ESTO 2018 Highlights

The U.S. Travel Association’s annual ESTO conference is one of our favorite industry events and this year Tempest was proud to sponsor the Destiny and Mercury awards lounge.

Jake, Derek and I had a blast networking, attending conference sessions, and exploring beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. Here are some of the top ESTO 2018 Highlights that we took home from this valuable industry event.

Esto 2018 Highlights

1. Dustin Garis and #Lifeprofit

In his keynote, Dustin Garis tried to answer the age old question of “Where does the time go?” Garis shared that when you have the same routine day after day, your brain loses the ability to truly remember things. To live a more memorable and enjoyable life, Garis called on attendees to shake up their routines and to try new things to build up "life profit" in the form of more memorable life expereinces.  Destination marketers are a big part of this  conversation, because DMOs help leisure and business travelers build #lifeprofit through new and memorable events and experiences. Now #lifeprofit is a key part of our office vernacular (thanks Dustin!) You can check out Garis' full TEDx Talk below:

2. Dinner at elements with NCSTD

Jake enjoyed attending The National Council of State Tourism Directors Member/Alumni dinner at elements at Sanctuary Resort. This delicious dinner featured gorgeous views of the valley and a cooking demo by celebrity chef Beau MacMillan. 

3. The Expanding Role of DMOs

From attending sessions and speaking with peers and partners in the industry, a recurring theme was the expanding role of DMOs beyond sales and marketing. Future-facing DMOs are focusing more on destination development, destination management, and community engagement. We expect that this trend will continue over the next five years or so as more DMOs become willing to step up and be leaders within their communities. 

If you Go . . . Our Phoenix Travel Recommendations

• Hit the fairway! 
  There are so many amazing golf courses in the Phoenix area. After hearing Dustin Garis’ talk on creating more memorable life experiences, one member of our team members allegedly found time to build up more #lifeprofit on the golf course with some DMO friends!

• Hike Piestewa Peak
  We heard rave reviews from a group of our friends who went on a nighttime hike up Piestewa Peak and loved it! This hike is on our must-do list for the next trip back to Phoenix. It's one of the highest summits in the city and offers amazing views. 

• Visit OHSO Brewery
  This local nano-brewery and distillery was a fun stop for getting a taste of Phoenix's local brews and spirits. If you are a craft beverage nerd, then OHSO is worth a stop on your next visit.

We look forward to seeing everyone at next year's conference!