Bowman believes Raleigh covets its neighbor's house.

• Position: Reyn Bowman

Reyn Bowman is the Rodney Dangerfield of convention-and-visitors-bureau chiefs. As president of the Durham CVB, he says his city doesn't get any respect. What's eating him these days? Nearby Raleigh is a "city obsessed with Durham's assets," and Wake and Orange county residents are "geographically challenged." As for people who say mean things about his adoptive home, Bowman adds, "if you can't say something informed, why say anything at all?"

After years of Durham's taking a back seat to Raleigh, Bowman has had it. The last straw was a poll the Durham CVB sponsored in 1995. More than half the Wake and Orange county residents surveyed said they had "a positive personal experience with Durham," but 40% had heard bad things about it from friends. More than 70% had a negative or uncertain impression.

To make matters worse, more than 60% thought Research Triangle Park is in Raleigh, and 11% weren't sure. Only 27% knew most of RTP is in Durham County.

Bowman, 47, insists Durham's bum rap is more than just an excuse to squabble with Raleigh. Convention planners and relocating businesses make important decisions based on what locals say. Bowman says the cost to Durham "is in the millions." So he has launched a campaign to inform the media and a "self-defense" marketing...