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 adam@relicagency.com.

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 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 adam@relicagency.com.

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 adam@relicagency.com.

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 adam@relicagency.com.

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 adam@relicagency.com.

Welcome to a special 2 of 3 podcast episode arc around the release of our brand-new research study, Destination Promotion: A Catalyst for Community Vitality. The report emphasizes the pivotal role of destination organizations in shaping the economic and cultural landscape of communities far beyond the realms of traditional tourism. Our discussion today will unravel how these organizations, act as catalysts for a broad spectrum of economic benefits. Through research and analysis provided by Tourism Economics, Longwoods International, Clarity of Place, and MMGY NextFactor, the report illuminates the extensive, catalytic economic impacts of destination promotion. We want this episode to share perspectives on how strategic destination marketing not only enhances visitor experiences, but significantly contributes to the overall economic vitality, quality of life, and cultural richness of communities, fostering 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 Michael Crockatt, President/CEO from Ottawa Tourism and Cassandra McAuley from MMGY Nextfactor! 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Welcome to a special 1 of 3 podcast episode arc around the release of our brand-new research study, Destination Promotion: A Catalyst for Community Vitality and its key findings. The report emphasizes the pivotal role of destination organizations in shaping the economic and cultural landscape of communities far beyond the realms of traditional tourism. Our discussion will unravel how these organizations, by transcending their conventional focus solely on the hospitality sector, act as catalysts for a broad spectrum of economic benefits. Through research and analysis provided by Tourism Economics, Longwoods International, Clarity of Place, and MMGY NextFactor, the report illuminates the extensive, catalytic economic impacts of destination promotion. This episode promises to offer insightful perspectives on how strategic destination marketing not only enhances visitor experiences but significantly contributes to the overall economic vitality, quality of life, and cultural richness of communities. organizations in fostering economic growth, cultural development, and community well-being. As an expansion of the study, we developed 10 destination-specific case studies and their role in being a catalyst for community vitality. 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 Jayne Deluce, President/CEO from Experience Champaign-Urbana and Tina Valdecanas from Clarify of Place! 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Today’s podcast episode and the first for the new year takes into the realm of community connectors for the greater good of collaboration. (a tongue twister) As destination organizations, our role and primary stewardship is the Community! We foster economic development, quality of place, and community vitality. All through the power of collaboration! In many ways, collaboration is our greatest asset as we are neither silos nor single-source solutions for many of the problems facing our destinations. We operate best in a space with many shared lanes but always come to the table with the brand of the community held in the highest regard. As we start 2024, I wanted to bring this conversation full circle on collaboration with a drop of inspiration on our sector’s greatest strength, welcome to the show, Annie Rummel, CEO of Great Lakes Bay Regional CVB and Nicole Mahoney, CEO of Break the Ice Media and fellow podcast host of Destination on the Left and recent author. Annie and Nicole, welcome to the show! Great Lakes Bay Regional CVB Break the Ice Media Destination on the Left 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Today’s podcast episode and guests is our final one for 2023 and a reflection of our advocacy committee for destinations international. Destinations International is a tapestry of volunteer committees and task forces that help guide and initiate much of the output and direction the association takes year after year. Committee members constitute a myriad of different organizations across the members of destinations international and volunteer their time in a number of different ways. For the advocacy committee, we are comprised of over 65 individuals across destinations and suppliers who meet every two weeks to discuss the latest issues or opportunities we might have in our sector. We are a lively bunch as each conversation is intended for everyone to share their opinion and also collaborate on ideas amongst ourselves. In the past year, we have looked at being under attack for woke topics and ESG, overtourism, TikTok bans, short-term rentals and more. Today, I’m happy to bring on our two co-chairs of the 2023 advocacy committee to hear their thoughts on the past year and dissect a bit of their favorite moments and topics that we’ve covered. Please welcome to the show Kurt Krause of Visit Norfolk and Gary Sanchez or Visit Dallas. Visit Dallas Visit Norfolk 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 adam@relicagency.com.

The 2023 Advocacy Summit in Little Rock, AR brought forward major releases on behalf of Destinations International and our ongoing advocacy efforts. Listen to the advocacy team walk through all our releases and with links to everything in the show notes. Community Vitality Wheel: Community Vitality Wheel | Destinations International Destination Effect: The Destination Effect A Destination Promotion Community Index: A Destination Promotion Community Index | 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Today’s conversation and guests to the show are here to discuss the flagship research project that was just released at Annual Convention, the 2023 DestinationNEXT Future Study. What is the future study for those unaware? Well, Picture this: Over 800 destination leaders from 62 countries, all coming together to share their take on the sector’s trends and strategies shaping our landscape. This isn't just any report – it's the biggest and most extensive survey of its kind, providing a sneak peek into the future of destination promotion and our communities. 2023 marks a decade of the current iteration of study and here to mark this milestone and breakdown a bit of the report in the realm of advocacy, I am happy to bring on Paul Ouiment President & CEO of MMGY Next Factor and Greg Oates, Senior VP Innovation, MMGY Nextfactor. DestinationNEXT Future Study 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 adam@relicagency.com.

As a listener of the show, we talk tales of advocacy of both the past and present but today is one hypothetical for a near-term future. This isn’t going to be your typical talk around A.I that we have heard in our sector but instead, all about understanding how A.I can be used for Destination Advocacy. To talk through these possibilities, I’m happy to welcome to the show, Janette Roush, Executive Vice President Marketing and Digital of NYC Tourism + Conventions. NYC Tourism + Conventions 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Today’s conversation and guest is a deeper dive into one of the largest regional demographics of our membership of destination organizations, which is in the Southeast corner of the United States. Destinations International understands we can’t always be everywhere and try to work with regional and community entities that geographically represent these highly clustered areas of destination organizations. And for good reason, even though we are seeing more and more advocacy issues across state/province and international lines, we can still see highly concentrated and visible issues that can manifest in these regions based upon history, geography, and demographics. No one knows this better than the Southeast Tourism Society, an entity whose responsibility includes empowering a diverse network of tourism professionals through education, advocacy, recognition, and networking for the Southeast. I’m excited to bring Monica Smith, its president and CEO onto the show to talk a little bit about what keeps her up at night, Monica, welcome to the show! The Southeast Tourism Society 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Today’s conversation and guest are unlike one you have ever heard on our show before and I am not just talking about the who, what, and where of the story (all of which are great!) but really understanding what “a good place to live is a good place to visit” means to a destination few of us have been. Something I know our guest hopes to change for us all! Oulu, Finland is having a moment, and not just against the backdrop of the world which includes sharing a border with Russia, being recently accepted in NATO, or even a brand-new Prime minister, all of which we will discuss. But we’re talking about how Oulu is pushing sustainability, happiness, and warmth to its residents and visitors alike. Please welcome to the show, Yrjötapio ”Y.t.” Kivisaari from Visit Oulu Visit Oulu, Finland 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Today’s conversation is all about ship building in a sense. Running a destination organization is tough, managing one in a pandemic is tougher but what about trying to actually be creating a brand-new destination organization through a once in a century event? (We hope) Today’s guest is all about what it’s like to launch a ship in the roughest of waters and somehow steer it through to the other side in hopes of finding prosperity and vitality for one’s community. Please welcome to the show, Jeff Lawson, VP tourism of Lake Champlain Chamber AKA Hello Burlington, VT. Hello Burlington, VT 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Today’s conversation and guest is intended to be a peak behind the curtains of managing the destination’s brand through extremely polarizing times. I’ve mentioned at lengths at which the world has begun to spin, it seems in more illogical ways and an outcome of that resulting in issues and policies entering the zeitgeist of our communities in a polarizing fashion. The job at a destination organization was already tough because of the pandemic and many other complications from 2020 but how do you push through with your brand and promotion against political or social issues that feel like they divide the nation? Navigating such a destination requires a wearer of many hats and hearing how he sets up the chess pieces. Please welcome to the show, Domenic Bravo, CEO of Visit Cheyenne Wyoming. Visit Cheyenne Wyoming 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 adam@relicagency.com.

Starting out 2023, this is the first year I think we can confidently say what a return to business events looks like for our industry. In the past 3 years, we’ve seen the ebb and flow, the starting and stopping and starting again of business events navigating the pandemic and its many variants and also various country-level regulations around the mitigations surrounding those risks. But with the added twist of political and global unrest as well as climate change. What is left now is business events returning to an entirely new industry landscape shaped by policy, procedures, and people. No one knows this better than the IMEX group and I thought it was important to now ask the question, What does success look like now? Please welcome to the show, Natasha Richards, head of Advocacy & Industry Relations for the IMEX Group. IMEX Exhibitions 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 adam@relicagency.com.

2022 for many of us could be called the next normal year through our progression of the pandemic timeline we are all in. With the return of events, holiday gatherings, social events and other pre-pandemic activities, some might even call it “normal.” With that, we have seen some societal norms shift as well, and one I would argue being the biggest shift and potential winner of 2022 is the adoption of cannabis and hemp through both policy, legislation, and social intersections. A green wave, one could say. Of course, this has many intersections with our sector and the role a destination organization can play and that is going to be the heart of today's conversation with our two guests. I hope after our show today you feel both more informed on what is happening in the world of cannabis and hemp and also inspired on how you can engage in your community on this topic. With that, please welcome Brian Applegarth, Founder of Cultivar Brands and Racene Friede, President and CEO of Glacier Country Tourism, Montana. Cultivar Strategies Glacier Country Tourism 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 adam@relicagency.com.

At the start of 2022, we at Destinations International outlined 8 strategic issues and opportunities for the sector and around the world in our next normal. The 8th issue we outlined was climate change and the many climate crises many of our destination organizations find themselves in. For some, this might be a recent or new challenge they are facing but for many of our coastal destinations, this has always been part of the gig and have been doing their diligence to prepare, prepare, and prepare. At the time of this recording, we are currently watching hurricane Nicole enter the coast of Florida, which is only weeks from the prior hurricane of Ian, I thought It was time to bring on an architect to help describe what it’s like being at the center of major natural disaster and the role a destination organization can play. Please welcome to the show, Sergio Piedra, Director of Community Engagement & Advocacy for Discover the Palm Beaches Florida. Discover the Palm Beaches 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 adam@relicagency.com.

One of the reasons why we wanted to start a podcast was to tell the tale of advocacy of our sector across major moments, both present and past. With our guest today we get to actually talk about advocacy an entire millennium ago and how it shaped a destination’s future. You might know him as Chief Instigator for DMOPROZ and fellow podcast host of DMOU, but today, Bill Geist has joined us to go back to the late 80s and early nineties about the WRIGHT for Wisconsin and the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Monona terrace convention center in Madison Wisconsin. Even though we do have the benefit of hindsight, I believe many of the discussions and activations are of yesterday, the advocacy work is still relevant today. The Referendum to Build Monona Terrace Destinations International The Architects of Destination Advocacy Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Andreas Weissenborn and Jack Johnson 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 adam@relicagency.com.