Destination On The Left

Welcome back to our special two-part series from the ABA Marketplace Roadshow edition! In this week's episode, we continue our exploration of the positive energy and optimism that pervades this year's event. We discuss a range of topics, from the importance of collaboration in creating unforgettable experiences for visitors to the growing trend of slow travel and the benefits of spending more time...

For this first episode in a special two-part Destination on the Left series, I'm joining you from the American Bus Association's Annual Marketplace in Detroit. What stands out in my interviews with the following industry leaders is how positive everyone feels about 2023 and the future of the tour and travel sector. My guests share their golden nuggets about what they are most looking forward to, t...

Amy is the fourth generation to call Wyoming home and the third generation to graduate from the University of Wyoming. Wyoming is Amy's home. She also holds a Master of Tourism Management degree from Colorado State University and completed two internships with the Walt Disney College Program as an undergrad, one where she earned not only her "ears" but a Ducktorate Degree as well. She embraces the...

Olivia Novak is the marketing manager for Discover Lancaster. Helping people is Olivia's passion, and being a resource for others as they plan their trips to Lancaster appeals to that passion. Lancaster, PA, is an up-and-coming destination with so much to offer; from heritage to adventure, there truly is something for everyone. Olivia's background in sports has strengthened her understanding of th...

Julie Ellis is an author, professional speaker, and leadership coach to corporate leaders and scaling Entrepreneurs. Julie provides her unique experience and expertise to her coaching clients, gained through 25 years of working first in the corporate world and then as a leading Canadian entrepreneur. She is a co-founder of award-winning Mabel's Labels, one of Canada's greatest small business succe...

Jill Delaney is the President and CEO of Discover Albany, previously known as the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Discover Albany represents hundreds of local businesses and attractions and assists each year in hundreds of regional meetings, events, and destination promotion. Discover Albany also operates the Discover Albany Visitors Center and the Albany International Airport Inform...

Todd Wynne-Parry brings a wealth of global senior leadership knowledge and insight developed over more than 20 years of reporting directly to CEOs and Boards in industries that range from luxury, lifestyle, and outdoor hospitality to investing, consulting, and financial analysis. As a CGO, EVP, SVP, and Executive Committee member, he has helmed major expansion, post-merger integration, and growth...

Samantha Cole is the Director of Public Relations at Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board. The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a nonprofit, membership-based sales and marketing organization that aggressively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by encouraging patronage of its 500-plus member hotels, restaurants, a...

Greg Star is the Co-Founder of Carvertise, an advertising company that enables companies to advertise on private commuter vehicles. This is so companies can advertise in a novel, targeted, and grassroots way while everyday people can earn additional passive income for advertising for a brand they like and support. On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Greg Star about how Carverti...

Patrick Harrison is Chief Marketing Officer for Visit Tampa Bay. Through an innovative and aggressive approach, he has spearheaded the DMOs marketing transformation. His campaigns have been honored with over 30 US and International marketing and PR awards, including multiple Adrian Awards, and he was named a Top 25 Extraordinary Mind by HSMAI in 2019. Before joining Visit Tampa Bay, he spent 25+ y...

Renée Areng leads Brookhaven as the inaugural Executive Director for the Brookhaven Convention and Visitors Bureau, now Explore Brookhaven since 2018. Previously, Areng served with three destination marketing organizations: most recently, Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast. Throughout her leadership, Areng increased all metrics, including visitation and overall revenue for non-gaming hotels. Additionall...

I'm sharing more insights from the group travel industry in the second episode of a special three-part series of Destination on the Left episodes from the National Tour Associations Travel Exchange in Reno. I'm excited to share their thoughts on key trends and challenges as we move into 2023. In this episode, you'll hear from: Jim Warren , US Group Specialist at  Anderson Vacations Lorna Davis , G...

For this first episode in a special three-part series of Destination on the Left episodes, I visited the National Tour Associations Travel Exchange in Reno and spoke with several experts in the travel and tourism industry. My guests shared some of their wisdom in mini-interviews, focused on the trends, challenges, and future outlook for the group travel industry. The brilliance each of these leade...

In the second episode in a special three-part series of Destination on the Left episodes from the National Tour Associations Travel Exchange in Reno, I'm sharing more insights from the group travel industry. I'm excited to share their thoughts on key trends and challenges as we move into 2023. In this episode, you'll hear from these extraordinary leaders: Peter Johnson, Manager & Market Developmen...

Sarah Howe has a 25-year career leading marketing and sales for organizations of varying industries, each with its own thread in the love of the outdoors. Her joy is ignited by energizing teams around common goals and passion projects, building support through stakeholder involvement, creating clear and effective messaging, as well as giving back to the community. She currently holds board member...

Bree Nidds is a tourism, travel, and hospitality professional. She is often found speaking, facilitating, and presenting as one of tourism's biggest advocates. She is Vice President of Sales & Operations at Discover Lehigh Valley, where she resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Bree was honored with the Smart Meetings Catalyst Award: Rising Star in 2021 and has been named "20 in Their Twenties" by t...

Camille uses her creative magic with words combined with strategy to create and execute high-quality marketing campaigns for Break the Ice Media's clients. She approaches projects by looking at the big picture, whether as a project manager, writer, or problem solver. She oversees accounts and provides strategic direction for destination clients and their stakeholders, as well as directing and exec...

Kathy Condon is a travel writer who has visited 29 countries, 49 States, and 16 islands. She formally trained throughout the nation on face-to-face networking. When the pandemic hit, she made the decision to become a travel writer and made a solid base while sequestered at home. Now Kathy is using her face-to-face networking skills to make a thriving travel writing career. On this episode of Desti...

Alex Bickers, President and Creative Director of Reveal Events Group, is an award-winning event producer and creative consultant. He is driven by creating the best experience for his clients, team, and, ultimately, the audience. In September 2020, he was named the Meeting Planners International (MPI) BC Chapter Event Planner of the Year. In April 2021, he was listed for the second time as one of t...

Leah is the Chief Marketing Officer for the Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Puerto Rico. As CMO, Leah is responsible for providing strategic marketing leadership for the organization, overseeing the DMO's paid media, creative, public relations, brand development and management, and digital strategy. Before her move to San Juan, Leah was the Chief Marketing Officer for Expl...

Alvaro is a Creative with diverse talents and accomplishments. He co-founded CRANT, a creative machine learning company that has become one of the most innovative companies in Brand Intelligence Marketing today. They have developed an AI-backed platform that helps brands improve their Brand Love and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies by using machine learning on public data to make...

Willma Harvey has more than 25 years experience in the tourism industry. She is Director of Sales and Business Development for River Parishes Tourist Commission in Louisiana. Proud to be born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Willma is passionate about her region and promoting destinations. She has her Master's Degree in English and is currently collaborating with movie and film industry p...

Jay Kinghorn leads Zartico's data and analytics team, helping destination marketing organizations (DMOs) use data-centered insights to market and manage their destinations more effectively. Zartico's mission is to provide the clearest perspective of the visitor economy. As the world's first Destination Operating System®, Zartico combines science, technology and domain expertise to create SMART des...

Scott is a longtime travel industry data guru, having served in senior executive roles at United, Adara, and Orbitz. He was instrumental in the founding of Orbitz and is CRO at Journera, which has been recognized as one of the World's "10 Most Innovative Travel Companies" by Fast Company and a "Technology Pioneer" by the World Economic Forum. Participating companies include United, American, Hyatt...

Michelle Ng brings people closer together by creating rewarding experiences through her two businesses – Vancouver Foodie Tours and Granville Island Gifting. Forbes has named Vancouver Foodie Tours one of the top 9 food tours in the world. They offer food walking tours, introducing guests to the culinary gems, vibrant cultures, and history that make Vancouver unique. Michelle's second business, Gr...