Brand USA Talks Travel

We catch up with Amir Eylon, President/CEO, Partner at Longwoods International. Get perspective concerning how the traveler has changed over the past two years, the thing to look for when assessing market surveys, and the importance of research-based insight.

We continue our coverage of ESTO with Danielle Posa, Vice Chair of the Workplace Wellbeing Initiative for the Global Wellness Institute. We discuss the difference between wellness and wellbeing, the rise in the pursuit for self-care, and the opportunity for destinations to cater more to mothers traveling with children. Danielle was a keynote speaker at ESTO.

In one of Geoff’s first media appearances in his new role, we cover a wide range of topics: from what he’s learned as a President/CEO at other associations, to his role in advocating for the creation of Brand USA years ago, to his own special travel hack. To hear the hack, you gotta listen all the way to the very end! A word of caution: the crowd noise from ESTO slowly builds until the end, when it sounds as if we’re in a crowded bar (we weren’t). You’ll want to share this special episode with others in the travel industry, whether they came to Grand Rapids or couldn’t make it.

What makes the nation’s capital so special? Plus, Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO of Destination DC, details the importance of teaching the next generation of talent about the many opportunities within the travel industry.

Shaun MacGillivray, President of MacGillivray Freeman Films, was instrumental in creating Brand USA's three IMAX films. He shares his unique understanding of content creation and distribution.

Telling your destination's story goes far beyond commissioning articles for travel sites. Join us for an in-depth conversation with Mathu Premaruban, Head of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations for Brand USA, about how to foster enduring camaraderie with journalists from all over the world.

We connect with Liz Bittner, President/CEO of Travel South, to hear about DMOs creating consumer-facing podcasts. We explore the benefits of creating travel audio content, the importance of narration, marketing, and other fine details about podcasting for potential travelers.

We close out this special series of IPW podcasts recorded live during the last few minutes in Orlando with Jo Palmer, Founder/Managing Director, Gate 7. Jo dives deep into why the U.S. is the number one aspirational destination for Australian tourists and how DMOs can better attract these long-stay visitors. Yes, the IPW ground crew are literally carrying out the potted plants as we speak.

Denis Ribeiro, General Manager for Aviareps Brazil, highlights current travel motivators, the long booking window, and what Brazilian visitors want to see and do in the United States.

Dive into the Great American West with Mathias Jung, CEO of Rocky Mountain International. We discuss how states come together for regional tourism marketing, the current supply challenges, and how to deal with a lack of direct flights.