Destination Marketing Podcast

Kristen Reynolds, the President/CEO of Discover Long Island, is our guest today on The Destination Marketing Podcast. After a cameo appearance from Adam Castar, their producer and local Long Islander, Kristen tells the origin story of her own destination podcast, Long Island Tea. She discusses integrating owned media into her advertising strategy and the influence of Long Island Tea on the community. The conversation shifts to being a destination storyteller and collaborating with local content creators. “You don’t have to be the only voice. Obviously, we’re trying to expand what you hear from our community, but make sure that it’s done in a way that aligns with our brand, aligns with our messaging, and it’s so much more powerful when we’re all speaking from the same script so that when people are listening, they’re understanding our destination better.” - Kristen Reynolds Discover Long Island Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Robert Thompson, the owner and Chief Marketing Officer of Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort in Utah, is our guest on today's episode. In the beginning, Robert delves into his background and shares the motivating factors behind his decision to acquire the resort after leaving his corporate job. The conversation then transitions to Robert's strategic use of platforms like TikTok and various social media channels to cultivate a dedicated audience. He stresses the significance of audience building as a prerequisite to monetization and offers insights into how his marketing approach has transformed and benefited his business. "Once I get that exposure, once I have those touchpoints in place, then I can start retargeting that audience and saying, ‘Oh hey, guess what? Next year’s booking up, you better reserve your spot fast if you want to get into a train car’. And you can start making those more aggressive calls to action once you have the audience in place.” - Robert Thompson Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Des Barker, a seasoned political strategist within the Utah tourism industry, is our featured guest on today's episode, recorded live at the Utah Tourism Conference. He shares insights about his background and the evolution of his 30-year journey in the realm of politics. Throughout the conversation, Des stresses the importance of cultivating strong relationships with elected officials and maintaining credibility. Join us to gain valuable advice on political strategy and effectively navigating the intricate landscape of politics. "Establishing that they know you and knowing that when you call or contact them, they'll recognize your email, acknowledge your status as a constituent, and understand that you're providing them with valuable information, and that you're credible. And then, they truly appreciate that, because they highly value the people who help them figure this stuff out that they can trust." - Des Barker Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On today’s episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with two fascinating guests at the Utah Tourism Conference! In our first segment, AJ Brau, the CEO of Wander, gives a brief update on her company and her thoughts on the role of AI in the destination marketing industry. The conversation then moves into a discussion about breaking into destination marketing and what software companies and destinations can do to facilitate partnerships. For the second part of the episode, Bega Metzner, the commissioner of the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, talks about her background in film and her current role. Bega also discusses the impact of film projects on communities and the best ways for DMOs to support film commissions." “It’s up to us software companies to just stick with it too, because companies only die when the founder gives up, right? And we have to be gritty and we have to believe in this industry, believe that destination organizations have a big role to play in the future. And that’s why we’re going to stay and continue to innovate here and we are all in at Wander...I’m betting everything on destination organizations and I’m so confident in the role that this industry will play in the future of our world.” - AJ Brau“ The biggest part of that is recognizing that, the need for flexibility. If I could say flexible and flexibility a hundred times, you still won’t understand until you see it in front of your eyes, where you have 25 people who are supposed to come in on this date and then all of a sudden you get a phone call and it could be the day before and they say, ‘It’s pushed, they’re still coming, but now it’s going to be 35 people and it’s on this date’. And so literally just being able to say, ‘Ok, we’ve got you’...” - Bega Metzner Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On today’s episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam talks to Ryan Starks, the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Kevin Smith, the president and CEO of Tuacahn Amphitheater. Ryan discusses his journey from Heber Valley to the Governor’s Office and how he was able to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic while still being new on the job. The conversation then moves toward why Utah supports tourism-related small businesses and what other DMOs can take away from their strategy. In the second half of the episode, Adam and Kevin discuss the history of Tuacahn Amphitheater in Ivins, UT and how they put together their theatrical productions each season. Kevin also details how the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office supports his business and helps it flourish. Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity Tuacahn Amphitheater “Our businesses have done a really good job in Utah, of rolling out the red mat, and making sure that these visitors have the best experience that they can possibly have, and that includes our hoteliers, our restauranteurs, our retailers, there’s just so many opportunities for them to connect with visitors who are coming to the state, who are spending money and looking for a wonderful experience.” - Ryan Starks “So whatever that idea is that you may think, ‘Oh we’d never be able to pull it off in our area,’ if you’ve got a group of people that are talented and passionate, encourage that because that can become an annual event, sometimes biannual event that attracts visitors and puts your area on the map for having that festival.” - Kevin Smith Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Earl B. Hunter, Jr., the founder and president of Black Folks Camp Too, sits down with Adam for today’s episode recorded at the Utah Tourism Conference. Earl discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion in the outdoor industry and details the educational opportunities his company offers. Later in the episode, Earl also gives some tips on public speaking and how he’s been able to captivate his audience. "I always tell folks, this is no Kumbaya, this is an ROI, and ROI for us means Return on Inclusion. We’ll get a true Return on Inclusion once we start to invite and welcome folks of color into these spaces that we don’t know anything about. But before we can do that though, the industry has to be prepared, the industry has to be educated, the industry has to invite and activate. That’s how we rock and roll." - Earl B. Hunter, Jr. Black Folks Camp Too Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Live from the Utah Tourism Conference in St. George, UT, the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office Director Brittany McMichael joins Adam to discuss her journey to her current role and being the host destination for this year’s conference. The two also dive into the rapid growth of Southern Utah and how things have changed throughout Brittany's time with the organization. Brittany also talks about involving her community in destination marketing and helping her residents become tourism ambassadors. "We have had a phenomenal time hosting this group, it's a lot of work, but what I'm going to say today is that I'm so proud. I'm proud of my Greater Zion team, I'm proud of our community, I'm proud of our county for the amazing job that they've done in hosting this group." - Brittany McMichael Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On this week’s episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam is joined by returning guest Will Seccombe. Having gone through a recent career change, Will gives us an update on his new role at Intentful and how he’s been focusing on AI and content creation over the past several months. He talks about a project he’s been working on called “Undiscovered America,” a television show highlighting destinations around the country, and how he’s utilized artificial intelligence tools to increase his efficiency and productivity with the show. “Connecting with the people and the places that tell really compelling stories about a destination, rather than things that you would normally include in a thirty-second commercial, allows you to connect with not only the destination but also the audience.” -Will Seccombe Intentful Undiscovered America Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Wes Rhea, the CEO of Visit Stockton, joins Adam on today's episode to talk about his destination and partnering with Relic to create This is Stockton. Wes elaborates on the benefits of catering your destination podcast to locals and the overall merit of audio content. Wes also discusses the value of being an early adopter when it comes to emerging technology and how that has helped Visit Stockton. "We know we're moving the needle on the depth of knowledge that people have about certain things in our community, so they may know an attraction or may know a business, but really they, in 30, 40 minutes you get to know something usually personal about that person or some backstory you didn't know, and those little nuggets of information are invaluable." - Wes Rhea This is Stockton Visit Stockton Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with Troy Hughes from Lime Media to talk about how tourism destinations can take advantage of experiential marketing tactics. They discuss Lime Media's services, including customizing vehicles for brand activations, tracking data, measuring ROI and the importance of creativity in creating memorable experiences. “We're a place of service. That's what Lime Media does. We always tell our clients we're here to serve them, and that means that we're going to turn-key for you. We're going to fabricate it. We're going to produce it. We're going to put it on the road. We're going to hire drivers. We're going to obtain the permitting and whatever food permits we need for sampling. We're going to do everything for you so you don't have to worry about it.” -Troy Hughes Check out Lime Media here! Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On this special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with the founder and CEO of Crowdriff, Dan Holowack. They discuss how Crowdriff has transformed the destination marketing industry through user-generated content. They also explore why destinations have seen tremendous organic growth on social media by letting local creators tell the story through short-form video. Adam and Dan delve into the future of content creators and influencers in destination marketing, highlighting why it's critical to incorporate this field into your strategy today. "I deeply believe that the destination's story is best told by its people. That's going to be the differentiator between destinations as we go forward. Destinations need to continue to seek out those storytellers within their destination and I hope that Crowdriff Creators can help do that. One way or another, I hope that it's the local people that are telling that story and that's what's authentically resonating with visitors now more than ever." -Dan Holowack We'd like to thank Crowdriff for sponsoring this episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast. Learn more about Crowdriff Creators here! Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On today’s episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with Darren Rudloff, principal at Rudloff Solutions. Darren's extensive background in the destination marketing industry makes him the perfect guest to talk about why it’s so important to base your advertising campaigns on research. He and Adam discuss why so many destinations miss the mark and how potential mistakes can be remedied by taking a step back and looking closer at your target market. “Don’t just do what you’ve always done. Carefully consider what your community needs. Really take a deep dive and look at your problems and set out to solve the problems as opposed to just — we’re a marketing organization, we’re going to do what we do. Try to solve your community’s problems to make it a better place.” Rudloff Solutions Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On today's episode, Craig and Kathleen Davis join Adam to talk about the Destination Leadership course that they teach as a part of Destinations International's CDME certification. They emphasize the importance of learning to become an effective leader and how it can improve both work and life for all involved. The conversation later goes into how their experiences have led them to grow as leaders themselves. "So if I have to help them and coach them through and sometimes get my hands dirty, then that's what a leader does. And I think that that's, that kind of the person that really cares and gives a darn, is somebody that I think people are attracted to. And you have to show that every day, which is hard. It's hard. Leadership is hard." - Craig Davis Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Heather Larson, the president and CEO of Meet Chicago Northwest, joins Adam on today's episode to talk about her background and how she got into tourism after leaving the workforce to be a stay-at-home mom. Adam and Heather also talk about the Chicago Bears and their potential new stadium in Arlington Heights, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. Listen in for a discussion on the pros and cons of this new building and its potential economic impact. "So it's not just the ten games a year. If they build, say, a 70,000-person stadium, with 70,000 seats, and then when you have concerts, you can fill in the lawn area and fill it with more, right? So that kind of economic impact is just going to be a game changer." - Heather Larson Meet Chicago Northwest Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On today's episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with Nizar Moosa of Destination Markham. Nizar talks about the process of creating a destination strategic plan for Markham and some of the things he has learned along the way. He discusses the need for solid data, updating their CRM system, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. “The best part is that this document is available to all our stakeholders. If they want to take a look at it and see how they can contribute, they can come to us and say, you know, this is part of your strategic master plan. Let's work together.” -Nizar Moosa Destination Markham Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

In this week's episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam interviews Stacie Granum, the Chief Strategy Officer at Visit Rapid City. They discuss destination stewardship and the steps that Visit Rapid City has taken to improve its community and tourism economy. Stacie emphasizes the importance of involving the community in the destination planning process and shares how they changed the terminology from "sustainability plan" to "stewardship plan" to better resonate with stakeholders. "How are we going to care for this place so that in the long run, we've got a very solid tourism economy but we've got a healthy community? Happy residents, happy visitors." -Stacie Granum Visit Rapid City Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

The chief marketing officer of Visit Panama City Beach, Jayna Leach, joins Adam to discuss inclusivity in destinations. She shares the positive changes she has seen in her destination because of its “Fun for All” campaign, an inclusive initiative that prioritizes accessibility and fun for all. She also touches on the power of influencers and how to incorporate them into your marketing strategy. "I think it is being very authentic to your destination and...having that information I think for us it wasn't so much a campaign, but we wanted it to still be on-brand. And so "Fun For All" really means fun for every single person that comes to the destination." - Jayna Leach Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Executive Director Nichole Farley of Explore Butte County joins Adam to delve into the concept of working with your community — and the power of having a seat at your destination’s table. They discuss why destinations struggle to get locals to see value in the DMO, and what destination marketers can do to fix that perception. "I would say, as a young professional in the industry, don't be afraid to sit at the table within your own organization. I remember as an intern, starting out in the tourism space, sitting at the table for board meetings and not being afraid to speak up." -Nichole Farley Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Melyssa Reeves, CEO of Visit Vacaville and soon-to-be President of DMA West, joins Adam to explore her journey through the tourism industry. They touch on her highlights at Visit Vacaville, her upcoming role at DMA West and the importance of nurturing industry relationships. DMA West “...It was kind of a scary proposition, but has turned out to be one of the greatest things that I’ve been able to do in my career. [I’m] so blessed for those relationships and just the support that I’ve gotten. I think we all support each other really well in this industry, so I think building those relationships is key.” - Melyssa Reeves Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Amir Eylon, the president and CEO of Longwoods International, joins Adam for today's episode. Amir talks about what he's seeing in the travel industry according to Longwoods International's data and he also touches on generative AI and its potential use as a travel-planning tool. Longwoods International "[In the US] we’re still seeing record-level pent-up demand. Nine out of ten American travelers still tell us they have plans to go somewhere in the next six months. Now that’s taking us into the back-to-school season, you know, where it’s now past summer vacation. So, this is exciting.” - Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Don Welsh, the president and CEO of Destinations International, sat down with Adam at Annual Convention for a catch-up on all things DI. Find out which issues and topics the organizations will focus on this year, as well as what Don’s most excited about when it comes to Annual Convention. Destinations International “...Nothing replaces the importance of our people in this industry being together, face to face, talking about big, complex issues and also at the same time having enough time socially to forge new and existing relationships.” - Don Welsh Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

In this episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with Renée Areng, President and CEO of Explore Brookhaven, Georgia. Renée details the process of putting together a brand from scratch and how they launch it amid the coronavirus pandemic. She talks about some of the challenges they faced and why working with an expert in the field helped them to build a better brand. Explore Brookhaven To learn more about today's sponsor Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On this week’s episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam takes the show on the road to the Destinations International Annual Convention. He is joined by Chad Kearns, Vice President and Lead Practitioner at Fired Up Culture, to talk about the importance of culture in organizations. They discuss how culture starts with relationships and communication - not just values displayed on a wall. They also touch on the Birkman Assessment, a tool used to identify workplace personality traits; they explore how utilizing the assessment can impact a company’s culture and why understanding individual team members’ needs is so important. "Culture starts with relationships. How do we communicate with each other? How do we work with each other? How do we respect each other? What are the norms of the organization? Culture's not the values on a wall, it's how we treat each other." -Chad Kearns Fired Up Culture The Tourism Teacher Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Barbara Karasek, CEO and Co-Owner of Paradise Advertising joins Adam on this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast to talk about her experience stepping into a leadership role at an advertising agency. Adam and Barbara also discuss how they anticipate change with the rise of generation alpha into the workforce and why it’s critical to keep this demographic in mind. “For those destination marketers who just look at travelers and their travel behavior, they’re missing the boat. We have to look at consumers who choose to travel, and it’s really the consumer’s focus. We have to understand the who in order to reach them.” -Barbara Karasek Learn more about Paradise Advertising here! To learn more about today's sponsor Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Ryan Jones, the director of digital marketing at Relic, joins Adam to discuss the many ways destinations can leverage digital marketing. They explore the importance of creating compelling content that resonates with the target audience and discuss how to optimize SEO to boost organic reach. Ryan and Adam dive into how digital marketing can play a vital role in supporting owned media efforts and building an audience. Ryan also provides practical tips and real-world examples, helping destinations understand the nuances of digital marketing and its potential impact on their growth. "The problem with relying so much on the stats is that you’re maybe not looking at the holistic view of how your ads are performing by just looking at — we had this many impressions and this many clicks. That’s fine but if you’re not looking at the bounce rate or the landing page, those are all integral parts into having your ad being a little bit better, performing well and actually getting some of those desired actions." -Ryan Jones Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Jaimie Hart, cohost of the Between the Sessions podcast from Discover The Palm Beaches, returns to the show. She recaps her four weeks working remotely in Portugal and what’s new at The Palm Beaches, including her meetings-focused podcast. Go behind the scenes and learn about its creation, as well as her favorite moments and experiences with the show so far. “I’m not going to say the podcast doesn’t take a lot of time and resources --- it does --- and so in order to give it the ROI it needs, there have to be alternate distribution channels; it can’t just be set it and forget it.” - Jaimie Hart Between the Sessions Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Joining the show today are the hosts of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe! Find out how a chance meeting in a hotel bathroom led to the launch of their podcast and learn some of the duo's favorite moments so far. Alex and Annie also give their insights on some of the current issues facing the short-term rental industry. "It's going to be interesting to me to see where the industry goes in the next 18 months because I think you're going to see a lot of people that are just going to walk away from it. The savvy people that understand that you have to really be mindful of how you're marketing and what channels you're participating in, and how you're putting your brand out there, those are the ones that are going to win in the end." - Annie Holcombe Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On this week’s episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam is joined by returning guest Bill Geist. Geist, Chief Instigator at DMOProz, brings a new perspective to the table with his years of experience working with destinations to better their communities from an advocacy and political standpoint. They discuss the importance of demonstrating a destination's value to stakeholders and why the purpose of a DMO is often misunderstood. "I really do believe that our future is to market our communities to everybody for every reason. Whether that is a great weekend of fun and food and music, or whether it's getting people to invest." -Bill Geist To learn more about Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

In this final episode of our owned media mini-series, Stuart and Adam discuss how destinations can take what they’ve learned and apply it to their marketing strategies. After a brief recap of the series, they explain why it’s important to start this strategy now — as the world and consumer preferences continue to evolve, creating interactive content that resonates with the audience is essential. Quick-adopting destinations will undoubtedly gain a competitive edge and maintain top-of-mind awareness. By committing time, budget and creativity, a destination can enrich people’s lives and positively impact their business. “The old saying — where focus goes, energy flows — is very true. If you don’t commit time and budget to this initiative, it won’t happen.” -Stuart Butler Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! Learn more about Wander here! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

In this week’s episode, Adam and Stuart discuss the importance of creating content that resonates with the audience and inspires them to take action. They emphasize the need to prioritize the audience's needs and desires over the DMO's short-term gains and to create an active community by providing value to the audience. Adam and Stuart also discuss the challenges of measuring the impact of owned media on the bottom line and how to properly portray the value of branded entertainment to stakeholders. “If you create great content that people want to take ownership of, then you know you’ve won this battle. You’ve resonated with them so much that they feel they are a part of it, it’s a part of them and they could take control of it. That’s killer right there. That’s what you should be striving towards.” -Stuart Butler To learn more about Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

In this week's episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, we continue our owned media mini-series. Adam Stoker and Stuart Butler discuss the importance of understanding the entire travel journey and the challenges of implementing an owned media strategy. They emphasize the need to focus on the quality of audience experience and content, creating a community around owned media content and balancing entertainment and promotion in destination marketing. They also provide tips for measuring success for owned media and engaging with the audience. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Welcome to part 3 of the Destination Marketing Podcast mini-series, hosted by Adam Stoker and Stuart Butler. In this episode, the hosts dive deeper into the significance of owned media in destination marketing. They highlight the difference between an audience and a community and stress the importance of cultivating an engaged community to support destination marketing efforts. Drawing from examples of influencers and popular TV shows, the speakers illustrate the power of community building. They also emphasize the need to create captivating and entertaining content that resonates with the audience, rather than being overly promotional. Additionally, the speakers underscore the importance of DMOs collaborating with local businesses and stakeholders to establish a coalition of advocates to support destination marketing efforts. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! To learn more about Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

This week on the Destination Marketing Podcast, we continue our owned media series with host Adam and special guest, Stuart Butler. In this episode, Adam and Stuart continue to discuss the importance of owned media and storytelling in the tourism industry. They discuss the four major types of media: paid, earned, shared and owned, and why a balanced approach is pivotal for success. They also touch on the challenges of managing and optimizing paid media, as well as the changing metrics of digital marketing. "The vast majority of my budget is still on paid media. It's the core of what we do. It's tried and tested and yields positive ROI. We're going to continue to do it, but we're going to continue to do it as a tactic as a part of a bigger strategy. It's a short-term tactic that serves a long-term strategy." -Stuart Butler Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On today’s special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, join Adam and Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Myrtle Beach, as they take a deep dive into the world of owned media. In a new series inspired by their soon-to-be-published book, the duo explores the current marketing philosophy and why so many destinations aren't fully utilizing the power of owned media. The conversation explores the pressure to prioritize bottom-of-funnel conversions, the limitations of the last-click attribution model and the need to demonstrate immediate results. Stuart and Adam also delve into the importance of building trust and collaboration with stakeholders, as well as nurturing an engaged audience through owned media. By the end of this episode, you'll have a better understanding of how to harness the power of owned media and develop a marketing strategy that delivers tangible results. "We have to change. If we don't, that's not going to be good for us as DMOs if we're putting all of our eggs in the paid media basket. What we're doing, and what I encourage all DMOs to do, is to shift, gradually and responsibly over time, a portion of our dollars from paid media to owned media." -Stuart Butler Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Join host Adam Stoker in this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast as he talks with Jared Price (JP) from Relic about the impact of AI on destination marketing. JP's passion for AI is evident as they discuss the potential impact on humanity, and how Chat GPT, an AI language model, is being used in their agency. Discover the accuracy of Chat GPT responses, the need for specificity in prompts, and how refining queries can get to the heart of the matter. They also explore the potential impact of Chat GPT on the tourism industry and how destination marketers can use AI to their advantage by providing more concise descriptions of smaller destinations. Overall, this conversation highlights the valuable role that AI can play in destination marketing, but also stresses the importance of careful consideration and use. If you're interested in gaining insights on the future of AI in the industry, and how to enhance your destination marketing efforts with Chat GPT, then tune in to this must-listen episode. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Join Adam Stoker on the Destination Marketing Podcast for a unique and fascinating episode featuring ChatGPT, the state-of-the-art AI language model created by OpenAI. Through guest JP's voice, ChatGPT shares valuable insights on various topics related to the tourism industry, including unique destinations, challenges faced by the industry, and the importance of resilience and adaptability. From discussing outdated destination marketing tactics to upcoming trends that will affect travel and tourism, ChatGPT offers valuable insights for anyone in the destination marketing industry looking to stay ahead of the curve. As the conversation turns to the topic of AI, Adam and JP discuss the effective use of AI in the tourism industry and the importance of considering where the answers from AI language models are coming from. Sponsored by Bandwango, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to learn more about the state of the tourism industry and the strategies used to effectively promote tourism destinations. Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Today Adam Stoker sits down with Jason Linder, the CEO of Ripe, a company formerly known as RootRez. As a travel and technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, RootRez has been helping destination, event, and travel-related websites best connect travelers to lodging partners since 2015. Jason explains how their services can benefit DMOs and offers valuable insights into the importance of having a local focus in the travel industry. Jason shares his experience of rebranding RootRez to Ripe with Relic Agency, discussing the challenges and benefits of completely rebranding a company right down to the name, and when a company should consider doing so. For those who may be considering a rebranding process, Jason offers some practical suggestions on how to approach the process. Finally, the discussion turns to the future of the tourism industry, and Jason shares his thoughts on how artificial intelligence is shaping the industry. He highlights the importance of understanding AI and its potential impact on the travel industry, and how DMOs can stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly changing landscape. "With Ripe, we can help [DMOs] better serve those visitors at that opportune moment when they're ready to research and book and help [DMOs] realize the value of their effort that they bring in the lodging category." - Jason Linder Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

CEO Mo Parikh has pioneered a technology company that is revolutionizing the tourism industry — Bandwango. In this episode, Mo shares his insights on what Bandwango is and how it can help destinations drive visitation. Bandwango's unique technology is making waves by allowing communities to organize things to do into free and paid experiences that integrate directly into websites. This integration generates leads and drives revenue for organizations, while providing a seamless user experience for customers. But Mo and Adam discuss more than just what Bandwango is currently doing; later, they talk about the role that artificial intelligence will play in the future of the tourism industry. Mo discusses the potential for personalization when it comes to trip itineraries and the potential to create more dynamic pricing models, which will truly revolutionize the way people travel. Gain valuable insights into how Bandwango is transforming the tourism industry and how AI will play a significant role in shaping its future, as well. Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Listen to an insightful conversation with two dynamic leaders in the tourism industry - Steve Arrison, CEO at Visit Hot Springs, and JR Shaw, Executive Director of Destination Rogers and Executive Vice President of the Rogers-Lowell Chamber. These guests share their expertise and insights on topics like collaborating with nearby destinations to drive visitation, emphasizing the importance of building partnerships and leveraging the strengths of your competitors to create a more robust tourism experience for visitors. The discussion also delves into Arkansas' unique way of funding their tourism organizations through lodging tax, and how this has enabled these destinations to invest in their tourism infrastructure and attract more visitors. Furthermore, the conversation takes a deep dive into a difficult employment situation that Steve Arrison faced in Visit Hot Springs, a destination with a low population and high visitation. Join Adam for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that highlights the importance of collaboration, creativity, and innovation in the tourism industry. You can have those mechanisms as much as you want but unless there's a plan, unless there's solid marketing, unless there's a strategy, unless there are partners out there that can collaborate with the state . . . then everybody's going off in their own different directions and you don't get that unified voice that you need to have." - Steve Arrison Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Adam takes the podcast on the road once again at the Arkansas Tourism Conference, speaking with two esteemed guests: Travis Napper, the Director of Tourism at Arkansas Tourism, and Karen Trevino, the President & CEO at North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. Travis Napper focused on the importance of the Natural State brand in driving tourism to Arkansas, sharing his insights on how the state has successfully developed and marketed its unique identity to attract visitors from around the world. From its stunning natural beauty to its vibrant culture and rich history, Arkansas has a lot to offer, and Travis explained how his team is working hard to showcase these assets through innovative marketing strategies. Karen Trevino shared a new technology that involves using virtual reality to train employees in tourism and hospitality roles. Karen highlighted the importance of providing top-notch customer service in these industries, and how virtual reality can help employees develop the skills and confidence they need to deliver an exceptional experience for every guest. She shared some fascinating examples of how her team is using this cutting-edge technology to enhance training programs and improve overall performance. "The natural state brand fits to a T what we offer as a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts. I think we offer something that people want — and that need — for their health, for their well being. It's gonna be good for the future of our humanity for people to get outside and experience that and we offer it in abundance at the highest level. We want to continue to double down on that." - Travis Napper Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Lauren Cleland, the Director of Marketing and Data Intelligence at Visit Savannah, discusses a recent successful pop-up event they hosted in New York City. She shares valuable insights into why pop-up events are an effective way to advertise your destination, regardless of its size or budget. She also provides insider tips on how to plan and execute such an event and emphasizes the significance of marketing that requires minimal effort on the consumer's part. With plans to host another event in Chicago soon, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to increase tourism and drive more visitors to their destination. Join us as we dive deep into the details of experiential advertising. "If you have a big idea don't shoot it down before you ever give yourself a chance to make some magic happen. I don't care if that big idea is a new website, if it's having a TikTok account, if that big idea is having a pop up event. Don't talk yourself out of something and don't let someone else talk you out of something if you believe in it." - Lauren Cleland Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Subscribe to our newsletter! If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Candace Carr Strauss, VP of Marketing and Communications at the Montana Chamber of Commerce, shares valuable insights about Montana's innovative approach to tourism data collection, which has helped them better understand visitor behaviors and preferences. In this engaging conversation, Candace also discusses the importance of tourism resiliency and how destinations can be better prepared for unexpected events and crises. Tune in to discover how Montana is leading the way in sustainable tourism practices and learn actionable strategies for enhancing your own destination's resiliency. Inaugural Convergence webpage. Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Managing Director Patrick Manning to talk about the exciting Black Desert Resort in southern Utah. Joining us today, Manning shares his vision of creating a gathering place that offers endless fun, delicious food, and a vibrant music scene for people of all ages to enjoy. As we delve into the topic, he highlights his goal of offering a unique culinary experience that perfectly complements the resort's music and golf scene. Manning provides insights into his efforts to make the Black Desert Resort stand out from other resorts in the region. His commitment to creating an all-encompassing experience for guests is evident, and his passion for the project is infectious. Tune in to hear all about the Black Desert Resort and discover how Patrick Manning is setting out to create a truly memorable experience for all those who visit. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

In response to a recent question posed by a listener, social media specialist McKenna Parkinson joins Adam to talk about the Instagram collaboration feature and its impact on social media marketing. McKenna sheds light on how Instagram collaborations can help travel destinations build brand awareness and increase engagement while providing valuable tips for businesses looking to make the most out of this feature and establish successful partnerships on the platform. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

How much do you think popular media such as movies and TV Shows impact tourism? That's one of the questions researched by Melissa Weddell and her team at the University of Montana. Melissa joins Adam on today's episode to talk about how "Yellowstone", Paramount's hit TV show that's filmed in Montana, impacts tourism in the state. Listen to learn more about the show's means for visitation, economics and housing in Montana. "Yeah, when something comes this popular, there's a lot of tension. And people are like, you know, 'it's too crowded, there's too many people' and other people are like, 'we need more films, this is great, we need more'. I think those are the struggles" - Melissa Weddell Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

What goes into a modern DMO website? Todd O'Leary and Achilles Stravoravdis of Sonoma County Tourism join Adam on this episode to discuss this. For longtime fans of The Travel Vertical Podcast, Todd provides an update on the "Sonoma Sound" project that he talked about with Adam and Laurie Jo Miller Farr in August of 2021. In this episode, you’ll also learn about building websites around user data and the importance of website content audits when going through a rebuild. "You need to make sure that the foundation, which is content, let's be honest, for DMOs it's content, right...is completely thorough and scrubbed prior to doing anything or you're just repeating, you're copying and pasting the mistakes that you made before. So that content audit is everything." - Achilles Stravoravdis Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Meegan Winters, Co-Founder and CEO of AbleVu, joins us on the show today to talk all things accessibility. Learn more about the platform and how destinations are utilizing it with their stakeholders to promote accessibility and inclusion within their communities. Meegan and Adam discuss the history of the platform as well as what users can expect in the upcoming years. "One of the characteristics of someone on the spectrum is a need for routine and difficulty with transitions and trying new things for the first time. That’s why travel is becomes so difficult. This was something that was on my heart. Experiences are something that I thrive on. It feeds my soul to have experiences and I want that for everybody." -Meegan Winters Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

What is wellness travel? It's more than yoga retreats and meditative programs. Sahara Rose De Vore — founder of the Travel Coach Network and owner of the WTTM Consulting Group — advocates for the mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits of tourism, drawing from her own extensive travel experience and experiences of the countless vacationers she's spoken with. Having visited 84 countries in just 10 years, she shares how travel has improved her quality of life and claims, "travel is wellness and wellness is travel."The wellness tourism industry is on the rise and Adam and Sahara Rose discuss how marketers can capitalize on the health benefits of their destinations. "There's no such thing as selling travel; we're selling a feeling, transformation, or outcome that someone is looking for. So it's more speaking to that — how can your destination make that traveler feel before they get there, while they're there, and how can they feel when they return home . . . at a wellness standpoint." - Sahara Rose De Vore Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Diane Charno's background in advertising gives her a unique perspective as vice president of brand and communications at Visit Myrtle Beach. Merging her experiences working with a diverse collection of organizations in the agency world, she now applies it to her destination. Owned media and branded entertainment is proving to be a vital part of their marketing plan, making Myrtle Beach more than a destination but also a lifestyle. Diane recommends investing in the future by building audiences through a “content first, destination second” approach. "Each show has its own kind of purpose, audience and story that they're trying to tell and it's not always about the beach. We felt we needed to do that to really build that audience; we wanted to make it more entertaining and give people a reason to tune in, more than just when they're planning a trip to the beach, but to really make it a part of their lives 24/7." - Diane Charno Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Host of iHeart Radio's Speaking of Travel Marilyn Ball talks about tourism marketing today. Once a marketing executive herself, Marilyn shares insights she's gained on the power of positioning and partnering with the perfect agency. Creativity is key, she says, and remembering what potential visitors are looking for is at the center of it all. "I feel the best way is to be your honest, authentic self, and even though they're asking specific questions, just put down what you want to put down what you feel are your strengths. Sometimes you just have to [say], we've worked with a lot of destinations, here are things that we feel are really important to include in that RFP process that is not there, and here's how we would answer those questions.'" - Marilyn Ball on responding to a destination's RFP Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Subscribe to our newsletter! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. Email [email protected] with any inquiries regarding the network.