opportunities for area businesses. That program has, in turn,...

On this episode of DMOU, we welcome back our friend Amir Eylon from Longwoods International. Their monthly analyses of American traveler sentiment are always must-reads for anyone in Destination Marketing…but the most recent dove into Americans’ attitudes toward attending events such as America 250, the Centennial of the Mother Road and the World Cup. In this conversation, Amir shares what is...

Ryan Short works in an arena that many refer to as “place branding.” But, he believes that our communities deserve more…and has written a book called The Civic Brand: The Power and Responsibility of Place. On this episode of DMOU, we sit down with Ryan to explore his definition of a “civic brand" and how it can guide policy, development and engagement to build shared pride and prevent...

Going in, I thought we were going to talk about how Brad Jones is nailing the Tourism Ambassador Program in Bellevue WA (and before that, in Rochester MN). But our conversation went way further…into the development of an amazing transit program for workforce, residents and visitors and a movement into culinary that engages the creators as a critical part of the mix. Oh yeah…and that he’s a Parrot...