1. VISIT BALTIMORE CUSTOMER ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

2. THE WEAPONIZATION OF TRAVEL
Bans and boycotts are increasingly popular tools for public officials, corporate leaders and grassroots activists to undermine the passage of controversial state legislation.
A COMPLEX ISSUE WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES:
“Lost another group yesterday due to travel bans…Unfortunately those governors and mayors who’ve put these bans in place are not motivated to lift them.” – DMO leader
“Some of the very people who were doing the boycotting were giving money to those they were boycotting.” – CVB leader

3. DON’T TAKE IT OUT ON TRAVEL TOOLKIT
Communications resources and best practices were developed to showcase the real-life consequences bans and boycotts have on people, businesses and communities.
MESSAGES:
MATERIALS:
The travel industry supports local jobs and revenue for the community.
Travel bans and boycotts unfairly hurt the industry and everyone in it.
The industry is all about hospitality and inclusion.
Positioning Your Destination to Weather a Crisis
Steps for Effective Crisis Response
Talking Points
Best Practices for Engaging Public Officials
Template Letter to the Editor
Sample Tweet Sheet
Sample Print Ads
Campaign Logo and Stock Photography

4. Ensure your media plans and processes are up to date.
PROACTIVE POSITIONING 1 2 3 4 5
Identify and engage stakeholders who influence state policymaking, including business leaders and the media.
Select a subset of stakeholders who may be willing to serve as third-party advocates for the industry.
Ensure your media plans and processes are up to date.
Develop turnkey materials that are reviewed in advance by leaders in your organization.
Discuss external factors that may impact your organization’s response, including political sensitivities.

5. FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSE
APPROACH
AUDIENCES
ACTIVITIES
Track A
Launch a public-facing campaign to protect and promote your destination.
Industry professionals
Small business owners
Corporate leaders
Legislators
General public (including boycotters and prospective visitors)
Industry mobilization
Statewide coalition and third-party engagement
Multi-channel communications including earned, social and paid media as well as thought leadership and events
Track B
Use a closed-door strategy to resolve the issue quickly and quietly.
Business Owners
Industry education
Face-to-face meetings with decision makers in business and government (directly through your organization or indirectly through customer and association lobbyists)

6. HUMANIZING CREATIVE