Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation

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 Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing th...

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 San Antonio’s $11 billion visitor indus...

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 Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industry and build sustainable economies. Learn how to engage your commu...

"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.  Business Class is brought to y...

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 Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harn...

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 the company. He joins The Tourism Academy | tourism...

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.  Business Class is brought to you by...

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 Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing the power...

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 educating consumers and breaking preconc...

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 Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing t...

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 Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing the po...

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 she's applied her unique perspectiv...

"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 balance for her team, findi...

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 Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industry and build sustainable economies. Learn how to engage your comm...

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 to hide in the background evolve into a...

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. He talks about how he developed his lead...

As a kid he collected airline time tables and model planes, now he's running one of the most innovative companies in the travel industry, Status Match , pairing frequent flyers with destinations and airlines that want their business. Meet Mark Ross-Smith, Author, Founder of industry news site “ Travel Data Daily .” Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - ha...

From a small hotel in a fishing village to one of the most desired destinations in the country, Milton Segarra, Chief Marketing Officer at  Discover The Palm Beaches Florida and Destinations International Board Member, has made a career of transforming lives and making dreams reality through travel. In this episode, Milton talks with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org 's Stephen Ekstrom...

Amir Eylon, President & C.E.O. at Longwoods International , is making a difference. Here, he joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org 's Stephen Ekstrom to share his unexpected career path from driving the hotel shuttle bus to leading the industry's premier research organization and sharing his experience as a member of the Destinations International Board of Directors. Amir is...

Kyle Edmiston shares with the nonprofit Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org 's Stephen Ekstrom, is making his mark in Lake Charles, Louisiana - a community that blends luxury amenities with outdoor features like creeks, river, bayou and swamp.  From Louisiana Tech University, he was recruited to work in destination marketing and this is his story of building a career, mentors he's looke...

"The game has changed - we have got to make sure destinations continue to adapt and are serving the communities they represent," says Jerad Bachar, President & CEO at Visit Pittsburgh as he joins The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of the Business Class podcast.  Together, they discuss the new meaning of work-life balance and how that manifests in company cul...

Summerside, Prince Edward Island is an incredibly charming and unexpectedly fascinating destination year-round. Join the nonprofit Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org 's Stephen Ekstrom for this chat with Rose Dennis, Executive Director of Explore Summerside . She explains how they're able to punch way above their weight class for sports, leisure & business travelers, drawing the li...

"I'm living my best life now..." says Martha Sheridan, CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau . In this episode, Martha talks about their work to elevate Boston as a global destination, a city that never gets old. She shares some pivotal moments and mentors who helped shape her career in destination management. She also talks about the integration between communi...

The Boy With The Blue Beard, also known as The Baltimore Foodie. Yes, he's as well known for his outgoing style as he is for his impeccable taste and ability to draw attention to the thriving food scene in Baltimore. This week, The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom sits down for a drink with @thebaltimorefoodie Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy -...

Chadi stepped off a plane in Baltimore 15 years ago. At the time, he had no idea that he'd be making a difference and making his mark in the hospitality industry.  Here's his uniquely inspiring immigrant story. Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industr...