Brand USA Talks Travel

Embracing accessible and inclusive tourism requires focus, education, and empathy. Marks meets with Sophia Hyder Hock and Rory Archibald to discuss the latest research concerning accessible travel, the necessity of a communication plan, and ideas that will quicken your progression from design to execution. Rory Archibald is Head of Association Sectors and Marketing at Visit Scotland. Sophia Hyder Hock is Chief Inclusion Officer at Destinations International.

With 25+ years at the same DMO, Deana Ivey demonstrates how to grow as your city expands - plus, we hear about producing large events in-house, working on the set of their movie It All Begins With A Song, and giving a young Taylor Swift her start. Deana Ivey is President and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation.

Is there a difference between EDI and DEI? Timothy Bush and Barbara Karasek also discuss education on inclusion, how a destination starts integrating inclusion locally, and details about D.I.’s focus on social inclusion. Barbara Karasek is CEO and Co-Owner of Paradise. Timothy Bush is Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Lake Charles.

Fact: When constituents value something, it gets funded. In our first D.I. 2024 episode, we explore how to better express value by actively using new metrics and indicators, looking at massive datasets and making better marketing decisions. Ted Sullivan is Chief Marketing Officer at Zartico. Andreas Weissenborn is Vice President of Research and Advocacy at Destinations International.

Learn about the growth of LGBTQ+ travel market, how destinations can become more welcoming, and the language surrounding identity. Billy Kolber and Ken Porpora are Co-Founders of HospitableMe.

ESTO is August 11-13 in Columbus, Ohio, and this year's theme is "Ignite Your Spark." Mark is joined by Aimee Misako Gabel and Angie Briggs for a first look at this year's convention, advice for first-time attendees, and tips for maximizing your stay. We also hear from Jody Raida about the upcoming GoUSA TV Storytelling Awards and how destinations can still participate before the deadline to enter. Aimee Misako Gabel is Senior Vice President for Events and Education at U.S. Travel Association. Angie Briggs is Vice President of Destination Engagement at U.S. Travel Association. Jody Raida is a Content Consultant for GoUSA TV.

Having a huge international customer volume enables Nick to observe travel trends from a very unique perspective. Hear about the current state of global travel, with projections for the next few years. We also cover the bankruptcy of Europe’s third largest tour operator and the latest on China - plus, Mark quizzes Nick about other career options he considered outside of the travel industry. Nick Hentschel is Chief Operating Officer at AmericanTours International.

Learn about the secret sauce behind Puerto Rico’s approach to storytelling. Mark also explores the relationship between a CMO and a CEO at a DMO, and you’ll find out about the "United Voices" campaign partnership with Afar. Leah Chandler is Chief Marketing Officer at Discover Puerto Rico.

DMOs frequently express interest in expanding Sports Tourism. Learn from an expert in both fields who could teach a masterclass in developing the right infrastructure for success. We get a take on building large new sports facilities, and find out when it’s worth taking a chance on sports events that may not produce a profit. David Gilbert is CEO at Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Will the next big trend in luxury travel be travelers seeking silence, or maybe blink travel? Tom Marchant, Co-Founder of the Black Tomato Group, shares how luxury travel is being redefined by modern travelers, the value of word-of-mouth publicity, and being named one of the "48 people changing the way we travel" by Condé Nast Traveler.