Destination Marketing Podcast

Welcome to a new era of the show: DMP 2.0. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down our shift to a more interactive format for Q2 2026 and diving into why the traditional, front-loaded marketing budget is headed for a "performance cliff." We discuss a necessary paradigm shift for the attention economy—moving away from one-off "hero" campaigns toward a consistent, high-volume content engine. Learn w...

Adam Stoker joins the Give Me Some Good News podcast for a candid conversation about imposter syndrome, the death of "me-too" destination marketing, and why the future belongs to DMOs willing to think like strategists instead of tacticians. From autism-friendly travel to Pantone sunsets, Adam shares what it actually looks like to stop playing by the incumbent's rules — and win. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠...

In this episode, Robb Wells explains why Visit Beaufort shifted its focus from a traditional website to a video-first podcast strategy. He shares how "challenger" destinations can outmaneuver larger competitors by taking calculated risks on owned storytelling rather than just renting an audience through traditional ads. Robb dives into the "New Chapter" of the Inner Coastal Podcast, detailing how...

Digital content specialist Bethany Bee from Explore Utah Valley joins Adam to share how a modern DMO can thrive on social media without a huge team or high‑end production. Bethany walks through her journey from teenage photographer to government communicator to tourism marketer, and how that background shaped her creator‑driven, test‑and‑learn approach. She explains why follower count matters less...

In this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, host Adam Stoker steps behind the scenes to interview the show's own producer, Leena Atout. Leena shares her journey from being a journalism student at UNLV to becoming a multifaceted strategist and producer, highlighting how she leverages AI tools like Gemini and Descript to streamline production without losing the essential "human touch." The...

In this episode, host Adam Stoker sits down with Allison Yamamoto Sparks, the Director of San Juan County Tourism, to discuss the complexities of managing a destination the size of New Jersey with only 15,000 residents. Allison shares her 17-year journey through leadership shifts and how she brokered rare, fast-tracked collaborations with federal agencies to protect Utah’s "Canyon Country". Subscr...

In this special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam Stoker shares a keynote from the NAFDMA Agritourism Convention focused on the growing role agritourism plays in the visitor economy. Adam discusses why building relationships with local Destination Marketing Organizations can open doors to funding, partnerships, and greater visibility. He also breaks down how modern marketing has s...

This live episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast features a special crossover session with Destination Discourse, recorded in front of a live audience at the South Carolina Governor’s Conference (SC Gov Con). Hosts Adam Stoker and Stuart Butler ditch the PowerPoints for a candid, interactive discussion about the "uncomfortable truths" facing the tourism industry today. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠n...

In this episode, Adam Stoker sits down with Rafat Ali, CEO and Founder of Skift, for a high-level reality check on the state of travel. If you’ve been waiting for the world to "get back to normal," Rafat has news: the volatility of the last few years isn't a phase—it is the new permanent baseline. Whether discussing the rise of AI or the importance of showcasing local creative energy over traditio...

In this episode, Adam Stoker and his business partner Colby Remund discuss the evolution of Tourism IQ into the industry’s ultimate resource for career progression. Colby shares how he leveraged AI "vibe coding" to rebuild the platform, introducing major new features like the Industry Event Calendar, launched in partnership with One West, and the Destination Marketing Agent, an AI tool that puts y...

In this episode, Adam is joined by Nick Shekeryk and Richard Porter from Discover Snohomish County. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, Snohomish County is in a unique position. Located directly between host cities Seattle and Vancouver, they’ve developed a "secondary destination" strategy to capture the overflow of international fans. Nick and Richard also share their playbook for maximizing a...

Adam Stoker goes international with Gavin McKenna, Head of Marketing & Digital Communications at Visit Belfast. Gavin shares his path from agency life to leading Belfast’s destination marketing, and why he believes DMOs need to move beyond “digital brochure” websites. They dive into Visit Belfast’s bold launch of the UK’s first social-first destination website, built around UGC, personalization, a...

In this special episode, Adam Stoker shares a webinar hosted with Destination Core exploring what’s next for destination marketing websites. Joined by Will Wright from Destination Core and Kyle Oland from Golf Tourism Solutions, the group breaks down why traditional DMO websites have become “glorified directories,” why web traffic is declining as discovery shifts to AI and social, and what destina...

In this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam Stoker welcomes back Camden Bernatz for a thoughtful conversation on the future of marketing strategy. They explore the shift from tactician to strategist, why first-principles thinking matters more than ever, and how marketers can stay valuable as AI continues to change how work gets done. It’s a practical, mindset-driven episode for anyo...

In this special bonus episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, we’re sharing a Destination Discourse conversation with Stuart Butler featuring his predictions for 2026. From why AI won’t “kill” the DMO website this year (but will keep reshaping how travelers search), to the consolidation coming for vendors and destinations, to the shift from “the destination” to the experiences within it. Thi...

In this episode, Adam shares what my resolutions would be if I were running a DMO in 2026. He talks about why the traditional marketing funnel no longer works, why survival is undervalued, how to avoid the illusion of relevance, and what destination marketers must prioritize as AI and stakeholder pressure continue to reshape the industry. If you’re heading into 2026 wondering where to focus and wh...

When cities, sports, and tourism leaders align, powerful things happen. In this episode, Adam Stoker talks with former Arlington mayor and The Unity Blueprint author Jeff Williams about how unity helped turn Arlington into a thriving sports and tourism destination, and what DMOs and city leaders can learn about building momentum, creating jobs, and using tourism to strengthen communities. Subscrib...

In this episode, Adam Stoker is joined by Yomand Brown, VP of Marketing, Sales, and Communications at the College Football Hall of Fame, to explore how major attractions and DMOs can work together to create seamless visitor experiences. From personalization and AI-driven guest engagement to event sales collaboration and preparing for mega-events like the College Football Playoff and FIFA, this con...

AI is changing how travelers plan trips—and destination websites can’t afford to fall behind. In this episode, Adam Stoker sits down with Michelle Donogan, CMO of Mindtrip, to discuss how conversational AI is reshaping the visitor experience, why AI should be woven into the entire website (not tucked into a corner), and how destinations can use traveler conversations to uncover content gaps and dr...

Virginia Tourism President Rita McClenny joins Adam to discuss the enduring strength of the Virginia is for Lovers brand and how it continues to drive collaboration, major events, and statewide success. From sports tourism to innovative partnerships, Rita shares what makes Virginia stand out—and how destinations everywhere can elevate their own marketing. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! The ⁠...

In this episode, Adam Stoker sits down with Ryan Jones, Head of Client Impact at Brand Revolt, to unpack how both marketers and agencies need to evolve for the future. Ryan shares his journey from SEO writer to executive leader, talks about how saying “yes” to new challenges and speaking up (even when it’s uncomfortable) accelerated his career, and explains why tomorrow’s marketers must be strateg...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Karen Strgacich, Veronica Rivera, and Suzy Kay to share the origin story of the California DMO Alliance—how a few pandemic-era check-ins grew into a powerful, grassroots coalition helping destinations across the state collaborate, share leads, and strengthen California’s position in the meetings market. Along the way, they swap memorable travel stories, open up...

In this episode, Adam Stoker welcomes world traveler and television host Denella Ri’chard, who shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Louisiana to studying abroad in Southern Africa during the Mandela era, working in global hospitality, and ultimately launching her travel show during the height of COVID. Danella explains her “living list” approach to travel, why Vietnam sits at the top o...

In this solo episode, Adam Stoker reflects on his visit to Visit Mesa and shares why their City Limitless podcast is a masterclass in stakeholder engagement. From seeing how host Ashley Stwertnik built powerful relationships with major partners like Cannon Beach and Revel Surf, Adam reveals the unseen value podcasts create—trust, goodwill, and access that money can’t buy. He also explains how his...

Host Adam Stoker sits down at Visit Mesa with Ashley Stwertnik, the producer-turned-host of City Limitless, to show how a DMO can build real audience by making stories the star and the city the backdrop. Ashley shares the show’s evolution from audio-only to video-first with accessibility, booking high-reach guests (BigDawsTV, Jesse Cole), and the logistics of interviewing Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur...