Destination On The Left

In this episode, you will learn about how to work with businesses in your area to create a unified voice that can be used to create great events and market your destination to the world from Leigh Melander. Leigh Melander, Ph.D. has an eclectic background in the arts as well as consulting in strategic planning, outreach and marketing, and event planning for over 20 years. She has performed and taught internationally as a speaker, actor, dancer, singer, and harpist. Her undergraduate degree is in performance, literature, and history from Penn State, and she studied writing by invitation with Nobel Poet Laureate Derek Walcott at Boston University. She has a doctorate in cultural mythology and psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and wrote her dissertation on frivolity as an entry into imagination. She hosts a weekly radio show on an NPR affiliate and podcast: Myth America, an exploration into how story and metaphor shape our sense of identity, and has been featured on various media outlets, including the History Channel, as a mythology expert. In 2013, Leigh and her husband opened Spillian, a Catskills NY historic lodge and retreat center offering world-class workshops and events, working with creatives from around the world to dream forward programs that inspire imagination. Spillian has a deep commitment to community. Leigh also works as a coach and facilitator for individuals and groups, helping them to imagine and leap into their most creative ideas for work and life. Her book, “Just That Side of Crazy: Soul Rules to Guide Your Wild Idea to Life,” is scheduled for release in 2019. She sits on several national boards, including the Joseph Campbell Foundation. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/leigh-melander/

In this episode, you will learn about the ins and outs of the food and beverage tourism industry and how to run a successful food tourism program from Erik Wolf. Erik Wolf is the founder of the world’s food tourism industry and of the World Food Travel Association. He is a highly-sought speaker, thought leader, strategist and consultant, in the US and abroad, on food and drink tourism issues, and is considered the go-to food tourism industry resource for media outlets that include CNN, the BBC, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, NBC, Forbes, PeterGreenberg.com, Huffington Post, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and many more. Erik has consulted to leading global brands that have included American Express, Disney, Marriott and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. He has regularly advised cities, regions and countries, and organizations such as UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network gastronomy program and the UNWTOs Gastronomy Network. His articles, research, and books have been translated into dozens of languages. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/erik-wolf/

In this episode, you will learn about leveling up your live video by creating engaging, curated experiences from Reagan Burns. Reagan Burns started her career working for R&R Partners in Las Vegas, on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority as a designer on the What Happens Here, Stays Here campaigns. Her career path then brought her to Baltimore and then to Rochester, NY when she decided to open Lime Creative. She stayed focused on the tourism industry, working with clients like The Adirondack Coast Wine Trail, Ugly Disco, Rochester Events, The Rochester Lilac Festival, Park Ave Summer Arts Festival, and the Highland Bowl Concert Series. Her work includes branding and identity, print and digital marketing, website design, and social media marketing. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/reagan-burns/

In this episode, you will learn about how to best implement boots on the ground, grassroots marketing efforts from Bill Sweitzer. Bill Sweitzer joined the Canal Corporations Public Affairs Office in February of 2012, serving as Deputy Director. For the past three years, he has led the Canal Corporations marketing and education programs and spearheaded community outreach efforts across the states Canal corridor. Bill has an extensive background in hospitality, sales, and customer service and has enjoyed success through connecting with people and building relationships. Bill is from the Capital Region, he enjoys hiking and camping with his family and is an avid fisherman. The New York State Canal Corporation, now a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, owns and operates New York’s Canal system. The system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and Lake Erie via the Niagara River. Dubbed the Barge Canal in 1918, today’s Canal system turns 100 years old and is now listed as a National Historic Landmark. With more than 200 communities along its shores rich in history and culture, the Canal system forms the backbone of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The Erie Canalway Trail is a multi-use trail accommodating more than 1.5 million pedestrians, bicyclists, and cross-country skiers on an annual basis. Three-quarters of the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Albany to Buffalo is a dedicated off-road trail, much of it along the canals former towpath. Other off-road sections will be completed as part of Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Trail initiative, which will include the Erie Canalway Trail and portions of the Champlain Canalway Trail, and at 750 miles will be the longest multi-use recreational trail network in the Nation upon its completion in 2020. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/bill-sweitzer/

In this episode, you’ll learn about the idea of competition being a great thing for everyone involved because visitors stay longer when there’s more for them to do from Elissa Leuer. As Livingston County’s Director of Tourism and Marketing, Elissa is responsible for the promotion of the county’s accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and events to those outside the area to encourage tourism. Prior to joining the Livingston County Chamber in 2015, she worked in tourism sales & marketing at the Genesee County Chamber & Tourism. A native of Western NY and a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Elissa has a passion for the Finger Lakes region and the travel & tourism industry. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/elissa-leuer/

In this episode, you will learn how Greek Peak Mountain Resort prioritizes providing a great experience for families from Jessica Sloma. Jessica Sloma is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Greek Peak Mountain Resort and she has been involved with the resort since 2008. When Jessica first came to Greek Peak, she was a partner in an advertising agency in New York and was brought onboard to rebrand Greek Peak for the grand opening of the Hope Lake Lodge and Cascades Indoor Waterpark. She eventually transitioned from the advertising world to work directly for the resort. In 2015, the owners of Greek Peak purchased Toggenburg Mountain, a seasonal ski resort located outside of Syracuse, New York. This season Jessica, along with the Greek Peak executive team, have taken on the oversight of that property. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/jessica-sloma/

In this episode, you will learn about how listening to your customers can open up many doors from Mark Hoffmann. Mark Hoffmann is president and founder of Sports Leisure Vacations, Sacramento’s largest and oldest packaged tour and travel company. There he orchestrates the company’s many facets of operation from escorted tours and travel agencies services to receptive, meeting, planning, and incentive travel programs. Sports Leisure Vacations was founded in 1979 and has an active client base of 8,500 plus members. Mark was a sports talk show host on KSAC 1240 AM from 1991 to 1994. He has co-hosted the Travel Guys with Tom Romano since February 2009 on KFBK 1530 AM and now 92.5 FM. He enjoys radio announcing and confesses it has always been a dream of his, a dream that has come true twice now. Mark proudly served as president of the National Tour Association in 2000 and 2013, the country’s most prestigious tour operator association. His mission is to be a strong and vocal advocate for all aspects of the tourism industry. He feels the industry should be proactive in increasing positive public awareness about the value of tourism, especially among elected officials. Mark holds the designation of Certified Tour Professional as given by NTA along with a host of other honors and awards. A two-time president of the Mather Sacramento Chapter of Toastmasters International, Mark’s numerous speaking engagements have focused on such topics as marketing to tour operators, how to make marketing more effective, the nuts and bolts of group tour marketing, looking through the crystal ball: the future of the hospitality industry in America, and off the beaten track: America’s backroads. An avid traveler, Mark’s favorite destinations are New York City, the length of Route 66, and the Main Street of America. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/mark-hoffmann/

In this episode, you’ll learn about focusing your limited marketing dollars on the visitors who are closest to your destination from Devon Perry. Devon Perry joined Visit South Jersey as marketing director in 2015. In this role, she closely shadowed the executive director, and when the opportunity presented itself, she was well acquainted with the position and truly the best choice to lead Visit South Jersey into the future. Devon has an unstoppable passion for entrepreneurship, social enterprise development, fine art, and positioning. While skilled at crisis management, Devon also is exceptional at telling beautiful stories to public and private stakeholders, engaging customers, and improving community affinity. Devon has created several non-profits and for-profits with strategic partners across industries. Devon’s background in nonprofit marketing speaks to her interest and expertise; she’s managed marketing efforts on staff at both The United Way and The American Red Cross. Her decade of experience includes many startups, including the thriving co-working space Kings Hall in Haddonfield, NJ. Devon holds an MBA from Drexel University, grew up in Cherry Hill, NJ, and currently resides in Haddonfield, NJ. She is currently the artist in residence at the Historic Hopkins House along the Cooper River in Haddon, NJ. Devon is committed to service above self as seen in her involvement in multiple organizations: Rotary of Haddonfield, Board of Governors of the Haddonfield Civic Association, Young Friends Council of the Ronald McDonald House of South Jersey, Charity Chair of South Jersey Mothers of Multiples and member of the Board of Trustees of Visit South Jersey. Other notable efforts include: Drexel Women in Business (Co-Founder), ShareURmeal (Founder), GoBYO.com (Founder/CEO), Women’s MBA Network (Founder). Board member for NJ Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA), and in the Destination Management Association International’s Leadership program, training C-level executives around the globe. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/devon-perry/

In this episode, you will learn about how everyone can chip in to drive visitors to a region and the economic impact that provides from Rachel Laber Pulvino. Rachel Laber Pulvino is a Rochester native who has the privilege of promoting her hometown on a daily basis as the Director of Public Relations and Communications for Visit Rochester. In this role Rachel is regularly reaching out to regional, national and international media to share Rochester’s story and help media and visitors alike discover the activities and attractions that make Rochester an ideal destination. One recent accomplishment was seeing the Rochester Lilac Festival be included in The Weather Channel’s list of 10 Places You Have to See in May” as well as helping Rochester be named America’s 10th Favorite City by Travel + Leisure. Raised in Rochester, Rachel attended SUNY Geneseo, where she earned a B.A. in Communication and continued on to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University for graduate school, where she earned an M.S. in Public Relations. Rachel is an active member of the Public Relations Society of America, Rochester Chapter, serving on the organization’s board of directors, along with volunteering with the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley and the SUNY Geneseo Regional Alumni committee. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/rachel-pulvino/

In this episode, you will learn about social enterprises in the travel and tourism industry and how they can really drive social change and positively benefit communities from Mike Rea. Mike Rea is a social entrepreneur who has been committed to creating philanthropic value and impact for more than 15 years. Mike has been President & CEO of Tourism Cares since July 2013, building on its momentum to unite the industry around critical philanthropic needs and opportunities that are best tackled together. Tourism Cares leverages charitable investments and expertise to build sustainable travel destinations for future travelers, the tourism industry, and local communities. Mike’s career in philanthropy is diverse, entrepreneurial, and focused on outcomes. He co-founded Give2Asia in 2000, an affiliate of The Asia Foundation which to-date has facilitated more than $300M in personalized philanthropy. One area of specialty is disaster relief, and Mike’s personal research project, www.TsunamiPlus10.org, revisited the long-term impact of Give2Asia’s 2004 tsunami investments. In 2008, Mike served as Regional Philanthropic Executive for the Philanthropic Management division of Bank of America, leading client relations with nonprofits and foundations in the West and Central regions. In 2010, he joined the College Ready team at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he supported the strategy, management, and execution of the foundation’s US K-12 education strategy. Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College and a Master of Arts in Asian studies and anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. He is also on the Board of Directors of the US Travel Association. When not traveling, he Seattle life with his daughter, Elsie, and other passions include flyfishing and the MLS soccer team Seattle Sounders F.C. A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/mike-rea/