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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Union Station

I'm on the way to NY for the day. The main entrance of Union Station always throws me off because I always forget how cool this place looks, and in a way, seems so out of place in Washington.

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Written at 7:24 AM by Sebastien.
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Annapolis Tourism Board Uses Web2.0

Annapolis & Anne Arundel's CVB (Conference and Visitors Bureau) launched an interactive marketing campaign which leverages television and Web2.0. The $75,000 project is intended to "...immerse potential visitors in Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay experience so that we will be the no-brainer choice when they book their vacation" according to Connie Del Sigone, president & CEO of the CVB. This will be accomplished by utilizing Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr in addition to a 30 second spot on Fox Baltimore: WBFF-TV. This awareness campaign will last three months.

It is great to see that the inclusion of Web2.0 as an awareness tool is increasingly being integrated into online marketing strategies. My one criticism is that many organizations seem to take the traditional marketing approach towards Web2.0, hence a major component for success in the Web2.0 sphere is being overlooked; time.

Web2.0 platforms are organic, hence the number of friends/followerships you have is a direct correlation to the amount of time you invest in the platform be it Twitter - the number of interesting tweets you post regularly, Facebook - the amount of time you spend branding yourself and/or creating groups and pages in addition to updating them, YouTube - the number of good vids you put up, how often you upload and where you link/embed to, Flickr - joining groups and creating groups etc. Essentially the point I am trying to get to is, it takes time to build a quality community of followers, fans and friends so how is three months going to be enough time to do so?

Also, if the CVB was thinking about the full extent of Web2.0 possibilities the organization would not only make their Web2.0 initiative a permanent endeavor but they should leverage co-op program wherein they invite local businesses (hotels, restaurants, bars etc.) to buy into the Web2.0 program. This would not only leverage marketing dollars but would allow travelers to make use of the CVB site in a more revenue driven manner.

Take the annual boat race in Annapolis for example. This would be a good opportunity to try and get hotels, restaurants and boat outfitters involved. The Annapolis Marriott is right on the water, the boat outfitters are yards away and the restaurants are only three blocks away. With co-op marketing you can have the Marriott, the outfitters and the restaurant to buy into a package deal wherein if you stay at the Marriott for two nights (with an enticing lead rate available only through a specific Web2.0 platform) you get "X%" off the restaurant and the outfitter during the Annapolis boat race.

The thing is that this won't be enough, execution is so key. As I mentioned earlier, time is a huge factor in any Web2.0 strategy. Therefore, marketing the Annapolis Boat Race package should begin at least a month out. Start off by creating awareness, getting followers into the process of organizing the race and the CVB's experience throughout it (other special events etc.). Two-three weeks before the event send out the link to the package and have it direct to a specific landing page on the CVB site for more information, which would allow users to book through Marriott's booking engine. It is a way of monetizing the CVB's efforts and at the same time nourishing their Web2.0 initiative.

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Written at 10:28 AM by Sebastien.
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Monday, June 15, 2009
Brooklyn On A Sunday

I spent one night in Brooklyn for a friend's surprise birthday party this past weekend and I had a blast. One of my most favorite things to do in Brooklyn on a Sunday is go to brunch followed by a good cocktail at a bar that I have not been to yet.

This weekend, brunch was at Palo Santo (www.palosanto.com...amazing Mexican food - no not tacos and burritos, REAL Mexican food) and drinks were at BARN in Park Slope (http://www.flatbushfarm.com/). I had a drink which contained vodka, jäger, soda and earl grey tea. It was perfect for a summer day!

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Written at 10:37 AM by Sebastien.
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
Weekly Travels A La G-Maps: Uluru, aka Ayers Rock


Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru - Kata Tijuta National Park, Northern Territory, Central Australia

Although the name doesn't particularly mean anything, Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara (those who named Uluru) and Yankunytjatjara Aboriginals. To many of us non-Aussies, Uluru is one of the first things that pops into our minds when we think of Austalia.

Uluru stands at 1,142 ft (348 meters) and 5.8 miles (9.4km) in circumference with the majority of its structure below the ground. Geologically, Uluru is considered an inselberg or 'island mountain' - it is all that remains of a mountain range that has slowly eroded over time.


Once again, no street view but I wanted to show you how large Uluru is by comparison to the small town of Mutitjulu in the second picture.

Happy Travels!



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Written at 1:25 PM by Sebastien.
5 commentslinks to this post
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Stuck On the Way Home

Honestly, I should be used to this now, especially after my 24hr+ plus
fiasco in Managua airport, Nicaragua last November. The great thing
about being stuck in Bozeman airport, Montana is the sweet view...

....and the funny things this group of loud women golfers are saying.
I asked them where they were headed and they said Denver for a round
of 18 and then back. I made a comment that one of them packed really
light to which one of her friends responded "that's cuz she doesn't
pack underwear because she uses Febreeze."

To my international readers, Febreeze is a spray you use to keep
fabrics fresh.

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Written at 9:44 AM by Sebastien.
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Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Dinner in Livingston

So here is my dinner in beef country. When in Montana you HAVE to have
a steak. I am enjoying a 12oz sirloin with a glass of Tempeanillo.
Perfection.

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Written at 11:21 PM by Sebastien.
1 commentslinks to this post
Driving Through Montana

As I drove through Montana there was rushing water coming down from
the mountains. As the snow melts all the water comes down, uprooting
trees and on occasion spilling over roads causing them to shut down.
Regardless, I had to go check it out for myself and it was worth it!

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Written at 6:39 PM by Sebastien.
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My Map

This is the region I have been traveling. The map here is actually a
mosaic in the Buffalo Bill Historic Museum. I took this image from a
balcony.
Written at 5:56 PM by Sebastien.
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The Chamberlain Hotel

.....and then there is this Hotel Register. Look for the number 18 on
the left hand column. Who's signature do you see?
Written at 5:27 PM by Sebastien.
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The Chamberlain Hotel

I stayed at the historic Chamberlain Hotel in Cody, Wyoming. It is
such a beautiful hotel with lots of historic pieces like this set of
tiles...
Written at 5:25 PM by Sebastien.
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Pamphlet From Yellowstone

Written at 9:32 AM by Sebastien.
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Monday, June 01, 2009
Jakson Lake Lodge

Imagine waking up to the Grand Teton.
It is amazing here!
Written at 5:25 PM by Sebastien.
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Driving Into Jackson

The mountains on the way to Jakson Hole.
Written at 1:48 PM by Sebastien.
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Driggs, Idaho

Made it to Driggs, lots of Bison...statues at least.
Written at 12:19 PM by Sebastien.
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Teton Valley

In the Teton Valley making our way to Wyoming.
Written at 12:09 PM by Sebastien.
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Bear Cub Showing Off Some Moves

Written at 10:43 AM by Sebastien.
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Two Bear Cubs Wrestling

Written at 10:09 AM by Sebastien.
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Written at 9:48 AM by Sebastien.
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Written at 9:45 AM by Sebastien.
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Flew into Idaho Falls yesterday and I decided that I am going to send
images and posts throughout my journey. Right now we are headed from
Idaho Falls to Rexburg for breakfast.

The next couple of images I'll be posting are images of the falls from
my hotel room and some of bear cubs from at Bear World.

I'm on the run, so I sent this from my iPhone. Happy Travels!

Written at 9:43 AM by Sebastien.
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