Destination Marketing Podcast
The Destination Marketing Podcast is designed for tourism marketers who often face heavy workloads and limited staffing. It focuses on helping these professionals prioritize the most effective marketing activities for their destinations. The show also covers the latest technologies and trends shaping the tourism marketing industry. Rather than offering motivational content, it provides practical, actionable advice on what to do and how to do it. Tourism marketers looking to refine their skills will find this podcast valuable for staying current and efficient.
Episodes
450: DMO Hiring is Broken with Collin Norman
Collin Norman sat through 4 interviews, a Zoom panel with more than 20 people, a request for his start date and a tour of the budget — then got rejected by email, with no call and no feedback.
Today he's the Executive Director of Visit Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and he's building a hiring process that looks nothing like it. Collin joins Adam Stoker to break down why DMO hiring is broken, w
449: The Future of Agency/Client Relationships in Destination Marketing
In a solo episode, Adam Stoker unpacks a shift he can't stop thinking about since the latest CMO Jam: the agency-of-record model in destination marketing is about to change — whether agencies drive it or clients do. Adam walks through the forces quietly reshaping the relationship — media commissions shrinking, AI erasing the knowledge gap that once justified agency premiums, and DMO teams pulling
448: Travel Nevada's Keelie Cox on Turning Alex Honnold Into a Content Powerhouse
Travel Nevada CMO Keelie Cox joins the show to break down "Get a Little Out There," the destination's five-episode series with free solo climber Alex Honnold — from the initial pitch and contracting logistics to the numbers behind it: 1.75 billion earned media impressions and over four million hours watched. Keelie shares why owning the content rights mattered, how the project got approved on a ti
447: Experience Ruston's New CEO Reveals the 3-Word Framework Every DMO Needs with Tori Davis
Tori Davis, President & CEO of Experience Ruston, Louisiana, joins Adam Stoker to talk about her path from marketing intern to DMO CEO, and the "three I's" framework she's using to guide the destination — Impact, Investment, and Identity. She and Adam also dig into how Ruston is preparing for Louisiana's first Buc-ee's, using it as a gateway rather than a distraction from the rest of what the dest
446: How Visit Mesa Built a $60M Sports Tourism Machine with Lance Fite
Adam sits down with Lance Fite, VP of Sports at Visit Mesa, to unpack how sports tourism became Mesa's biggest tourism driver, booking 60,000–80,000 room nights a year. Lance shares his path from pro basketball to DMO leadership, the story behind Arizona Athletic Grounds (a 280-acre sports complex years in the making), and why youth sports keep the lights on between marquee events. Adam opens with
445: The Glorified Directory Website is Dead with Will Wright
Adam Stoker talks with Will Wright, managing partner of UK-based Destination Core, about the content-centric, owned-media-first website platform they've quietly built together. They dig into why traditional destination websites function as glorified directories, how their first joint client, Play Golf Myrtle Beach, put the concept to the test, and why the best DMOs now win by answering travelers'
444: Why Reddit and ChatGPT Are the New SEO for Destinations with Crister Aalberg Næss
Visit Voss, a Norwegian village of 15,000, is showing up in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews without a big ad budget. Host Adam Stoker breaks down why attention + trust = action, then Visit Voss's Crister Aalberg Naess explains how reviews, Reddit, and a signature extreme sports festival built the trust that AI search now rewards.
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443: The Hidden Engine Behind Virginia's Tourism Growth with Katie Conner
Katie Conner, Director of Destination Development at Virginia Tourism Corporation, joins Adam to talk about how a team of six supports 133 localities across the state. They dig into what communities actually need from a state tourism office, why proactive outreach matters, and how authentic local assets — from trail towns to sunflower festivals — become the foundation for sustainable destination g
442: How Discover Long Island Built a Community-First Marketing Strategy with Allison Brown
In this episode, Adam Stoker sits down with Allison Brown of Discover Long Island to explore how a destination with 126 unique communities shifted from outbound tourism marketing to community-first advocacy. Allison shares the strategy behind Lily, their mobile activation truck, their award-winning Long Island Tea Podcast, and how they're using owned media to connect with residents just as intenti
441: Stop Letting Other Destinations Own Your Story with Adam Geller
Adam Geller manages tourism for Page, Arizona — a city where Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell are globally iconic but most visitors don't even make it up the hill to town. In this episode, he shares how he turned that challenge into a strategy: building an interactive Grand Circle map that made Page the authoritative center of one of the world's most famous road trip circuits, launching gamified Ban
440: A Special Episode of Destination Discourse: Live from DI MarCom 2026
In this special live episode of Destination Discourse, recorded on stage at the Destinations International Marketing and Communications Summit in Cleveland, Ohio, Adam Stoker and Stuart Butler tackle the questions the industry keeps dancing around: Why does a DMO actually exist, who is its primary customer, and if funding disappeared tomorrow, who would fight to bring it back? With live audience p
439: Why DMOs Must Stop Capturing Demand and Start Creating It with Megan Buchbinder
Megan Buchbinder, Director of Marketing at Wilmington and Beaches CVB, joins Adam to challenge how DMOs measure value, why Google Ads may be doing more harm than good, and how she redesigned her agency RFP process from scratch — and actually made it fun.
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The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network
438: How to Build a Video Strategy That Actually Tells Your Destination's Story with Jesse Salazar
Jesse Salazar, Video Production Manager at Visit Lodi, joins Adam to talk about why storytelling instinct matters more than gear, the case for in-house video production, and Visit Lodi's new partner video co-op program. Adam opens with a challenge to DMOs: if locals drive 50%+ of visitation through visiting friends and relatives, why aren't we treating them like a priority audience?
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437: The PR Strategy Keeping Las Vegas on Top with Molly Castano
Adam Stoker sits down with Molly Castano, VP of Public Relations and Communications at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, for a candid conversation about what it takes to keep 150,000 hotel rooms full and the world's most-watched tourism brand on top. Molly shares how her team navigated a brutal summer news cycle, the unexpected strategy that flipped traditional media training on its
436: Why Your Podcast Is No Longer Just a Podcast with Matt Henson
The rules of owned content just flipped — short-form clips aren't driving traffic to your show anymore, they ARE the show. In this episode, Adam Stoker is joined by Brand Revolt's video and content lead Matt Henson to unpack why every podcast is really a "show" now, and how to structure episodes around five distinct interests instead of one long conversation. Matt also pulls back the curtain on Vi
435: AI Strategy and Meal Madness with Aaron Jumper
In episode 435, host Adam Stoker explores the critical intersection of AI strategy and creative community activation with Aaron Jumper from Visit Cumberland Valley. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the 2026 AI landscape, specifically why providing deep "contextual intelligence" to tools like Claude is the defining factor in shifting from a marketing tactician to a true strategist. Aar
434: What’s Broken About RFPs—and How DMOs Can Build Better Partnerships with Caleb Sullivan
Adam Stoker and Caleb Sullivan tackle how AI is disrupting destination marketing—especially the value of vendor partnerships. They explore why traditional models (like media commissions and rigid RFPs) are breaking down, and call for a shift toward strategy, trust, and real collaboration. Caleb also shares ideas for rethinking the RFP process to focus on problem-solving and partnership, not just p
433: How to Turn Your Destination's History Into a Tourism Driver with Jake Wynn and Heidi Schlag
Heritage tourism is one of the most powerful, and most underutilized, tools in a destination marketer's toolkit. Adam Stoker sits down with Jake Wynn, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager at Visit Frederick, and Heidi Schlag, founder of Heritage Tourism Studio, to unpack how DMOs and museums can work together to turn local history into compelling visitor experiences. The conversation covers
432: What to expect with this new generation of the DMP
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
431: Niches, Risk, and Rewriting the DMO Playbook, A Special Episode featuring Give Me Some Good News
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.
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430: Why Your Podcast Might Be More Important Than Your Website with Robb Wells
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
429: How Utah Valley Built a Social Media Powerhouse with Bethany Bee
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
428: Behind the Scenes of the Destination Marketing Podcast with Leena Atout
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
427: How San Juan County Navigates Controversy with Allison Yamamoto Sparks
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".
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426: Bonus Episode - NAFDMA Presentation
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
425: Destination Discourse, Live at SC GovCon — A Special Episode
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.
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424: Navigating the New Normal of Tourism with Rafat Ali
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
423: How AI Transformed Colby‘s Career with Colby Remund
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
422: The World Cup Strategy Most Destinations Are Missing with Nick Shekeryk and Richard Porter
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
421: Letting Visitors Tell the Destination’s Story with Gavin McKenna
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
420: Webinar - The Future of Destination Marketing Websites with Destination Core
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
419: Why You Should Level Up from Tactician to Strategist with Camden Bernatz
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
418: Predictions for 2026 - A Special Episode Featuring Destination Discourse
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
417: What Actually Matters in 2026 - Destination Marketing Resolutions
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
416: How Unity Built a Winning Destination with Jeff Williams
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.
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415: How Attractions Lead Destination Strategy with Yomand Brown
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
414: How AI Is Transforming Visitor Experience with Michelle Denogean
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
413: The Power of “Virginia is for Lovers” with Rita McClenny
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.
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412: Why Agencies Must Evolve... or Get Left Behind with Ryan Jones
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
411: Building California’s Newest Tourism Network with Karen Strgacich, Suzy Kay & Veronica Rivera
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
410: Telling the Destination’s Whole Story with Traveling with Denella
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
409: Why Every Destination Needs a Podcast
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
408: Inside Visit Mesa’s City Limitless with Ashley Stwertnik
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
407: Building a Destination Through Collaboration with Megan Knott
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.
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406: Marketing The Unexpected with Cathy Petersen and Eric Brockman
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
405: Leveraging LinkedIn for Destination Marketers with Greg Star and Ed Harris
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
404: Building a Live Research Platform with Danielle Hollander
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
403: Building a Brand from the Ground Up with Catherine Jenkins
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
402: Modern Research with Camden Bernatz
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
401: Live at ESTO: Are DMO Websites Doomed? AI, Paid vs. Owned, and the Fight for Relevance
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
400: A Live AMA Celebration of the Destination Marketing Podcast
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
399: Where Marketing Meets Advocacy with Kristen Adamo
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
398: MatPra, CMO Jam, ESTO and Our 400th Episode
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
397: Expanding Destination Education with Stephen Ekstrom
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
396: Peeling Back the Layers of Visit Mesa's Viral Banana Week with Cameron Molloy and Alison Brooks
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
395: How Strategic Planning Drives Success with Danielle Hollander
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
394: Building a Brand That Lasts with Deana Ivey
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
393: Fixing the RFP Mess: A Special Episode Featuring Destination Discourse
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
392: How To Secure Permanent Funding For Your Destination with Rochelle Hicks
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,
391: A Sneak Peek Of Stakeholder Studio
Adam introduces his latest innovation, a technology designed to solve the disconnect between destinations and their stakeholders.
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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 ema
390: Mastering Your Market: Identifying Personas and Tailoring Content with Eric Knopsnyder
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
389: Redefining a City Through Culinary, Culture, and Strategic Risk-Taking with Mike Testa
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
388: Improving Partnerships between State and Local DMOs with Ryan French and Charity Toombs
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
387: Why Playing It Safe in Destination Marketing Is Riskier Than You Think
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 Myrtl
386: Choreographing The Perfect Destination Experience with Kevin Boyle
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
385: How DMOs and Sports Facilities Can Build a Winning Team with Matt Libber
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
384: One Mistake That Could End DMOs
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
383: An Inside-Out Approach to Destination Marketing with Matt Henson
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
382: Perfecting Your Pitch with Liza Graves
In this episode, Adam sits down with Liza Graves, CEO of Style Blueprint, to redefine how destinations should approach media and content. They challenge the traditional view of paid advertising, advocating for storytelling and collaboration with publications to create engaging campaigns. Liza provides actionable insights on crafting effective pitches for earned media, leveraging a content-centric
381: Challenging the Status Quo with Stuart Butler
In this episode, Adam sits down with Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Myrtle Beach and co-host of Destination Discourse. They discuss critical issues facing DMOs, including the impact of AI on travel planning, the importance of personalized experiences, and the evolution of website engagement. Stuart challenges the industry to confront uncomfortable truths, offering a roadmap for DM
380: Discovering Destination Heritage with Josh Rudlebach
In this episode, Adam sits down with Josh Rudelbach, destination marketing and data strategist at Carson Valley, Nevada. Josh and Adam dive into how historical storytelling can set your messaging apart from the crowd. From pioneer settlements to local legends, this episode provides actionable insights for destination marketers looking to leverage their unique heritage and create a deeper connectio
379: Pushing Past The Comfort Zone with Brent DeRaad
In this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam Stoker dives into risk-taking in destination marketing with guest Brent DeRaad, President and CEO of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau. Brent shares his philosophy on embracing calculated chances to achieve impressive results. They explore the importance of investing in a destination's product, fostering collaboration with local
378: Embracing Regional Partnerships with Mark Thompson
In this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam is joined by Mark Thompson, Executive Director of Visit Plano. Mark shares his insights on destination marketing, focusing on Plano's unique position as a corporate and youth sports destination within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They discuss the importance of regional collaboration, the power of exceptional servicing, and strategies f
377: Bonus Episode: Adam's Keynote Presentation at the One West Tech Summit
Today's episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast is a full-length look at Adam's keynote presentation at the One West Tourism Alliance's Tech Summit. In this key note, Adam explores the value of taking risks and how to navigate risk taking as a DMO. He also brings up a few examples of creators Brand Revolt looks to for inspiration as well as a few examples of Brand Revolt clients and how they
376: Destination Marketing Insights From a Colorblind Tulip Farmer with Andrew Miller
On today's episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with Andrew Miller, the founder, farmer and CEO of Tulip Valley Farms in Washington State. Andrew discusses his varied background that took him worldwide via the military and what led him to settle down and become a tulip farmer. The conversation then shifts to an in-depth look at how he markets his farm to visitors and the th
375: Navigating the Current Earned Media Landscape with Birgitt Vaughan
Birgitt Vaughan, the Director of Public Relations for Sonoma County Tourism, joins Adam on today's episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast to talk all things earned media. Birgitt touches on her background and how building relationships with journalists drove her to want to work in public relations. She underscores the importance of building those meaningful relationships with journalists wit
374: The Paid vs. Owned Media Debate: A Special Episode Featuring Destination Discourse
Today's episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast is a special collaboration with Destination Discourse, Adam’s other podcast with Stuart Butler from Visit Myrtle Beach. Adam and Stuart sit down with Katie Briscoe, CEO of MMGY Global, for a spirited discussion about the merits and challenges of paid and owned media strategies in destination marketing. Tune in for valuable insights from both sid
373: A New Spin on Sustainability Messaging with Natalie Wallon
Joining Adam on today's episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast is Natalie Wallon, the Marketing and Communications Manager at Discover Kalispell, Montana. Natalie shares her background and journey into destination marketing, with stops as a lacrosse coach in Montana and at an SEO agency along the way. Natalie and Adam then discuss Discover Kalispell's creative take on promoting responsible r
372: Leveraging Owned Events to Promote Your Destination with Christine Flohr
As a small destination surrounded by large cities like Chicago and Indianapolis, Wabash County, Indiana needed to find a way to stand out when marketing its DMO in those cities. Christine Flohr, the Executive Director of Visit Wabash County, joins Adam on today's episode to talk about how she utilized different athletic events, such as the Dam to Dam Bike Ride, to do just that. She highlights how
371: Bonus Episode: A Webinar on Leveraging Owned Content For Destinations
Today’s special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast is a webinar hosted by the One West Tourism Alliance that Adam took part in alongside some familiar faces who you might have heard from on previous podcast episodes. Joining Adam on this webinar is Robb Wells from Visit Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands, Melea Hames from Visit North Alabama and Stuart Butler from Visit Myrtle Beac
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