In August, Constitutional Amendment 7 will be on the ballot in Missouri, asking voters whether to impose a 10-year, three-quarters of a cent, state-wide sales tax for transportation. The measure says it will raise $480 million annually for the state and $54 million annually for cities and counties.

Without getting into the substance of the debate on tax policy, I do encourage you to pay attention to your community’s conversations about the proposed projects and the discussion about the important issue of how transportation is funded in

One way or another, we are all project managers. On a daily basis we may be charged with anything from managing strategy and the long-range plan to the details of individual task management.

Either way, it all equals project management in the end. Everyone deals with objectives,

budgets, deadlines and has numerous people to loop-in and please along the way. Here are a few things I like to keep in mind to help me be a successful project manager.

Scope

It is helpful to constantly remind yourself of your goals. What are you trying to accomplish? Have your objectives changed or evolved? It’s easy for momentum to divert a project down an unplanned

The Monthly Newsletter of the Missouri Division of Tourism

The Travel VanH&L Partners

In June, Google launched Google My Business, a tool focused on tying together all Google-related marketing efforts, including Google Search, Maps and Google+. By

combining all points of

reference for brands, the search engine endeavors to streamline its services for small businesses and

simplify profile management.For businesses in the tourism industry, My Business is an immensely valuable tool to ensure that destination locations, hours, reviews and information are coordinated across Google.

To take advantage of this new, free tool, first sign up or verify your current profile (moved from Google Places) at www.google.com/business.

Director’s Message

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July 2014

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Make plans to Show Your Spirit in St. Louis this October - Oct. 7-9 to be exact - for Missouri’s 46th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism! The newly renovated Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel is this year’s conference headquarters. Reservations are ready for booking – just click here to reserve your room at the $95 conference rate.

Take a tour of some of St. Louis’ most interesting places! We’ll end the first day with a rollicking good time at the Welcome Reception,sponsored by SteadyRain, with transportation pro-vided by the St. Louis CVC.Start your Wednesday with friends,

both old and new, at the Missouri Travel Council-sponsored breakfast and exhibitor trade show before heading to the first of many informative educational sessions. Greg Stubblefield, Peter Pantuso and Katie Steele Danner will lead with a lively keynote session.

Greg Stubblefield, chief strategy officer and executive vice-president, Enterprise Holdings and president, National & Alamo Rent-a-Car, serves on the U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Directors, the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and chairs

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July 21-23, 2014DMAILas Vegas, Nev.

Aug. 7-17, 2014Missouri State FairSedalia, Mo.

Aug. 22-26, 2014SYTA Annual ConferenceToronto, Canada

Aug. 24-26, 2014ESTOLouisville, Ky.

Sept. 3-4, 2014HSMAI MEET NationalWashington, D.C.

Sept. 16, 2014Joint Meeting Planners’ TradeshowJefferson City, Mo.

Oct. 7-9, 2014Governor’s Conference on TourismSt. Louis, Mo.

Oct. 20-22, 2014TTRA Marketing Outlook ForumAtlanta, Ga.

Nov. 13-15, 2014TEAMS ConferenceLas Vegas, Nev.

Coming Events

Got a news item for us to include next month? Send details and contact info to: Mary.Oberreither@ded.mo.gov

Then, take advantage of its greatest features:

Profile Management

Google Places, the search engine’s free digital profile for businesses, has shifted to My Business. Moving forward, all company information exists within this new tool. This shift creates an opportunity for companies to ensure their organization’s information is correct and adheres to brand standards.

Required details include a phone number, address, hours of operation and website URL. Photos of your

building, products and services help entice searchers to learn more about your business. Don’t forget to optimize your listing with relevant keywords. All of these details show up in a local search, whether through traditional search or via Maps, so the more information you have, the better.

Google+ Integration

Google encourages businesses to focus on gaining positive ratings and reviews via their social network, Google+, because this information is displayed in search results. This includes +1s, so be sure to focus your strategy on accumulating as many as you can.

Frequent, high-quality posts play a major role in a strong Google+

strategy. Balance self-promotional posts with other curated pieces of information to create value for your audience. Remember: images regularly out-perform other types of information, so use images often.

Google Search Strategies

Google’s My Business tool has the potential to be a valuable asset for tourism-based businesses; however, it only supplements an existing digital marketing strategy. It can’t possibly replace it. Maintain focus on ranking well in Google’s search results with comprehensive search engine optimization efforts. Supplement your efforts with online tactics such as pay-per-click campaigns, social media man-agement and email marketing.

Interested in supercharging you web marketing?

Click here to find out how!

Missouri. If passed, this tax will begin in January 2015. During the 10-year period, Missouri may not implement toll roads, or raise the state fuel tax above the current 17 cents per gallon (which applies to both gasoline and diesel).

The Missouri Highways and Trans-

portation Commission released a draft list of the transportation projects and improvements that will be funded if this tax passes. The public has until 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3, to comment on this draft list. After all public comments are reviewed, the draft list will be updated and approved by the MoDOT Commission at its July 9 meeting.

Proposed new revenues can be used for any transportation purpose – not just roads and

bridges – as prioritized regionally. As tourism leaders in your communities, I hope you are at the table as an important stakeholder in these discussions.

Airport improvements, shoulder additions and bridge replacements, transit, ports, greenway trails, improvements to Amtrak stations and bicycle-pedestrian facilities are all being prioritized. Be sure to share how any changes might impact the travel experience of your visitors.

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the Board’s Marketing, Outreach and Coordination subcommittee. He leads the strategic growth of the Enterprise, National and Alamo brands, as well as the expansion of the company’s global franchise network. Also, he oversees Enterprise Holdings’ Marketing & Communications organization and the company’s global sustainability strategy.

As president of the American Bus Association (ABA), as well as the National Bus Traffic Association and the American Bus Association Foundation, Pete Pantuso manages the association’s daily operations, including government affairs; policy; communications; meetings and education programs; publications, including ABA’s award- winning magazine, Destinations; membership programs and budgeting and personnel.

Katie Steele Danner, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, has emerged as a trusted expert on the

travel and tourism industry in Missouri. Director since 2009, she is responsible for shaping the division’s strategy and vision with the ultimate goal to grow market share by drawing more visitors – and the spend and tax revenue they generate – to and within Missouri.

At the conference, be ready for an interactive and engaging 90- minutes of fun, and education, with generational expert Hannah Ubl on Thursday! A millennial herself, Hannah is passionate about helping people of all ages understand one another. A graduate of Boston University (she studied advertising and environmental science,) Hannah heads up BridgeWorks’ social media efforts. She is an avid researcher, uncovering valuable tips and actionable solutions for multi-generational workplaces.

Also, we listened to what several 2010 conference attendees had to say about Randy Dean:

“Wonderful, useful, energetic, practical.”“Randy was excellent and info was useful for everyone thanks!”“Great info and great speaker.

Would like to hear more.” “Outstanding! Great material; even better presentation; please have back!”

So … Randy Dean, MBA, author of the Amazon best-seller, “Taming the E-mail Beast,” and professional speaker and sought-after expert on time, e-mail and technology management, will make a repeat conference appearance for what we know will be an energy-packed, highly informative session!

We hope this sneak peek at some of the activities and professional speakers offered at this year’s Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism will entice you to Show Your Spirit with us in St. Louis this October!

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path. Sometimes, the evolution can lead to a better product, but if you aren’t cognizant of the changes and don’t take the time to adjust your budget and timeline accordingly, things can get out of control fast. Also, spending valuable time heading down a path that won’t help to achieve your goals can be costly. Either way, a constant reminder of what you’ve set out to accomplish can help keep things in check.

Quality

The title “project manager” can get a bad wrap. It can be associated with being pushy and just trying to check things off the list. I like to remind myself it is important to be as invested in the quality of the end product as meeting a deadline or staying on budget. It’s all a

balancing act. To be the most successful, everything needs to be considered.

Cost

If we aren’t keeping all of these factors in mind, unforeseen costs can sneak up on us. So make a budget and stick to it. Then, anytime something changes, and inevitably something will, you must make sure the budget is balanced along the way. If the budget is constantly referenced, we are less likely to be surprised by cost differences down the line.

Time

In the end, we have to get it done – on time. Maybe we’ll get lucky and get a little wiggle room, but time is always a factor. It’s important to assess the time restrictions up front, so we can set ourselves up for success. Ask if the time constraints

are reasonable. If yes, then set up a plan to complete the project by the deadline, including milestones you need to hit along the way. These milestones help us gauge our progress so we aren’t left scrambling at the last minute.

Relationship

Are you successful if you deliver an awesome product on time and on budget, but everyone on your team dislikes you? Eh, probably not. It’s important to communicate objectives clearly and support your team along the way. Troubleshoot with your team and help them navigate around the roadblocks. Always keep the stakeholders in the loop on progress and share successes and possibly difficulties. Open communication helps avoid surprises and builds successful relationships. It’s all a group effort and every role is essential.

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A vacation at Table Rock State Park includes the opportunity to enjoy award-winning fishing and boating. The park earns the No. 9 spot on the Top 100 Family Friendly Places to Boat and Fish in the U.S., according to the Take Me Fishing website.

The Take Me Fishing campaign was initiated by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. A nationwide vote resulted in a list of the best family friendly places to boat and fish for families and outdoor enthusiasts

The Table Rock State Park Marina is designated a “Clean Marina,” the first such distinction earned by a marina in Missouri. The voluntary enrollment program by Ozarks Water Watch and the Missouri Stream Team Watershed Coalition, piloted on Table Rock Lake is funded in part by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Table Rock Lake Marina Association.

The program recognizes marinas with an official designation status for being good stewards of the environment and taking steps to protect water quality. In order to receive the designation, Mitch

Schupp, marina manager, and his staff prepared the marina based upon environmental Best Management Practices and implemented a variety of environmentally friendly procedures and practices.

Numerous water recreation options are offered at the park’s marina, including boat and PWC rentals, parasailing, catamaran sailboat excursions, scuba diving and fishing guides. New at the marina for 2014, is Flyboarding. A Flyboard allows guests to hover, ascend, and descend over the water

with great range of movement. For details and schedules for services offered at the marina, visit StateParkMarina.com.

Table Rock State Park, located six miles west of the Hollister exit on Taney County 165, offers something for everyone. Camping areas allow easy access to the lake, hiking and mountain bike trails. A variety of shelters and picnic areas help make the park an ideal place for playing in and around the lake’s clear waters. You can’t help but enjoy a trip to Table Rock State Park.

Guests at Table Rock State Park Enjoy Award-Winning Boating and Fishing

Table Rock State Park Marina is the first in the state to receive the distinction of “Clean Marina,” which means it is a good steward of the environment and it takes steps to protect water quality.

Has a hotel in your area recently been named to a best-of list in a Midwest regional or national publication? Did a program on your favorite TV network recently spotlight one of your area’s restaurants as a can’t-miss eatery? Has your city been lauded as a bucket-list destination by a well-known travel writer?

If you answered “yes” to any of

these questions, MDT wants to know the details!

When a tourism-related business in your market is named to a regional, national or international “best of” list, please send news of that posting (a web link works just fine) to Stephen.Foutes@ded.mo.gov and Elise.Eimer@ded.mo.gov.

The next time we mention that business in a news release, VisitMO article or blog post, we’ll be sure to include a notation about the recognition. While we’re always glad to hear good news about Missouri attractions and destinations, please submit only those honors bestowed by multi-state, national or international media outlets (which includes large metro newspapers).

Share Your Community’s Accolades with MDT