Growing Destinations

Mike Jones is a Hall of Fame Auctioneer, educator and owner of America's Auction Academy and co-owner of the World Wide College of Auctioneering. Over the course of his career, he's done it all. He won the International Auctioneer Championship in 1998 and went on to serve as President of the National Auctioneers Association in 2004 and 2005. Through his leadership, mentorship and passion for the craft, Mike has helped shape the future of auctioneering both on the auction block and in the classroom. 

In Harmony, Minnesota, a group of dedicated volunteers turn their love for Halloween into something extraordinary: a haunted house that helps fund local arts and music programs. Monster Bash, Inc. isn't your typical haunted attraction; it's a nonprofit organization that channels the thrill of the scare into real support for students and the arts. 

Jay Masters, President of Monster Bash, Inc. shares how it all started, what keeps it going, and why this spooky tradition has become such a powerful force for good.

Becky Bakken is President and CEO of Westopolis, the destination marketing organization representing the Minnesota cities of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Over the past year, Becky has led her team through a major transformation, rebranding from Discover St. Louis Park to Westopolis, to better reflect the vibrancy and connected spirit of both communities. She shares why the rebrand happened, what they've learned one year in, how the community has embraced the change and what's next for Westopolis.

John DeLeva, Global Marketing Executive with Miles Partnership, has built a career that has taken him around the world. In this episode, he shares how building strong relationships and diving deep into the culture, food, and spirit of each place has shaped his approach to tourism marketing. 

He also recounts his extraordinary travel journey, completing visits to every single county in the United States, and how that adventure continues to influence his work to this day. 

Plus, hear how his passion for place extends to his own restaurant and cottages in the scenic resort town of Union, Washington.

Steve Grove is a leader whose career journey has spanned Silicon Valley, state government, and now the publishing world. Steve is the CEO and Publisher of the Star Tribune, Minnesota’s largest news organization. Before that, he served as Commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development, and earlier, he spent more than a decade at Google helping to build its news and civic engagement initiatives.

Steve recently added another chapter to his story with the release of his memoir, How I Found Myself in the Midwest: A Memoir of Reinvention. In it, he shares the personal journey of leaving the fast-paced tech world, returning to his roots in Minnesota with his wife and twins, and rediscovering the power of community and place.

Steve shares why he wrote this book now, what he hopes readers take away, and what the process of writing a memoir taught him about reinvention and about himself. 

This episode dives into the world of tourism research, strategy, and storytelling with one of the industry’s most recognized voices. Amir Eylon is the President and CEO, and Partner, at Longwoods International, a leading market research and consulting firm that helps destinations understand their visitors, shape their strategies, and tell their stories through the power of data. Amir shares his own journey in the tourism space, the unique role Longwoods plays in guiding destinations, and the traveler trends shaping the future of the tourism industry. 

This episode was recorded on location in Phoenix, Arizona, at the U.S. Travel Association’s annual ESTO conference, the gathering place for destination leaders from across the country. 

Andrew Robinson is the founder of Slingshot Real Estate and the visionary of The Hub on 3rd in downtown Rochester, Minnesota, a flexible office space concept being called the "Airbnb of offices." Andrew is building something new for Rochester's evolving business and entrepreneurial scene, a space that bridges the gap between co-working and traditional leases. 

Michael (Mick) Meilahn is a third-generation farmer and nationally recognized glass artist whose immersive installation, Primordial Shift, is now on view at the Rochester Art Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Mick’s work is visually stunning: towering glass ears of corn, cast bronze leaves, surrounded by a video backdrop of fields, but it also asks deeper questions about genetic modification, the evolution of farming, and our relationship with the land.

From his roots in rural Wisconsin to the international world of glassmaking, Mick has spent decades blending the precision of agriculture with the expression of contemporary art. Mick shares more about his journey, what corn means to him as both a crop and a symbol, and why he's inviting all of us to think more critically about how our food is grown. 

Rochester, Minnesota is home to a growing live music scene, and one of the voices helping shape its sound is Gina Marcucci. She's a founder and lead singer of the folk-rock band My Grandma's Cardigan. Known for their heartfelt lyrics, rich harmonies and a sound that's equal parts nostalgic and fresh, the band has become a standout in the local music community. In this episode, Gina shares how the band came together, how Rochester's creative energy has influenced their journey and what continues to inspire her to write, perform, and connect through music.

Today, we’re going on a journey with Houston Gibson, race organizer of The Great Race, a legendary cross-country rally featuring vintage vehicles and classic Americana. Since 1983, this time-speed-distance rally has brought drivers and spectators together for a one-of-a-kind road adventure.

This year, The Great Race made a stop in Rochester, Minnesota. In this episode, Houston discusses the event’s rich history, its lasting appeal, the impact it has on host communities, and how he got involved.