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The
New Glass Ceiling With last week’s announcement that Christopher Bowers had been named CEO of the Chicago CTB, the industry joke mill has been churning (“Retired United Airlines executives don’t die, they take over CVBs, etc.).
Oh sure, there are some notable exceptions like Maura Gast, Melvin Tennent, Dale Lockett and Tom Galyon. But, from Lansing to Hagarstown and Providence to Cleveland, the new CEOs come from outside our industry. Some are even from outside the hospitality and travel industry! Is there a new “Glass Ceiling” in play? One that has nothing to do with race, gender or age? One in which Destination Management professionals that have worked their way from small markets up to senior management in Tier Two CVBs are increasingly being denied the top posts in top markets? I’m not saying that this is a bad thing. As HP’s Carly Fiorina says, bringing in outside (and not always industry-based) ideas is what keeps her corporation fresh and innovative. Phil Jones is applying his experience from Louisiana in State branding to reinvent the way Dallas does business. Leslie Doggett brings her experience from the Department of Commerce and a stint in the private sector to shake things up in Baltimore. And Brian Whiting brings a decidedly unique point of view to Providence after working for PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Something tells me that these (and other CVB CEOs that come from outside the DMO world) will do just fine. But, from a purely selfish point of view, industry veterans that have toiled long and hard in the CVB mines should be concerned. The glass ceiling is sliding inexorably into place. What is the industry veteran waiting for their shot at the brass ring to do? A look at the American Presidential Primaries holds a clue. What was the rap on Howard Dean after his primal scream? He didn’t look “Presidential.” Do you? Today’s DMO Boards are becoming increasingly stocked with exactly the kind of people we’ve always wanted and needed on our Boards…power brokers. People who intimately understand leadership and expect it from their CEOs in these high stakes times. People who aren’t looking for wonks that know the Bureau business and how to put heads in beds but, rather, for charismatic professionals that can lead and command respect throughout the community. If you think you’re ready for a shot at the majors, I don’t doubt that you know the Bureau business inside and out. But you need to know so much more…and exude that knowledge wherever you go. Get more significantly involved in your community. Work with a mentor to build your awareness of how the power elite think. And start acting presidential in everything you do (except how you interact with interns and stubborn foreign powers). Walking the walk and talking the talk of the captains of industry will place you in a better position from which to compete for the top spot. For, when the Search Committee looks at you, they’ll see themselves. And that’s who they’re hiring these days. Bill Wanna comment on this or other topics. E-mail Me!
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ZEITGEIST
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For
those not keeping score over the past nine months, former United VPs
have now snared the top spots in