As National Tourism Week winds down, I felt it was important talk about what makes mine and your hometown special. What makes us unique? Is it home to the longest urban whitewater course in the world? Is it our museums? Think about it. Columbus has two “national” museums – the National Infantry Museum, the... Read More

In setting up your strategic plan, goals only make sense. It's part of the measurement for success. Goals are statements that represent where resources will be focused to achieve the mission. Ideally, the plan should have 3 to 7 realistic, well stated goals. Too few and you're not trying hard enough. Too many and you'll... Read More

Strategies - the programs and projects for achieving the goals. Strategies should be realistic, yet innovative, in settings ways to advance the goals.

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Tourism consultant Bill Geist poses an interesting thought, and perhaps challenge, for destination marketing organizations. He writes, that perhaps "Destination Marketing Organizations can [need to] continue to evolve and serve as the catalyst and choreographer in making our communities cool."  

Hmmm. An organization in charge of cool.

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The next time you're facing a challenge, look past the obvious solutions.  The overused moves in your industry will only go so far.  Instead, look wide and explore emerging trends outside your industry.  See if you can borrow an idea, pattern, or technology to create a highly differenced - and more impactful - outcome.<... Read More