Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Sustainability. Engagement. One of these things is not like the others. EDI and sustainability. Both of these were on the radar of most destination organizations seven years ago. But to be clear, in 2017, EDI was focused on displaying diversity in marketing…
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Innovators & Influencers — a destination marketing organization (DMO) or convention and visitors bureau (CVB) deserving of a spotlight and applause. This special edition of Innovators & Influencers features Auburn-Opelika Tourism and its small team’s big ambition to use community engagement to get a…
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The events of Memorial Day, May 25, 2020 — the death of George Floyd, captured on video, created a nationwide protest. It was a grisly harbinger of the ever-present specter of racism, but also a powerful call for pressing change not just in Minnesota but across the country and around the world. If…
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Innovators & Influencers — a destination marketing organization (DMO) or convention and visitors bureau (CVB) deserving of a spotlight and applause. This special edition of Innovators & Influencers features Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau and its Love FBGTX campaign. We all know that love…
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For the last decade, tourism organizations globally have been moving toward a more local, engaged, and citizen-focused model. As we set our sights on regenerative tourism, sustainability, accessibility, and a virtuous visitor economy, the question remains — how do we generate the engagement and…
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Every destination faces social issues of some sort, but some issues are more prevalent than others due to location or region. For Yuma, Arizona, human trafficking is that issue. Human trafficking is not confined to Arizona, or even the U.S. — it is a global issue, with an estimated 27.6 million…
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Advertising guru David Ogilvy said it best in the 1950s: “The consumer is intelligent, the consumer will figure it out, the consumer will make wise choices.” The pressing need for destinations to communicate their authentic state of being has never been more apparent. Visitors in a world rebounding…
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The power of story and the power of place are inextricably linked. Stories have the ability to connect us, inspire us, inform us, and bridge understanding across diverse cultures and communities. The "Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island" is a five-episode podcast series that features Indigenous…
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If you’ve watched the rise of narrative-based generative artificial intelligence (AI), then you’re likely as conflicted about the long-term outcomes of this magnificent leap in computing technology as I am. On one hand, we have revered computer scientist and cognitive psychologist, Geoffrey Hinton…
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Destination DC's commitment to diversity and inclusion is sowing the seeds of a more vibrant and inclusive community of locals and visitors. Among noteworthy initiatives are its DEI Business Fellowship and an apprenticeship program for early career professionals through Tourism Diversity Matters. On…
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