Destination Marketing Podcast

CEO Mo Parikh has pioneered a technology company that is revolutionizing the tourism industry — Bandwango. In this episode, Mo shares his insights on what Bandwango is and how it can help destinations drive visitation. Bandwango's unique technology is making waves by allowing communities to organize things to do into free and paid experiences that integrate directly into websites. This integration generates leads and drives revenue for organizations, while providing a seamless user experience for customers. But Mo and Adam discuss more than just what Bandwango is currently doing; later, they talk about the role that artificial intelligence will play in the future of the tourism industry. Mo discusses the potential for personalization when it comes to trip itineraries and the potential to create more dynamic pricing models, which will truly revolutionize the way people travel. Gain valuable insights into how Bandwango is transforming the tourism industry and how AI will play a significant role in shaping its future, as well. Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

Listen to an insightful conversation with two dynamic leaders in the tourism industry - Steve Arrison, CEO at Visit Hot Springs, and JR Shaw, Executive Director of Destination Rogers and Executive Vice President of the Rogers-Lowell Chamber. These guests share their expertise and insights on topics like collaborating with nearby destinations to drive visitation, emphasizing the importance of building partnerships and leveraging the strengths of your competitors to create a more robust tourism experience for visitors. The discussion also delves into Arkansas' unique way of funding their tourism organizations through lodging tax, and how this has enabled these destinations to invest in their tourism infrastructure and attract more visitors. Furthermore, the conversation takes a deep dive into a difficult employment situation that Steve Arrison faced in Visit Hot Springs, a destination with a low population and high visitation. Join Adam for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that highlights the importance of collaboration, creativity, and innovation in the tourism industry. You can have those mechanisms as much as you want but unless there's a plan, unless there's solid marketing, unless there's a strategy, unless there are partners out there that can collaborate with the state . . . then everybody's going off in their own different directions and you don't get that unified voice that you need to have." - Steve Arrison Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

Adam takes the podcast on the road once again at the Arkansas Tourism Conference, speaking with two esteemed guests: Travis Napper, the Director of Tourism at Arkansas Tourism, and Karen Trevino, the President & CEO at North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. Travis Napper focused on the importance of the Natural State brand in driving tourism to Arkansas, sharing his insights on how the state has successfully developed and marketed its unique identity to attract visitors from around the world. From its stunning natural beauty to its vibrant culture and rich history, Arkansas has a lot to offer, and Travis explained how his team is working hard to showcase these assets through innovative marketing strategies. Karen Trevino shared a new technology that involves using virtual reality to train employees in tourism and hospitality roles. Karen highlighted the importance of providing top-notch customer service in these industries, and how virtual reality can help employees develop the skills and confidence they need to deliver an exceptional experience for every guest. She shared some fascinating examples of how her team is using this cutting-edge technology to enhance training programs and improve overall performance. "The natural state brand fits to a T what we offer as a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts. I think we offer something that people want — and that need — for their health, for their well being. It's gonna be good for the future of our humanity for people to get outside and experience that and we offer it in abundance at the highest level. We want to continue to double down on that." - Travis Napper Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

Lauren Cleland, the Director of Marketing and Data Intelligence at Visit Savannah, discusses a recent successful pop-up event they hosted in New York City. She shares valuable insights into why pop-up events are an effective way to advertise your destination, regardless of its size or budget. She also provides insider tips on how to plan and execute such an event and emphasizes the significance of marketing that requires minimal effort on the consumer's part. With plans to host another event in Chicago soon, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to increase tourism and drive more visitors to their destination. Join us as we dive deep into the details of experiential advertising. "If you have a big idea don't shoot it down before you ever give yourself a chance to make some magic happen. I don't care if that big idea is a new website, if it's having a TikTok account, if that big idea is having a pop up event. Don't talk yourself out of something and don't let someone else talk you out of something if you believe in it." - Lauren Cleland Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok 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.

Candace Carr Strauss, VP of Marketing and Communications at the Montana Chamber of Commerce, shares valuable insights about Montana's innovative approach to tourism data collection, which has helped them better understand visitor behaviors and preferences. In this engaging conversation, Candace also discusses the importance of tourism resiliency and how destinations can be better prepared for unexpected events and crises. Tune in to discover how Montana is leading the way in sustainable tourism practices and learn actionable strategies for enhancing your own destination's resiliency. Inaugural Convergence webpage. Learn more about Bandwango at https://www.bandwango.com/dmp. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

Managing Director Patrick Manning to talk about the exciting Black Desert Resort in southern Utah. Joining us today, Manning shares his vision of creating a gathering place that offers endless fun, delicious food, and a vibrant music scene for people of all ages to enjoy. As we delve into the topic, he highlights his goal of offering a unique culinary experience that perfectly complements the resort's music and golf scene. Manning provides insights into his efforts to make the Black Desert Resort stand out from other resorts in the region. His commitment to creating an all-encompassing experience for guests is evident, and his passion for the project is infectious. Tune in to hear all about the Black Desert Resort and discover how Patrick Manning is setting out to create a truly memorable experience for all those who visit. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

In response to a recent question posed by a listener, social media specialist McKenna Parkinson joins Adam to talk about the Instagram collaboration feature and its impact on social media marketing. McKenna sheds light on how Instagram collaborations can help travel destinations build brand awareness and increase engagement while providing valuable tips for businesses looking to make the most out of this feature and establish successful partnerships on the platform. Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

How much do you think popular media such as movies and TV Shows impact tourism? That's one of the questions researched by Melissa Weddell and her team at the University of Montana. Melissa joins Adam on today's episode to talk about how "Yellowstone", Paramount's hit TV show that's filmed in Montana, impacts tourism in the state. Listen to learn more about the show's means for visitation, economics and housing in Montana. "Yeah, when something comes this popular, there's a lot of tension. And people are like, you know, 'it's too crowded, there's too many people' and other people are like, 'we need more films, this is great, we need more'. I think those are the struggles" - Melissa Weddell Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

What goes into a modern DMO website? Todd O'Leary and Achilles Stravoravdis of Sonoma County Tourism join Adam on this episode to discuss this. For longtime fans of The Travel Vertical Podcast, Todd provides an update on the "Sonoma Sound" project that he talked about with Adam and Laurie Jo Miller Farr in August of 2021. In this episode, you’ll also learn about building websites around user data and the importance of website content audits when going through a rebuild. "You need to make sure that the foundation, which is content, let's be honest, for DMOs it's content, right...is completely thorough and scrubbed prior to doing anything or you're just repeating, you're copying and pasting the mistakes that you made before. So that content audit is everything." - Achilles Stravoravdis Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.

Meegan Winters, Co-Founder and CEO of AbleVu, joins us on the show today to talk all things accessibility. Learn more about the platform and how destinations are utilizing it with their stakeholders to promote accessibility and inclusion within their communities. Meegan and Adam discuss the history of the platform as well as what users can expect in the upcoming years. "One of the characteristics of someone on the spectrum is a need for routine and difficulty with transitions and trying new things for the first time. That’s why travel is becomes so difficult. This was something that was on my heart. Experiences are something that I thrive on. It feeds my soul to have experiences and I want that for everybody." -Meegan Winters Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 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 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.