Brand USA Talks Travel

Dan Mickelson, Chief of the Immigration and Employment Division in the State Department's Visa Office, answers tough questions about visas for international travelers. Dan provides insight into the action plan for improving wait times, and shares upcoming innovations that will streamline the issuance of visas to millions of applicants.

Brand USA's Staci Mellman, Senior VP of Integrated Marketing, and Jackie Ennis, VP of Global Trade Development, walk us through data-driven analysis of recovery in major travel markets around the world, and the likelihood of visitation to the United States in the near future.

Toby tells the story of America’s public lands, describes working with the Nez Perce tribe, explains environmental interpretation, and delves into how she uses the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or 'forest-bathing', to help travelers connect with nature. Toby Bloom is National Program Manager for Travel, Tourism and Interpretation, US Forest Service.

Get a master class on how ESTA facilitates international travel, and clearly understand how and why a visit to Cuba affects the visa process. Macharia is the Branch Chief for the Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) and the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS), as well as a travel industry liaison for the Office of Field Operations. He’s also an outstanding karaoke performer.

What more fitting place for Brand USA Talks Travel to mark our 100th episode than on the floor at IPW, with none other than Brand USA's President and CEO Chris Thompson? Chris was our first guest on Episode 1; he rejoins us now to look back on key milestones and achievements over the last decade of promoting the USA.

How does a DMO add significant lift from new markets? Find out how SLO CAL did it. We also tackle a few seriously tough topics, including how homelessness impacts visitation, and the correlation between vacation rentals and local housing availability. Most importantly, Chuck fills us in on the lasting importance of only doing work that benefits the community you serve. With special guest host Aaron Wodin-Schwartz.

Live from San Antonio, our coverage of IPW continues with Peter DeWitt, Outstanding Natural Area Manager, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse for the Bureau of Land Management, and Cortney Solum, Writer/Editor for National Wildlife Refuge System. Peter and Cortney shed light on the challenges and successes facing our nation's National Wildlife Areas and Protected Lands, including redistributing visitation away from over-crowded sites, the boundless appeal of the American landscape, and how nature delivers joy in any language.

As tourism professionals from all over the globe converge in San Antonio, Texas, we kick off our series of IPW 2023 podcasts with Geoff Freeman, President/CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. We talk about what Geoff has learned through his work in various industries, why it’s important to think big, and discuss turning obstacles into opportunities.

Don Welsh, CEO of Destinations International, shares insight into DI's annual convention, held this year in Dallas, Texas. Learn about the workshops and career development, Don's tips on attracting event sponsors, and why this year's convention is titled "Reimagine."

Is a trip planning tool a must for a DMO? Find out how potential tourists use one of the largest trip planning tools in the world and how that tool can be white-labeled for your local destination website. Meet the Global Head of Klarna Trips, Anoop Goyal and Steve Effron, Accountable Lead for Klarna Trips Content.