In Episode 5 of The Insightful Podcast, I sit down with Kaitlyn Urquiza, a meeting and event planner whose career journey reflects what it really looks like to move from education into professional practice.

A graduate of UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and a former student of mine, Kaitlyn now works with the Franchise Brokers Association, where she recently planned her first annual convention—an experience that tested her skills in coordination, communication, and real-time problem solving.

In this episode, we talk about:

What it’s actually like to plan your first large-scale professional meeting

The gap between classroom learning and on-the-ground execution

How relationship-building shapes success in meetings and events

Balancing event planning with marketing, video production, and on-camera work

This conversation offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at meetings and events as relational systems, where success depends less on perfect plans and more on people, preparation, and responsiveness.

Whether you’re an emerging professional, a meetings and events leader, or someone mentoring the next generation of talent, this episode highlights how experience, relationships, and confidence develop over time.

Tourism is not just an industry—it is a network of relationships.

In this opening episode of the Insightful Moments series, Dr. Jeremy Fairley explores social capital as a powerful—and often overlooked—leadership lens for destination marketing, tourism management, and place-based strategy.

While traditional tourism strategy focuses on metrics, marketing, and organizational structure, this episode argues that relationships are the real infrastructure of destinations. From public-private partnerships to community trust and shared vision, social capital determines whether collaboration succeeds—or quietly breaks down.

You’ll be introduced to the three core dimensions of social capital—structural, relational, and cognitive—and learn why tourism systems amplify their impact more than almost any other sector. Through real-world destination examples, this episode unpacks why partnerships that look strong on paper often struggle in practice, and what leaders misunderstand about collaboration.

This episode is designed for destination leaders, DMOs, tourism executives, academics, and policy makers who want to move beyond surface-level collaboration and lead tourism systems more intentionally.

What social capital is—and why it matters in tourism leadership

The difference between structural, relational, and cognitive social capital

Why tourism is uniquely dependent on trust, networks, and shared meaning

How symbolic collaboration undermines destination strategy

One mindset shift leaders can make immediately to strengthen collaboration

Episode 1 sets the foundation for a multi-part series exploring how social capital shapes destination performance, governance, and long-term resilience.

In this episode of The Insightful Podcast, host Jeremy Fairley sits down with Ailin Fei, a passionate advocate for sustainable tourism and responsible travel. Together, they explore how behavioral change, innovative marketing, and destination management can shape a more sustainable future for the travel industry.

Ailin shares insights on how destinations can balance visitor experience with environmental and cultural preservation, why education is critical in driving industry change, and the innovative solutions that are redefining responsible tourism.

Whether you’re a tourism professional, educator, or traveler, this episode offers practical takeaways and fresh perspectives on creating meaningful, mindful travel experiences that make a positive impact.

In this episode of The Insightful Podcast, host Jeremy Fairley sits down with Gathan D. Borden, Client Relationships & Insights Manager at Tourism Economics, to explore how data, storytelling, and strategy are shaping the future of tourism.

With nearly 20 years of experience in destination marketing, Gathan has helped destinations turn numbers into narratives that inspire travelers and drive economic impact. From his leadership roles across the industry to his passion for inclusive and sustainable tourism, he shares how creativity and analytics can work hand-in-hand to create meaningful results.

We discuss Gathan’s career journey, the power of data-driven insights, the role of authenticity in branding, and why mentorship and diverse leadership are essential for the future of tourism. Plus, Gathan gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his new book and what’s next for his thought leadership in the industry.

If you’re a tourism professional, marketer, or leader looking to understand where the industry is headed, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Key Topics Covered:

How Gathan blends data and creativity to transform destination marketing strategies

The importance of authentic storytelling in tourism branding

Insights into sustainability, inclusivity, and leadership in the tourism sector

Gathan’s journey to becoming a published author and thought leader

Tune in to hear how destinations can turn insight into action and why the future of tourism depends on innovation, authenticity, and impact.

Welcome to Episode Two of The Insightful Podcast, where we explore the people and ideas shaping tourism, hospitality, and destination marketing. On today’s episode, I’m joined by Danielle Blubaugh, the Food & Beverage Manager at Hilton Orlando—a property known as one of the city’s premier destinations for business and leisure travelers alike.

Danielle is also a proud graduate of the University of Central Florida’s Hospitality Management program, and I had the honor of teaching her during her time there.

With years of experience in the food & beverage industry, a sharp eye for operational detail, and a passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences, she’s helping Hilton Orlando set the standard for hospitality in one of the world’s top tourism markets. We’ll dive into her career journey, her perspective on leadership in hospitality, and how food & beverage operations are evolving to meet today’s guest expectations.

Get ready for an insightful conversation.

In the debut episode of The Insightful Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Fairley talks with Dr. Amanda “AJ” Templeton—educator, researcher, and tourism advocate—about driving change in hospitality. From launching a new hospitality minor at the University of Louisville to researching drive tourism, sustainability, and accessibility, AJ shares insights on bridging academia and industry, mentoring future leaders, and making destinations more inclusive. Whether you work in tourism or just love exploring new ideas in travel, this conversation offers fresh perspectives and practical inspiration for moving the industry forward.

Let's goooooo! Get ready for insights from the industry and an amazing group of guest speakers as we talk all things tourism!