Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation

Towering rock faces, majestic waterfalls, and unbelievable views draw millions of tourists to Yosemite National Park each year. Some of those visitors find themselves so connected to nature, outdoors activities and small town life that they become local residents. Today's guests have heard that calling, now considering themselves locals to Mariposa, California, gateway to Yosemite. Join T he...

There's lots of media about the places people visit, things they do, restaurants where they eat but, what we remember most are the people we meet. While sitting on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, host of the Business Class Podcast and The Tourism Academy 's Chief Strategist, Stephen Ekstrom met Hector. What followed this chance encounter is Hector's remarkable story about lif...

In this episode, Stephen Ekstrom, host of Business Class and the Tourism Academy 's Chief Strategist, visits Diamond P Grassroots Bison in McCannon, Idaho. Before staying the night, Jenny Perkins, took Stephen out on the range to see the bison up close, including a newborn calf just two hours old. After the tour, Jenny sat down with Stephen to share her experience hosting visitors and raising...

Tracy Smith & Leslie Brewer from Louisiana's Destrehan Plantation sit down with The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom to share how telling the whole story breathes new life into popular attractions, like Destrehan. RELATED: Breathe New Life Into Your Tourism Economy Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harnessing the power of science, business...

On this episode of Business Class , host Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Gloria, head chef and matriarch of the family-run Puerto El Zeppelin Resort , just outside of Ensenada,  Mexico. El Zeppelin sits high on a cliff, with commanding views of Pacific waves crashing against rocky outcrops and sheltered by towering mountains. El Zeppelin can only be reached by a narrow dirt road, carved from the st...

On this episode, The Tourism Academy 's Business Class host, Stephen Ekstrom, takes a kitesurfing lesson in El Sargento Mexico then sits down for a chat with instructor, Alex Salvador. RELATED: Get Great Stories For Your Meeting 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 to...

The Power of Female Leaders: A Panel Discussion Women and Leadership Women-owned and women-led businesses are one of the fastest growing sectors in the enterprise world. Help us celebrate Women’s History Month and learn how to build a more profitable, resilient and diverse organization. Topics include: how to diversity your business where opportunities for women leaders are available how the mento...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Lucinda AKA Sandy Feet, a sand castle expert. Lucinda shares the story of how she got into making sandcastles, she chats about big sandcastle building events she’s been to, and she talks about how art exists in so many forms. Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit aca...

Things got a little weird when The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom visits Austin, Texas. There he met Vince Hannemann, artist and creator of The Cathedral of Junk - a backyard sculpture made entirely of junk and standing an impressive three stories tall. RELATED: Inspire Creativity With A Great Keynote Speaker Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit academy - harn...

The Tourism Academy 's Sheena Works moderates this inspiring conversation about the power of women in leadership. Joining her are Rebecca Mark from Rutgers University, Colie Edison of the WNBA, Melissa Cherry from Miles Partnership and Sophia Hyder Hock of Destinations International. Women and Leadership Women-owned and women-led businesses are one of the fastest growing sectors in the enterp...

Join The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom as he sits down for a drink with Christine Miller, head chick in charge at Two Chicks Walking Tours of New Orleans. Christine shares what it's like to be a New Orleanian, local traditions and highlights of her time in the Big Easy. RELATED: Bring Great Storytellers To Your Event Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom heads to Louisiana. Steve gets to sample a few different Tabasco hot sauces , he chats with Barry from Crawfish Haven , and he makes his way out on the bayou to learn all about catching crawfish. RELATED: Bring Authenticity To Your Next Event - Hire a Tourism Academy Speaker Business Class is brought to you by Learn...

Tourism experts, Anna Karnowski and Allison French get together to ask Business Class host and full-time traveler, Stephen Ekstrom , anything. Together they talk about life on the road, advice for making sure your trip is enjoyable, favorite places to visit and much, much more. This conversation first aired on 10 March 2022.    RELATED: Find An Inspiring Speaker For Your Next Meeting Business Clas...

Go behind the scenes at the Historic New Orleans Collection with Executive Director, Daniel Hammer. Business Class host and The Tourism Academy Chief Strategist, Stephen Ekstrom, talks with Daniel about his experience growing up in New Orleans, work now to preserve the city's historic character, and Daniel tells us about some of his favorite art on display in his office. RELATED: Teach Travel...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Joe Marinelli, President of Visit Savannah . Joe discusses how Savannah’s tourism has evolved over the years, he talks about the pride that the people of Savannah have about their hometown, and he shares how a grade school homework assignment got him interested in tourism as a career. RELATED:...

Ever thought about working in a cemetery? Well, that's exactly what Shannon Scott 's career path has been. Joining The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom for this episode, Shannon explains where his quest for the macabre and fantastic storytelling skills come from. RELATED: Capture Your Audience With Amazing Stories Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism , the nonprofit a...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Darron Patterson from the Clotilda Descendants Association . Darron shares the history of the Clotilda slave ship, he talks about why it’s important for people of different backgrounds to visit Africatown, and he discusses why teamwork is so incredibly important. RELATED: Inspiring Stories &amp...

While visiting Beaufort, South Carolina , Business Class host and Tourism Academy Chief Strategist, Stephen Ekstrom , paid a visit to the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory and Museum . Upon walking in the door, he was greeted by Beaufort's Mayor and factory owner, Stephen Murray , before getting a behind the scenes tour of the factory and an unforgettable live kazoo concert. This is one you don't w...

In this episode, The Tourism Academy 's Business Class host, Stephen Ekstrom, sits down with Richard Goldman, President & CEO of the St Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau . Richard shares his personal travel memories, challenges facing DMOs like theirs, and similarities between his work and fatherhood. RELATED: Motivation & Education - Find A Great...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Dave Riordan. Dave talks about how he got into the tourism industry, he discusses some of his all-time favorite meals, and he shares some similarities he has with each of his parents. Let’s get to the show, here’s your host Steve Ekstrom. RELATED: Find A Great Storyteller for Your Next Event Bu...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Florence Li from Songtsam Hotels, Resorts & Tours . Florence discusses how her father founded the Songtsam hotel chain, she talks about the unique guest experiences at her properties, and he shares great advice about compassion. Let’s get to the show, here’s your host Steve Ekstrom.  Busine...

What would you do if you were just inches from a nine foot king cobra or face to face with the world's most dangerous bird, the cassowary? In this episode, Stephen Ekstrom from The Tourism Academy goes behind the scenes at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park , an A.Z.A. accredited facility to meet the Head Curator, Gen Anderson. RELATED: Need An Educational (And Fun) Speaker? C...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Akbal Setia, from Tourism Malaysia . Akbal talks about the delicious food in Malaysia, he explains the biggest challenges he faces when it comes to promoting his destination, and he shares discusses how affordable it is to visit Malaysia. Let’s get to the show, here’s your host Steve Ekstrom. T...

When asked what he loves about his job, Robb Wells, CEO of the Greater Beaufort and Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau , said it all relates back to his community and the role economic development plays in helping his friends and neighbors recover from adversity.  That's not all Robb had to say about his experience in South Carolina. Check it out on this episode of Business Class . R...

"I was determined not to lose my Gullah accent." When told she talked too fast and needed to slow down, Anita Singleton-Prather responded, "No, you need to speed up; you listen too slow." During a recent visit to Beaufort, South Carolina, The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom got to talk with Anita from the Gullah Kinfolk Traveling Theater about her Gullah roots, finding...