Tech, Travel, and Twang!

Send us Fan Mail Can wellness travel redefine how we experience our holidays? Join us on Tech, Travel and Twang as we explore the transformative trends shaping wellness tourism, promising not just relaxation but a journey to mental and physical rejuvenation. As we gear up for the holiday season, discover how the post-pandemic travel boom is pushing both leisure and business travelers to prioritize...

Send us Fan Mail Is TikTok the new frontier in political influence? Jenn Barbee and Kristen Cruz unravel the unexpected events of Election Day 2024, including the peculiar incident of Puerto Rico being the target of an unjust criticism in the political sphere. Join us as we discuss how the election cycle has transcended the predictable, entering a realm where social media platforms hold unpreceden...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how the meetings industry is not only rebounding but thriving, as chat about Kristen's experience at the Texas Travel Alliance's 39th Annual Texas Travel Summit. Together, we uncover the stunning resurgence of the industry, which is now surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Kristen shares insights on the new frontrunners in event planning, with the sports market leadi...

Send us Fan Mail Is professional development an optional add-on, or should it be a non-negotiable part of our careers? Join Kristen Cruz and me as we unpack this compelling question in our latest episode of Tech Travel and Twain. We've been eagerly awaiting October, not only for cooler weather in Phoenix and Texas but also for the excitement surrounding our annual Destacon pop-up event. This...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to discover the secrets of holiday travel in the oldest town in Texas? Join us on Tech Travel and Twang as we welcome Ashley Morgan, the Executive Director of Visit Nacogdoches. Ashley paints a vivid picture of Nacogdoches' fall charm, from its crisp air to its bustling downtown. We get the scoop on must-see events like the Merry Christmas Market and Wassail Fest, which...

Send us Fan Mail Can a simple "happiness list" transform your career? Rachel Covello's journey from corporate sales to becoming a pivotal figure in LGBTQ tourism proves it can. Join us for an inspiring conversation with the publisher of OutCoast.com, as Rachel shares her remarkable shift and the evolution of her platform. Learn how a personal quest for happiness led her to launch Ou...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how leaders in tech and travel navigate their careers while pushing for gender parity? Join us in this fascinating episode where we sit down with Vered Schwarz, President and COO of Guesty, who shares her inspiring journey from law to scaling major companies like Fiverr and Guesty. Vered emphasizes the key role of taking risks and stepping into uncharted territories...

Send us Fan Mail Is your Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) ready to navigate the maze of digital marketing in 2023 and beyond? Today, Kristen Cruz and Jenn Barbee, uncover the key strategies that DMOs need to stay ahead of the curve. We break down how major players like Google, Facebook, and TikTok are reshaping the travel planning process and what that means for your marketing efforts. Fro...

Send us Fan Mail Are DMOs missing the mark by not adopting booking engines earlier? Find out as we sit down with Jenn Barbee and Kristen Cruz in this week's episode of Tech Travel and Twang's Tuesday Tea. We delve deep into the challenges that Destination Marketing Organizations face when it comes to integrating booking engines and apps into their websites. With consumer habits firmly sh...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to breathe new life into a stagnant board? In our riveting first installment of You Asked For It!, Kristen Cruz and I, Jenn Barbee, promise to enlighten you with actionable insights on revitalizing your board dynamics. We explore the art of balancing inherited board members with fresh faces, and the necessity of fostering respectful, collaborative relationships....

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to thriving cities lies in collaboration rather than competition? In this Tuesday Tea episode of Tech Travel and Twang, we revisit the heart and soul of our family business, reminding ourselves of the joy and creativity that fuel our work. We also share our recent experience with a unique dual photo shoot, conducted from different locations, proving that investing...

Send us Fan Mail How can destination podcasts remain captivating in a rapidly changing travel industry? Join us as we sit down with Jenn Barbee, the Chief Detsruptor at Destination Innovate, and Kristen Cruz, the Chief Experience Officer and Co-Founder, to dissect this very question. We unpack the initial buzz around destination podcasts and the ongoing hurdles in sustaining listener interest. Jen...

Send us Fan Mail How does the passage of time transform our travel experiences, especially in an age of evolving educational schedules and technological shifts? Join us on Tech Travel and Twang for an insightful exploration into the rising trend of taking on debt for vacations and how services like Affirm and Klarna are making travel more accessible. Ever had a flight ruined by an unruly passenger...

Send us Fan Mail Can a tourism commercial make you laugh out loud and book a flight? Tune into this episode of Tech Travel and Twang where Jenn and Kristen are back with their Tuesday Tea segment, sharing weekend updates and diving into the latest buzz in travel and design. Jenn’s been busy with her upcycling and interior design projects and Kristen reminisces about Jenn's ever evolving passi...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build a thriving tourism hub in a small, heritage-rich community? Join our conversation with Mark Shore, CEO of Visit Bath County, Virginia, as he unveils the unique journey of establishing a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) in a town of just 4,200 people. Learn about the pivotal role of the historical Omni Homestead Resort, currently revitalized with...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a simple weekend trip can transform into a gastronomic adventure? Join us as Kristen recounts her meticulously planned couple's getaway to Dallas, filled with delicious meals and perfectly timed dining experiences. Meanwhile, Jenn takes us through her "big think weekend" where documentary watching met family time and culinary creativity, leading to...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the transformative power of wellness tourism and its impact on mental health to kickoff our Tuesday Tea series! We'll share our personal wellness routines, from sipping magnesium water to taking mental health days, and discuss how self-care is becoming more accepted in the workplace thanks to the rise of remote work. Take time with us to reflect on why prioritizing m...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a journey through the vibrant intersection of travel, technology, and innovation as we uncover the secrets to thriving in the constantly evolving landscape of hospitality. I draw from a wealth of experience to guide you in harnessing the distinct magic of your locale. We'll dissect the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in destination development, and how AI se...

Send us Fan Mail Strap in as we navigate the cutting-edge intersection where AI meets destination marketing, reshaping the travel industry's landscape. We'll unpack the hesitation behind adopting AI, now melting away as destinations eagerly jump on the tech bandwagon to stay competitive. Creativity and AI are joining forces, and we’re here to analyze this powerful alliance. Our chat goes...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how Destination Marketing Organizations are stepping into the future with Amplify's John Flanagan as our Monday Momentum ignites a discussion that could redefine your next adventure. Amplify isn't just changing the game; they're reshaping an entire industry by merging the prowess of Online Travel Agencies with DMO websites and other online platforms—think o...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a journey into the heart of destination marketing with industry trailblazer Josh Collins. Discover the art of captivating travelers through owned media channels, the unsung heroes in the rise and ebb of platforms like TikTok. As we unpack the PESO model, you'll learn why a solid foundation in owned media isn't just a good practice; it's essential for the...

Send us Fan Mail We're unpacking how a team can not just survive but truly excel in a remote work environment! Shedding light on the autonomy and trust required to foster creativity and productivity outside the traditional office. As we navigate through our agency's own journey of wholly remote operations, we share how flexible hours and geographical freedom are reshaping the way we work...

Send us Fan Mail As we usher in a fresh professional season, the spotlight turns to the exciting transformations within Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and agencies. Spring break isn't just for kids—it's a metaphor for the rejuvenation and innovation brewing in our industry. We spill the beans on how fostering cross-generational mentorship and harnessing the fresh perspective...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever encountered a hurdle that seemed insurmountable, only to turn it into a beacon of hope for others? That's exactly what Lorraine Woodward, our esteemed guest from rentABLE, did with her personal battle with muscular dystrophy. Her creation of an accessible vacation haven is not just a triumph over adversity but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. T...

Send us Fan Mail Here's a little secret: the journey to authenticity isn't always an easy one, but oh boy, is it worth it! On our latest episode, we delve into the power of self-expression and self-love with Alethea Crimmins, a social media maven whose unapologetically authentic persona has garnered viral success. Alethea recounts her personal experiences, from overcoming her fear of jud...