
Destination Marketing Podcast
The Destination Marketing Podcast is built for tourism marketers across the country who are overworked and understaffed. Our goal is to help these people prioritize the activities that are proven to be most effective in marketing a destination and stay up to date on the latest technologies and trends in the industry. This isn’t a feel-good, motivational podcast. We’re diving deep into what to do and how to do it. Subscribe today if you’re a tourism marketer and want to perfect your craft.
Latest episodes

Jun 20, 2023 • 45min
259: Destination Marketing: More Than Just Heads in Beds with Bill Geist
On this week’s episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam is joined by returning guest Bill Geist. Geist, Chief Instigator at DMOProz, brings a new perspective to the table with his years of experience working with destinations to better their communities from an advocacy and political standpoint. They discuss the importance of demonstrating a destination's value to stakeholders and why the purpose of a DMO is often misunderstood.
"I really do believe that our future is to market our communities to everybody for every reason. Whether that is a great weekend of fun and food and music, or whether it's getting people to invest." -Bill Geist
To learn more about Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp
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If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

Jun 13, 2023 • 49min
258: Making the Investment in Owned Media: Owned Media Series Episode 6
In this final episode of our owned media mini-series, Stuart and Adam discuss how destinations can take what they’ve learned and apply it to their marketing strategies. After a brief recap of the series, they explain why it’s important to start this strategy now — as the world and consumer preferences continue to evolve, creating interactive content that resonates with the audience is essential. Quick-adopting destinations will undoubtedly gain a competitive edge and maintain top-of-mind awareness. By committing time, budget and creativity, a destination can enrich people’s lives and positively impact their business.
“The old saying — where focus goes, energy flows — is very true. If you don’t commit time and budget to this initiative, it won’t happen.” -Stuart Butler
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Learn more about Wander here!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

Jun 6, 2023 • 1h 16min
257: Inspiring Your Audience to Take Action: Owned Media Series Episode 5
In this week’s episode, Adam and Stuart discuss the importance of creating content that resonates with the audience and inspires them to take action. They emphasize the need to prioritize the audience's needs and desires over the DMO's short-term gains and to create an active community by providing value to the audience. Adam and Stuart also discuss the challenges of measuring the impact of owned media on the bottom line and how to properly portray the value of branded entertainment to stakeholders.
“If you create great content that people want to take ownership of, then you know you’ve won this battle. You’ve resonated with them so much that they feel they are a part of it, it’s a part of them and they could take control of it. That’s killer right there. That’s what you should be striving towards.” -Stuart Butler
To learn more about Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

May 30, 2023 • 44min
256: Nurturing the Audience Journey: Owned Media Series Episode 4
In this week's episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, we continue our owned media mini-series. Adam Stoker and Stuart Butler discuss the importance of understanding the entire travel journey and the challenges of implementing an owned media strategy. They emphasize the need to focus on the quality of audience experience and content, creating a community around owned media content and balancing entertainment and promotion in destination marketing. They also provide tips for measuring success for owned media and engaging with the audience.
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

11 snips
May 23, 2023 • 1h 1min
255: Creating an Engaged Community: Owned Media Series Episode 3
Welcome to part 3 of the Destination Marketing Podcast mini-series, hosted by Adam Stoker and Stuart Butler. In this episode, the hosts dive deeper into the significance of owned media in destination marketing. They highlight the difference between an audience and a community and stress the importance of cultivating an engaged community to support destination marketing efforts. Drawing from examples of influencers and popular TV shows, the speakers illustrate the power of community building. They also emphasize the need to create captivating and entertaining content that resonates with the audience, rather than being overly promotional. Additionally, the speakers underscore the importance of DMOs collaborating with local businesses and stakeholders to establish a coalition of advocates to support destination marketing efforts.
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
To learn more about Bandwango, please visit www.bandwango.com/dmp
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

May 16, 2023 • 49min
254: Exploring the Different Types of Media: Owned Media Series Episode 2
This week on the Destination Marketing Podcast, we continue our owned media series with host Adam and special guest, Stuart Butler. In this episode, Adam and Stuart continue to discuss the importance of owned media and storytelling in the tourism industry. They discuss the four major types of media: paid, earned, shared and owned, and why a balanced approach is pivotal for success. They also touch on the challenges of managing and optimizing paid media, as well as the changing metrics of digital marketing.
"The vast majority of my budget is still on paid media. It's the core of what we do. It's tried and tested and yields positive ROI. We're going to continue to do it, but we're going to continue to do it as a tactic as a part of a bigger strategy. It's a short-term tactic that serves a long-term strategy." -Stuart Butler
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

May 9, 2023 • 1h 4min
253: The Importance of Owning Your Audience: Owned Media Series Episode 1
On today’s special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, join Adam and Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Myrtle Beach, as they take a deep dive into the world of owned media. In a new series inspired by their soon-to-be-published book, the duo explores the current marketing philosophy and why so many destinations aren't fully utilizing the power of owned media. The conversation explores the pressure to prioritize bottom-of-funnel conversions, the limitations of the last-click attribution model and the need to demonstrate immediate results. Stuart and Adam also delve into the importance of building trust and collaboration with stakeholders, as well as nurturing an engaged audience through owned media. By the end of this episode, you'll have a better understanding of how to harness the power of owned media and develop a marketing strategy that delivers tangible results.
"We have to change. If we don't, that's not going to be good for us as DMOs if we're putting all of our eggs in the paid media basket. What we're doing, and what I encourage all DMOs to do, is to shift, gradually and responsibly over time, a portion of our dollars from paid media to owned media." -Stuart Butler
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

May 2, 2023 • 52min
252: Using AI in Destination Marketing with "ChatJPT"
Join host Adam Stoker in this episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast as he talks with Jared Price (JP) from Relic about the impact of AI on destination marketing. JP's passion for AI is evident as they discuss the potential impact on humanity, and how Chat GPT, an AI language model, is being used in their agency. Discover the accuracy of Chat GPT responses, the need for specificity in prompts, and how refining queries can get to the heart of the matter. They also explore the potential impact of Chat GPT on the tourism industry and how destination marketers can use AI to their advantage by providing more concise descriptions of smaller destinations. Overall, this conversation highlights the valuable role that AI can play in destination marketing, but also stresses the importance of careful consideration and use. If you're interested in gaining insights on the future of AI in the industry, and how to enhance your destination marketing efforts with Chat GPT, then tune in to this must-listen episode.
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

Apr 25, 2023 • 28min
251: A Conversation Between Adam and "ChatJPT"
Join Adam Stoker on the Destination Marketing Podcast for a unique and fascinating episode featuring ChatGPT, the state-of-the-art AI language model created by OpenAI. Through guest JP's voice, ChatGPT shares valuable insights on various topics related to the tourism industry, including unique destinations, challenges faced by the industry, and the importance of resilience and adaptability. From discussing outdated destination marketing tactics to upcoming trends that will affect travel and tourism, ChatGPT offers valuable insights for anyone in the destination marketing industry looking to stay ahead of the curve. As the conversation turns to the topic of AI, Adam and JP discuss the effective use of AI in the tourism industry and the importance of considering where the answers from AI language models are coming from. Sponsored by Bandwango, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to learn more about the state of the tourism industry and the strategies used to effectively promote tourism destinations.
Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp.
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

Apr 18, 2023 • 54min
250: From RootRez to Ripe: The Rebranding Process with Ripe CEO Jason Linder
Today Adam Stoker sits down with Jason Linder, the CEO of Ripe, a company formerly known as RootRez. As a travel and technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, RootRez has been helping destination, event, and travel-related websites best connect travelers to lodging partners since 2015. Jason explains how their services can benefit DMOs and offers valuable insights into the importance of having a local focus in the travel industry. Jason shares his experience of rebranding RootRez to Ripe with Relic Agency, discussing the challenges and benefits of completely rebranding a company right down to the name, and when a company should consider doing so. For those who may be considering a rebranding process, Jason offers some practical suggestions on how to approach the process. Finally, the discussion turns to the future of the tourism industry, and Jason shares his thoughts on how artificial intelligence is shaping the industry. He highlights the importance of understanding AI and its potential impact on the travel industry, and how DMOs can stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly changing landscape.
"With Ripe, we can help [DMOs] better serve those visitors at that opportune moment when they're ready to research and book and help [DMOs] realize the value of their effort that they bring in the lodging category."
- Jason Linder
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.