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.
Wes Rhea
Today’s guest on Tourism Heads & Their Tales is a unicorn. Hear how a Tank Commander became a DMO!
Wes Rhea, CEO at Visit Stockton, CA, was indeed a Tank Commander when serving in the military!
Wes is a well known destination marketing leader and influencer who takes an active role in many DMOs and local organizations. We’ll discuss how Wes, a Stockton native, manages crisis and recovery, how technology is fueling destination marketing, how to embrace change and why taking risks should be a fact of marketing life, why engaging with the local community is a necessity, ARPA funds and partnering with economic development, and why moving away from “heads in beds” to content driven strategies was an intentional objective.
Listen & Subscribe:
Today’s guest on Tourism Heads & Their Tales is a unicorn. Hear how a Tank Commander became a DMO!
Wes Rhea, CEO at Visit Stockton, CA, was indeed a Tank Commander when serving in the military!
Wes is a well known destination marketing leader and influencer who takes an active role in many DMOs and local organizations. We’ll discuss how Wes, a Stockton native, manages crisis and recovery, how technology is fueling destination marketing, how to embrace change and why taking risks should be a fact of marketing life, why engaging with the local community is a necessity, ARPA funds and partnering with economic development, and why moving away from “heads in beds” to content driven strategies was an intentional objective.
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Roni Weiss
Join me in the latest episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today, our guest is Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity, a non-profit focusing on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment. Listen as we discuss key aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We talk about the need for DEI standards in travel and tourism, the rationale behind starting Travel Unity and its short and long goals and objectives, the marketing support that Travel Unity makes available to other organizations, the Travel Unity Pledge and why DEI is more important than ever, and so much more.
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Listen & Subscribe Part Two:
Join me in the latest episode of Tourism Heads & Their Tales. Today, our guest is Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity, a non-profit focusing on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment. Listen as we discuss key aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We talk about the need for DEI standards in travel and tourism, the rationale behind starting Travel Unity and its short and long goals and objectives, the marketing support that Travel Unity makes available to other organizations, the Travel Unity Pledge and why DEI is more important than ever, and so much more.
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David Lorenz
On today’s Tourism Heads & Their Tales podcast episode we are joined by a prominent tourism industry leader, David Lorenz. Dave leads tourism for the state of Michigan under the brand Pure Michigan as Vice President. Listen as we discuss wide ranging topics including the history of the Pure Michigan brand, authenticity and how to blend reality and aspirational messaging, the marriage of tourism and economic development, brand marketing post-pandemic, the international inbound recovery, and so much more.
Listen & Subscribe:
On today’s Tourism Heads & Their Tales podcast episode we are joined by a prominent tourism industry leader, David Lorenz. Dave leads tourism for the state of Michigan under the brand Pure Michigan as Vice President. Listen as we discuss wide ranging topics including the history of the Pure Michigan brand, authenticity and how to blend reality and aspirational messaging, the marriage of tourism and economic development, brand marketing post-pandemic, the international inbound recovery, and so much more.
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Rita McClenny
Rita McClenny is president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation and serves on the board of directors for a wide variety of prestigious industry associations. In today’s episode, Rita shares her career journey and discusses the greatest challenges facing the Commonwealth of Virginia while reviewing the recovery efforts and how grant programs support this regionally. We’ll also learn about how the iconic Virginia is for Lovers ad campaign slogan still resonates after more than 50 years since its launch, the status of inbound tourism, the impact the film industry plays in tourism, we’ll even learn where the actual filming location for Dirty Dancing took place 35 years ago (Spoiler Alert – Pembroke SW Virginia!) and Rita’s points of view on current issues and future trends in tourism.
Listen & Subscribe:
Rita McClenny is president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation and serves on the board of directors for a wide variety of prestigious industry associations. In today’s episode, Rita shares her career journey and discusses the greatest challenges facing the Commonwealth of Virginia while reviewing the recovery efforts and how grant programs support this regionally. We’ll also learn about how the iconic Virginia is for Lovers ad campaign slogan still resonates after more than 50 years since its launch, the status of inbound tourism, the impact the film industry plays in tourism, we’ll even learn where the actual filming location for Dirty Dancing took place 35 years ago (Spoiler Alert – Pembroke SW Virginia!) and Rita’s points of view on current issues and future trends in tourism.
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Greg Takehara
Greg Takehara has been the CEO of Tourism Cares since May 2019. He previously served on its Board, acting as Chairman before becoming CEO. His career has spanned thirty-four years in the travel industry. He is on the Board of the US Travel Association and has sat on the Boards of NTA and the IGLTA Foundation (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association), as well as numerous industry committees.
In today’s episode we take a journey with Greg looking at how Tourism Cares started, has evolved, its rebranding, and its future. We discuss the impact of the pandemic on a non-profit organization, evolution of volunteerism, sustainable and responsible travel, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tourism Cares educational webinars and events such as Meaningful Travel Summits – domestic and international, and understanding that we all may be on different journeys to sustainable travel, but we’re all headed toward the same place.
Greg Takehara has been the CEO of Tourism Cares since May 2019. He previously served on its Board, acting as Chairman before becoming CEO. His career has spanned thirty-four years in the travel industry. He is on the Board of the US Travel Association and has sat on the Boards of NTA and the IGLTA Foundation (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association), as well as numerous industry committees.
In today’s episode we take a journey with Greg looking at how Tourism Cares started, has evolved, its rebranding, and its future. We discuss the impact of the pandemic on a non-profit organization, evolution of volunteerism, sustainable and responsible travel, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tourism Cares educational webinars and events such as Meaningful Travel Summits – domestic and international, and understanding that we all may be on different journeys to sustainable travel, but we’re all headed toward the same place.
Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler has a university degree in Rocket Science (yes, Rocket Science) and applies that inventive approach to his role as CMO for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, the official DMO for the Grand Strand. Listen as we discuss how he leverages cutting-edge technology and takes a scientific and innovative approach to everyday marketing challenges. Stuart, a native of the UK, discusses how he challenges the status quo and is redefining destination marketing. Discover how his focus on the visitor management of several data providers together with very creative consumer messaging has resulted in being the top RevPAR coastal destination in the country, per STR.
Stuart Butler has a university degree in Rocket Science (yes, Rocket Science) and applies that inventive approach to his role as CMO for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, the official DMO for the Grand Strand. Listen as we discuss how he leverages cutting-edge technology and takes a scientific and innovative approach to everyday marketing challenges. Stuart, a native of the UK, discusses how he challenges the status quo and is redefining destination marketing. Discover how his focus on the visitor management of several data providers together with very creative consumer messaging has resulted in being the top RevPAR coastal destination in the country, per STR.
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.
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