About the Author

Bill Geist is the President of Zeitgeist Consulting, specializing in strategic planning, governance, convention center development and legislative issues for convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and communities. He also hosts the innovative new teleseminar series DMOU, designed for destination marketing and management professionals.

He has provided consulting services to over 85 Destination Marketing Organizations since 1995 and is a popular speaker on customer service, trends and marketing 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, Geist served as the President/CEO of the Greater Madison (WI) Convention & Visitors Bureau from 1990-1995. During his tenure, he served as 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, Geist 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.

Geist 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 President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Speakers Association, Vice-Chair of the Wisconsin Governor's Council on Tourism and a Board member of the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitors Bureaus.

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

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