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 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 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.

Catherine Prather is a recognized face of leadership in the travel industry. Joining the National Tour Association in 1994, today she is president of the organization, whose members create and promote packaged travel to, from, and within North America.

Join us for a great discussion about the origins of NTA, the fight for member advocacy, the pandemic, labor shortage issues, and economic impact, IPW takeaways, NTA events such as Contact and Travel Exchange (TRex), Foodie Tourism, Faith Travel, Tourism Cares’ role in the industry, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion code of ethics, and so much more.

Liz Bittner is President and CEO for Travel South which is the largest regional alliance in the USA. Join Liz and myself as we talk about the genesis of Travel South and how it has evolved. We discuss cooperation between states with common interests, the value of inbound tourism, leveraging the outdoor recreation, foodie tourism, Brand USA and much more. Join us on Tourism Heads and their Tales…

For three decades, Travis Christ, known for his transformational thinking, has been at the forefront of integrated marketing for some of the world’s most iconic travel brands including American Airlines and Continental Airlines. In his current role, Travis is Head of Marketing for Avelo Airlines – America’s first new airline in more than a decade. Hear Travis talk about the background to Avelo launched in the pandemic, the selection process for new destinations, its marketing strategy, new routes, and how agility is a key to success. Join us on Tourism Heads and their Tales…