Welcome to another episode of the Tourism Academy Podcast! I'm your host, Stephen Ekstrom, the CEO and co-founder of Tourism Academy. Today, we have a fascinating interview with Tammy Canavan, President & CEO of Visit Seattle, a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) space. In this enl…

In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, your host, Stephen Ekstrom, sits down with Tony Lyle, the Executive Director of Visit Galveston. Join them as they explore Tony's remarkable trajectory from a ski rep in Vermont and Tahoe to leading tourism efforts in the charming town of Galveston. Tony shares insights in…

Welcome to a new episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, where we connect with inspiring individuals in the tourism industry. In this episode, we had the honor of speaking with Karly, the Senior Marketing Manager of Travel Butler County and a proud member of Destination International's prestigious "30 under 30." Karly shared her in…

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Business Class," the podcast that delves into the hidden stories and insights of the tourism industry. I'm your host, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO of Tourism Academy, and today, we have a remarkable guest, Kristin McGrath, the Executive Director of Visit Pasadena, the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kristin ha…

In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy Podcast, your host, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and co-founder of Tourism Academy, embarks on a thought-provoking conversation with Julie Freeman, the EVP & Managing Director of MMGY NJF. Join us as we dive deep into Julie's extraordinary journey in the tourism industry and unveil the intricacies of trave…

In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, your host, Stephen Ekstrom, the CEO and co-founder of The Tourism Academy, delves into a fascinating conversation with Geoff Freeman, President & CEO of the US Travel Association. Get ready to explore Geoff's remarkable journey and insights into the world of travel and lea…

Join us in this captivating podcast episode as The Tourism Academy's Stephen Ekstrom dives into the vibrant city of Cincinnati with a remarkable guest, Julie Calvert, President & CEO of Visit Cincy. Julie's journey into destination marketing is a fascinating tale of serendipity, starting as a journalist and eventually leading her to helm one of the…

In this enlightening episode, join us as we delve into hospitality and tourism with Dr. Robert Donato, Assistant Professor and Hospitality Program Manager at R. Motwani Family Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Broward College. Dr. Donato, a New York native who found his way to Broward County and back, shares his incredible journey from…

In this episode of the Tourism Academy podcast, join your host, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and co-founder of Tourism Academy, as he sits down with Rob O'Keefe, the driving force behind See Monterey's remarkable rebranding journey. Rob, the mastermind behind "Find Your Way Here," shares insights into his inspiring career and the pivotal moments that broug…

In this episode, join The Tourism Academy's CEO & co-founder, Stephen Ekstrom, as he sits down with Paul Ouimet from MMGY NextFactor, a distinguished figure in the tourism industry, and explore his illustrious career's fascinating twists and turns. From aviation and transportation to a pivotal role in founding a consultancy specializing in border p…

In this episode of Business Class by The Tourism Academy, we sit down with Steve Paganelli, Head of Americas at TripAdvisor, for a candid conversation about his journey in the travel and tourism industry. While today, he's at the forefront of one of the most influential travel platforms, Steve's path to this role was anything but conventional. Stev…

In this episode we take a deep dive into Selena Gomez's song "My Mind and Me" and explore how it relates to Lilandra's personal experience.By Lilandra Dwenger-Lestz

Join The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Stacy Ritter, a dynamic leader representing Visit Lauderdale, a community of 2 million people speaking 147 languages. With a background in politics and a passion for her community, Stacy shares insights into the intersection of tourism and politics, highl…

Exploring the word, "leader" with Brianna Bieghler.By Lilandra Dwenger-Lestz

Join us for an enlightening episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast as we sit down with Cleo Battle, CEO of Louisville Tourism. Cleo's journey from childhood aspirations to becoming a dynamic leader in the tourism industry is nothing short of inspiring. Cleo dreamt of becoming a firefighter as a child, driven by his innate desire to…

In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, we delve into the world of lifelong learning and the transformative impact of travel. Our guest, Liz Bittner, President & CEO of Travel South USA, is a seasoned traveler and industry expert; she shares her remarkable journey through roads less taken and bridges crossed. We…

Step into the fascinating world of Natchez, a city of captivating contradictions and profound history, as we sit down with Devin Heath, the Executive Director at Visit Natchez. In this illuminating Tourism Academy Business Class episode, we delve into the heart of Natchez's rich past, its complex narrative, and the exciting challenges it presents. …

Brett Jewkes, our esteemed guest lecturer for the Tourism Leadership Accelerator Program, embodies the essence of values-driven leadership. Throughout his illustrious career, he embarked on a relentless quest to align his passion with his purpose, ultimately finding a company and role grounded in core values. His journey is a testament to the power…

Join us for an inspiring episode as we dive into the fascinating journey of turning a city's vision into a vibrant reality. In this episode, we sit down with Leonard Hoops, the visionary leader behind the transformation of Indianapolis into a tourism hotspot. Back in 2014, Indianapolis unveiled an ambitious tourism masterplan, drawing inspiration f…

Welcome to the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast! In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Hilina Ajakaiye, a remarkable individual making a significant impact in Boston as Executive Vice President of Meet Boston. Hilina's journey began as an immigrant from Ethiopia in 1987, with a dream of integrating and assimilating into her…

Join us on this captivating episode of "Business Class," hosted by Stephen Ekstrom, CEO & Co-Founder of The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org, as we sit down with a true trailblazer in destination marketing, Kristen Esposito. Kristen is not only the founder of Esposito Global Partners, a renowned destination marketing firm, and a distinguished m…

In this captivating episode of The Tourism Academy Podcast, host Stephen Ekstrom, CEO & Co-Founder, sits down with Fred Dixon, the CEO of NYC Tourism and Chair of Destinations International. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary career journey of a visionary leader and gain exclusive access to his invaluable insights into the world of tourism …

In this heartwarming episode, join us as we embark on an incredible journey with the extraordinary Bud Geissler, an ardent traveler, and advocate for exploration. Bud's passion for discovering new destinations and connecting people through travel has made him a renowned figure in the industry. As the Chair of the prestigious 2024 American Bus Assoc…

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Craig Davis, the visionary CEO of Visit Dallas, the official tourism organization responsible for showcasing the incredible diversity and energy of the dynamic city of Dallas. Join The Tourism Academy's Stephen Ekstrom as we delve into the exciting aspects that make Dallas the perfect host city for the …

Join us for a captivating episode of the Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Business Class Podcast as we delve into the world of collaboration and the inherent goodness of people with our esteemed guest, Alana Cooper, CEO of Discover Monroe-West Monroe, Louisiana. In this episode, Alana shares her insights and experiences in fostering collabora…

In this captivating episode, Stephen Ekstrom, the host of The Tourism Academy's Business Class podcast, sits down with Jack Johnson, the esteemed Chief Advocacy Officer at Destinations International. Join us as we delve into a deep conversation about Jack's remarkable work, passions, and the significant initiatives undertaken by the D.I. Foundation…

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast! In this episode, we uncover the incredible synergy between STEM education and tourism development as host Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Michael Hensley, a visionary leader from Visit Great Lakes Bay. Join us as Stephen and Michael delve into the captivating world …

In this captivating episode of our podcast, host Stephen Ekstrom sits down with the brilliant mind of Joseph St. Germain, Ph.D., President and Partner at Downs & St. Germain Research. With an impressive academic background and extensive experience in the field of research, Joseph has made a significant impact on understanding human behavior. Stephe…

Welcome to the Business Class Podcast, where we explore the fascinating world of travel, tourism, and destination marketing. In today's episode, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with a distinguished guest, Marc Garcia, the President and CEO of Visit Mesa. Marc Garcia is a recognized leader in the tourism industry, with a wealth of experience and insights …

Welcome to this inspiring episode of our podcast, where we dive deep into the world of sustainable tourism and philanthropy. In today's interview, we have the honor of hosting Bruce Beckham, the visionary founder of Tourism Cares, a renowned non-profit organization at the forefront of transforming the way we approach travel and its impact on local …

"Whatever job you start in, especially in tourism, be a sponge - keep your eyes open, pay attention to what you do to learn things along the way," says Kristina Wilson, JD and Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org advisor. In this episode, Kristina joins host Stephen Ekstrom to share some of her favorite travel experiences and how that love for lear…

She's been able to "make a career out of selling fun." In this episode, Beth Gendler from Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism joins the nonprofit Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org Co-Founder, Stephen Ekstrom, for a lively chat. Beth shares her view on stewardship, creating a culture of adaptability, and her own leadership style. It's worth a list…

Like most on The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org team, Paradise Advertising and Marketing's Barbara Karasek comes from a family of educators. She's both a sports fanatic and an academic who values lifelong learning. As she puts it, "constantly learning from ourselves, others & those around us." There's an air of wonderment around Barbara, the …

Dr. Canny has nearly three decades of experience in higher education as a senior administrator as well as a faculty member. He is a faculty member at the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education in the Doctoral Programs for Organizational Change Leadership and Education Leadership. Dr. Canny has also taught at Stetson Universi…

Maura Gast, Executive Director of the Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau and former Destinations International Chair, met The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org Co-Founder and CEO, Stephen Ekstrom, nearly 20 years ago. They reconnect and share stories of how their career paths have come to cross again Business Class is brought to you by The Tour…

Joining The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom for this episode is Scott White from Visit Greater Palm Springs. Since 2010, Scott White has served as President and CEO at Visit Greater Palm Springs. Scott previously served as the Executive Director of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau where he oversaw the promotion of…

Don Welsh, CEO of Destinations International shares the origins of his passion for this work, key moments in his career and lessons learned along the way. Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industry and build sustainable economies.…

"Your reputation travels with you," says Monica Smith, President & CEO at Southeast Tourism Society, in this conversation with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom. Monica shares memories of her favorite travel experiences, leadership advice and her thoughts on the friendships she's made along her professional journey. Busines…

Nan Marchand Beauvois is U.S. Travel Association’s senior vice president of membership and industry relations. She is also general manager for U.S. Travel’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO). In this episode, she shares her story with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom Business Class is brought to you by T…

Ryan George has held one job in his time at Simpleview — a responsibility he took on when he founded the company in February 2001. As CEO, he provides strategy and direction for the company, oversees its growth and operations through a cadre of highly skilled executives, and works to build industry knowledge and leadership in employees throughout t…

Growing up in the travel business, Melyssa never thought she'd be leading a DMO for 20+ years. Now, she counts destination marketing peers among her close friend group. In this episode, Melyssa Reeves from Visit Vacaville, and Destinations International Board member, shares her story with the Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom. …

With a background in business psychology and behavioural economics, and a love for Applebee's, Visit Corpus Christi's Brett Oetting, also a member of the Destinations International Board, shares his insight on growing quality of place, stronger teams, and more sustainable tourism economies. Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - …

A lifetime learner, passionate educator, and leader amongst destination marketers, Gary Sherwin, CEO of Newport Beach & Company and member of the Destinations International Board, shares his experience and hopes for the future with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom. Gary shares how attracting more visitors is the result of …

Taking risks, discovering one's own potential, and finding gratitude in her destination, Discover Long Island's Kristen Reynolds, also a member of the Destinations International Board, shares her experience and climb to leadership with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy…

Visit Tampa Bay's Santiago Corrada, who's also a member of the Destinations International Board, joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom to discuss what it takes to unlock a destination's hidden gem, double hotel revenue and build a brand that others admire. Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessi…

She's an artist and a CEO, leading one of the most innovative destination marketing organizations in the US. Rose Noble from Galena Country Tourism and member of the Destinations International Board joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of Business Class. Together they talk about art, learning, and how sh…

"Where do you want to go in your career?" It's a question Ellie Westman Chin, CEO of Destination Madison and member of the Destinations International Board, asks of every member of her team. Ellie joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Steve Ekstrom on this episode of Business Class. In this conversation, Ellie shares her view on creating…

A new museum inside a commercial space lab with some unique challenges and a pretty neat new Director - Sam Moore of Pittsburgh's new Moonshot Museum. Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industry and build sustainable economies. Lea…

Serving up messages that resonate, making sure the community is part of the tourism community and leveling the playing field - these are just a few of the tasks Visit Sacramento's Sonya Bradley, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and member of the Destinations International Board of Directors, is tasked with. How did a shy young girl who liked …

Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp CEO and member of the Destinations International Board of Directors, Butch Spyridon, joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org Chief Strategist, Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of the Business Class Podcast. Butch shares his professional journey, advice for new recruits, and critical lessons he's learned. …