Destination Marketing Today 7/26/2022
Joining us in our latest Thought Leadership Interview is Joe Veneto, Chief Experience Officer of Veneto Collaboratory.
If you have ever wanted to know how a DMO can transform a destination from a collection of things into a must visit destination visitors want to experience again and again, Joe has the answer.
THE SHIFT FROM PASSIVE TO ACTIVE ON FULL DISPLAY IN NEW ENGLAND
Big Picture
Instrument makers from around New England will be front and center at this year’s Lowell Folk Festival.
Details
At Crafting Sound: Building and Restoring Musical Instruments, festival-goers can:
- discover how a range of acoustic instruments are made,
- meet craftspeople whose expertise includes fine woodworking and metalsmithing, and
- learn how sound resonates and travels.
Attendees can also learn about the making of world class pipe organs that fill concert halls; uilleann pipes that enliven Irish music seisuns; Middle Eastern ouds; Hardanger fiddles and violin bows that spur on dancers; traditional Puerto Rican revived tiples and cuatros and Trinidad’s steel pans that evoke the Caribbean.
Musicians will be on hand throughout the weekend to demonstrate the sounds of some of these instruments.
Group Effort
The Lowell Folk Festival is produced by the Lowell Festival Foundation, the City of Lowell, Lowell National Historical Park, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Always a good strategy to engage visitors beyond being a spectator! I’ve seen similar concepts – such as an instrument zoo at the local symphony – but Lowell takes it to the next level with education, entertainment, esthetic and immersion.
LEARN TO SCULPT THE FAMOUS BUTTER COW
Big Picture
One of the most popular exhibits at the Iowa State Fair is the iconic butter cow. Now the Des Moines Public Library is offering patrons the opportunity to try their hand at the art of sculpting with butter.
Details
The library is offering two sessions where participants can learn from butter cow sculptor Sarah Pratt.
Each participant will receive their own stick of butter to sculpt. Afterward, they can take their art home with them or give it to Pratt to be mixed in with this year’s fair exhibit.
Pratt became the fifth sculptor of the butter cow and other figures in 2006 after Norma “Duffy” Lyon retired. Lyon died in 2011. The butter cow was first introduced to the Iowa State Fair in 1911.
What is the iconic thing in your destination that can become part of the maker economy?
A PASSPORT PROGRAM TELLS THE STORY OF A DESTINATION IN TAMPA BAY
Big Picture
Tampa Bay is relaunching ‘Bay Crafted’, its craft beer campaign aimed at driving new and repeat tourists to the region.
Details
The Tampa Bay region has the greatest concentration of craft breweries in Florida. Bay Crafted tells the story of Tampa Bay’s authentic craft beer scene to vacation-seekers who are searching for a unique destination that offers adventurous activities with a laidback vibe.
In a video posted on the website, local brewers discuss the growth of the Tampa area’s craft beer industry, growing from two local breweries to 46 in 20 years.
Bay Crafted will share messages about Tampa Bay breweries through social media and influencer campaigns, as well as share visitors’ own brewery adventures.
And Also…
Tourists also have the opportunity to take advantage of the new digital Bay Crafted Pass.
Participants can save the pass on their phone’s home screen and check in at 21 potential spots, including local breweries and distilleries. They can then earn prizes at the Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center after visiting four, eight and 12 locations.