Americans work hard, which is great. But the data shows that many of us think that means we should leave vacation time unused which is a loss for you and your family. It is also means lost productivity and less job satisfaction, which is bad news for employers.
Today on Destination on the left, Katie Denis and Nicole talk about what gets left on the table and what to do about it. People are losing out on travel and enriching their lives – and the travel industry is losing real dollars.
Katie is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day management of Project: Time Off. She is also responsible for taking all of her vacation time and encouraging her team to do the same. It is her favorite duty. She spends her time off with her toes in the sand of Grayton Beach, Florida, hiking the Colorado Mountains, or returning home to Cincinnati, Ohio. Katie lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and their two daughters.
A full transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/katie-denis/
We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I hope you will find a new perspective on this important segment of the tourism industry and how museums and cultural institutions are working to build community, reach audiences beyond their local markets and creating new programming and events that enhance the visitor experience.
In this episode, I share my conversations with:
A full transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/museum-series-episode-5/
In an area known for its scenic mountains and lakes that can keep you exploring outdoors indefinitely – how do you draw people indoors to explore the history and present of this beautiful region? That’s the challenge for The Adirondack Experience – the museum on Blue Mountain Lake.
Today in this episode, Nicole is joined by Jennifer Bine, Director of Interpretation at the Adirondack Experience. Together they discuss challenges and opportunity in reshaping established institutions. They explore the history and vibrancy of New York’s Adirondack wilderness and the joy of sharing that experience with visitors to the region.
Jennifer holds a master in historical administration and museum studies from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Iowa State University. Her experience includes work with the Smithsonian Institute.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/jennifer-bine/
In this episode, you’ll learn different ways that you can diversify your audience from Billye Chabot, Kara Gaffken, Ed Varno, and David Hutchings.
We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I hope you will find a new perspective on this important segment of the tourism industry and how museums and cultural institutions are working to build community, reach audiences beyond their local markets and creating new programming and events that enhance the visitor experience.
In this episode, I share my conversations with:
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/museum-series-episode-4/
Keeping the engine of New York State tourism humming along doesn’t just happen – it takes the hard work of local tourism boards, big campaigns like “I Love New York,” all of the businesses that cater to visitors, and coordination and cooperation among all of those entities. Keeping a finger on the pulse of all of that is more than a full-time job.
Mark Dorr is president of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, an industry trade group based in Albany. Mark previously served as vice president and communications manager for the group. The association advocates on behalf of the industry before state lawmakers and regulatory agencies and provides educational programs and online marketing exposure.
Mark graduated from the College of Saint Rose with a degree in Public Communications and received his master’s degree in Journalism Public Communications from Murray State University in Kentucky. He previously worked as an editor and feature writer for a publishing company and was the editor of an award-winning weekly newspaper in the Catskills. He also spent three years as an editor-of-record in Troy, New York.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/mark-dorr/
In this episode, we will learn about how to create programs and special events that attract new visitors from Starlyn D’Angelo, Kevin Walsh, and Katherine Jennings.
We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I hope you will find a new perspective on this important segment of the tourism industry and how museums and cultural institutions are working to build community, reach audiences beyond their local markets and creating new programming and events that enhance the visitor experience.
In this episode, I share my conversations with:
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/museum-series-episode-3/
On this episode, you’ll learn how the Motorcoach travel industry is changing and catering to individual needs – not just one-size-fits-all group packages, with Peter Pantuso.
Peter Pantuso is the President, and CEO of the American Bus Association. ABA is the largest transportation, travel, and tour organization in the United States with nearly 4,000 members. It represents 65 percent of the nation’s private motorcoach fleet. The industry provides 600 million passenger trips annually. Peter oversees ABA’s government and regulatory affairs, membership, communications and marketing, meetings and conventions, finance, and publishing.
He also serves as President of the National Bus Traffic Association and the ABA Foundation. The association also manages nine councils and affiliates. Peter has testified before US Senate and House committees and has appeared in a number of media outlets include the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, C-SPAN, PBS, The Hill, and Politico. He serves on the US Chamber of Commerce’s committee of 100 leading association executives, and is on the boards of the American Highway Users Association, the Roadway Safety Foundation, the Motorcoach Marketing Council, and the Boy Scouts of America National Capitol Area Council. He is also an appointee to the US Department of Transportation’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Council and to the National Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism Infrastructure.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/peter-pantuso/
In this episode, you’ll learn how to build strong community partnerships, with Eliza Kozlowski, Rachel Unger, and Hannah Barry.
We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I hope you will find a new perspective on this important segment of the tourism industry and how museums and cultural institutions are working to build community, reach audiences beyond their local markets and creating new programming and events that enhance the visitor experience.
In this episode, I share my conversations with:
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/museum-series-episode-2/
Today’s episode is all about destination marketing, and we’re learning from a master craftsman.
Matt Stiker spent the first part of his career in advertising agencies running a wide range of accounts for highly creative and highly successful brands including ESPN, Coca Cola, Microsoft Windows, and X-Box.
He also ran advertising and marketing for a diverse set of companies including Adidas and HP.
Matt stepped into destination marketing ten years ago as the first-ever chief marketing officer for San Francisco Travel, formerly San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau. And then, the same role for attractions and marketing company, City Pass.
Now Matt runs his own marketing consultancy focused primarily on DMO’s and travel-related businesses.
A full transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/matt-stiker/
In this episode, you’ll learn different ways you can understand your audience better from Rob Cassetti and Tom Schuler.
We recently attended the 2018 Museum Association of New York annual conference and spoke with attendees from all over New York State representing all types of museums and cultural institutions. I found the conversations enlightening and inspiring. Through this series, I hope you will find a new perspective on this important segment of the tourism industry and how museums and cultural institutions are working to build community, reach audiences beyond their local markets and creating new programming and events that enhance the visitor experience.
In this episode, I share my conversations with:
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/museum-series-episode-1/
In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Joe Pulizzi, an expert in content marketing. You’ll learn how content marketing can not only generate leads but become a source of revenue in its own right.
Joe Pulizzi is the founder of Content Marketing Institute, a UBM company, the leading education and training organization for content marketing, which includes the largest in-person content marketing event in the world, Content Marketing World.
Joe is the winner of the 2014 John Caldwell Lifetime Achievement Award from the Content Council. Joe is the author of five books including his latest, “Killing Marketing.” His third book, “Epic Content Marketing,” was named one of five must-read business books of 2013 by Fortune magazine.
A full transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/joe-pulizzi/
In this episode, you will learn about how Travel Oregon has helped the tourism industry in that state grow exponentially under the leadership of Todd Davidson.
Todd was appointed Executive Director of the Oregon Tourism Commission, also known as Travel Oregon, in June 1996, and was named Chief Executive Officer in September 2004.
Under Todd’s leadership, the tourism industry in Oregon has flourished into an 11.3 billion dollar industry that employs more than 109,000 Oregonians.
In 2003, he helped lead an effort to establish dedicated and stable funding for the commission. This funding has been crucial in Travel Oregon’s ability to grow the state’s tourism industry through strengthening its base on international markets, leadership and sustainable tourism initiatives, and award-winning publications, niche-oriented websites, and advertising campaigns.
Travel Oregon has garnered 20 Mercury Awards during Todd’s tenure, including two top awards for Best Overall State Marketing Program in 2010 and 2013.
He has also served two terms as National Chair of the US Travel Association, from 2015 to 2017, and continues to serve on the US Travel Association Board, on the National Council of State Tourism Directors, and the Western State’s Tourism Policy Council.
A full transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/todd-davidson/
In this episode, you’ll learn about how to stand out in a crowded market from choco-preneur, Ryan Novak.
Ryan is the owner of Chocolate Pizza Company, central New York’s largest gourmet chocolate manufacturer. Starting as a dishwasher when he was 15 years old, Ryan had a vision to grow the business into a national brand. In 2010, at age 21, he became the owner, and has seen the company grow dramatically.
He is a graduate of Syracuse University, with a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises, and was a placekicker for the Orange football team. Novak is a 40 under 40 award recipient, and his company was selected by Centerstate CEO as business of the year in 2016, for companies under 50 employees. He lives in Marcellus with his wife, Christy, and enjoys travel, history and running.
A full transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/ryan-novak/
In this episode, you’ll learn what’s so great about Britain, and how guest Gavin Landry targets potential visitors by tapping into what they love about travel.
Gavin Landry serves as Executive Vice President for the Americas for VisitBritain. Gavin has a strong background in business and leisure tourism and has held several senior posts in the industry. Prior to joining VisitBritain, Gavin worked for New York State, where he was Executive Director of Tourism, having led the iconic I Love New York program, and where he developed and implemented strategies to support the growth of the tourism industry.
During his tenure at I Love New York, Gavin, and his team increased visitation to New York State by 40 million and set a program record the total economic impact of $100 million.
A full transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/gavin-landry-encore/
In this episode, you will learn about how the Bronx is growing into a global tourism destination in its own right.
Olga Luz Tirado is the executive director of the Bronx Tourism Council, a division of the Bronx overall economic development corporation. In this capacity, she plays a significant role in creating a cohesive and symbiotic relationship between arts, culture and economic development while rebranding the Bronx, its rich history, institutions and diversity to a local, national and global audience. Since joining the BTC in 2012, Olga has developed and implemented a comprehensive and integrated marketing strategy by incorporating design thinking methodology into the overall planning process. She has spearheaded a successful campaign to increase the borough’s exposure within international travel guides, media and tour operators, utilizing a variety of marketing channels, including aggressive public relations outreach, van tours, digital content development and social media.
Within one year of her appointment, tourism in the borough increased 14%. She serves as the official spokesperson of tourism for the borough, appearing on the cover of the August 2012 issue of Crane’s New York Business, and has been interviewed by various top-tier national and overseas broadcast, digital and print media. Olga is the recipient of several awards, and was most recently named one of the top 25 influencers in the Bronx by City and State Magazine.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/olga-luz-tirado/
In this episode, you will learn about using technology to develop a more engaging immersive creative from Julie Gilbert.
Julie Gilbert is Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management for Destination Niagara USA where she leads the organization’s marketing, communications, and brand management functions to increase the visibility of Niagara and its assets as a leisure and meetings destination.
With 25 years of tourism marketing experience, Julie joined Destination Niagara USA in 2014 and directed the initiative of repositioning the globally recognized Niagara Falls USA brand.
Previously, Julie served as Director of Sales and Marketing for National Park Reservations, the oldest and largest provider of reservation and information services for national parks and gateway communities.
Julie started her career as Executive Director for Charleston CVB in West Virginia, then became Director of Sales and Marketing for the State of West Virginia. Julie then established a full service travel, tourism, and hospitality agency providing strategic marketing, sales, and management services to a wide range of travel-related companies.
Julie has a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management Studies from the University of Maryland and holds her CTP (Certified Travel Professional) designation from the National Tour Association.
She is currently working on her CDME (Certified Destination Marketing Executive) designation through Destinations International. Julie currently serves on the board of TTRA, Travel and Tourism Research Association, and has just accepted an invitation from Destinations International to serve on the Destination International Foundation Research Advisory Task Force.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/julie-gilbert/
In this episode, you will learn about how to work with businesses in your area to create a unified voice that can be used to create great events and market your destination to the world from Leigh Melander.
Leigh Melander, Ph.D. has an eclectic background in the arts as well as consulting in strategic planning, outreach and marketing, and event planning for over 20 years. She has performed and taught internationally as a speaker, actor, dancer, singer, and harpist.
Her undergraduate degree is in performance, literature, and history from Penn State, and she studied writing by invitation with Nobel Poet Laureate Derek Walcott at Boston University. She has a doctorate in cultural mythology and psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and wrote her dissertation on frivolity as an entry into imagination. She hosts a weekly radio show on an NPR affiliate and podcast: Myth America, an exploration into how story and metaphor shape our sense of identity, and has been featured on various media outlets, including the History Channel, as a mythology expert.
In 2013, Leigh and her husband opened Spillian, a Catskills NY historic lodge and retreat center offering world-class workshops and events, working with creatives from around the world to dream forward programs that inspire imagination. Spillian has a deep commitment to community.
Leigh also works as a coach and facilitator for individuals and groups, helping them to imagine and leap into their most creative ideas for work and life. Her book, “Just That Side of Crazy: Soul Rules to Guide Your Wild Idea to Life,” is scheduled for release in 2019. She sits on several national boards, including the Joseph Campbell Foundation.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/leigh-melander/
In this episode, you will learn about the ins and outs of the food and beverage tourism industry and how to run a successful food tourism program from Erik Wolf.
Erik Wolf is the founder of the world’s food tourism industry and of the World Food Travel Association. He is a highly-sought speaker, thought leader, strategist and consultant, in the US and abroad, on food and drink tourism issues, and is considered the go-to food tourism industry resource for media outlets that include CNN, the BBC, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, NBC, Forbes, PeterGreenberg.com, Huffington Post, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and many more.
Erik has consulted to leading global brands that have included American Express, Disney, Marriott and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. He has regularly advised cities, regions and countries, and organizations such as UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network gastronomy program and the UNWTOs Gastronomy Network. His articles, research, and books have been translated into dozens of languages.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/erik-wolf/
In this episode, you will learn about leveling up your live video by creating engaging, curated experiences from Reagan Burns.
Reagan Burns started her career working for R&R Partners in Las Vegas, on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority as a designer on the What Happens Here, Stays Here campaigns. Her career path then brought her to Baltimore and then to Rochester, NY when she decided to open Lime Creative. She stayed focused on the tourism industry, working with clients like The Adirondack Coast Wine Trail, Ugly Disco, Rochester Events, The Rochester Lilac Festival, Park Ave Summer Arts Festival, and the Highland Bowl Concert Series. Her work includes branding and identity, print and digital marketing, website design, and social media marketing.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/reagan-burns/
In this episode, you will learn about how to best implement boots on the ground, grassroots marketing efforts from Bill Sweitzer.
Bill Sweitzer joined the Canal Corporations Public Affairs Office in February of 2012, serving as Deputy Director. For the past three years, he has led the Canal Corporations marketing and education programs and spearheaded community outreach efforts across the states Canal corridor. Bill has an extensive background in hospitality, sales, and customer service and has enjoyed success through connecting with people and building relationships. Bill is from the Capital Region, he enjoys hiking and camping with his family and is an avid fisherman.
The New York State Canal Corporation, now a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, owns and operates New York’s Canal system. The system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and Lake Erie via the Niagara River.
Dubbed the Barge Canal in 1918, today’s Canal system turns 100 years old and is now listed as a National Historic Landmark. With more than 200 communities along its shores rich in history and culture, the Canal system forms the backbone of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The Erie Canalway Trail is a multi-use trail accommodating more than 1.5 million pedestrians, bicyclists, and cross-country skiers on an annual basis. Three-quarters of the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Albany to Buffalo is a dedicated off-road trail, much of it along the canals former towpath.
Other off-road sections will be completed as part of Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Trail initiative, which will include the Erie Canalway Trail and portions of the Champlain Canalway Trail, and at 750 miles will be the longest multi-use recreational trail network in the Nation upon its completion in 2020.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/bill-sweitzer/
In this episode, you’ll learn about the idea of competition being a great thing for everyone involved because visitors stay longer when there’s more for them to do from Elissa Leuer.
As Livingston County’s Director of Tourism and Marketing, Elissa is responsible for the promotion of the county’s accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and events to those outside the area to encourage tourism. Prior to joining the Livingston County Chamber in 2015, she worked in tourism sales & marketing at the Genesee County Chamber & Tourism. A native of Western NY and a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Elissa has a passion for the Finger Lakes region and the travel & tourism industry.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/elissa-leuer/
In this episode, you will learn how Greek Peak Mountain Resort prioritizes providing a great experience for families from Jessica Sloma.
Jessica Sloma is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Greek Peak Mountain Resort and she has been involved with the resort since 2008. When Jessica first came to Greek Peak, she was a partner in an advertising agency in New York and was brought onboard to rebrand Greek Peak for the grand opening of the Hope Lake Lodge and Cascades Indoor Waterpark. She eventually transitioned from the advertising world to work directly for the resort.
In 2015, the owners of Greek Peak purchased Toggenburg Mountain, a seasonal ski resort located outside of Syracuse, New York. This season Jessica, along with the Greek Peak executive team, have taken on the oversight of that property.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/jessica-sloma/
In this episode, you will learn about how listening to your customers can open up many doors from Mark Hoffmann.
Mark Hoffmann is president and founder of Sports Leisure Vacations, Sacramento’s largest and oldest packaged tour and travel company. There he orchestrates the company’s many facets of operation from escorted tours and travel agencies services to receptive, meeting, planning, and incentive travel programs.
Sports Leisure Vacations was founded in 1979 and has an active client base of 8,500 plus members. Mark was a sports talk show host on KSAC 1240 AM from 1991 to 1994. He has co-hosted the Travel Guys with Tom Romano since February 2009 on KFBK 1530 AM and now 92.5 FM. He enjoys radio announcing and confesses it has always been a dream of his, a dream that has come true twice now.
Mark proudly served as president of the National Tour Association in 2000 and 2013, the country’s most prestigious tour operator association. His mission is to be a strong and vocal advocate for all aspects of the tourism industry.
He feels the industry should be proactive in increasing positive public awareness about the value of tourism, especially among elected officials. Mark holds the designation of Certified Tour Professional as given by NTA along with a host of other honors and awards. A two-time president of the Mather Sacramento Chapter of Toastmasters International, Mark’s numerous speaking engagements have focused on such topics as marketing to tour operators, how to make marketing more effective, the nuts and bolts of group tour marketing, looking through the crystal ball: the future of the hospitality industry in America, and off the beaten track: America’s backroads.
An avid traveler, Mark’s favorite destinations are New York City, the length of Route 66, and the Main Street of America.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/mark-hoffmann/
In this episode, you’ll learn about focusing your limited marketing dollars on the visitors who are closest to your destination from Devon Perry.
Devon Perry joined Visit South Jersey as marketing director in 2015. In this role, she closely shadowed the executive director, and when the opportunity presented itself, she was well acquainted with the position and truly the best choice to lead Visit South Jersey into the future.
Devon has an unstoppable passion for entrepreneurship, social enterprise development, fine art, and positioning. While skilled at crisis management, Devon also is exceptional at telling beautiful stories to public and private stakeholders, engaging customers, and improving community affinity. Devon has created several non-profits and for-profits with strategic partners across industries.
Devon’s background in nonprofit marketing speaks to her interest and expertise; she’s managed marketing efforts on staff at both The United Way and The American Red Cross. Her decade of experience includes many startups, including the thriving co-working space Kings Hall in Haddonfield, NJ. Devon holds an MBA from Drexel University, grew up in Cherry Hill, NJ, and currently resides in Haddonfield, NJ. She is currently the artist in residence at the Historic Hopkins House along the Cooper River in Haddon, NJ.
Devon is committed to service above self as seen in her involvement in multiple organizations: Rotary of Haddonfield, Board of Governors of the Haddonfield Civic Association, Young Friends Council of the Ronald McDonald House of South Jersey, Charity Chair of South Jersey Mothers of Multiples and member of the Board of Trustees of Visit South Jersey.
Other notable efforts include: Drexel Women in Business (Co-Founder), ShareURmeal (Founder), GoBYO.com (Founder/CEO), Women’s MBA Network (Founder). Board member for NJ Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA), and in the Destination Management Association International’s Leadership program, training C-level executives around the globe.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/devon-perry/
In this episode, you will learn about how everyone can chip in to drive visitors to a region and the economic impact that provides from Rachel Laber Pulvino.
Rachel Laber Pulvino is a Rochester native who has the privilege of promoting her hometown on a daily basis as the Director of Public Relations and Communications for Visit Rochester.
In this role Rachel is regularly reaching out to regional, national and international media to share Rochester’s story and help media and visitors alike discover the activities and attractions that make Rochester an ideal destination. One recent accomplishment was seeing the Rochester Lilac Festival be included in The Weather Channel’s list of 10 Places You Have to See in May” as well as helping Rochester be named America’s 10th Favorite City by Travel + Leisure.
Raised in Rochester, Rachel attended SUNY Geneseo, where she earned a B.A. in Communication and continued on to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University for graduate school, where she earned an M.S. in Public Relations.
Rachel is an active member of the Public Relations Society of America, Rochester Chapter, serving on the organization’s board of directors, along with volunteering with the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley and the SUNY Geneseo Regional Alumni committee.
A transcript of this episode is available here: http://destinationontheleft.com/rachel-pulvino/