38: Are DMOs Ready to Compete for the Best Talent? (Cambria Jones and Nicole Newman)

What does the future of hiring look like in the world of destination marketing? In this episode of Destination Discourse, Stuart Butler and Adam Stoker dive deep into that very question with industry experts Cambria Jones and Nicole Newman of SearchWide Global.

From the shifting expectations of today’s workforce to the growing importance of culture, adaptability, and leadership, this conversation covers what DMOs must do to attract, retain, and nurture top-tier talent in a rapidly evolving environment. We explore how employer branding is becoming just as important as destination branding—and why being intentional and human in your hiring process matters more than ever.

Whether you’re a job seeker, a hiring manager, or a curious observer of the travel and tourism space, this episode unpacks:
💡 Why experience alone no longer defines candidate quality
💡 The rising value of adaptability, curiosity, and AI fluency
💡 How to write job descriptions that sell the opportunity and the destination
💡 Why emerging leaders want growth, not just a title
💡 The overlooked Gen X gap and its impact on leadership pipelines
💡 Strategies to prevent losing rockstar talent to the vendor side
💡 Why speed, transparency, and authenticity are crucial to the hiring journey
💡 How SearchWide Global uses AI to identify non-traditional talent—and what that means for you

Plus:
→ Cambria’s favorite interview question that instantly relaxes people
→ Nicole’s advice on getting to the real candidate behind the resume
→ Stuart’s legendary Steve Harvey meme test from his agency days
→ Why it’s time to move from tacticians to thinkers—and how that protects your team from AI displacement

This isn’t just a hiring episode. It’s a call to rethink how our industry grows its people, tells its story, and defines what leadership should look like for the next generation.

Have thoughts or feedback? Drop a comment, share with your team, or email us with ideas for future episodes!