Tourism Heads and Their Tales: Recent Episodes
Eddy Alexander
Tourism Heads and their Tales is a podcast featuring interviews and conversation with today’s tourism leaders and influencers, and explores how they are shaping the future of travel and tourism. Hosted by Bob Gilbert who, for over three decades, has focused on the ever changing dynamics of travel and tourism.
Bob Gilbert is the general manager for the tourism and destination marketing practice at the award-winning strategic marketing agency, Eddy Alexander. He has had the privilege of working with iconic brands including Disney, Choice Hotels, National Parks Service, Kennedy Space Center, and Best Western International. In addition, he has served on various committees, industry boards, even an elected commissioner for Visit California.
During his extensive career, he has met with world leaders and many wonderful colleagues who, in their own ways, are pushing the industry forward, improving communities around the globe, and using tourism to increase understanding, access, and quality of life for those who work in travel and those that love to travel.
It’s time for a freshly brewed episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today we welcome a leader in the DMO world with a very interesting journey. Today, Victoria Isley is the President & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Over her 29-year career, she has represented destinations including the island of Bermuda; Washington, DC; Tampa Bay, Florida and Durham, and now Asheville, North Carolina. Listen as Vic discusses the biggest challenges facing Asheville and how she is addressing them. Hear Vic describe that tapping into the community with over 300 listening sessions that really helped shape and form the stories. Discover the tremendous financial impact of the Visitor Economy and the related vibrant growth of the River Arts District. Vic's stories highlight the essentials of environmental stewardship and the crucial lessons she's learned in forging partnerships amidst seemingly conflicting agendas. This episode is packed with valuable insights from a destination leader that we can all learn from. Tune in and don't miss out on the chance to gain from Vic's thought leadership!
Welcome to a fresh edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today’s guest is Anne Sayers. Anne was named Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in March of 2023. Secretary Sayers has led the agency since December of 2020 after first serving as the Deputy Secretary since January 2019.
Hear Anne articulate the vision and strategy driving Wisconsin as a premier destination in a competitive landscape. Listen as Anne goes beyond the economic impact and how Wisconsin has been able to attract major national conferences, iconic sporting events, the 2025 NFL Draft, popular TV show’s like Bravo’s Top Chef series and more. Understand how communities get involved and participate in innovative co-op programs. Anne shares the Four Pillars behind the Wisconsin brand and how the state is full of surprises. We learn about sustainability and its origins in Wisconsin’s history and I guarantee there is much to learn in the captivating episode.
Tune into a brand-new edition of Tourism Heads and Their Tales. Today we welcome Joe Marinelli, President and CEO of Visit Savannah. Joe is a well-respected industry thought leader with a solid background in hospitality and tourism. Listen as Joe details the DMO model in place and target markets and how workforce issues impact all destinations. Hear Joe discuss a creative initiative that partners tourism with the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) that literally takes the show on the road to support workforce development and tourism. Learn about the value of partnerships and why it's critical to destinations. We talk about what leadership traits are required to be successful, and Joe shares his thoughts on this subject. There is so much valuable information in our interview with Joe that this is a definite unmissable episode.
Welcome to "Tourism Heads & Their Tales." In this episode, we are delighted to have Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, joining us. Paula's role includes providing leadership and strategic direction for all of AAA's travel services, managing strategic alliances, and spearheading the development of innovative solutions to support AAA clubs. Tune in as Paula offers a comprehensive overview of AAA and delves into the evolution of its programs over the years. Our conversation touches on various topics including the surge in pent-up travel demand, the resurgence of cruises, and the enduring value of travel agencies. We also explore the continuing popularity of road trips and outdoor adventures such as camping. Paula sheds light on the concept of impact travel, emphasizing authentic cultural experiences that promote environmental and heightened awareness of one's surroundings, citing examples such exclusive curated experiences in Ireland. Additionally, we learn about the structure of AAA's Diamond program, highlighting its distinctions from traditional star ratings. Our discussion extends to the AAA’s recently launched Trip Canvas platform, designed to offer inspiration, planning tools, and seamless booking experiences. With valuable insights into emerging travel trends, Paula provides invaluable perspectives for all of us as we navigate the road ahead (pun intended).
Our guest is Melyssa Reeves, President and CEO of Destination Marketing Association of the West. We learn about the changes at DMA West and what the future will bring to this 40-year membership organization. We hear about DMA West's focus on three main events; Technology Summit, CEO Leadership Summit and Education Summit.
We discover how DMA West adds value to those destinations that have budgetary constraints and where opportunities exist for these small and mid-size DMO's. Delve into the heart of DMA West's ethos, where peer-to-peer sharing and learning flourish, fostering an invaluable trust network among industry leaders. We also touch on the significance of technology and how it is being utilized in destinations.
Prepare to be enlightened and inspired as we embark on this enlightening voyage with Melyssa Reeves, charting the course towards a future brimming with endless possibilities for DMA West. All this and so much more!
Welcome back to Part 2 of this insight-rich episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, powered by the award-winning agency, Eddy Alexander with Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer at New York City Tourism + Conventions. This episode explores the complex world of destination marketing. Nancy discusses the relationship and make-up of the board and how re-branding alignment was achieved and highlights the value of advocacy. We learn about the various committees that all have a seat at the table in representing their areas of expertise whether it’s culinary, hospitality, entertainment, etc. Nancy enlightens us on the evolving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), shifting from simple visitation metrics to more comprehensive views on economic impact across the five boroughs. Discover the significance of authentic storytelling in highlighting the essence of neighborhoods, a crucial aspect emphasized by Nancy. Join us as we discuss emerging trends and forecasts in visitor dynamics, witnessing New York's remarkable growth and pace. Our conversation delves into the realm of partnerships, demographic insights, international promotions, funding, and beyond, unveiling the intricate marketing narrative of New York City and its five boroughs.
Welcome to a freshly brewed installment of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, brought to you by the award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. Our featured guest is Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer at New York City Tourism + Conventions.
In this riveting podcast, delve into Nancy's remarkable journey and impassioned commitment to destination marketing. Uncover the enthralling backstory behind the rebranding of New York City Tourism + Conventions, a narrative that is as inspiring as it is transformative. Join us as Nancy reveals the intricate process of aligning with diverse stakeholders, essential to the timely rollout of the major rebranding initiative. Explore how the diverse marks within the brand architecture harmoniously unite, guided by a strategic compass that propels the brand forward. Gain insights into the structure and funding that seamlessly blend public and private sectors, fostering a dynamic relationship with key stakeholders. This exclusive interview promises to captivate destination marketers and leaders alike, offering unique insights and strategic wisdom.
Welcome back to a freshly brewed installment of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Our featured guest is Claudia Vecchio, President & CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. In Part Two of this podcast, I delve into the challenges Claudia faces in developing a Tourism Master Plan amidst a multitude of diverse stakeholders. Discover how she navigates alignment with various independent "voices" crucial to the planning process.
A key focus of our conversation is the delicate balance between sustainable tourism and economic growth. Can these two elements coexist harmoniously? Join me as I explore this critical question with Claudia. We also delve into the halo effect stemming from key source markets like San Francisco and explore ongoing studies to measure their impact. Our discussion takes a deep dive into the risks associated with making assumptions versus the merits of data-driven decision-making. Claudia shares her perspective on the challenges that keep her up at night and offers an understanding into the future of destination marketing.
For those engaged in tourism, this episode is a valuable source of insights and a must- "tune in turn on" experience.
Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, brought to you by the award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. In this episode, we sit down with Claudia Vecchio, President/CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. You will hear Claudia discuss the development of organizational priorities, stewardship, and resilience (remembering fires, floods, and the pandemic that Sonoma has had to overcome). We hear how you can connect sustainability and stewardship with economic development and how she manages that balance, and we learn how the visitor economy is measured. Claudia points out that it is important to look for consumer data outside of the tourism space as it ultimately impacts all discretionary spending. Learn how Sonoma County engages the local community and tune in to so much more in this insight-packed podcast.
Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales brought to you by the award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. Let's rejoin our conversation with Tim Wolfe, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office, in Part 2 of the podcast. Tim discusses the trends that are now commonplace, accelerated by the pandemic, the value of international tourism, and how each country is unique in its visitation habits that can have a year round impact on the visitor economy. We explore partnerships and co-op programs and discuss how tourism is a key element in economic development. We hear about the challenges of making a difference in diverse destinations within the state. Tim has some great stories and great insights with crucial takeaways that will impact all destinations. This is an unmissable podcast episode!
Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, brought to you by the award-winning agency, Eddy Alexander. Today's guest is Timothy Wolfe, director of the Colorado Tourism Office. Hear how Tim got into the tourism industry and is continuing his role as a state tourism leader. Listen as he talks about tourism objectives through three primary pillars for Colorado's tourism as a whole. Learn about Colorado's destination stewardship Initiatives like Do Colorado Right and Leave No Trace. Tim also explains the life cycle of a tourism destination and how it impacts a state as a whole. Tune in to this unmissable podcast from an industry icon.
Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales brought to you by the award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. Today’s podcast is Part Two of the fascinating conversation with Peter Pantuso, President and CEO of the American Bus Association (ABA). He also serves as President of the National Bus Traffic Association, and the ABA Foundation. ABA is North America’s leading and largest motorcoach, tour, and travel association, representing over 70 percent of all motorcoaches on the road and also includes a $10 million foundation that provides research to the industry and has awarded over $1 million in scholarships since its inception.
In this episode, we learn about youth group travel, advocacy efforts, working with the Department of Transportation and even take a peek into touring with rock bands and performers. Pete talks about other ABA Councils and the state of inbound travel and its relationship with bus operators. We take a deeper dive into how a destination can run a self-assessment and evaluate its potential for group travel within its community. Pete shares his concerns about the industry as well as his hopes for the future of ABA after his retirement. This is a very entertaining and informative episode.
Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, brought to you by the award-winning agency, Eddy Alexander. Today’s podcast features Peter Pantuso, President and CEO of the American Bus Association (ABA). He also serves as President of the National Bus Traffic Association, and the ABA Foundation. ABA is North America’s leading and largest motorcoach, tour, and travel association, representing over 70 percent of all motorcoaches on the road and also includes a $10 million foundation that provides research to the industry and has awarded over $1 million in scholarships since its inception. Hear how Pete became President and CEO of the American Bus Association, a role he has held for 27 years. Listen as he talks about ABA’s 97-year history (which started as a motorcoach division of AAA back in 1926), and the importance of group travel in the travel and tourism industry. Pete discusses membership growth, now at about 3,800, and explores the various councils within ABA. Learn about ABA’s CERTS program and how it helped post-pandemic recovery but had its own challenges and learn about the state of the bus industry segment. Discover how ABA’s Marketplace has grown over the years and how bus passengers are trending younger. Tune in to this unmissable podcast from an industry icon.
It’s time for another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales brought to you by the multi-award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. Welcome to Part Two of the great conversation with Leah Chandler, CDME, Chief Marketing Officer for the Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Puerto Rico. Tune in as we learn about Discover Puerto Rico’s travel advisor program and how they generate excitement with that key intermediary market. Learn how Discover Puerto Rico identifies and manages marketing to key target markets and what KPI’s are in place to measure results, and what actionable insights drive their consumer engagement. Find out how important earned media is to Puerto Rico’s tourism growth and how valuable journalists and influencers have been in their promotional efforts. Hear how Puerto Rico launched “Live Boricua”, a campaign that focuses on people and culture rather than places. Listen as Leah details future plans to continue the growth Puerto Rico has seen in just five years, and where the key focus areas will be. This is a “can’t miss” episode and touches on many more valuable insights.
It’s time for another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales brought to you by the multi award winning agency Eddy Alexander. For the first time, we head to the Caribbean. Tune in and listen to Leah Chandler, CDME, Chief Marketing Officer for the Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Puerto Rico and how they transitioned from a government run bureau to become a successful DMO. This is a "must listen" podcast.
Hear how this transition took place and what this evolution looked like. Hear how Puerto Rico’s resilience overcame two hurricanes as well as the pandemic, and tapped into available grants to leverage data to drive marketing that positively impact the local community. Learn about how its creative marketing won 3 Emmy's to increase visibility in a very unique way. There is so much incredible insight you will enjoy, and all delivered in Leah’s captivating style. This is Part One of a Two Part podcast.
In Part Two we continue the conversation with Julie Gilbert and hear how community engagement is critical to success, listen as she discusses sustainable tourism efforts, communications channels, the relationship with Green Bay and Packers AJ Dillon, and find out how Barbie won a debate at ESTO. All this and more.
Today’s freshly brewed Tourism Heads & Their Tales podcast is a first. I have the pleasure to interview Julie Gilbert CDME, President & CEO of Destination Door County. You will notice the same last name, and yes, Julie is my wife. Door County has a population of 30,000 and gets about 2 million visitors each year. Listen as Julie discusses the significance of transparency with stakeholders and residents while also working with complex tourism organizations within 19 distinct municipalities. Hear how she is overseeing the transition from “heads in beds” to destination stewardship, and sustainable tourism in a shared values environment. Discover how Door County communicates the value of a Visitor Economy with residents, business owners, and stakeholders. Listen to new initiatives introduced that benefit both visitors and local residents. And hear about Barbie’s appearance at ESTO! All this and a lot more.
Welcome to another freshly brewed episode of your favorite podcast, Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today’s guest is no stranger to the industry. We welcome Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of TravelAbility, a platform that aims to make travel easier and more accessible for people with disabilities. From travel and tourism conferences to events globally, Jake has been involved in the travel sector for over 30 years as a journalist, publisher, consultant, and entrepreneur. In fact, he produced his own event under the brand eTourismSummit, a digital marketing conference for the travel industry. In today's episode, we define what a "disability" is and hear his passion for promoting inclusion and diversity in travel and tourism. We learn how destinations and the tourism industry at large can improve accessibility for this important market using a variety of tools, such as an accessibility assessment. Jake is an expert in this field and offers invaluable insights. Don’t miss this impactful episode, part two of two.
Welcome to another freshly brewed episode of your favorite podcast, Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today’s guest is no stranger to the industry. We welcome Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of TravelAbility, a platform that aims to make travel easier and more accessible for people with disabilities. From travel and tourism conferences to events globally, Jake has been involved in the travel sector for over 30 years as a journalist, publisher, consultant, and entrepreneur. In fact, he produced his own event under the brand eTourismSummit, a digital marketing conference for the travel industry. In today's episode, we define what a "disability" is and hear his passion for promoting inclusion and diversity in travel and tourism. We learn how destinations and the tourism industry at large can improve accessibility for this important market using a variety of tools, such as an accessibility assessment. Jake is an expert in this field and offers invaluable insights. Don’t miss this impactful episode, part one of two.
Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today, we air Part 2 of the interview with Erin Francis-Cummings, co-founder and president of Destination Analysts. She is just back from Destination International's annual conference in Dallas. This episode dives deeper into traveler sentiment insights and behaviors, that will help shape your tourism business plans; hear about the types of destinations travelers want to visit post pandemic, and what experiences travelers are looking for and discover a few surprises. So turn on and tune in to the second part of this captivating interview. You will not want to miss this episode.
Welcome to another freshly brewed podcast edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today’s guest needs no introduction to those of us in the tourism industry. When we search for insights into traveler sentiment and behavior, one of the resources we often look to is Destination Analysts. Erin Francis-Cummings is co-founder, President, and CEO of Destination Analysts and we often see her presenting at industry conferences. Tune in and learn about Erin’s career journey and listen as we dive in to some meaningful insights about trends you need to know to help frame up your tourism business plans; hear about the types of destinations travelers want to visit post pandemic and the experiences they're are looking for - even take a little "trip" into Psychedelic Travel…so much more for you to discover in part one of a two part interview.
Today’s guest on Tourism Heads & Their Tales is an acknowledged and universally recognized industry leader. We welcome Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. Tune in as Todd and I discuss change management and Oregon’s Covid challenges, how successful growth can be achieved by reinvesting in local communities, and how Oregon’s 10-year strategic vision was developed and its plans to redesign tourism with a destination stewardship mindset. Todd’s wisdom, leadership, and passion for our industry shines through on this podcast.
Today’s guest on Tourism Heads & Their Tales is an acknowledged and universally recognized industry leader. We welcome Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. Tune in as Todd and I discuss change management and Oregon’s Covid challenges, how successful growth can be achieved by reinvesting in local communities, and how Oregon’s 10-year strategic vision was developed and its plans to redesign tourism with a destination stewardship mindset. Todd’s wisdom, leadership, and passion for our industry shines through on this podcast.
Today, we are joined by Wit Tuttell representing the Tar Heel State as its VP, Tourism and Marketing for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Executive Director of Visit NC, State Tourism Director of the Year and a recognized travel & tourism industry leader. Listen as Wit explains the indispensable value of blending economic development with tourism, the challenges of ARPA funds, partnering with regional communities, why educating legislatures matters, post pandemic trends, the value of data driven decisions and so much more.
Today, we are joined by Wit Tuttell representing the Tar Heel State as its VP, Tourism and Marketing for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Executive Director of Visit NC, State Tourism Director of the Year and a recognized travel & tourism industry leader. Listen as Wit explains the indispensable value of blending economic development with tourism, the challenges of ARPA funds, partnering with regional communities, why educating legislatures matters, post pandemic trends, the value of data driven decisions and so much more.
Today’s Tourism Heads & Their Tales podcast focuses on the world of meeting planners, hotels, CVBs and booking technology. We sit down with hospitality veteran Tim Flors, SVP and Chief Customer Officer with Groups360.
Tim explains how his company is changing the very nature of group transactions. We learn about the philosophy behind Groups360, its rapid expansion, and its partnering with major global hotel chains. We hear how the company introduced instant bookings for meetings and dive into the tech that supports room blocks, attrition, BEOs, and the art of qualified leads. Plus the impact Groups360 is having on the meetings industry beyond hotels, DMO's and meeting planners. This is a "must listen" episode.
Today’s Tourism Heads & Their Tales podcast focuses on the world of meeting planners, hotels, CVBs and booking technology. We sit down with hospitality veteran Tim Flors, SVP and Chief Customer Officer with Groups360.
Tim explains how his company is changing the very nature of group transactions. We learn about the philosophy behind Groups360, its rapid expansion, and its partnering with major global hotel chains. We hear how the company introduced instant bookings for meetings and dive into the tech that supports room blocks, attrition, BEOs, and the art of qualified leads. Plus the impact Groups360 is having on the meetings industry beyond hotels, DMO's and meeting planners. This is a "must listen" episode.
Today, Tourism Heads & Their Tales welcomes Scott Balyo. Scott is the Executive Director of Capital Region USA (CRUSA), which is the official destination marketing partner of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, working together to promote the region to overseas leisure travelers.
In this episode we discuss the history of Capital Region USA, its programs and initiatives, we talk about the relationship with DC, Maryland and Virginia and how that partner model operates, we find out how DMO’s and CVB’s can enter international markets, we learn what CRUSA did during the pandemic and what trends they are seeing with the post pandemic recovery, we hear about international feeder markets and trade shows that generate the most business and what Scott’s outlook is for the future.
Today, Tourism Heads & Their Tales welcomes Scott Balyo. Scott is the Executive Director of Capital Region USA (CRUSA), which is the official destination marketing partner of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, working together to promote the region to overseas leisure travelers.
In this episode we discuss the history of Capital Region USA, its programs and initiatives, we talk about the relationship with DC, Maryland and Virginia and how that partner model operates, we find out how DMO’s and CVB’s can enter international markets, we learn what CRUSA did during the pandemic and what trends they are seeing with the post pandemic recovery, we hear about international feeder markets and trade shows that generate the most business and what Scott’s outlook is for the future.
Today’s Tourism Heads & Their Tales episode focuses on the best part of travel: the “things to see and do” that trigger a leisure trip. The desired experience.
Join us as we sit down with Douglas Quinby CEO and co-founder of Arival, as we gain valuable insights in to travel’s third largest and most essential sector: Tours, Activities & Attractions. Learn about the changing needs of customers post Covid, hear about how fragmented the sector is and how distribution is also changing the landscape, and learn more about emerging experiences and even a discussion about ChatGPT. Turn on and tune in today!
Today’s Tourism Heads & Their Tales episode focuses on the best part of travel: the “things to see and do” that trigger a leisure trip. The desired experience.
Join us as we sit down with Douglas Quinby CEO and co-founder of Arival, as we gain valuable insights in to travel’s third largest and most essential sector: Tours, Activities & Attractions. Learn about the changing needs of customers post Covid, hear about how fragmented the sector is and how distribution is also changing the landscape, and learn more about emerging experiences and even a discussion about ChatGPT. Turn on and tune in today!
Brand USA is our nation's DMO, tasked with showcasing the USA as a premier travel destination. In this episode we welcome Tom Garzilli, Chief Marketing Officer for Brand USA. During today's episode Tom will dive into Brand USA's mission to create and build incremental inbound visitation from around the world to impact the diverse experiences our country has. We'll also discuss which international markets are recovering post pandemic, understand how creative storytelling continues to inspire mature and emerging markets, and discover new trends and how to leverage opportunities with the numerous programs and tools within Brand USA. No better way to kick off a new year of Tourism Heads & The Tales. * Note: Tom Garzilli recently announced that he'll be pursuing other ventures away from Brand USA at the end of the month and we wish him the best.
Brand USA is our nation's DMO, tasked with showcasing the USA as a premier travel destination. In this episode we welcome Tom Garzilli, Chief Marketing Officer for Brand USA. During today's episode Tom will dive into Brand USA's mission to create and build incremental inbound visitation from around the world to impact the diverse experiences our country has. We'll also discuss which international markets are recovering post pandemic, understand how creative storytelling continues to inspire mature and emerging markets, and discover new trends and how to leverage opportunities with the numerous programs and tools within Brand USA. No better way to kick off a new year of Tourism Heads & The Tales. * Note: Tom Garzilli recently announced that he'll be pursuing other ventures away from Brand USA at the end of the month and we wish him the best.
The Short Term Rental market has exploded over the years and today is a key segment in lodging options. Today we're joined by Kellen Kruse, Head of Tourism Solutions & Partnerships for AirDNA, the leading authority in Short Term Rental data.
On today’s episode, Kellen will share the history of AirDNA and where it’s headed, and unpack how they are able to provide meaningful data and trends to destinations and how DMOs can leverage this data. We’ll discuss the difference between Smith Travel Research and AirDNA data, hear about Short Term Rental TOT (transient occupancy tax), and gain actionable insight on these potential revenue impacts. You’ll learn about hot travel trends and get an inside look in to the future of this dynamic market segment. Another unmissable episode!
Tourism Heads and Their Tales welcomes Caroline Beteta, universally acknowledged as one of the most influential global leaders in travel and tourism.
Caroline serves as president & CEO of Visit California. In addition to navigating California tourism, she currently serves as a member of the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which advises the Secretary of Commerce on issues that affect the U.S. tourism industry, and is on the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council. Previously, she served as Chair of the Board as well as Acting CEO for Brand USA, where she provided strategic direction for the $200 million global program, interfacing with national congressional leaders and the administration.
Listen as we discuss her background and address current issues including crisis management, overcoming recovery obstacles, funding, international marketing, data aggregation, trends, and Caroline’s thoughts on the future of tourism and more. This is an unmissable episode.
Today's episode features short sound bytes around the topic of future trends with Visit Stockton's CEO, Wes Rhea, Discover Long Islands president and CEO Kristen Reynolds, Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara, Rita McClenny, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Dave Lorenz, VP Pure Michigan. Enjoy........
Tourism Heads & Their Tales welcomes Amir Eylon, President & CEO at Longwoods International and arguably the most frequent business traveler in tourism! Listen as Amir shares his insights and advice on key issues of the day including cultivating the power of local engagement and new ways DMO’s can engage the community, how tourism strategy impacts economic development, how ARPA funds are best utilized, his point of view whether geo-location data is still valuable after changes in digital privacy policies, we'll take a look at the future of Destination Management, and much more.
Today’s guest on Tourism Heads & Their Tales is a unicorn. Hear how a Tank Commander became a DMO!
Wes Rhea, CEO at Visit Stockton, CA, was indeed a Tank Commander when serving in the military!
Wes is a well known destination marketing leader and influencer who takes an active role in many DMOs and local organizations. We'll discuss how Wes, a Stockton native, manages crisis and recovery, how technology is fueling destination marketing, how to embrace change and why taking risks should be a fact of marketing life, why engaging with the local community is a necessity, ARPA funds and partnering with economic development, and why moving away from “heads in beds” to content driven strategies was an intentional objective.
Today we welcome Discover Long Island president and CEO, Kristen Reynolds. In this episode we'll hear about Kristen’s background and journey to Long Island, NY. We chat about a wide variety of topics including partnering with New York City, engaging the local community and the importance of that relationship, partnering with county officials and economic development, the art of story telling, the Discover Long Island podcast, the new $2.8B planned convention center, conference hotel and connected airport expansion, the new direct rail connections to Grand Central Station, and the future of the industry in disruptive times.
Join me in the latest episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today, our guest is Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity, a non-profit, whose focus is on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment. Listen as we discuss key aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We talk about the need for DEI standards in travel and tourism, the rationale behind starting Travel Unity and its short and long goals and objectives, the marketing support that Travel Unity makes available to other organizations, the Travel Unity Pledge and why DEI is more important than ever, and so much more.
(Note: this is a 2 part episode)
Join me in the latest episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today, our guest is Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity, a non-profit, whose focus is on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment. Listen as we discuss key aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We talk about the need for DEI standards in travel and tourism, the rationale behind starting Travel Unity and its short and long goals and objectives, the marketing support that Travel Unity makes available to other organizations, the Travel Unity Pledge and why DEI is more important than ever, and so much more.
(Note: this is a 2 part episode)
On today’s Tourism Heads & Their Tales podcast episode we are joined by a prominent tourism industry leader, David Lorenz. Dave leads tourism for the state of Michigan under the brand Pure Michigan as Vice President. Listen as we discuss wide ranging topics including the history of the Pure Michigan brand, authenticity and how to blend reality and aspirational messaging, the marriage of tourism and economic development, brand marketing post-pandemic, the international inbound recovery, and so much more.
Rita McClenny is president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation and serves on the board of directors for a wide variety of prestigious industry associations. In today's episode, Rita shares her career journey and discusses the greatest challenges facing the Commonwealth of Virginia while reviewing the recovery efforts and how grant programs support this regionally. We'll also learn about how the iconic Virginia is for Lovers ad campaign slogan still resonates after more than 50 years since its launch, the status of inbound tourism, the impact the film industry plays in tourism, we'll even learn where the actual filming location for Dirty Dancing took place 35 years ago (Spoiler Alert – Pembroke SW Virginia!) and Rita’s points of view on current issues and future trends in tourism.
Greg Takehara has been the CEO of Tourism Cares since May 2019. He previously served on its Board, acting as Chairman before becoming CEO. His career has spanned thirty-four years in the travel industry. He is on the Board of the US Travel Association and has sat on the Boards of NTA and the IGLTA Foundation (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association), as well as numerous industry committees.
In today’s episode we take a journey with Greg looking at how Tourism Cares started, has evolved, its rebranding, and its future. We discuss the impact of the pandemic on a non-profit organization, evolution of volunteerism, sustainable and responsible travel, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tourism Cares educational webinars and events such as Meaningful Travel Summits - domestic and international, and understanding that we all may be on different journeys to sustainable travel, but we're all headed toward the same place.
Stuart Butler has a university degree in Rocket Science (yes, Rocket Science) and applies that inventive approach to his role as CMO for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, the official DMO for the Grand Strand. Listen as we discuss how he leverages cutting-edge technology and takes a scientific and innovative approach to everyday marketing challenges. Stuart, a native of the UK, discusses how he challenges the status quo and is redefining destination marketing. Discover how his focus on the visitor management of several data providers together with very creative consumer messaging has resulted in being the top RevPAR coastal destination in the country, per STR.
Catherine Prather is a recognized face of leadership in the travel industry. Joining the National Tour Association in 1994, today she is president of the organization, whose members create and promote packaged travel to, from, and within North America.
Join us for a great discussion about the origins of NTA, the fight for member advocacy, the pandemic, labor shortage issues and economic impact, IPW take aways, NTA events such as Contact and Travel Exchange (TRex), Foodie Tourism, Faith Travel, Tourism Cares' role in the industry, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion code of ethics, and so much more.
Liz Bittner is President and CEO for Travel South which is the largest regional alliance in the USA. Join Liz and myself as we talk about the genesis of Travel South and how it has evolved. We discuss cooperation between states with common interests, the value of inbound tourism, leveraging the outdoor recreation, foodie tourism, Brand USA and much more. Join us on Tourism Heads and their Tales….
For three decades, Travis Christ, known for his transformational thinking, has been at the forefront of integrated marketing for some of the world’s most iconic travel brands including American Airlines and Continental Airlines. In his current role Travis is Head of Marketing for Avelo Airlines – America's first new airline in more than a decade. Hear Travis talk about the background to Avelo launched in the pandemic, the selection process for new destinations, its marketing strategy, new routes, and how agility is a key to success. Join us on Tourism Heads and their Tales….
Bob Gilbert has lead Hospitality Sales and Marketing International for 26 years. His knowledge and experience are second to none. Bob and I discuss the challenges and changes in the world of hospitality hitting on key topics that include distribution, channel management, technology, revenue optimization, and talent acquisition. Join the two Bob Gilbert’s on Tourism Heads and their Tales ….
Today’s guest on Tourism Heads and their Tale’s is Brian Wright, Head of Marketing for Mammoth Lakes Tourism, California. We discuss why understanding the voice of the community is vital to marketing a destination and that we are all stewards of these special places we call home. We talk about key takeaways from the Pandemic and the impacts increased visitation has on marketing decisions in smaller sought after outdoor rec destinations, the value of data driven decisions, risk taking and much more. Join us on Tourism Heads and their Tales …...
Esra in a couple of words, humanizes data. Her background includes Zartico, Virginia Tourism Corporation and Virginia Tech. Hear Esra’s insight on trends that the pandemic accelerated, dispelling the fear of data, transformational technology, what’s important for DMO’s to measure, community based marketing, the Big Quit and changes in workforce behaviors, accessible affordable data, and so much more. Join us on Tourism Heads and their Tales….
Nan Marchand Beauvois is a very well-known leader in travel and tourism circles. As a senior vice president at the US Travel Association for over 11 years, she always has her finger on the tourism pulse. Listen as we explore Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations, commonly known as ESTO, US Travel Association’s National Councils, advocacy, Capitol Hill, and Roger Dow. Join us on Tourism Heads and Their Tales.
Wendy Kheel is universally regarded as a research analyst guru in travel and tourism. Her experiences include LA Tourism, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disney. Today she works with Tourism Economics market intelligence platform Symphony. We discuss Wendy’s personal points of view on what data DMOs should be looking for post-pandemic, and what’s trending in the research space such as cookies, KPI shifts, demographic changes, visitor behaviors, and more. Join us on Tourism Heads and Their Tales.
John Percy is a well known leadership figure in the DMO world. He has been with Niagara Falls USA for 23 years. We talk with John about crisis management, agility during and post Covid, industry resilience, motor coach market trends, Destinations International, communications with key stakeholders, leadership, community shared values and much more. Join us on Tourism Heads and their Tales….