Canada-E-Connect video interview with Jeremy Gutsche, Trendhunter.com

I had a chance to catch up with Jeremy Gutsche from Trendhunter.com Magazine, after his presentation at the Canada-e-connect Conference in Vancouver. I asked him what small activity and tour operators could do to increase the popularity of their activities. Jeremy re-iterated that if you want to make your story and brand more compelling, you must relentlessly obsess about your story and focus on making your value proposition different and more interesting than your competition. Here is the quick interview with Jeremy and a copy of his powerpoint presentation. In case you’re wondering,... Read more »

Canada-E-Connect video interview with Darren Johner

This is a interview Darren Johner, the webmaster for Tourism Vancouver. I was introduced to Darren through Phil Caines, who works for me at Rezgo.com. Phil used to work with Tourism Vancouver before working at Rezgo. According to Darren, the biggest take away from the Canada-e-connect conference is the sense of collaboration and community. Sphere: Related Content Read More →

Canada-E-Connect video interview with William Bakker

This is a great little vignette with William Bakker, the head of E-Commerce for Tourism BC. William is also one of the contributors to the “Tips from the T-List” book and an all round great guy. He is also one of the expert panelists at the the first ever blogger workshop and summit at the PhoCusWright Conference 2007 in Orlando, Florida. Look for more content about that later in the day. You can view his blog at http://www.wilhelmus.ca. Sphere: Related Content Read More →

Canada-E-Connect video interview with Butch Langlois

I had the opportunity to meet with Butch Langlois from PlanetEye.com, the innovative travel startup that won the Canada-E-Connect Entrepreneurial Spotlight. Butch and I talked a lot about start-ups, financing and what it takes to be successful in a highly competitive marketplace. PlanetEye.com looks like a really exciting site and I wish Butch the best of luck with the project. Sphere: Related Content Read More →

Blog to Book - A Recap of the T-List Book Project

Well, it had to happen eventually. Thanks to the efforts of all the members of the T-List, the overwhelming support we got from the contributors, and the team at Rezgo, we have been asked to participate in the first ever Blogger Summit and Workshop at the PhoCusWright conference in Orlando. I have to give a big thanks to Jens Thraenhart without whom this project would have not been as widely publicized. Jens introduced the idea to many of his contacts around the World and promoted it through his T-List Facebook group. To give you a quick rundown on how quickly a diverse group can collaborate... Read more »

DMOs should focus on web initiatives

I read a post today by Joe Buhler about the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the excellent job being done by Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace. The part of the post that resonated the most with me is the following quote: “What I also applaud him for is the strong focus on web based initiatives to get the message out and stimulate market demand. It is today the most effective means of communications with any audience. Also, the tight integration of information with a direct online booking functionality for the entire region will only increase the effectiveness of effort and improve the ROI of... Read more »

Tips from the T-List Update - Submissions already rolling in!

I am happy to report that the “Tips from the T-List” project is well under way and we are already receiving submissions. So far we have received submissions from France, the U.K., Netherlands, Canada, and the U.S. Many of the submissions are excellent, but we would remind contributors that the purpose of the book is to provide “Insider” experience and expertise in how online technology can benefit travel and tourism. If you are a general travel blogger for experience, it may make more sense to write a post about how your blogging experience or expertise has helped increase... Read more »

Sneak Peek at the Cover Design for "Tips from the T-List"

Here is a sneak peek at the cover for the “Tips from the T-List” book that I am publishing for the upcoming Canada-e-connect conference. Click on the image for a larger view. Sphere: Related Content Read More →

Consent Form for Publication in Tips from the T-List

I, ________________________________________________the undersigned, give my consent for my photograph and contribution to be published in Tips from the T-List. I have seen and read the material to be published. I understand the following: Tips from the T-List is freely available on the web. Hence, anyone anywhere in the world can read material published. Readers include executives, managers, and business people but also journalists and other members of the public. My name, photo, brief profile, and website url will be published and, therefore, I will be recognizable. I retain the... Read more »

Celebrating the T-List in Print

Jens Thraenhart and I are spearheading an initiative to publish a book for the Canada-e-connect conference on November 7-9 in Vancouver. The book is titled “Tips from the T-List” and will be a collection of 100 (or so) of the best posts from T-List bloggers. The audience for the book is executives, marketers, and decision makers from DMOs, tour operators, and large intermediaries from across Canada. The book is a promotional piece and will not be sold. I wanted to publish the book because I think the power of collective thought and collaboration is intensified when it is condensed... Read more »