The Social Web: Now Any Destination Can Play in the Big Time

Sheila Scarborough

Tourism Currents

Little Guys Win Online

So Where IS Everybody?

The Freak-Out Factor

Fear of the new Fear of tech But remember…. It’s the people,

not the tech

Making it up as you go

EDS ad

Social Web = Stories

3 places….3 stories

Hutchinson, Kansas: Cody

The state of Iowa: Jessica

Round Rock, Texas: Will and Brooks

Story 1 - What’s Up, Hutch?

Just a local guy….

Sure, he coaches son’s team

Awww, he likes puppies!

But he also sees possibilities

How can a small town….Be coolAvoid isolationAttract positive

attention• From locals• From others

His answer: the Social Web

Use the Web toFoster sense of

communitySupport local

eventsEnjoy the “little

things”• In town• In life

Why Hutch is already cool

Cosmosphere and Space Center

Downtown & 3rd Thursdays

Unique eateries Kansas State Fair Underground Salt

Museum

See Beyond the Obvious

#Hutch Blogger’s Fam Tour

Others now “get it”

Cosmosphere on Facebook

Get the biggies in there, too

Hey kids, let’s put on a play!

Ask the blogosphere

Impact: Downtown Third Thursdays

3rd Thurs of the month

First one: 19 people

Now, hundreds on Thursday

4000-6000 over the weekend

Hutch Takeaway

He has created a virtual Cheers for his town - “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”

Story 2 – Travel Iowa

OMG, I’m a Mommyblogger!

After that, Jessica took off….

….bringing the Iowa Tourism Office along with her.

She said, “Facebook!”

She said, “Twitter!”

What’s next for Iowa?

Maybe Flickr photo-sharing Group Pool

More interaction on Facebook Finding better measurement Constraint: she’s the only one

Iowa Takeaway

She is a Virtual Visitor’s Center for Iowa.

Story 3 – Will & Brooks

Personalize communications

….in the second–fastest growing city in the United States.

They’re All OVER it!

Killer App – Flickr Photos

Will Hampton on social media strategy

Will

Round Rock Takeaway

They are a Virtual Concierge for their city.

So, which would you rather visit?

A brochure, Web site or person?

The Social Web = people

Thanks very much!

Sheila Scarborough

@SheilaS on Twitter

sheila@tourismcurrents.com

WWW.TOURISMCURRENTS.COM

Photo Credits: all Sheila’s except…. Little guy frog:

snappybex, Flickr CC Freak-out eye: Annie in

Beziers, Flickr CC Enola the Welder:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Flickr CC

All Cody pics courtesy Cody Heitschmidt

Hutch bloggers & Third Thursday: Becky McCray on Facebook

All Jessica pics courtesy Jessica O’Riley

Locomotive courtesy Iowa Tourism

Round Rock Christmas, khowaga1, Flickr CC