Our People

Bill Geist • Chief Instigator
Bill Geist is the President of Zeitgeist Consulting, a firm specializing in strategic planning, governance, marketing and legislative issues for convention and visitor bureaus, tourism-focused chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and communities. Bill is the author of Destination Leadership for Boards and hosts the innovative teleseminar series DMOU, designed for destination marketing and management professionals.

He has provided consulting services to over 125 Destination Marketing Organizations since 1995 and is a popular speaker on marketing, trends and customer service across North America. He has also served as a guest lecturer on Internet Marketing at the University of Wisconsin's Small Business Development Center.

Prior to forming Zeitgeist Consulting, Bill served as the President/CEO of the Greater Madison (WI) Convention & Visitors Bureau from 1990-1995. During his tenure, he was the lead spokesperson and co-strategist for the successful public referendum fight to build the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Convention Center. He also succeeded in doubling the Bureau's sales and marketing budget and oversaw the launch of one of the Top 25 Marathons in the nation.

Before moving to the Madison CVB, Bill led the Kankakee County (IL) CVB and landed the first multi-year contract ever awarded for the American Power Boat Association's National Outboard Championships. Prior to his CVB work, he held various management and programming positions with broadcast media in the Chicago area.

Bill has served as the President of the Wisconsin Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Tourism Federation. Past associations have included stints as Vice-Chair of the Wisconsin Governor's Council on Tourism and the past Chair of the Wisconsin Professional Speakers Association.

Bill holds an Executive MBA from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Kenyon College.

Terri White • High Priestess of Client Services
Terri oversees the Zeitgeist offices and performs a wide range of support services including internet marketing assessments for select clients, destination research and client support. An accomplished meeting planner, she has coordinated such industry events as the Upper Midwest CVB Conference and the Wisconsin Fall Conference of Tourism & Events. Before joining Zeitgeist, Terri was a telemarketing trainer for Pleasant Company, makers of the American Girl dolls. She has also served as a Marketing Assistant and Client Advocate for a number of other firms in Wisconsin.

In a nutshell. Terri keeps the Zeitgeist operation running smoothly. You wanna schedule some time with Bill? Terri is the gatekeeper. Not because Bill thinks he’s a big deal…but because she can find him faster than you can. She’s also lots of fun to work with. Bottom line: you’re missing out on some laughs and hugs if you try to go around her…and, as Bill really wants to talk to you, she can make it happen faster than you can on your own.

ZEITGEIST CONSULTING
PO BOX 45445 - MADISON, WI 53744 - 608.836.8876