In this jam-packed episode of Destination Discourse, Stuart and Adam welcome Kristen Adamo, President & CEO of Go Providence, for a powerful conversation about the evolving role of destination marketing organizations—and more specifically—the CEO’s role in product development and community stewardship.

They explore:

• How Go Providence helped save WaterFire and turned it into an economic development lever

• Why advocacy starts with being at the table, and sometimes means setting the table

• How marketers are uniquely positioned to become CEOs (and why more of them should be)

• The difference between promoting a destination and shaping it

• The importance of “marketing the marketing”—including leave-behind ROI cards, op-eds, and internal newsletters

• Why product development is brand management—and the risk of promoting an experience that doesn’t exist

• How DMOs can gain influence with elected officials and avoid being seen as a “nice-to-have”

Takeaways:

→ If you’re not involved in product, you may be promoting something that’s no longer competitive.

→ The most successful DMOs act as connectors, collaborators, and quiet power players—without needing the credit.

→ Marketing skills (storytelling, communication, vision) are becoming critical CEO traits in a post-COVID world.

→ Local advocacy isn’t optional anymore—it’s a core part of destination leadership.

→ Want to be indispensable? Tie every initiative back to room nights and community impact.