A PODCAST FOR TOURISM

AND TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS

Hosted by our Tourism & Destination Marketing General Manager, Bob Gilbert, Tourism Heads & Their Tales invites travel and tourism leaders and influencers to share their take on key industry issues. Throughout the series, we will bring you into the conversation with top professionals who are shaping the industry. We’ll speak to research gurus, destination marketing professionals, airline leaders, policy makers, hoteliers, and travel agents… all with unique tales and perspectives that they’re ready to share.

Leah Chandler

It’s time for another freshly brewed edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales brought to you by the multi-award-winning agency Eddy Alexander. For the first time, we head to the Caribbean. Tune in and listen to Leah Chandler, CDME, Chief Marketing Officer for the Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Puerto Rico, and how they transitioned from a government-run bureau to become a successful DMO.

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Julie Gilbert

Today’s freshly brewed Tourism Heads & Their Tales podcast is a first. I have the pleasure to interview Julie Gilbert CDME, President & CEO of Destination Door County.

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Jake Steinman

Welcome to another freshly brewed episode of your favorite podcast, Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today’s guest is no stranger to the industry. We welcome Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of TravelAbility, a platform that aims to make travel easier and more accessible for people with disabilities. From travel and tourism conferences to events globally, Jake has been involved in the travel sector for over 30 years as a journalist, publisher, consultant, and entrepreneur. In fact, he produced his own event under the brand eTourism Summit, a digital marketing conference for the travel industry. In today’s episode, we define what a “disability” is and hear his passion for promoting inclusion and diversity in travel and tourism. We learn how destinations and the tourism industry at large can improve accessibility for this important market using a variety of tools, such as an accessibility assessment. Jake is an expert in this field and offers invaluable insights. Don’t miss this impactful episode, part one of two.

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Erin Francis-Cummings

Welcome to another freshly brewed podcast edition of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today’s guest needs no introduction to those of us in the tourism industry. When we search for insights into traveler sentiment and behavior, one of the resources we often look to is Destination Analysts. Erin Francis-Cummings is co-founder, President, and CEO of Destination Analysts and we often see her presenting at industry conferences. Tune in and learn about Erin’s career journey and listen as we dive in to some meaningful insights about trends you need to know to help frame up your tourism business plans; hear about the types of destinations travelers want to visit post pandemic and the experiences they’re are looking for – even take a little “trip” into Psychedelic Travel…so much more for you to discover in part one of a two part interview. 

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Todd Davidson

Today’s guest on Tourism Heads & Their Tales is an acknowledged and universally recognized industry leader. We welcome Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. Tune in as Todd and I discuss change management and Oregon’s Covid challenges, how successful growth can be achieved by reinvesting in local communities, and how Oregon’s 10-year strategic vision was developed and its plans to redesign tourism with a destination stewardship mindset. Todd’s wisdom, leadership, and passion for our industry shines through on this podcast.

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Wit Tuttell

Today we are joined by Wit Tuttell representing the Tar Heel State as its VP, Tourism and Marketing for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Executive Director of Visit NC, State Tourism Director of the Year and a recognized travel & tourism industry leader. Listen as Wit explains the indispensable value of blending economic development with tourism, the challenges of ARPA funds, partnering with regional communities, why educating legislatures matters, post pandemic trends, the value of data driven decisions and so much more.

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Bob Gilbert

MEET YOUR HOST:

Bob Gilbert

Over his 30+ year career, Bob has had the privilege to have worked with iconic global brands including Disney, Choice Hotels, Yosemite and Shenandoah National Parks, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center, and Best Western International, and served on the boards of the U.S. Travel Association, National Tour Association, and as an elected commissioner for Visit California.

We’d Love to Stay in Touch!

    Case Studies

    Virginia Tech – New Brand Positioning Advertising Campaign
    3M – Go To Market Strategy & New Product Launch

     

    Virginia’s New River Valley – Economic Development, Market Research, Branding, and Target Market Advertising and Sponsorship Campaign
    Virginia’s Crossroads – Regional Tourism Rebrand

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