Some have said, “Be careful what you wish for,” and taking that thought one step further, I would add, “Be careful what you wish for and think of, for both could well come true.”
One of my first speaking engagements in Carlsbad occurred in August 2001, when I was invited to come before the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club and speak about a topic that is near and dear to me: tourism. I remember the challenge I found myself faced with; whether to discuss the machinations of a destination marketing organization, or talk about a topic of immediate bearing have a greater impact? I chose the latter.
Standing before the group of local business leaders, I began my remarks by asking if anyone had heard of that day's late breaking news. The “news,” as it were, had not yet leaked out about the massive spill of 2 million gallons of untreated sewage on one of our beaches.
“And, if that's not enough to swallow,” I said, “Today, the EPA has also discovered a hazardous spill that is buried near one of our major resorts.”
I had everyone's attention immediately. In fact, several Rotarians were already rising out of their chairs before I had the chance to say, “What I told you, has not happened. This is my segue into today's presentation: When Bad Things Happen to Good Places.”
You may remember that in 2001 the world was faced with a near epidemic scourge of hoof-and-mouth disease, and that the United Kingdom seemed to be taking the brunt of that outbreak. Tourism officials in the UK had already projected losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Not to mention the growing violence in Jamaica, and the political unrest in the Philippines. Again, millions lost due to traveler anxiety. Oh, and one can not forget the aerial view CNN gave us of those “menacing” sharks cruising the waters off Florida's beaches in 2001.
Sewage spills are no laughing matter, even if they occur in a contained environment such as the Buena Vista Lagoon. Birding is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities for travelers, and Carlsbad boasts some of the finest lagoons in California. Arizona, Oregon, Washington and California are leading the way in birding, and our own community has seen value in maintaining healthy, vibrant and accessible lagoons. In fact, our newest Visitor Guide, will catalogue our lagoons and hiking trails by saying that, “Over 185 species of birds can be seen here throughout the year. The lagoon [Batiquitos] is a destination for serious and casual birdwatchers, artists, and naturalists.”
Although we were spared a visitor meltdown because our beaches were not contaminated by the event in April, the idea should never be lost that Carlsbad is not immune to these acts of nature and mishaps.
And, it's a safe bet that I will never use one-line openers in my remarks that tempt the Gods. The unthinkable is just not worth it.
One of my first speaking engagements in Carlsbad occurred in August 2001, when I was invited to come before the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club and speak about a topic that is near and dear to me: tourism. I remember the challenge I found myself faced with; whether to discuss the machinations of a destination marketing organization, or talk about a topic of immediate bearing have a greater impact? I chose the latter.
Standing before the group of local business leaders, I began my remarks by asking if anyone had heard of that day's late breaking news. The “news,” as it were, had not yet leaked out about the massive spill of 2 million gallons of untreated sewage on one of our beaches.
“And, if that's not enough to swallow,” I said, “Today, the EPA has also discovered a hazardous spill that is buried near one of our major resorts.”
I had everyone's attention immediately. In fact, several Rotarians were already rising out of their chairs before I had the chance to say, “What I told you, has not happened. This is my segue into today's presentation: When Bad Things Happen to Good Places.”
You may remember that in 2001 the world was faced with a near epidemic scourge of hoof-and-mouth disease, and that the United Kingdom seemed to be taking the brunt of that outbreak. Tourism officials in the UK had already projected losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Not to mention the growing violence in Jamaica, and the political unrest in the Philippines. Again, millions lost due to traveler anxiety. Oh, and one can not forget the aerial view CNN gave us of those “menacing” sharks cruising the waters off Florida's beaches in 2001.
Sewage spills are no laughing matter, even if they occur in a contained environment such as the Buena Vista Lagoon. Birding is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities for travelers, and Carlsbad boasts some of the finest lagoons in California. Arizona, Oregon, Washington and California are leading the way in birding, and our own community has seen value in maintaining healthy, vibrant and accessible lagoons. In fact, our newest Visitor Guide, will catalogue our lagoons and hiking trails by saying that, “Over 185 species of birds can be seen here throughout the year. The lagoon [Batiquitos] is a destination for serious and casual birdwatchers, artists, and naturalists.”
Although we were spared a visitor meltdown because our beaches were not contaminated by the event in April, the idea should never be lost that Carlsbad is not immune to these acts of nature and mishaps.
And, it's a safe bet that I will never use one-line openers in my remarks that tempt the Gods. The unthinkable is just not worth it.