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Business Class: The Tourism Industry's Podcast
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Business Class: The Tourism Industry's Podcast

Author: Stephen Ekstrom

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Business Class is a podcast for those looking to make a living in tourism and traveling well. We host smart conversations with interesting people who built satisfying careers in the tourism workplace. 

167 Episodes
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In this captivating episode of the Business Class Podcast, host Stephen Ekstrom delves into the dynamic world of destination marketing with a special guest, Mark Hecquet, President & CEO of the Springfield Missouri CVB. Mark shares his remarkable journey from his roots in London to his pivotal role in shaping the tourism landscape of Springfield.With over 16 years of experience, including a transformative tenure at Travel Butler County, Mark offers invaluable insights into the essence of ...
Join us on this episode of the Business Class Podcast as we dive into the fascinating world of destination marketing with Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLEX, the destination marketing organization in Lexington, Kentucky. Mary Quinn shares her journey into the DMO space, from her beginnings in PR & Communications to her current role leading VisitLEX.Discover how VisitLEX has been at the forefront of creativity in earned media, including their groundbreaking move to send an advertiseme...
An interview with Doug Price, President and CEO of Visit Colorado Springs, discussing his career journey in the tourism industry, sustainability efforts in Colorado Springs, key trends in tourism, advice for entering the field, and leadership style. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement in tourism, career growth opportunities in the industry, and the responsibility of destination management in enhancing visitor experiences.Business Class is brought to you by The Tourism Academ...
In this episode, join us for an insightful conversation with Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC, as we delve into the profound impact of travel on shaping our perceptions and fostering connections across cultures. Ferguson shares his perspective on the transformative power of travel, emphasizing how it enables us to appreciate both our differences and similarities, ultimately galvanizing a sense of unity.Highlighting the importance of representing one's country and community with passion...
In this captivating episode of the Business Class Podcast, host Stephen Ekstrom sits down with the esteemed guest, Domenic Bravo, CEO of Visit Cheyenne, for an insightful conversation on destination marketing and navigating the complexities of environmental conservation and economic impact in a politically charged landscape.Domenic Bravo shares his remarkable background and journey in destination marketing, shedding light on the intricate balance between environmental ethics and economic grow...
In this podcast episode, Fred Dixon, the newly appointed CEO of Brand USA, shares insights into his journey in the tourism industry and his vision for the future. Growing up in the hospitality business, Fred initially wanted to be a lawyer but found his passion in tourism, particularly in destination marketing organizations (DMOs). He reflects on the meaningful moments and challenges of his career, highlighting the importance of compassion, empathy, and strength of character for a successful ...
Welcome to another episode of the Tourism Academy Podcast! I'm your host, Stephen Ekstrom, the CEO and co-founder of Tourism Academy. Today, we have a fascinating interview with Tammy Canavan, President & CEO of Visit Seattle, a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) space.In this enlightening conversation, Tammy shares her deep love for Seattle and how it aligns with her values. Living right downtown, she enjoys the vibrant ...
In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, your host, Stephen Ekstrom, sits down with Tony Lyle, the Executive Director of Visit Galveston. Join them as they explore Tony's remarkable trajectory from a ski rep in Vermont and Tahoe to leading tourism efforts in the charming town of Galveston.Tony shares insights into the dynamic nature of the tourism industry, emphasizing the importance of selling dreams and creating emotional connections. Reflecting on his ea...
Welcome to a new episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, where we connect with inspiring individuals in the tourism industry. In this episode, we had the honor of speaking with Karly, the Senior Marketing Manager of Travel Butler County and a proud member of Destination International's prestigious "30 under 30."Karly shared her incredible experience attending the annual convention in Dallas, where she had the opportunity to meet fellow 30 under 30 members and other industry p...
Welcome to another exciting episode of "Business Class," the podcast that delves into the hidden stories and insights of the tourism industry. I'm your host, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO of Tourism Academy, and today, we have a remarkable guest, Kristin McGrath, the Executive Director of Visit Pasadena, the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kristin has had a fascinating journey, from studying art history to becoming a leader in destination marketing. Join us as we explore her path, her love ...
In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy Podcast, your host, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and co-founder of Tourism Academy, embarks on a thought-provoking conversation with Julie Freeman, the EVP & Managing Director of MMGY NJF. Join us as we dive deep into Julie's extraordinary journey in the tourism industry and unveil the intricacies of travel public relations.Julie's story begins with a lucky start in tourism during her teenage years when she seized an opportunity to study abroad i...
In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, your host, Stephen Ekstrom, the CEO and co-founder of The Tourism Academy, delves into a fascinating conversation with Geoff Freeman, President & CEO of the US Travel Association. Get ready to explore Geoff's remarkable journey and insights into the world of travel and leadership.Geoff Freeman shares his unique path, starting from his roots in Wisconsin, where his desire for warmer horizons led him to California ...
Join us in this captivating podcast episode as The Tourism Academy's Stephen Ekstrom dives into the vibrant city of Cincinnati with a remarkable guest, Julie Calvert, President & CEO of Visit Cincy. Julie's journey into destination marketing is a fascinating tale of serendipity, starting as a journalist and eventually leading her to helm one of the city's most influential organizations.Discover how Julie, a seasoned professional with a penchant for taking calculated risks and a strategic ...
In this enlightening episode, join us as we delve into hospitality and tourism with Dr. Robert Donato, Assistant Professor and Hospitality Program Manager at R. Motwani Family Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Broward College. Dr. Donato, a New York native who found his way to Broward County and back, shares his incredible journey from the bustling world of hotels and restaurants to the fulfilling realm of education.Discover the greatest misconception in the hospitality indus...
In this episode of the Tourism Academy podcast, join your host, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and co-founder of Tourism Academy, as he sits down with Rob O'Keefe, the driving force behind See Monterey's remarkable rebranding journey. Rob, the mastermind behind "Find Your Way Here," shares insights into his inspiring career and the pivotal moments that brought him to where he is today.Rob reflects on his journey and emphasizes continuously evolving and aiming high. As a proud father of three, he hopes ...
In this episode, join The Tourism Academy's CEO & co-founder, Stephen Ekstrom, as he sits down with Paul Ouimet from MMGY NextFactor, a distinguished figure in the tourism industry, and explore his illustrious career's fascinating twists and turns. From aviation and transportation to a pivotal role in founding a consultancy specializing in border processes and air services development, Paul's journey is one of diverse experiences and relentless dedication.Paul's claim to fame, "Destinatio...
In this episode of Business Class by The Tourism Academy, we sit down with Steve Paganelli, Head of Americas at TripAdvisor, for a candid conversation about his journey in the travel and tourism industry. While today, he's at the forefront of one of the most influential travel platforms, Steve's path to this role was anything but conventional.Steve shares that he originally aspired to be a doctor or lawyer, but life had other plans. He ventured into college with dreams of studying internation...
Join The Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Stacy Ritter, a dynamic leader representing Visit Lauderdale, a community of 2 million people speaking 147 languages. With a background in politics and a passion for her community, Stacy shares insights into the intersection of tourism and politics, highlighting the economic impact of her work.Stacy's journey is one of dedication and transformation. She discusses her proudest moments, including beco...
Join us for an enlightening episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast as we sit down with Cleo Battle, CEO of Louisville Tourism. Cleo's journey from childhood aspirations to becoming a dynamic leader in the tourism industry is nothing short of inspiring.Cleo dreamt of becoming a firefighter as a child, driven by his innate desire to identify and solve problems. Little did he know that this problem-solving spirit would serve him well in the world of tourism.In this engaging conv...
In this captivating episode of the Tourism Academy's Business Class Podcast, we delve into the world of lifelong learning and the transformative impact of travel. Our guest, Liz Bittner, President & CEO of Travel South USA, is a seasoned traveler and industry expert; she shares her remarkable journey through roads less taken and bridges crossed.We start by embracing the idea that we're all lifelong learners. Our guest highlights the beauty of connecting people to the unknown, fostering a ...
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