Destination Marketing Podcast

Tourism Kingston CEO Megan Knott joins Adam Stoker to share how a small Canadian city earned global attention, and a Cannes Film and Media Award, through creative storytelling and collaboration. Megan reveals how Kingston balances rich history with youthful energy, tackles tourism challenges like transportation and seasonality, and builds a sustainable, data-driven visitor economy. Subscribe to ou...

In this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam is joined by Cathy Petersen and  Eric Brockman from Destination Dayton to discuss how to turn low customer expectations into outstanding visitor experiences. They explore the core philosophy behind Dayton’s tagline, Discover the Unexpected, and why it perfectly captures what visitors can anticipate during their trip. Cathy and Eric share h...

In this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam is joined by two returning guests, Greg Starr, founder of Driven, and Ed Harris, CEO of Visit Williamsburg. They discuss how tourism professionals can leverage LinkedIn effectively to showcase the value they generate in their communities to stakeholders every day. Maintaining consistent online visibility ensures that stakeholders see the D...

In this episode, Adam is joined by Danielle Hollander, the CMO of Visit Orlando, for a follow-up discussion about how her team leverages social media as a live research platform. Danielle shares how Visit Orlando built a massive, live research platform by creating a Facebook planning group that has grown to over 22,000 members in just four years. This group allows the team to get direct, real-time...

In this episode, Adam talks with Catherine Jenkins, the Marketing and Communications Manager for Visit Central Delaware, about how to successfully rebrand a destination with a limited budget. Listen to learn the significance of targeted branding and community engagement for destination marketing professionals, especially during a time of change. Catherine also shares her unique strategy for connec...

In this episode, Adam is joined by Brand Revolt’s creative director, Camden Bernatz, to discuss modern research—an approach that focuses on observing consumer behavior rather than relying on traditional surveys or focus groups. Because behavior is the most reliable indicator of a visitor's true intent, Adam argues that it has proven to be much more effective in predicting which content types will...

In this episode, Stuart and Adam take the stage live at ESTO to tackle two provocative topics: whether DMO websites will be irrelevant in five years and if the ROI of paid media will continue to decline. With live audience polling, spirited debate, and plenty of humor, they explore how AI, better metrics, and smarter creative can keep destinations relevant. Plus, the crowd settles the great “Desti...

For our 400th episode, host Adam Stoker went live on LinkedIn for the first time to reflect on the evolution of destination marketing and answer listener questions in real time. From the shift back to branding, to the impact of AI on travel planning, to the importance of risk-taking, Adam shares key lessons learned from 400 episodes and offers a candid look at what’s next for the industry. Did we...

In this episode, Adam gets a masterclass in tourism leadership from Kristen Adamo, President and CEO of Go Providence. Kristen shares how her unique background in journalism and politics gives her a competitive edge, teaching her the importance of effective communication and building relationships with everyone she interacts with. Discover how she cultivates a culture of community collaboration, d...

In this solo episode, Adam recaps a whirlwind couple of weeks of events and shares valuable lessons for the destination marketing industry. From keynote speaking at MatPra to moderating the inaugural CMO Jam, Adam’s had a busy couple of weeks connecting and learning from others in the industry. Also, tune in for a sneak peek at the 400th episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, a live Q&A ses...

In this episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam is joined by Stephen Ekstrom, the co-founder and CEO of Learn Tourism. Stephen, a self-described "professional tourist" and digital nomad, shares his unique perspective on the travel industry and continuing education for DMO professionals. He talks about the origins of Learn Tourism, a nonprofit organization founded during the COVID-19 pan...

In this episode, Adam talks with Allison Brooks and Cameron Molloy from Visit Mesa about a campaign that secured national media attention and numerous awards with a budget of only $20. The team discusses how they leveraged the arrival of the wildly popular Savannah Bananas baseball team to create Banana Week, a community-wide event that went far beyond the baseball game. Allison and Cameron share...

In this episode, join host Adam Stoker and guest Danielle Hollander, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Orlando, as they explore the importance of strategic planning for destinations of all sizes. Danielle shares how her agency background prepared her for her role as CMO and how Visit Orlando used the challenges of a leadership change during COVID-19 to reset and develop a new strategic plan. She ex...

In this episode, Adam chats with Deana Ivey, President of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation. Deana shares pivotal moments in her career, including taking on roles outside her job description, and her philosophy on promoting growth and embracing creativity within her team. She also tells how Nashville balances its iconic "Music City" brand with constant innovation, emphasizing the i...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Stuart Butler, CMO at Visit Myrtle Beach, for a candid conversation about the broken state of RFPs in destination marketing. They unpack the structural flaws in the traditional procurement process, highlighting how outdated formats and misaligned incentives often lead to failed partnerships. Together, they explore innovative approaches to agency selection, the...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Rochelle Hicks, director of tourism at Visit Mississippi, to uncover the secrets of securing permanent destination marketing funding. Rochelle shares her valuable insights and hands-on strategies for building sustainable financial models that transformed Visit Mississippi's budget from $2 million to $17 million. Learn how to navigate complex funding landscapes,...

Adam introduces his latest innovation, a technology designed to solve the disconnect between destinations and their stakeholders. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! The ⁠⁠⁠⁠Destination Marketing Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Destination Marketing Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Eric Knopsnyder, the Director of Public Relations and Community Outreach at Go Laurel Highlands. They discuss the changing world of PR, where the roles of journalists and content creators increasingly overlap, emphasizing the significance of relationship capital in building strong community partnerships. Gain insights on strategic outreach, developing engaging...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Mike Testa, President and CEO of Visit Sacramento, to explore how a challenger destination can evolve into a national tourism leader. Mike reveals how Sacramento transitioned from a convention-reliant city into a vibrant, multifaceted destination through bold strategic moves—like establishing the first Tourism Improvement District, launching nationally recogniz...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Ryan French of the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association and Charity Toombs of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail to uncover powerful strategies for state-level organizations and local DMOs to work together. This episode reveals how statewide initiatives, like the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, can serve as significant drivers for tourism and how local DMOs can levera...

In this special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, we're bringing you Adam's live keynote from the 2025 PRSA Conference. This talk tackles one of the industry’s toughest truths: playing it safe might be the biggest risk of all. Adam dives into what it really means to evolve as a destination marketer, drawing lessons from icons like Kodak and Blockbuster to bold moves in places like Myrt...

In this episode, Adam welcomes Kevin Boyle, General Manager of Seaside, Florida, to discuss creating unparalleled destination experiences through authentic lifestyle brands. Kevin shares his unique journey from college comedian to destination expert, and how his experience has helped him understand what visitors truly want from their stay. He also reveals how Seaside has meticulously crafted a cho...

In this week’s episode, Adam talks with Matt Libber, Executive Director of the Maryland SoccerPlex, about the impact of sports tourism on destinations. Matt shares his journey and offers DMOs advice on building strong partnerships with facilities and event operators, navigating challenges, and maximizing sports' economic and community benefits. He also emphasizes the importance of advocating for t...

In this episode, Adam sits down for a solo episode packed with insights on the key trends shaping destination marketing today. From the accelerating adoption of AI and its impact on the industry to the growing importance of stakeholder communication and innovative content strategies, this episode provides a roadmap for DMOs in 2025. Explore the necessity of calculated risk-taking, the value of own...

In this episode, Adam joins Brand Revolt Production Manager, Matt Henson, to discuss Matt’s background in destination marketing and content production. Matt shares his insights on the importance of high-quality content creation, his experience working with destinations like Wrangell, Alaska, and his transition to the agency world. Learn practical tips for capturing effective video, audio, and phot...