Destination On The Left

What if you got along with your sibling enough to travel with them – on a regular basis? That's the life today's guests are living. On this episode, we explore the world with Colleen Kelly and Catie Keogh. We'll talk about what it takes to follow your dream – and then market and produce something that makes your dream cash-flow positive! Colleen is the host, creator, and executive producer of the...

Traveling full-time is the dream of many of us. It's a lifestyle drenched with allure. On this episode of Destination on the Left, Nicole talks with Dalene Heck, travel influencer and owner of Hecktic Media. She and her husband have been living the travel-full-time dream for nearly 10 years. Unless you are just plain independently wealthy, you need a plan to make travel your lifestyle. Dalene dive...

Celebrities and influencers post their amazing travel and adventure on social media all the time. Often, that is not by accident. Product placement and influencer marketing can bring attention and interest to your hotel or travel destination. In today's episode, we talk with Stacy Jones, who has been doing product placement and influencer campaigns for over 20 years. We talk about the creative pro...

Americans work hard, which is great. But the data shows that many of us think that means we should leave vacation time unused which is a loss for you and your family. It is also means lost productivity and less job satisfaction, which is bad news for employers. Today on Destination on the left, Katie Denis and Nicole talk about what gets left on the table and what to do about it. People are losing...

We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I hope you will find a new perspective on this important segment of the tourism industry and how museums and cultural institutions...

In an area known for its scenic mountains and lakes that can keep you exploring outdoors indefinitely – how do you draw people indoors to explore the history and present of this beautiful region? That's the challenge for The Adirondack Experience – the museum on Blue Mountain Lake. Today in this episode, Nicole is joined by Jennifer Bine, Director of Interpretation at the Adirondack Experience. To...

In this episode, you'll learn different ways that you can diversify your audience from Billye Chabot, Kara Gaffken, Ed Varno, and David Hutchings.  We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Thro...

Keeping the engine of New York State tourism humming along doesn't just happen – it takes the hard work of local tourism boards, big campaigns like "I Love New York," all of the businesses that cater to visitors, and coordination and cooperation among all of those entities. Keeping a finger on the pulse of all of that is more than a full-time job. Mark Dorr is president of the New York State Hospi...

In this episode, we will learn about how to create programs and special events that attract new visitors from Starlyn D'Angelo, Kevin Walsh, and Katherine Jennings. We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening an...

On this episode, you'll learn how the Motorcoach travel industry is changing and catering to individual needs – not just one-size-fits-all group packages, with Peter Pantuso. Peter Pantuso is the President, and CEO of the American Bus Association. ABA is the largest transportation, travel, and tour organization in the United States with nearly 4,000 members. It represents 65 percent of the nation'...

In this episode, you'll learn how to build strong community partnerships, with Eliza Kozlowski, Rachel Unger, and Hannah Barry. We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I h...

Today's episode is all about destination marketing, and we're learning from a master craftsman. Matt Stiker spent the first part of his career in advertising agencies running a wide range of accounts for highly creative and highly successful brands including ESPN, Coca Cola, Microsoft Windows, and X-Box. He also ran advertising and marketing for a diverse set of companies including Adidas and HP....

In this episode, you'll learn different ways you can understand your audience better from Rob Cassetti and Tom Schuler. We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I hope you...

In today's episode, you'll hear from Joe Pulizzi, an expert in content marketing. You'll learn how content marketing can not only generate leads but become a source of revenue in its own right. Joe Pulizzi is the founder of Content Marketing Institute, a UBM company, the leading education and training organization for content marketing, which includes the largest in-person content marketing event...

In this episode, you will learn about how Travel Oregon has helped the tourism industry in that state grow exponentially under the leadership of Todd Davidson. Todd was appointed Executive Director of the Oregon Tourism Commission, also known as Travel Oregon, in June 1996, and was named Chief Executive Officer in September 2004. Under Todd's leadership, the tourism industry in Oregon has flourish...

In this episode, you'll learn about how to stand out in a crowded market from choco-preneur, Ryan Novak. Ryan is the owner of Chocolate Pizza Company, central New York's largest gourmet chocolate manufacturer. Starting as a dishwasher when he was 15 years old, Ryan had a vision to grow the business into a national brand. In 2010, at age 21, he became the owner, and has seen the company grow dramat...

In this episode, you'll learn what's so great about Britain, and how guest Gavin Landry targets potential visitors by tapping into what they love about travel. Gavin Landry serves as Executive Vice President for the Americas for VisitBritain. Gavin has a strong background in business and leisure tourism and has held several senior posts in the industry. Prior to joining VisitBritain, Gavin worked...

In this episode, you will learn about how the Bronx is growing into a global tourism destination in its own right. Olga Luz Tirado is the executive director of the  Bronx Tourism Council , a division of the Bronx overall economic development corporation. In this capacity, she plays a significant role in creating a cohesive and symbiotic relationship between arts, culture and economic development w...

In this episode, you will learn about using technology to develop a more engaging immersive creative from Julie Gilbert. Julie Gilbert is Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management for Destination Niagara USA where she leads the organization's marketing, communications, and brand management functions to increase the visibility of Niagara and its assets as a leisure and meetings destination....

In this episode, you will learn about how to work with businesses in your area to create a unified voice that can be used to create great events and market your destination to the world from Leigh Melander. Leigh Melander, Ph. D. has an eclectic background in the arts as well as consulting in strategic planning, outreach and marketing, and event planning for over 20 years. She has performed and ta...

In this episode, you will learn about the ins and outs of the food and beverage tourism industry and how to run a successful food tourism program from Erik Wolf. Erik Wolf is the founder of the world's food tourism industry and of the World Food Travel Association. He is a highly-sought speaker, thought leader, strategist and consultant, in the US and abroad, on food and drink tourism issues, and...

In this episode, you will learn about leveling up your live video by creating engaging, curated experiences from Reagan Burns. Reagan Burns started her career working for R&R Partners in Las Vegas, on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority as a designer on the What Happens Here, Stays Here campaigns. Her career path then brought her to Baltimore and then to Rochester, NY when she decided...

In this episode, you will learn about how to best implement boots on the ground, grassroots marketing efforts from Bill Sweitzer. Bill Sweitzer joined the Canal Corporations Public Affairs Office in February of 2012, serving as Deputy Director. For the past three years, he has led the Canal Corporations marketing and education programs and spearheaded community outreach efforts across the states C...

In this episode, you'll learn about the idea of competition being a great thing for everyone involved because visitors stay longer when there's more for them to do from Elissa Leuer. As Livingston County's Director of Tourism and Marketing, Elissa is responsible for the promotion of the county's accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and events to those outside the area to encourage tourism. Pr...

In this episode, you will learn how Greek Peak Mountain Resort prioritizes providing a great experience for families from Jessica Sloma. Jessica Sloma is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Greek Peak Mountain Resort and she has been involved with the resort since 2008. When Jessica first came to Greek Peak, she was a partner in an advertising agency in New York and was brought onboard to re...