The Architects of Destination Advocacy

Today, I’m honored to be joined by our two incredible Advocacy Committee Chairs: Gary Sanchez from Visit Dallas, who is completing his second and final year as co-chair, and Julie Gilbert from Destination Door County, who’s wrapping up her first year in this leadership role. In 2024, the Advocacy Committee tackled a range of pressing topics — from crisis preparedness and sustainability to community engagement and the evolving policy landscape. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into these discussions, reflect on the insights gained, and look ahead to what’s on the horizon for our sector. Welcome Gary and Julie. Destinations International The Architects of Destination Advocacy Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Andreas Weissenborn and produced by Relic. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit https://thedmpn.com/. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email [email protected].

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by none other than Josiah Brown, also known as the New York Sherpa, who served as the emcee for our recent Advocacy Summit in Puerto Rico this October. As the summit's guide and a keen observer, Josiah had a front-row seat to some of the most dynamic conversations happening on and off the stage. From strategies for enhanced community engagement to navigating the challenges of tourism funding and resident sentiment, he witnessed firsthand the passion, ideas, and solutions that emerged from these discussions. In this episode, we’ll tap into Josiah’s unique perspective, not just as an emcee but as a 'fly on the wall' to unpack the key themes that resonated most deeply. We’ll explore how destinations can connect with their communities, educate stakeholders, and build trust in an ever-evolving tourism landscape. Josiah's Blog Post About Advocacy Summit 2024 Destinations International The Architects of Destination Advocacy Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Andreas Weissenborn and produced by Relic. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit https://thedmpn.com/. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email [email protected].

Today, we have a continued announcement to introduce the new Accessibility Playbook, a comprehensive and actionable framework designed to enhance accessibility across the tourism landscape. This playbook isn't just a guide; it's a powerful tool packed with hundreds of resources, tips, and real-world use cases that can help you align your destination with the needs of all visitors. Whether you're managing a small team or a large-scale operation, the playbook's customizable components allow you to insert your own branding and craft a personalized approach to accessibility. The curated checklists keep project management in check, helping your team track progress and ensure that every aspect of accessibility is covered. To dive deeper into what this means for our sector, we have three special guests joining us today. First, we welcome Ava Wells, the social inclusion manager of Destinations International, who has been at the forefront of this initiative. Joining her is Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, VA along with her Director of Visitor & Community Engagement, Cassie Ivey, who will share their insights on how this playbook can be applied in the real world. Accessibility Playbook Destinations International The Architects of Destination Advocacy Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Andreas Weissenborn and produced by Relic. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit https://thedmpn.com/. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email [email protected].

Our guest today is Amir Eylon, the President and CEO of Longwoods International, a leader in tourism & Destination research. Amir brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, especially when it comes to understanding resident sentiment towards tourism. Longwoods International has been at the forefront of gathering and analyzing data to help destinations understand how their residents feel about tourism in their communities. This research is crucial for creating sustainable and positive relationships between visitors and locals. Today, Amir will share some of the latest findings from Longwoods International's studies, discuss the importance of resident sentiment in tourism planning, and offer insights into how destinations can better engage with their communities to foster support for tourism. So, without further ado, let's dive into this conversation with Amir Eylon. Destinations International's 2023 Resident Sentiment Surveys Destinations International The Architects of Destination Advocacy Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Andreas Weissenborn and produced by Relic. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit https://thedmpn.com/. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email [email protected].

Welcome to our special and final 3 of 3 podcast episode arc around the release of our brand-new research study, Destination Promotion: A Catalyst for Community Vitality.  This report emphasizes the pivotal role of destination organizations in shaping the economic and cultural landscape of communities that go beyond the realms of traditional tourism. Our discussion today will unravel how these organizations act as catalysts for a broad spectrum of economic benefits on behalf of research and analysis provided by Tourism Economics, Longwoods International, Clarity of Place, and MMGY NextFactor. We want this episode to share perspectives on how destination promotion not only enhances visitor experiences but significantly contributes to the overall economic prosperity, quality of life, and cultural richness of communities which foster economic growth, cultural development, and community well-being. Join me in welcoming one of those destinations from the study as well as one of the research partners who helped work on the project. Welcome to the Show Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics and Barry White, CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Company. Destination Promotion: A Catalyst for Community Vitality | Destinations International Destinations International The Architects of Destination Advocacy Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Andreas Weissenborn and produced by Relic. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit https://thedmpn.com/. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email [email protected].