Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Craig Davis, president and CEO of Visit Dallas . Craig talks about a person who had a big influence on his career, he describes the southern hospitality visitors find in Dallas, and he shares what he learned during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. RELATED: Train Your People Better - Custom...

On this episode of Business Class, Broadway Inbound 's Allison French and tourism leader, Anna Karnowski join our host and The Tourism Academy 's Chief Strategist, Stephen Ekstrom for a great talk about the three very different and yes, somehow similar experiences each has had over the last 18 months. They share their experiences with business on hold, companies to reinvent and finding t...

Shannan Carter of Live Travel & Tours and former SYTA President joins Business Class host, Stephen Ekstrom to talk about her love of travel, turning that passion into a career and life changing moments she's experienced while traveling. Plus - chicken coops, rural shacks and her next destination. RELATED: Get Certified. Tourism Ambassador Certification RELATED: Custom Course Development B...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Dana Romanello, from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum . Dana explains why we should use all the crayons in our box, she gives an overview on innovations the Country Music Hall of Fame has made since the pandemic began, and she talks about learning something new everyday. RELATED: Teach...

Sharing his insight on building legacy and making a difference is Mike Gamble, Founder of Tourism Diversity Matters and Co-founder of SearchWide Global , a full service executive search firm. Prior to TDM and SearchWide Global, he was SVP of Sales and Marketing for the Philadelphia CVB and held various leadership roles with Marriott International. RELATED:  What You Need To Know About The Tourism...

Deborah Ward shares her career journey from broadcast journalism to the convention & visitors bureau at Visit Omaha . In this conversation with The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom , she discusses building her new career and growing into the role of CEO and understanding the impact of tourism within her community.  Deborah shares what it takes to transition to a new career and tell an i...

On this episode of Business Class , Thu Tran of New Orleans & Company joins host, Stephen Ekstrom . Together, they talk about building a tourism career, the importance of working smarter - not harder, and becoming a sales leader with empathy, understanding and compassion. She also shares how she found community in the French Quarter. Plus - some of her favorite eats and foodie facts. RELATED:...

Rachel Obermeier joins The Tourism Academy 's Steve Ekstrom in Business Class to talk tourism, travel and developing international trade for Visit Mississippi . Rachel shares the best advice she's received, her own experience living & working abroad, and finding work-life balance with family, good food and plenty of local experiences to enjoy.   RELATED: INFOGRAPHIC: 6 Reasons You Ne...

What's it like to lead destination marketing efforts in a soulful kind of place? Rickey Thigpen, CEO & President of Visit Jackson, Mississippi joins Stephen Ekstrom to share his thoughts on embracing community. He shares his experience from the Drum Corp and IT corner to creating a stronger, better destination that people want to visit and stakeholders are proud to support. Plus - being a...

What does a destination marketing organization do? In this episode, Stephen Ekstrom talks with Heather Boehm Egan about her role at the Grapevine CVB , hosting the ABA Marketplace and what it takes to earn community support. Business Class is made possible by Group Travel Odyssey Support the show

Kate Fox, Executive Director of Destination Salem joins Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of Business Class . Kate talks about balancing the needs of Salem, Massachusetts' local stakeholders with the economic benefits that come with tourism. She also shares a few surprising secrets of the city most known for its witchiness. So heat up your cauldron and grab your sage as you join us in Business...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Gretchen Hall, President and CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and Board Chair of Destinations International . Gretchen describes how she found a career path in tourism, she talks about her new role as chair of Destinations International, and she shares a travel memory that...

In this episode, Adam Burke, CEO of Discover Los Angeles sits down with The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom to shares his thoughts as a recovering marketer and leader of one of the largest Convention & Visitors Bureaus in the US. Plus - he discusses a fun hobby that might surprise you. RELATED: Tourism Ambassador Training - Create Alignment & Build Relevance Business Class is power...

Join the tourism and career conversation with Anna Karnowski , passionate traveler, experience promoter and all-around good person. Anna sits down with The Tourism Academy 's Stephen Ekstrom to discuss key moments in her career, memorable travel experiences, and what it takes to shed that "boss" title and become a leader. The Business Class Podcast is powered by Group Travel Odyssey...

Elliott Ferguson joins Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of The Tourism Academy 's Business Class podcast . Together, they discuss business integrity, hard work, overcoming obstacles and creating a more diversity, equitable and inclusive industry..  Elliott talks about making Destination DC a successful organization, his own roots in economic development and how he defines leadership.  Busines...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Ben Berthelot, the President and CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission . Ben discusses local innovations he’s seen over the past year, he talks about partnerships Lafayette has made with other nearby destinations, and he reflects on the kindness he’s seen from the people of La...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Heidi Walters from Visit North Carolina . Heidi talks about sustainability, she chats about North Carolina’s amazing outdoor experiences, and she shares some of the best life advice she’s ever received . Let’s get to the show, here’s your host Steve Ekstrom. Business Class is powered by Group T...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Pete Pantuso, the CEO of the American Bus Association . Pete gives his philosophy on how you should treat your customer, he shares some of his favorite travel memories as a kid, and he talks about one of the biggest risks he’s taken. Business Class is powered by Group Travel Odyssey Support the...

Carylann Assante, Executive Director of the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA), is this week's guest on the Tourism Academy's Business Class podcast. She talks with Stephen Ekstrom about developing a love for travel early on, experiences that have influenced how she travels now, and her insight on the industry's ability to innovate. Business Class is powered by Group Travel Ody...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview John Percy, the President and CEO at Destination Niagara USA . John talks the importance of following your gut, he discusses the strength of his team through the COVID pandemic, and he describes how Destination Niagara USA stayed relevant through challenging times. Business Class is powered by...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Greg Takehara, the CEO of Tourism Cares . Greg talks about the importance of patience, he shares lessons he’s learned as CEO of Tourism Cares, and he discusses some of the silver linings travel organizations have taken from the pandemic. Business Class is powered by Group Travel Odyssey Support...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Alfredo Gonzalez, a true tourism professional. Alfredo retells how he got his start in the industry, he explains the importance of technology in travel, and he talks about how low fare air carriers are expanding their operations. Business Class is powered by Group Travel Odyssey Support the sho...

On this week’s episode of Business Class   from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Duane Parrish, the Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the state of South Carolina. Duane shares how he became interested in the hospitality industry at an early age, he talks about some unique places to visit in South Carolina, and he discusses some of his mentors in the tourism i...

On this week’s episode of Business Class from the Tourism Academy , Steve Ekstrom sits down to interview Sheena Works, the Chief Learning Officer at the Tourism Academy. Sheena brings a unique insight in adult learning, business psychology and instructional design.  Business Class is powered by Group Travel Odyssey Support the show