Brand USA Talks Travel

Hear about Visa wait times, innovation in the approval process, and the latest Visa statistics from the Federal government. Brooke Wehrenberg is The Department of State's Visa Office Outreach and Inquiries Chief.

Mark meets with Adam Burke, CEO at Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, to go behind the curtain for IPW 2024. They also discuss the approach to marketing L.A.’s many cool neighborhoods, obtaining one more night of visitation, and showcasing the destination's remarkable diversity.

Broadcaster André Coutinho has advice for destinations regarding group trips for journalists. André also offers an insightful look at how Brazilians perceive and navigate America's diverse destinations, from discovering hidden gems to breaking down stereotypes. André is a host on Bandnews FM and Partiu, BandNews! and on YouTube.

Liz shares milestones from her 20-year Travel South journey, discusses the organization’s pioneering adoption of Tourism Exchange USA, and provides insight into her innovative approach to strategic storytelling efforts. Liz Bittner is CEO of Travel South USA.

In our inaugural IPW 2024 episode, Geoff Freeman, CEO of U.S. Travel expounds on the organization's mission to address challenges and seize opportunities in accelerating the growth of intentional tourism. Mark and Geoff also discuss Chris Thompson’s retirement and Fred Dixon’s appointment as CEO of Brand USA.

It's only fitting that Mark turned to AI to come up with the perfect questions to ask Chris Donahoe, Executive Vice President and Head of AI Strategy at Edelman Smithfield. The two dive deep into the current state of AI, including "invisible" technologies that already exist, case studies involving PR and ROI, and the ethics of using artificial intelligence to get ahead.

Are you ready to give back to the travel industry and local communities?  Mark meets with Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares and founding member of The Future of Tourism Coalition, to discuss how you can participate in good work. They also cover sustainability, the Meaningful Travel Map, and tackling tourism's most pressing issues.

From our friends at Skift, host Miguel Neves explores four diverse destinations, speaking with Tommy Woods, Travel Texas; Jim McMichael, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Tara Miller, Destination DC; and Martha Sheridan, Meet Boston. Each destination provides insight into what attendees can expect when meeting with them at IMEX Frankfurt 2024.

We’re excited to introduce you to Aimee Misako Gabel, U.S. Travel’s newly hired SVP, Events and Education. After a quick chat with Aimee, Mark grills Michael Martin about this year’s IPW activities, networking, and maximizing your time at the convention. IPW 2024 is May 3-7 in Los Angeles. Michael Martin is International Relations Manager at U.S. Travel.

Get your first look at DI's annual convention, slated for July 16-18 in Tampa, Florida, including key sessions, new themes, and a glimpse into the CEO lounge. Mark and Don also discuss DI's recent study, "Destination Promotion: A Catalyst For Community Vitality," and social responsibility within travel and tourism. Don Welsh is CEO of Destinations International.