Tickets to Travel

It's the grand finale of Season One of Tickets to Travel Podcast, and we end with Fan Travel Stories! For Episode 52, we head to Las Vegas with Greenwich, CT mom and former TV personality Dorothy Cascerceri-Simone—known to many as Dorothy on TV. Dorothy shares how a group of moms pulled off a 48-hour escape to catch the Backstreet Boys opening night at The Sphere, balancing family life with fandom and finding a little magic of their own.

From the nostalgia of Avalon '99 and boy-band crushes, to VIP dinners at Encore, cabanas by the pool, and unforgettable Sphere visuals, Dorothy's story proves that every ticket is a ticket to travel. Along the way, she reflects on her years as a celebrity journalist, the evolution of Las Vegas, and how fan travel can be both glamorous and soul-restoring.

Follow Dorothy at www.dorothyontv.com and subscribe to her podcast That Greenwich Life for more stories of culture, lifestyle, and community.

And don't forget to follow and subscribe to Tickets to Travel Podcast for more Fan Travel Stories and more behind-the-scenes journeys in sports, music, and entertainment.

We'll have more in Season Two of Tickets to Travel Podcast!

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Follow on all the socials: @Tix2Travelpod

Episode 51 – Beyond Burnout: Rewriting Success in Events, Travel, and Hospitality with Mike Messeroff

The events, travel, and hospitality industries are built on curating joy for others—but what happens when the professionals behind the experiences run out of joy themselves?

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Messeroff, a former JetBlue leader turned transformational coach, who has walked away from corporate perks and global adventures only to discover the real key to thriving: presence, clarity, and self-hospitality.

From managing partnerships at JetBlue Vacations to pouring cocktails in Breckenridge, Mike's career journey reveals the hidden cost of "selling fun" while quietly burning out. Today, he helps executives, event planners, and hospitality leaders rewrite the script by treating themselves like their most honored guests.

We explore:

• Why burnout is baked into the "programming" of events and hospitality professionals

• How mindfulness and micro-moments of presence can transform leadership on high-stress event days

• The difference between chasing fun and finding freedom in your career

• Why self-hospitality isn't fluff—it's the foundation for long-term success

If you've ever wondered why the perks of the job don't always equal fulfillment, or how to recalibrate without walking away from the industry you love, this conversation offers a practical blueprint for change. Learn more about Mike's mission at www.self-hospitality.com

🎧 Listen now on www.tttpod.com, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow us @Tix2TravelPod on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for more insights at the intersection of travel, ticketing, and live experiences.

Ep. 50 – Why OTAs Missed the Concert: The Untapped $10B Ticketing Opportunity with Eric Taraby

For a decade, the travel and ticketing industries have circled each other without truly connecting. In this milestone 50th episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences, host Mario Bauduin sits down with ticketing technologist and consultant Eric Taraby to finally pull back the curtain on why online travel agencies (OTAs) still struggle to integrate live event tickets into their booking flows.

From Super Bowls and Taylor Swift concerts to the rise of F1 and global stadium investment, fans are increasingly booking trips around events — not destinations. Yet despite the growing demand, the systems powering ticket supply, APIs, and secondary marketplaces remain largely misunderstood in the travel space.

Eric shares a decade of insights spanning Ticket Evolution, TickStock, and Global Ticket Supply, offering a rare inside look at the hidden distribution networks behind live event ticketing. Together, Mario and Eric explore:

• Why OTAs embraced tours and attractions but overlooked sports and concerts

• The backend challenges of merging ticketing inventory into global travel platforms

• How secondary marketplaces like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats reshaped consumer trust

• The untapped opportunity for hotels, OTAs, and destinations to monetize event-driven travel

• The future of global event tourism — and what happens when fans become "guests"

If you're a travel executive, ticketing insider, or just a fan who books trips around your favorite shows and teams, this episode delivers both a crash course and a crystal ball for the future of ticketing and travel.

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Website: https://xpotravel.com/podcast LinkedIn: Tickets to Travel Podcast X / Twitter: @Tix2TravelPod Facebook: Tickets to Travel Podcast Instagram: @Tix2TravelPod

Ep. 49 – Fiji, Festivals & the Future of Travel with Steve Pirie-Nally

What does it take to turn a trip into a life-changing experience? Steve Pirie-Nally has the answer. From staging Diplo's unforgettable Antarctica performance to reimagining Gen Z spring breaks in Fiji, Steve has spent his career blending culture, entertainment, and purpose in ways that inspire and connect people.

In this episode of Tickets to Travel, we explore how the South Pacific is becoming a hotspot for sports tourism, music festivals, and wellness-focused, multi-generational travel. Steve shares insider stories about building travel packages that sell out years in advance, why "people of influence" often move more tickets than celebrities, and how destinations like Fiji are breaking into the American market.

If you work in ticketing, travel, or live events—or simply love hearing how unforgettable experiences are designed—this episode delivers fresh insights and bold ideas from one of the industry's most creative minds.

Listen now to learn:

• Why packaging is the secret weapon for Gen Z and family travel

• How sports, music, and wellness trends are driving tourism in the South Pacific

• The power of community in creating loyal, long-term travelers

• What's next for destination events and superfan experiences

Follow Steve Pirie-Nally on LinkedIn and connect with Tickets to Travel at tttpod.com or on social @Tix2TravelPod.

Ep. 48 – Expedia OGs Talk Online Travel Origins, Ticketing & Vegas Demand with Daniel Wathen

What do Las Vegas call centers, hotel sort order manipulation, and Taylor Swift ticket chaos have in common? They're all part of the wild evolution of travel and ticketing—seen through the eyes of industry veteran Daniel Wathen.

In this episode, Daniel joins host Mario Bauduin to unpack over 25 years of online travel, from the early days at Las Vegas Reservation Systems and TravelScape to Expedia's global rise. They trade stories from the OTA front lines, reveal how hotels learned to revenue manage (thanks to folks like them), and explain why Las Vegas demand is shifting in 2025.

Topics covered include:

• The link between hotel parity and ticketing transparency

• Why dynamic pricing isn't always revenue management

• The rise of event travel and how destinations can plan for it

• Las Vegas economics, Canadian last-minute travelers, and the cost of $50 cocktails

• How tour routing and hotel strategy can maximize margins for artists and promoters

If you're into the business of travel, ticketing, or entertainment-driven demand, this one delivers both insight and nostalgia.

Connect with Daniel Wathen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-wathen-796b06/ More about his work: https://www.learnchatshare.com

Follow the show @Tix2TravelPod on all platforms More episodes at www.xpotravel.com/podcast Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

Remember, every ticket is a ticket to travel. Safe travels.

Ep. 47 – Ticketing Chaos Explained: Bots, Brokers & Bold Claims with Joel Schwartz

What do Donald Trump, Kid Rock, and a 200% ticket guarantee have in common? They're all part of the chaotic, misunderstood world of live event ticketing—and veteran ticket broker, founding member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) and attorney, Joel Schwartz is here to discuss the current executive order and how it affects ticket brokers and fans.

In this high-impact episode, we sit down with one of the original voices in ticket resale to break down what's really driving the headlines. From political theater to pricing transparency, Schwartz shares insider stories from decades in the game—starting with Lions games in the '70s and stretching all the way to Super Bowl holdbacks, Taylor Swift meltdowns, and FTC policy shifts.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why bots aren't the real problem—and who actually is

• How "dynamic pricing" impact fans, travel planners, and the entire resale market

• What the new executive orders and pricing laws could mean for concerts, sports, and festivals

• How fans, brokers, and platforms can navigate an increasingly complex and competitive marketplace

Whether you're a travel professional, ticketing insider, or just a fan tired of hidden fees and vanishing inventory, this episode delivers clarity, context, and a dose of hard truth.

Follow us at @Tix2TravelPod on all platforms and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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www.xpotravel.com

From concert-fueled economies to cybersecurity chaos and legal bombshells shaking the venue world—this July was anything but quiet. In this episode, we break down the biggest current events impacting travel, ticketing, and live experiences right now. Whether you're planning Q3 campaigns, pitching new partnerships, or just trying to stay ahead of what's driving fan and traveler behavior, this is your go-to summer recap.

We cover:

• The rise of shoulder season travel and why Europe in September is outperforming July

• Airline cyber attacks and the growing importance of digital resilience

• Music tourism's billion-dollar impact from Coldplay to Blackpink

• Backstreet Boys at the Sphere and the future of immersive residencies

• Formula 1's global takeover and luxury fan travel

• JW Roth's bold new venue model with VENU

• The OVG antitrust indictment and what it means for arena deals going forward

If you work in tickets, travel, or the experience economy, this episode is packed with insights you need—plus trends that will shape the rest of 2025.

Listen now at www.tttpod.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow us @Tix2Travel for updates, guest announcements, and more.

In this episode of Tickets to Travel, Mario is joined by Ian Chen, CEO & co-founder of Discotech, the platform that lets users "save money, party smarter." Ian shares the story behind Discotech's rise from a frustrating Vegas club experience to becoming a powerhouse for nightlife, festivals, and travel experiences—now with over 1.9 million app downloads.

They explore how Discotech has evolved from VIP table bookings to a full-service nightlife and festival marketplace, including affiliate travel deals, guest lists, and even $50,000 tables. Ian also reveals trends shaping nightlife today—from Gen Z's shifting habits to the lasting impact of pandemic-era "revenge partying"—and explains how data, affiliate partnerships, and tech are driving their growth into music festivals, travel, and potentially even sports.

If you're in nightlife, events, or travel—or just love a great entrepreneurial story—this episode is packed with insight.

Download the Discotech app to save money and discover nightlife and festival experiences: https://www.discotech.me

Subscribe to Tickets to Travel at www.tttpod.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 44 – Travel Media Reinvented: Inside Lost In Travel's Strategy with Jon Skogmo

What happens when the mind behind viral sensations like Pizza Rat and FailArmy turns his attention to travel media? In this episode, we sit down with Jon Skogmo, founder of Lost In Travel and former CEO of viral media powerhouse Jukin Media, to explore how he's shaking up the travel publishing world.

Jon shares his journey from clearing VHS tapes for clip shows to building a 300-person media empire—and why he's now focused on reinventing travel content for a digital-first, community-driven audience. We dig into how Lost In Travelgoes beyond tourist traps, highlighting hidden gems, subcultures, and local creators to inspire today's "premium economy traveler."

We also get candid about the challenges of influencer culture, the future of SEO in travel, and why legacy travel publishers are missing the mark. Plus, Jon opens up about Lost In Travel's multi-platform approach—from physical guidebooks and live events to neighborhood-focused editions and global collaborations.

If you care about where travel media is headed—or how to build an authentic, loyal audience in a crowded space—this is a must-listen conversation.

In this episode:

• The surprising link between viral videos and travel

• Why authenticity beats clickbait in today's travel media

• The evolution of Lost In Travel and its unique editorial strategy

• How they're building real-world travel communities through books and events

• Jon's take on the future of digital content, influencers, and travel demand

Follow Lost In Travel, Travelgram, and View From My Window to see more from Jon's team.

https://lostin.com/

Subscribe to Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences at www.tttpod.com and follow @Tix2TravelPod on social media.

Booked & Busy Abroad: SuaveSki's Blueprint for Going Global

What happens when your biggest fans aren't in your backyard, but across the ocean?

In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences, we sit down with SuaveSki — a rising independent hip-hop artist and touring entrepreneur — who's turned his U.S.-based hustle into an international movement. From Romania to Rome, and Zurich to South by Southwest, SuaveSki shares how he built a loyal fanbase abroad, booked venues without a major label, and financed it all while mentoring the next generation of creatives.

We talk strategy, mistakes, merch, booking hacks, sponsorships, and why international fans sometimes show more love than local ones. If you're an artist, agent, venue operator, or anyone trying to crack the code on global fan engagement — this is the blueprint.

Follow Tix2TravelPod on all socials and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For more, visit www.tttpod.com Follow SuaveSki at @suaveskimusic and @suavemob

www.suaveski.com