Burnout and the Future of Travel and Tourism - A Conference Keynote Recap
What happens when a group of awesome states get together to talk about travel, tourism and data?! Well, you get the CenStates Travel and Tourism Research Association Annual Conference held in St. Joseph’s, MIssouri at the Stoney Creek Hotel!
This conference brought together folks from Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Texas to discuss the latest data trends, actions, DEI Initiatives, and realities facing so many CVBs and DMOs.
CVBs = Convention and Visitors Bureaus
DMOs = Destination Management Organizations
Put on by the CenStates TTRA Chapter, this 2-day conference kicked off with an awesome happy hour and welcome reception sponsored by The Missouri Division of Tourism at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph’s, Missouri.
With their cool speakeasy room and new and old friends alike I heard it was a great party. (Thanks to American Airlines I didn’t get to make it but I totally understand - the friendly skies are wildly lately!!)
The next morning the conference kicked off with hearing from President Ashley Garoutte of H2R Market Research who rolled right into the Missouri address from Stephen Foutes, of the Missouri Division of Tourism. Missouri’s got a lot going on from live music to a booming food scene, history and more - my trip was too short and I can’t wait to go back!
As their keynote speaker for this year’s regional conference, the committee brought me in to deliver my signature keynote speech Burning at Both Ends and I’ll tell you the room was ELECTRIC! We laughed, we cried, and we laughed till we cried!
I heard first hand how convention and visitor bureau professionals are seeing burnout in their communities, on their teams, and feeling it in themselves. Addressing why burnout happens and how to heal it, we dove into professional and personal things - and as one attendee told me, “We came out feeling better, lighter and a little bit less alone.” Goal achieved!
When you devote your life to serving others - it’s bound to happen. As I shared with the members:
Burnout doesn’t happen to just anyone - it happens to high performers who care!
There was so much heart in that room I hated to leave, but was able to stick around for lunch and enjoy some of that famous BBQ that region of the country is known for and emcee the introduction of their Board of Directors for the 2021 CenStates TTRA. Plus I got to see their Executive Director Cathi Wineland be awarded the President's Award!
Volunteering on a board is hard work, important work, and sometimes thankless work, but this incredible group did a great job honoring the professionals that spend time, and energy to make this conference the leader in Central State travel and tourism research. Celebrating volunteers, boards and association professionals matters - if you don’t already have awards as part of your conference, annual meeting or sales summit, consider adding some appreciation to your agenda!
As I drove away from St. Joseph, thinking about Stetson hats,🤠 the Pony Express and all of my new friends at CenStates Tourism, I couldn’t help but think about how it’s really true - everywhere I go the best part of a place is the people!
Destinations, cities, communities, towns, and experiences all over the world are supported and maintained by incredible professionals so if you happen to meet a passionate professional for your local CVB - Thank them!
It’s because of them that we have visitors, tourists, and raving fans all over the world who know just how great where we’re from really is.
I know I’m a fan of these folks and can’t wait to be back in The Great State of Missouri!
Interested in having Rachel speak to your association on burnout prevention? Wanting Rachel to come and motivate your hotel partners and CVB teams? Let’s chat - contact us today!