Best Practices in Economic Development Marketing: Take a Short Quiz August 4, 2008 - Andy Levine
The most recent edition of DCI’s continuing research study, “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing,” was released last week. Since 1996, we have surveyed corporate executives with site selection responsibilities to determine the “customer’s perspective” on best practices in place marketing. In the 2008 survey, 281 senior corporate executives participated. How in tune are you with corporate decision makers’ frame
Andy, facscinating results. Our studies have not included "dialogue with industry peers," and they should. In our study, business travel ranks highest, as we ask it in terms of "fam tours." Websites are next. We completely concur with 5b -with the advent of community websites and online third party data providers, economic developers are now only being contacted at the short list stage, rather than at the beginning of a search, significantly shortening the time from first contact to decision
Can Travel Marketers Save the Planet? July 8, 2008 - Elissa Doyle
The annual Public Relations Society of America Travel & Tourism Conference is always a rousing opportunity to network with leading travel communicators from across the country, and learn from thought-provoking and industry-leading speakers. This year’s theme, Go For Green!, really hit home, concentrating on how destinations can be environmentally friendly, while attracting tourists who are seeking to minimize their carbon
Well said, Elissa.
It is important to keep an optimistic outlook about the situation, and do what we can, relentlessly.
A good first step for PR people would be to go and meet the businesses in their community, to learn what they do that is ecologically friendly, supports the local economy, or respect local traditions. Most of the time business owners don't realize the importance of their efforts. Be their cheerleader! Open the dialog! Showcase their initiatives and provide them with the inspi
Promises, Promises: The Latest Trend in Economic Development July 1, 2008 - Todd Lang
What’s the value of a promise? In some economic development circles it’s good for $250 million. A trend around the country is Promise programs, scholarship funds that front the college tuition bill for every student in a community. Kalamazoo kicked this off in 2005 when a masked group of donors pooled their funds to send students to Michigan colleges. Since
"Holistays" - Fact or Fiction; And How Will America's Top Travel Marketers Respond? June 18, 2008 - Karyl Leigh Barnes
Whether you call it a staycation or holistay, as heard earlier this month on The Daily Show it’s clear that given the high price of gas, many Americans are rethinking their summer travel plans. However, despite John Hodgman’s assertion that a “holistay” means not leaving your home - all summer – Americans will still travel, perhaps just not as far or
Staycation Destination Discounts found on CTvisit.com
Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the launch of "Connecticut - Your Staycation Destination" a summer program offering discounts for Connecticut residents at hundreds of attractions showcased throughout the state. The state also is exploring opportunities to expand the Staycation program into the fall.
Celebrating National Tourism Week: What's Happening in Your Region? May 14, 2008 - Peggy Bendel
“Discover Great American Traditions” is the theme of the 25th Annual National Tourism Week, celebrated this year May 10-18. As I looked quickly through our client list tonight, I was looking at so many of the traditions – and personalities - that represent so much of the true America that visitors crave, whether they come from other countries, or other
A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY … May 14, 2008 - Andy Levine
“What’s in a name?” William Shakespeare asked. In the case of DCI, the one word answer is “plenty!” Therein lies a double tale: A few years ago DCI was hired by a State with not surprisingly a Governor from one of the two major political parties. Immediately after he described his decision to the press, he was attacked by the
The Envelope Please….DCI Announces Winners of Cartoon Caption Contest April 18, 2008 - Andy Levine
Special thanks to all of those who entered DCI’s first ever “cartoon caption contest.” We received a total of 89 submissions. The cartoon team of Jon Stamell and George Hughes judged the contest and selected five winners (as well as one "bonus" category winner) are listed below. Here are the winning captions: "We were very lucky to find this shovel
Economic Development Mistake #3: Missing the Target March 27, 2008 - Ted Levine
When you lose something, learn something. This is the third in a group of five economic development marketing misses, one for each decade I’ve been in this business. When I first started in economic development in the late 1950s there was no such thing as economic development targeting. Every competing county or community – and there weren’t that many –
Announcing the First-Ever "Cartoon Caption Contest" March 11, 2008 - Andy Levine
Welcome to DCI's "Cartoon Caption Contest." Here's how the contest works: 1) Take a close look at the cartoon specially created by cartoon team, George Hughes and Jon Stamell, a creative duo whose cartoon clients have included law firms, publishing companies, wineries and even Ross Perot (leave it up to a cartoonist); 2) Click on the "Comments" section below and
DiscoverAmerica.com Launches to Promote US to International Travelers: Now, Isn’t It Time for a U.S. National Tourist Office?!? March 10, 2008 - Peggy Bendel
“Make it easy to buy” is Rule #1 for any sales success: and in late March DiscoverAmerica.com will do just that for international travelers interested in visiting the United States. Described as “America’s ultimate CVB” and designed to be a one-stop shop, with extensive information on American destinations (states and cities), activities, U.S. travel policies and trip booking options, the
Since I posted this last week, we've had a number of calls asking how to be sure their CVB is included. I asked TIA's Greg Staley, who replied:
Thanks for helping us get the word out about www.DiscoverAmerica.com.
The site will launch with images and language-translated content for all 50 states and 6 territories. Additionally, the Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany and Japan versions will include content from 25 to 60 destinations (cities). We stretched our dollars as far as we could to include as ma
