Leadership
"If You Build a Place" Turns 15
It was 15 years ago that the Irving CVB’s Maura Gast stood on the stage in Atlanta at the Annual Convention of what is now Destinations International and spoke the words ”If you build a place…”
And, in the ensuing 15 years, that video has inspired countless DMOs to re-examine their mandate to include economic development, quality of life and new resident acquisition. It challenged us to, as Rafiki said, ”look harder” at our role and responsibility to our community.
I shot that video because the then-DMAI had stopped its practice of recording sessions…and I thought Maura might like a remembrance of her speech. Little did either of us know that I would capture lightning in a bottle that afternoon. And, those words would become mantra for our sector (for more of the back story, go here).
Maura, you changed the trajectory of Destination Marketing forever. And while the Destinations International Hall of Fame now requires a 2-year waiting period after retirement to be considered for induction…I think we all can agree there needs to be a waiver granted in your case. As in, the day after you hang up your skates, you’re in.
Thank you for all you’ve done for our sector. We love you.
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