Daniel Weiner and Matt Clarke share how KAYAK empowers travelers, explain how destinations utilize their services, and happily debunk common travel planning myths. Daniel Weiner is KAYAK's Senior Director of Ad Sales and Data Partnerships, and Matt Clarke is Vice President of North America Marketing.

From what started as a family passion for David to now being named one of the top five private airlines in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler, David Zipkin chats with Mark about his company Tradewind Aviation. You’ll get a glimpse into the exclusive world of luxury private aviation, plus, sustainable practices that are shaping the future of air travel. David Zipkin is the co-founder of Tradewind Aviation.

Mark quizzes Michelle Denogean about Mindtrip’s proposition for consumers and businesses and how it differs from other products. She also delivers solid career advice for upward mobility in any company. Michelle Denogean is Chief Marketing Officer at Mindtrip and author of GrowUp: Take Your Startup To The Next Level.

Seth Orozco & Nick Hall serve up highlights from an extensive research project that will get you up to speed on developments in destination marketing. Their organizations work with hundreds of global destinations to reach consumers who are ready to travel. This new report is 48 pages of valuable research that you can download for free at https://www.sojern.com/reports/state-of-destination-marketing. Nick Hall is Founder/CEO of the Digital Tourism Think Tank in the U.K. Seth Orozco is Sales Director at Sojern.

Learn how AIANTA connects the 574 tribes across the nation with partners like Leave No Trace and the National Tour Association, meeting the growing interest in Native Tourism while preserving mutual respect and authenticity, and how travelers can participate in Native American Heritage Month during November. Sherry Rupert is CEO of AIANTA, the organization that serves as a united voice for the $15.7B Native hospitality sector.

Our final panel from Travel Week dives deep into growing demand for hidden gems, illustrating how destinations can connect with travelers seeking unique, authentic travel along with more traditional landmarks and luxuries. You’ll also hear how Tourism Exchange USA and receptive tour operators can help. Moderator: April Hutchinson, Editor of TTG Luxury. Panelists: Liz Bittner, CEO of Travel South USA; Nate Huff, President of Tourism Exchange USA; and Lena Ross, Director of Product Development at America 4 You.

Hear the perspectives of a diverse array of travel storytellers. This Travel Week panel explores how destinations can create more seamless and inclusive experiences for travelers from diverse backgrounds. Moderator: Kav Dadfar, Founder of JRNY Travel Magazine. Panelists: Rashmi Narayan, Freelance Travel Journalist; Gerda van't Land, Accessible Tour Operator; and Ben Pechey, Author and Trans/Queer Advocate.

Discover why British travelers are seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations, how TikTok is transforming the way people book trips, and why sports tourism is booming. This panel session from Brand USA’s Travel Week 2024 provides a data-driven look into new consumer trends for 2025. Panelists are Simon Calder, Travel Journalist and Broadcaster; Nicky Kelvin, Senior Director of Content at The Points Guy; and Angelique Miller, Vice President at Expedia Group Media Studio. Moderated by Tania Bryer, anchor at CNBC International.

Janette Roush offers you an unflinching look at the urgency of learning and leading the way in this era of artificial intelligence, which is evolving at a rapid pace. Janette Roush is Brand USA's new Senior Vice President of Innovation and Chief AI Officer. Believe it or not, this is Janette’s first week on the job!

If you’re interested in the future of international travel to the United States, this episode is a must-listen. Leaders from the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security discuss how their agencies are making travel to the USA safer and easier – and provide updates on the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, record-breaking visa issuance, enhancements to trusted traveler programs, collaboration with the private-sector, and more practical takeaways. Panelists: Alex Lasry, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism, National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce; Brooke Wehrenberg, Outreach & Inquiries Chief, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State; and Brendan Blackmer, Branch Chief, Trusted Traveler Programs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Moderated by Brand USA's Director of Public Affairs, Peter Dodge.

British television presenter and disability advocate Sophie Morgan shares her inspiring journey with disability, accessibility, and inclusion. This very personal address clearly expresses the physical and attitudinal paradigm shift necessary for travel equality. Sophie challenges us all to take the buzzwords and turn them into reality.

Brand USA’s new CEO Fred Dixon sets the tone for Travel Week 2024 from London. In this episode, he begins to outline his bold vision for the future of Brand USA, the landscape of inbound tourism, and how the U.S. can maintain its competitive edge. Fred touches on market analytics including inbound visitation projections, the current competitive climate and upcoming market opportunities for U.S. destinations.

John David joins Mark to discuss the upcoming "mega decade" of sports in the U.S., featuring events from the FIFA World Cup to the Olympics. Learn how communities large and small are tapping in, and discover the resources Sports ETA offers to help destinations score big in the competitive world of sports tourism. John David is the CEO of the Sports Events and Tourism Association.

Leonard describes how he’s built out Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions for destinations. He also offers advice for those just entering the travel industry and talks about how to grow your career. Leonard Hoops is President and CEO of Visit Indy, so we just couldn’t resist chatting about the Indy 500, too.

Mark chats with Leona Reed about why Visit California is going all-in on Tourism Exchange USA to better deliver on California’s brand promise internationally. Leona also talks organizational lift and logistics of launching the exchange, and how this new partnership adds a critical missing element to their established travel trade strategy. Plus, Nate Huff provides updates on state participation, what to look for in year two and early success stories. Nate Huff is President of Tourism Exchange USA. Leona Reed is Associate Vice President of Global Marketing at Visit California.

Learn how players like Major League Baseball and Broadway are utilizing conversational A.I., and how DMOs can do the same to enhance visitor engagement. Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs takes us behind the scenes of effective A.I. implementation. Plus, you’ll get Dan’s tips on several new A.I. products.

Discover how Gen Z and Millennials are shaking up the industry, how technology is reshaping the competitive landscape and why authenticity is crucial for travel brands. Seth unpacks these key findings from the Skift State of the Industry 2024 report. Seth Borko is Head of Research at Skift. Download your copy here: https://skift.com/insight/state-of-travel/

Mark has questions and Kara has answers! Is there a point where DMOs can, and should, start using AI to generate public-facing content even while acknowledging that there are going to be errors? Is it ethical to use AI images which may be composites? We discuss these questions and more with Kara Franker, the new CEO of Visit Florida Keys. Kara is also an attorney - and a former NFL cheerleader.

Utah is celebrating a centennial of Film and TV creation in the state. You’ll hear about the long history of filming, how residents feel about productions, incentives for companies, screen tourism, and how Sundance has evolved. Virginia Pearce is Director of the Utah Film Commission.

Sally says: “The goal is not to be better than your competition. The goal is to be different.” This episode is packed with research-based insights that have highly practical applications. To understand Sally’s approach and obtain an understanding of your own personality strengths, our listeners can take a free version of the “Fascinate” test at HowToFascinate.com/BrandUSA. Sally Hogshead is a New York Times bestselling author, National Speakers Association Hall of Fame speaker, and CEO of How to Fascinate.

Sports has become one of the largest-growing sectors in the travel industry. Are you prepared to take advantage of all the major activities coming to the USA? Dan Mickelson, Sports Diplomacy Chief at the U.S. State Department, and Justin Charschan, Senior Manager, Ticketing, Tourism & Ancillary Revenue at Major League Baseball, are ready to work with the travel trade and destinations in generating incremental tourism opportunities. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in sports tourism.

Innovation meets opportunity as Jeremy explains how B.D. amassed and continues to grow 50 million+ social media followers. We also learn about their new artificial intelligence travel planner called “Ask Layla.” Jeremy Jauncey is Founder/CEO of Beautiful Destinations.

Rafael Villanueva and Art Jimenez take us beyond Burning Man and gambling in Nevada, diving into promoting cross-visitation and expanding engagement in international markets. Rafael Villanueva is the CEO of Travel Nevada. Art Jimenez is the Executive Director of Visit Reno-Tahoe. Believe it or not, they’ve known each other since they were kids!

Three short-form social media pros discuss content length, messaging frequency, internal staff size, and how to deal with weekend posting when consumers remain active. Pamela Knowles is Director of Brand & Content Strategy at Visit Savannah. Claudia Murtha is Multimedia Creator at Visit Bucks County. Joshua Albrecht is Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Milwaukee.

Researcher Philip Rist and CMO Shane Brossard discuss customizing travel experiences to take advantage of evolving consumer behavioral trends. You’ll also hear recommendations for adapting offerings to better align with economic realities. Shane Brossard is Chief Marketing Officer at Travel Wisconsin. Philip Rist is EVP of Strategy at Proper Insights & Analytics.

Perhaps the closest you can come to celebrity at ESTO in Columbus is meeting Amir Eylon, CEO of Longwoods International. We managed to pull him away from the crowds long enough to discuss politics and travel decisions, tourists using electric vehicles on vacation, and doing good with ESTO Cares.

One of the highlights at ESTO is the GoUSA TV Storytelling Awards, recognizing best-in-class storytelling from DMOs across the USA. Hear tips on how to create entertainment-first travel shows from Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer at Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB; Mandy Barton, Manager of Marketing & Special Projects at New Orleans & Company; Sharon Broussard, Advertising and Campaigns Manager at Explore Louisiana; and Jordan Wollman, Vice President of Miles Partnership and Head of Creative & Development at Odyssey Studios.

Find out how it feels to receive this industry honor. Houseboats, pet tourism, and bourbon are also on the menu with Mike Mangeot, Commissioner at the Kentucky Department of Tourism and newly-named State Tourism Director of the Year at ESTO 2024. We finish up by touching on transitioning through various positions in travel to grow a career and GoUSA TV's "One Perfect Day In Kentucky."

Get an inside look at the partnership between Illinois and Expedia and learn what might work for you. Jennifer Andre from Expedia and Daniel Thomas from Illinois dish details about their global work together. We also discuss Expedia’s plan to be “The World’s Travel Media Network,” first-party data, an update on third party cookies, and IPW 2025. Jennifer Andre is Global Vice President of Business Development at Expedia Group. Daniel Thomas is Deputy Director at Illinois Office of Tourism.

Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi, Interim CEO at the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, suggests solutions for overtourism to specific sites, tells us about a highly unique approach to inviting visitors to participate in volunteer programs, and discusses Hawai'i's sustainable future.

To kick off our live coverage of ESTO 2024, Mark meets with the champion of this year's host city: Brian Ross, President and CEO of Experience Columbus. They discuss a public relations home run in Forbes, the process of becoming an ESTO host city, how recent high-profile sporting events have affected visitation, and the city's approach to MICE.

Want to find out why YOU should attend, or perhaps you’d like a few tips on how to convince your boss to send you? After you hear what John has to say, you’ll wanna go! We also catch up with John about a few recent key LGBTQ+ research findings. The IGLTA Global Convention is October 23-26 in Osaka, Japan. John Tanzella is CEO of IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation.

Katie Streater is a Rockstar - and you can be one too, if you’re under 30! It’s not too early for next year’s contenders to start thinking about how to be named a “30 Under 30.” Get the inside scoop from Brand USA’s Katie Streater, one of this year's 30, and from D.I.’s Taylor Ruoff Snider. Katie Streater is Senior Coordinator for Global Trade Development at Brand USA. Taylor Ruoff Snider is Senior Manager of Professional Development at Destinations International. This wraps-up our D.I. 2024 series. Live from ESTO is coming soon!

If a synthetic modeling ecosystem for planning and decision-making sounds intriguing to you, don’t miss this episode! We begin with Canada's Melissa Radu and Alexis Kereluk on defining regenerative tourism, the importance of integrating plans across business units, and reducing the carbon footprint of the visitor economy. Melissa Radu is Executive Director of Destination Stewardship at Explore Edmonton Corporation. Alexis Kereluk is Co-Founder and Partner at ConnectSeven Group.

Ottawa Tourism’s Michael Crockatt, Kelly Haussler, and Mary Sayewich educate us on the Canadian capital's approach to destination stewardship, working with indigenous people, and building a future of frictionless travel between the two countries. Michael Crockatt is President and CEO, Kelly Haussler is Director of Destination Development, and Mary Sayewich is Director of Strategy and Project Management, all at Ottawa Tourism.

For the 200th episode of Brand USA Talks Travel, Mark meets with two experts in tourism research, Anna Blount & Dr. Whitney Knollenberg. They discuss gathering and using data in ways that are community-focused, working with local universities for research, emphasizing teamwork between data vendors, and the importance of the future-ready destination data toolbox. Anna Blount is Vice President of Research at Longwoods International. Dr. Whitney Knollenberg is Associate Professor of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University.

Find out if PATH could help solve workforce shortages in your community. Meredith Darden and Warren Wilkinson present the backstory on the creation and execution of the Professions Across Tourism & Hospitality (PATH) program. Visit Corpus Christi was the first to create PATH, and then Visit Overland Park adopted the approach. You’ll learn how to build relationships in the education community and how to develop your own PATH program and curriculum. Meredith Darden is COO at Visit Corpus Christi. Warren Wilkinson is President and CEO at Visit Overland Park.

How should DMOs evaluate artificial intelligence tools? Hear a take from Jason Swick, Vice President of Strategy and Insights at Simpleview. You’ll also get suggestions about using specific prompts for better results, and suggestions about leaders to follow in the AI field so you can continually hear about new developments.

Keeping employees happy and motivated is complex. Elliott Ferguson and Cambria Jones chat with Mark about attracting and motivating talent, mentorship programs, and setting expectations for advancement. If you’re considering looking for a new job, you’ll also get advice for your next interview interaction. Elliott Ferguson is CEO of Destination DC. Cambria Jones is Vice President of Marketing at SearchWide Global (and we have breaking news about Cambria, too!)

If the thought of speaking in front of people fills your stomach with butterflies, you're not alone - take it from Josiah Brown, known as "The New York Sherpa." Josiah shares secrets on becoming a powerful public speaker, and also offers an approach for local advocacy at smaller destinations.

Embracing accessible and inclusive tourism requires focus, education, and empathy. Marks meets with Sophia Hyder Hock and Rory Archibald to discuss the latest research concerning accessible travel, the necessity of a communication plan, and ideas that will quicken your progression from design to execution. Rory Archibald is Head of Association Sectors and Marketing at Visit Scotland. Sophia Hyder Hock is Chief Inclusion Officer at Destinations International.

With 25+ years at the same DMO, Deana Ivey demonstrates how to grow as your city expands - plus, we hear about producing large events in-house, working on the set of their movie It All Begins With A Song, and giving a young Taylor Swift her start. Deana Ivey is President and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation.

Is there a difference between EDI and DEI? Timothy Bush and Barbara Karasek also discuss education on inclusion, how a destination starts integrating inclusion locally, and details about D.I.’s focus on social inclusion. Barbara Karasek is CEO and Co-Owner of Paradise. Timothy Bush is Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Lake Charles.

Fact: When constituents value something, it gets funded. In our first D.I. 2024 episode, we explore how to better express value by actively using new metrics and indicators, looking at massive datasets and making better marketing decisions. Ted Sullivan is Chief Marketing Officer at Zartico. Andreas Weissenborn is Vice President of Research and Advocacy at Destinations International.

Learn about the growth of LGBTQ+ travel market, how destinations can become more welcoming, and the language surrounding identity. Billy Kolber and Ken Porpora are Co-Founders of HospitableMe.

ESTO is August 11-13 in Columbus, Ohio, and this year's theme is "Ignite Your Spark." Mark is joined by Aimee Misako Gabel and Angie Briggs for a first look at this year's convention, advice for first-time attendees, and tips for maximizing your stay. We also hear from Jody Raida about the upcoming GoUSA TV Storytelling Awards and how destinations can still participate before the deadline to enter. Aimee Misako Gabel is Senior Vice President for Events and Education at U.S. Travel Association. Angie Briggs is Vice President of Destination Engagement at U.S. Travel Association. Jody Raida is a Content Consultant for GoUSA TV.

Having a huge international customer volume enables Nick to observe travel trends from a very unique perspective. Hear about the current state of global travel, with projections for the next few years. We also cover the bankruptcy of Europe’s third largest tour operator and the latest on China - plus, Mark quizzes Nick about other career options he considered outside of the travel industry. Nick Hentschel is Chief Operating Officer at AmericanTours International.

Learn about the secret sauce behind Puerto Rico’s approach to storytelling. Mark also explores the relationship between a CMO and a CEO at a DMO, and you’ll find out about the "United Voices" campaign partnership with Afar. Leah Chandler is Chief Marketing Officer at Discover Puerto Rico.

DMOs frequently express interest in expanding Sports Tourism. Learn from an expert in both fields who could teach a masterclass in developing the right infrastructure for success. We get a take on building large new sports facilities, and find out when it’s worth taking a chance on sports events that may not produce a profit. David Gilbert is CEO at Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.