Business Class: The Tourism Academy Podcast
Business Class is a podcast for people who love travel and hate working - those looking to make a living of traveling well. We host smart conversations with interesting people who built satisfying careers in the tourism workplace.
Episodes
"Your reputation travels with you," says Monica Smith, President & CEO at Southeast Tourism Society, in this conversation with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom. Monica shares memories of her favorite travel experiences, leadership advice and her thoughts on the friendships she's made along her professional journey.
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the...
Nan Marchand Beauvois is U.S. Travel Association’s senior vice president of membership and industry relations. She is also general manager for U.S. Travel’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO). In this episode, she shares her story with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adul...
Ryan George has held one job in his time at Simpleview — a responsibility he took on when he founded the company in February 2001. As CEO, he provides strategy and direction for the company, oversees its growth and operations through a cadre of highly skilled executives, and works to build industry knowledge and leadership in employees throughout the company. He joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom f...
Growing up in the travel business, Melyssa never thought she'd be leading a DMO for 20+ years. Now, she counts destination marketing peers among her close friend group. In this episode, Melyssa Reeves from Visit Vacaville, and Destinations International Board member, shares her story with the Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom.
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the...
With a background in business psychology and behavioural economics, and a love for Applebee's, Visit Corpus Christi's Brett Oetting, also a member of the Destinations International Board, shares his insight on growing quality of place, stronger teams, and more sustainable tourism economies.
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to a...
A lifetime learner, passionate educator, and leader amongst destination marketers, Gary Sherwin, CEO of Newport Beach & Company and member of the Destinations International Board, shares his experience and hopes for the future with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom. Gary shares how attracting more visitors is the result of educating consumers and breaking preconceptions. Take a listen...
Taking risks, discovering one's own potential, and finding gratitude in her destination, Discover Long Island's Kristen Reynolds, also a member of the Destinations International Board, shares her experience and climb to leadership with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult educatio...
Visit Tampa Bay's Santiago Corrada, who's also a member of the Destinations International Board, joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom to discuss what it takes to unlock a destination's hidden gem, double hotel revenue and build a brand that others admire.
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to a...
She's an artist and a CEO, leading one of the most innovative destination marketing organizations in the US. Rose Noble from Galena Country Tourism and member of the Destinations International Board joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of Business Class. Together they talk about art, learning, and how she's applied her unique perspective to build a team that delivers great re...
"Where do you want to go in your career?" It's a question Ellie Westman Chin, CEO of Destination Madison and member of the Destinations International Board, asks of every member of her team. Ellie joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Steve Ekstrom on this episode of Business Class.
In this conversation, Ellie shares her view on creating balance for her team, finding mentors, and learning empathy & un...
A new museum inside a commercial space lab with some unique challenges and a pretty neat new Director - Sam Moore of Pittsburgh's new Moonshot Museum.
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industry and build sustainable economies. Learn how to engage your community, win over stakeholders and get more visitors at t...
Serving up messages that resonate, making sure the community is part of the tourism community and leveling the playing field - these are just a few of the tasks Visit Sacramento's Sonya Bradley, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and member of the Destinations International Board of Directors, is tasked with.
How did a shy young girl who liked to hide in the background evolve into a leader in the tourism industry and so...
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp CEO and member of the Destinations International Board of Directors, Butch Spyridon, joins The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org Chief Strategist, Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of the Business Class Podcast.
Butch shares his professional journey, advice for new recruits, and critical lessons he's learned. He talks about how he developed his leadership style, his mentors, what it ta...
As a kid he collected airline time tables and model planes, now he's running one of the most innovative companies in the travel industry, Status Match, pairing frequent flyers with destinations and airlines that want their business. Meet Mark Ross-Smith, Author, Founder of industry news site “Travel Data Daily.”
Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adu...
From a small hotel in a fishing village to one of the most desired destinations in the country, Milton Segarra, Chief Marketing Officer at Discover The Palm Beaches Florida and Destinations International Board Member, has made a career of transforming lives and making dreams reality through travel.
In this episode, Milton talks with The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom about finding pride in your work and...
Amir is also a member of the nonprofit Tourism ...
From Louisiana Tech University, he was recruited to work in destination marketing and this is his story of building a career, mentors he's looked up to, mentoring others and professio...
"The game has changed - we have got to make sure destinations continue to adapt and are serving the communities they represent," says Jerad Bachar, President & CEO at Visit Pittsburgh as he joins The Tourism Academy's Stephen Ekstrom for this episode of the Business Class podcast.
Together, they discuss the new meaning of work-life balance and how that manifests in company culture. Jerad shares the impact his first ...
Summerside, Prince Edward Island is an incredibly charming and unexpectedly fascinating destination year-round. Join the nonprofit Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org's Stephen Ekstrom for this chat with Rose Dennis, Executive Director of Explore Summerside. She explains how they're able to punch way above their weight class for sports, leisure & business travelers, drawing the likes of Elton John, James Taylor, Reba M...
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