Tourism Heads and Their Tales

It’s time for a freshly brewed episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today we welcome a leader in the DMO world with a very interesting journey. Today, Victoria Isley is the President & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Over her 29-year career, she has represented destinations including the island of Bermuda; Washington, DC; Tampa Bay, Florida and Durham, and now Asheville, North Carolina.   Listen as Vic discusses the biggest challenges facing Asheville and how she is addressing them. Hear Vic describe that tapping into the community with over 300 listening sessions that really helped shape and form the stories. Discover the tremendous financial impact of the Visitor Economy and the related vibrant growth of the River Arts District. Vic's stories highlight the essentials of environmental stewardship and the crucial lessons she's learned in forging partnerships amidst seemingly conflicting agendas. This episode is packed with valuable insights from a destination leader that we can all learn from. Tune in and don't miss out on the chance to gain from Vic's thought leadership!

Welcome to a fresh edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today’s guest is Anne Sayers. Anne was named Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in March of 2023. Secretary Sayers has led the agency since December of 2020 after first serving as the Deputy Secretary since January 2019.

Hear Anne articulate the vision and strategy driving Wisconsin as a premier destination in a competitive landscape. Listen as Anne goes beyond the economic impact and how Wisconsin has been able to attract major national conferences, iconic sporting events, the 2025 NFL Draft, popular TV show’s like Bravo’s Top Chef series and more. Understand how communities get involved and participate in innovative co-op programs. Anne shares the Four Pillars behind the Wisconsin brand and how the state is full of surprises. We learn about sustainability and its origins in Wisconsin’s history and I guarantee there is much to learn in the captivating episode.

Tune into a brand-new edition of Tourism Heads and Their Tales. Today we welcome Joe Marinelli, President and CEO of Visit Savannah. Joe is a well-respected industry thought leader with a solid background in hospitality and tourism. Listen as Joe details the DMO model in place and target markets and how workforce issues impact all destinations. Hear Joe discuss a creative initiative that partners tourism with the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) that literally takes the show on the road to support workforce development and tourism. Learn about the value of partnerships and why it's critical to destinations. We talk about what leadership traits are required to be successful, and Joe shares his thoughts on this subject. There is so much valuable information in our interview with Joe that this is a definite unmissable episode.

Welcome to "Tourism Heads & Their Tales." In this episode, we are delighted to have Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, joining us. Paula's role includes providing leadership and strategic direction for all of AAA's travel services, managing strategic alliances, and spearheading the development of innovative solutions to support AAA clubs. Tune in as Paula offers a comprehensive overview of AAA and delves into the evolution of its programs over the years. Our conversation touches on various topics including the surge in pent-up travel demand, the resurgence of cruises, and the enduring value of travel agencies. We also explore the continuing popularity of road trips and outdoor adventures such as camping. Paula sheds light on the concept of impact travel, emphasizing authentic cultural experiences that promote environmental and heightened awareness of one's surroundings, citing examples such exclusive curated experiences in Ireland. Additionally, we learn about the structure of AAA's Diamond program, highlighting its distinctions from traditional star ratings. Our discussion extends to the AAA’s recently launched Trip Canvas platform, designed to offer inspiration, planning tools, and seamless booking experiences. With valuable insights into emerging travel trends, Paula provides invaluable perspectives for all of us as we navigate the road ahead (pun intended).

Our guest is Melyssa Reeves, President and CEO of Destination Marketing Association of the West. We learn about the changes at DMA West and what the future will bring to this 40-year membership organization. We hear about DMA West's focus on three main events; Technology Summit, CEO Leadership Summit and Education Summit. 

We discover how DMA West adds value to those destinations that have budgetary constraints and where opportunities exist for these small and mid-size DMO's. Delve into the heart of DMA West's ethos, where peer-to-peer sharing and learning flourish, fostering an invaluable trust network among industry leaders. We also touch on the significance of technology and how it is being utilized in destinations.

Prepare to be enlightened and inspired as we embark on this enlightening voyage with Melyssa Reeves, charting the course towards a future brimming with endless possibilities for DMA West. All this and so much more!

Welcome back to Part 2 of this insight-rich episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, powered by the award-winning agency, Eddy Alexander with Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer at New York City Tourism + Conventions. This episode explores the complex world of destination marketing. Nancy discusses the relationship and make-up of the board and how re-branding alignment was achieved and highlights the value of advocacy. We learn about the various committees that all have a seat at the table in representing their areas of expertise whether it’s culinary, hospitality, entertainment, etc.  Nancy enlightens us on the evolving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), shifting from simple visitation metrics to more comprehensive views on economic impact across the five boroughs. Discover the significance of authentic storytelling in highlighting the essence of neighborhoods, a crucial aspect emphasized by Nancy. Join us as we discuss emerging trends and forecasts in visitor dynamics, witnessing New York's remarkable growth and pace. Our conversation delves into the realm of partnerships, demographic insights, international promotions, funding, and beyond, unveiling the intricate marketing narrative of New York City and its five boroughs.

Welcome to a freshly brewed installment of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, brought to you by the award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. Our featured guest is Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer at New York City Tourism + Conventions.

In this riveting podcast, delve into Nancy's remarkable journey and impassioned commitment to destination marketing. Uncover the enthralling backstory behind the rebranding of New York City Tourism + Conventions, a narrative that is as inspiring as it is transformative. Join us as Nancy reveals the intricate process of aligning with diverse stakeholders, essential to the timely rollout of the major rebranding initiative. Explore how the diverse marks within the brand architecture harmoniously unite, guided by a strategic compass that propels the brand forward. Gain insights into the structure and funding that seamlessly blend public and private sectors, fostering a dynamic relationship with key stakeholders. This exclusive interview promises to captivate destination marketers and leaders alike, offering unique insights and strategic wisdom.

Welcome back to a freshly brewed installment of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Our featured guest is Claudia Vecchio, President & CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. In Part Two of this podcast, I delve into the challenges Claudia faces in developing a Tourism Master Plan amidst a multitude of diverse stakeholders. Discover how she navigates alignment with various independent "voices" crucial to the planning process.

A key focus of our conversation is the delicate balance between sustainable tourism and economic growth. Can these two elements coexist harmoniously? Join me as I explore this critical question with Claudia. We also delve into the halo effect stemming from key source markets like San Francisco and explore ongoing studies to measure their impact. Our discussion takes a deep dive into the risks associated with making assumptions versus the merits of data-driven decision-making. Claudia shares her perspective on the challenges that keep her up at night and offers an understanding into the future of destination marketing.

For those engaged in tourism, this episode is a valuable source of insights and a must- "tune in turn on" experience.

Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales, brought to you by the award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. In this episode, we sit down with Claudia Vecchio, President/CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. You will hear Claudia discuss the development of organizational priorities, stewardship, and resilience (remembering fires, floods, and the pandemic that Sonoma has had to overcome). We hear how you can connect sustainability and stewardship with economic development and how she manages that balance, and we learn how the visitor economy is measured. Claudia points out that it is important to look for consumer data outside of the tourism space as it ultimately impacts all discretionary spending. Learn how Sonoma County engages the local community and tune in to so much more in this insight-packed podcast.

Welcome to another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales brought to you by the award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. Let's rejoin our conversation with Tim Wolfe, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office, in Part 2 of the podcast. Tim discusses the trends that are now commonplace, accelerated by the pandemic, the value of international tourism, and how each country is unique in its visitation habits that can have a year round impact on the visitor economy. We explore partnerships and co-op programs and discuss how tourism is a key element in economic development. We hear about the challenges of making a difference in diverse destinations within the state. Tim has some great stories and great insights with crucial takeaways that will impact all destinations. This is an unmissable podcast episode!