Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation

What kind of legacy are we creating through our work in tourism? In this reflective and thought-provoking conversation, Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara shares lessons from more than two decades of advancing responsible tourism and building meaningful connections across the industry. From destination stewardship and sustainable travel to leadership, organizational culture, and the accelerating pace...

In this episode of Business Class , Stephen Ekstrom from Learn Tourism sits down with Wendy Haase-Roberts, President & CEO of Travel Santa Ana , to discuss the unique challenge of creating a destination organization from virtually nothing more than a name and a vision. Wendy shares how Travel Santa Ana has become a connector for businesses, attractions, artists, and community organizations thr...

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, few destinations are more central to the story than Williamsburg, Virginia. In this episode of Business Class, Learn Tourism 's Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Edward Harris, President & CEO of Visit Williamsburg , to discuss leading a destination through a once-in-a-generation moment while preparing for what comes next. Edward shares hi...

What does it take to transform perceptions, inspire a community, and lead a destination through change? In this episode of Business Class , Learn Tourism' s Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Peter Gamez, President & CEO of Visit Oakland , to explore the power of positive storytelling, servant leadership, and collaboration in destination marketing. Growing up in San Francisco as the son of Cu...

What does it take to make career moves that everyone else thinks are impossible? In this episode of Learn Tourism 's Business Class podcast, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago , to explore the mindset behind one of the tourism industry's most remarkable leadership journeys. From public relations and lobbying to leading destination organ...

Join us in this insightful episode of the Business Class Podcast as we catch up with Don Welsh, three years after his last appearance. As the President and CEO of Destinations International , Don shares his in-depth perspectives on the evolving challenges and opportunities within the global tourism industry. From responsible travel and political acuity to the importance of accessibility and innova...

Rachel Thompson, Executive Director of Visit Greater St. Cloud, joins Business Class to discuss destination stewardship, supporting small businesses, tourism leadership, and why the future of tourism still depends on human connection. In this inspiring and surprisingly personal conversation, Rachel shares her journey from aspiring firefighter to hospitality leader, the importance of setting ambiti...

What makes a destination unforgettable? According to Andia Ravariere, CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, it starts with authenticity, community, and the courage to truly understand a place's spirit. In this episode of Business Class , Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Andia for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about tourism leadership, sustainable destination development, Caribbean colla...

Tourism is about far more than attracting visitors. It’s about building stronger communities, creating opportunity, protecting places, and empowering people to connect through meaningful experiences. In this episode of Business Class , Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Scott Larson, Executive Director of Visit Central Oregon, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, destination stewardship, to...

What if tourism wasn’t just about attracting visitors—but about uplifting an entire community? In this episode, Stephen sits down with Kireem Swinton , President & CEO of Visit Baltimore , to explore a powerful shift happening in destination marketing. Drawing from his background as a championship athlete and team leader, Kireem shares how he’s building a culture rooted in trust, empowerment,...

What happens when a destination stops measuring success only by hotel stays—and starts measuring community impact? In this episode of Business Class , Stephen sits down with Melody Burnett, President of Visit High Point, to explore how one North Carolina destination is transforming tourism into a powerful force for inclusion, economic development, and community pride. From becoming one of the firs...

Tourism is built on human connection—so why are we struggling to attract, retain, and inspire the very people who make it work? In this candid and often hilarious conversation, Stephen Ekstrom (CEO of Learn Tourism ) and Carmen Bold (tourism workforce and capability expert) unpack the real challenges facing the industry—from the overlooked importance of business fundamentals to the global struggle...

Join us for a special four-year reunion episode as host Stephen Ekstrom reconnects with Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. In this engaging discussion, Santiago shares his visionary approach to marketing a vibrant city, moving beyond conventional tourism to foster sustainable community growth. Discover how Tampa Bay has transformed over the years through innovative campaigns,...

What does it take to lead a destination in today’s tourism landscape? In this episode of Business Class, Stephen sits down with Dan Williams, President & CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, for a conversation that goes far beyond marketing and metrics. Dan shares his journey from Cleveland to Columbus to Birmingham—and how a shift in perspective during COVID transfo...

In this episode of the Business Class podcast, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Kara Franker, President and CEO of Visit Florida Keys & Key West , for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, transformation, and the evolving role of destination organizations. Kara’s path into tourism is anything but traditional. After beginning her career as a criminal prosecutor in Miami, she transitioned...

Joanne Wolnik, Executive Director of Southwest Ontario Tourism, joins Stephen Ekstrom on Business Class to explore how small-place pride, thoughtful stewardship, and hands-on experiences can transform tourism into a force for local good. Joanne shares her journey from outdoor-recreation student to destination leader (and part-time horse-farm owner), and explains why “your ordinary is somebody else...

How do you make tourism work for residents and visitors? Jeff Schwartzenberg, Community Engagement Manager for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, joins Stephen Ekstrom on Business Class to unpack a community-first approach to destination stewardship. Jeff walks us through the Outer Banks’ long-range tourism management plan, the importance of listening to residents and second-homeowners, and practica...

Three years after their first conversation, Steve reconnects with Patrick Kaler, President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara (now Visit Buffalo), for a candid check-in on leadership in unpredictable times  Since their last episode, Buffalo has navigated political rhetoric impacting cross-border travel, a significant drop in Canadian visitation, the loss of 500 hotel rooms, shifting digital metric...

In this episode, we dive into the captivating journey of Jennifer Vigil, the dynamic President and CEO of Destination Panama City. From her beginnings in New York to her role as a transformative leader in Florida, Jennifer shares her story of resilience, innovation, and the power of tourism to unite communities. Discover how she rebuilt Panama City post-hurricane, her dedication to preserving its...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Joanna Bear, President and CEO of Visit Laguna Beach , as she shares her passion for travel, hospitality, and community stewardship. In this episode, Joanna discusses her journey from growing up in San Pedro to leading efforts in preserving the natural beauty and vibrant arts scene of Laguna Beach. Discover her insights on building genuine connections wit...

In this enlightening episode titled "On Life and Leadership," we sit down with Casandra Matej, the accomplished President and CEO of Visit Orlando . With over three decades of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Casandra shares the pivotal moments and lessons learned throughout her dynamic career. From her early days to leading through challenges such as the global pandemic, s...

In this episode of Business Class: The Learn Tourism Podcast , host Stephen Ekstrom welcomes Jorge L. Pérez, the newly appointed CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. With a career that spans venue management, entertainment, and major cultural events—including overseeing Bad Bunny’s historic 31-night residency—Pérez shares how these experiences shaped his vision for destination marketing. From addressing m...

Few destinations embody fun quite like Panama City Beach , and few leaders embody resilience, creativity, and vision quite like Dan Rowe , President & CEO of Visit Panama City Beach . In the latest episode of the Business Class  podcast , I had the chance to sit down with Dan to explore his nearly two decades of leadership, his approach to fostering innovation, and what keeps him motivated thr...

After three decades in the hotel world, Daniel Kuperschmid took the leap from corporate hospitality to destination leadership—becoming President & CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority . In this episode of the Business Class podcast , Daniel shares how trust shapes his leadership style, why leaving Hyatt was his biggest career risk, and how he’s working to showcase San Diego beyond its sunshi...

In this episode, special guest host John Percy (President & CEO, Niagara Falls USA) turns the tables on Learn Tourism founder Stephen Ekstrom. Stephen shares his journey from small-town New Hampshire to global traveler and nonprofit leader, revealing how passion, resilience, and kindness have shaped his career in tourism education.  Hear how Stephen turned pandemic setbacks into opportunities,...