Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation

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 the bustling world of hotels and restaurants...

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 brought him to where he is today....

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 processes and air services developm...

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. Steve shares that he originally aspired to b...

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, highlighting the economic impact of her work. Stacy&ap...

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 identify and solve problems. Little d...

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 start by embracing the idea that we&ap...

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. Natchez, a destination of immense historical...

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 of integrity and authenticity in leadership. Bre...

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 from the likes of Vancouver. Hoops takes us th...

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 new home. Today, she is at the heart...

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 member of the Brand USA Board of D...

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 and destination industries. Fred Dixon takes...

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 Association Marketplace Event, Bud has dedicated h...

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 highly anticipated 2023 Destinations Intern...

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 collaboration and community spirit in the tourism in...

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. As a true champion of the tourism i...

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 of incorporating STEM (Science, Technology,...

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. Stephen and Joseph embark on a thought-provoking jo...

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 into destination marketing. As the head of...

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 communities. During our conversation, Bruce...

"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 learning has helped her build a business tha...

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 listen.  Business Class is bro...

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 team she's bui...

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 University and Grand Canyon University.  In this episode,...