Shows / Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Business Class features conversations shaping the future of destinations, workforce development, regenerative tourism, leadership, and visitor economies. Presented by Learn Tourism | learntourism.org
Episodes
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Beyond the Beaches: Marketing Thailand in North America
Tippi, Marketing Manager for the Tourism Authority of Thailand's LA office, joins the show to unpack what it really takes to promote an Asian destination in…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Travel Changes Young Lives for Good With SYTA's Carylann Assante
Carylann Assante has led the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) and the SYTA Youth Foundation for more than 15 years, and her own story starts in the…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Our Everyday, Your Adventure: Community-First with Linda Kleist of Visit Greenland
Some visitors arrive in Greenland asking where the train station is. (There are no roads between towns.) Linda Kleist, the new CEO of Visit Greenland, treats…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Building a Destination With Your Community, Not For It — with Travis Scott, CEO of Visit Big Bear
Two years ago, wildfire evacuation orders emptied Big Bear Lake of 6,000 residents with nowhere to go. What Travis Scott and his team did next — coordinating…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Go Clam Gardening: Samantha Hackett on Learning a Destination
Tofino, British Columbia has 2,500 residents and just over 700,000 visitors a year. Samantha Hackett, the new Executive Director of Tourism Tofino and a…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationTourism Deserves a Seat at the Table with Discover Albany's Jill Delaney
Tourism Deserves a Seat at the Table What does it take for a destination organization to become one of the most trusted voices in its community? In this…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
From Colombia with Love: A Journey of Culture and Connection
Tourism, Sustainability & Colombia’s Diversity with Maria Lacouture (AmCham Colombia) Maria Lacouture, director of AmCham Colombia, explains how the nonprofit…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation20 Million Stories: The Human Side of Hospitality with Hilton's Catherine Linskey
What does it really mean to create impact at scale—without losing the human connection? In this episode, Catherine Linskey, Director of Community Impact at…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationWork Is My Play: Shauna Stewart on Creativity, Connection & Coming Home to Olympia
Shauna Stewart has returned to lead Experience Olympia & Beyond for the third time — and she'll tell you it's the people who keep pulling her back. In this…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationA Million Reasons to Grow: Mitch Whitten on Tourism Leadership in a Fast-Changing City
When Mitch Whitten stepped into the role of President & CEO of Visit Fort Worth, he inherited more than a title—he took on the responsibility of guiding one of…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationBeyond the Beach: Rodrigo Esponda's Vision for the Future of Los Cabos
What does it take to transform a destination from a beautiful place to visit into a place people truly connect with? In this episode of Business Class, Learn…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationThe Legacy We Leave: Tourism Cares' Greg Takehara on Purpose, People, and Travel
What kind of legacy are we creating through our work in tourism? In this reflective and thought-provoking conversation, Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara shares…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationBuilding a Destination from Scratch: Wendy Haase-Roberts on Leadership, Community, and the Future of Santa Ana
In this episode of Business Class, Stephen Ekstrom from Learn Tourism sits down with Wendy Haase-Roberts, President & CEO of Travel Santa Ana, to discuss the…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationEdward Harris, Visit Williamsburg on Tourism, Sneakers, and America's 250th
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, few destinations are more central to the story than Williamsburg, Virginia. In this episode of Business…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationChanging the Narrative: Peter Gamez on Leadership, Storytelling, and Oakland's Soul
What does it take to transform perceptions, inspire a community, and lead a destination through change? In this episode of Business Class, Learn Tourism's…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationThe Leap: How Kristen Reynolds Went from “Not Qualified” to Leading Chicago
What does it take to make career moves that everyone else thinks are impossible? In this episode of Learn Tourism's Business Class podcast, Stephen Ekstrom…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationMavericks Wanted: Wyoming's Domenic Bravo on Leadership, Stewardship, and the Future of Tourism
What does it take to lead tourism in one of America's most iconic destinations? In this episode of Business Class, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Domenic…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationConversation with Don Welsh, Destinations International: The Evolution of Tourism
Join us in this insightful episode of the Business Class Podcast as we catch up with Don Welsh, three years after his last appearance. As the President and CEO…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationHelping Small Businesses Thrive Through Tourism with Rachel Thompson from Visit Greater St. Cloud
Rachel Thompson, Executive Director of Visit Greater St. Cloud, joins Business Class to discuss destination stewardship, supporting small businesses, tourism…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationBarefoot Luxury & Bold Leadership with Andia Ravariere of Nevis
What makes a destination unforgettable? According to Andia Ravariere, CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, it starts with authenticity, community, and the…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationFront Door to Economic Development | Scott Larson, Visit Central Oregon
Tourism is about far more than attracting visitors. It’s about building stronger communities, creating opportunity, protecting places, and empowering people to…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationMore Than Visitors: Tourism for Community Impact with Kireem Swinton
What if tourism wasn’t just about attracting visitors—but about uplifting an entire community? In this episode, Stephen sits down with Kireem Swinton…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationBeyond Heads in Beds: High Point Is Redefines Destination Leadership
What happens when a destination stops measuring success only by hotel stays—and starts measuring community impact? In this episode of Business Class, Stephen…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationTourism Isn’t Broken—We Just Forgot It’s a People Business
Tourism is built on human connection—so why are we struggling to attract, retain, and inspire the very people who make it work? In this candid and often…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationSantiago Corrada: The Art and Heart of Tampa's Transformation
Join us for a special four-year reunion episode as host Stephen Ekstrom reconnects with Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. In this…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationYou Belong in Every Room: Leadership Lessons from Birmingham’s Dan Williams
What does it take to lead a destination in today’s tourism landscape? In this episode of Business Class, Stephen sits down with Dan Williams, President & CEO…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Paradise With a Purpose: Kara Franker on Stewardship, Technology, and Transformation
In this episode of the Business Class podcast, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Kara Franker, President and CEO of Visit Florida Keys & Key West, for a…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Stewardship & Storytelling: Joanne Wolnik on Community-Led Tourism in Southwest Ontario
Joanne Wolnik, Executive Director of Southwest Ontario Tourism, joins Stephen Ekstrom on Business Class to explore how small-place pride, thoughtful…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationInspiring the Outer Banks: Community-First Tourism with Jeff Schwartzenberg
How do you make tourism work for residents and visitors? Jeff Schwartzenberg, Community Engagement Manager for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, joins Stephen…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
That’s Buffalo for You: Nimble Leadership in Uncertain Times
Three years after their first conversation, Steve reconnects with Patrick Kaler, President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara (now Visit Buffalo), for a candid…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Tourism & Transformation: Jennifer Vigil's Panama City Vision
In this episode, we dive into the captivating journey of Jennifer Vigil, the dynamic President and CEO of Destination Panama City. From her beginnings in New…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationFrom Waves to Work: Joanna Bear's Inspired Life in Tourism
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Joanna Bear, President and CEO of Visit Laguna Beach, as she shares her passion for travel, hospitality, and…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationOn Life and Leadership with Visit Orlando's Casandra Matej
In this enlightening episode titled "On Life and Leadership," we sit down with Casandra Matej, the accomplished President and CEO of Visit Orlando. With over…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationA Vibrant New Chapter for Discover Puerto Rico: A Conversation with Jorge L. Pérez
In this episode of Business Class: The Learn Tourism Podcast, host Stephen Ekstrom welcomes Jorge L. Pérez, the newly appointed CEO of Discover Puerto Rico…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Real Fun, Real Leadership: Dan Rowe of Visit Panama City Beach
Few destinations embody fun quite like Panama City Beach, and few leaders embody resilience, creativity, and vision quite like Dan Rowe, President & CEO of…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationLeading with Trust and Vision: Daniel Kuperschmid on the Business Class Podcast
After three decades in the hotel world, Daniel Kuperschmid took the leap from corporate hospitality to destination leadership—becoming President & CEO of the…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Embrace the Adventure: Lessons in Passion, People, and Change
In this episode, special guest host John Percy (President & CEO, Niagara Falls USA) turns the tables on Learn Tourism founder Stephen Ekstrom. Stephen shares…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Mastering the Tourism Terrain: Strategic Growth and Real Relationships with Adam Stoker and Stephen Ekstrom
Adam Stoker, CEO of Brand Revolt and founder of Tourism IQ, joins Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and co-founder of Learn Tourism, for an open conversation about growth…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
🎙 From Underdog to Record-Breaker: Mike Testa’s Sacramento Story
🎙 From Underdog to Record-Breaker: Mike Testa’s Sacramento Story In this episode of Business Class, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Mike Testa, CEO of Visit…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Leadership and Opportunity in Property Management
Join us in this inspiring episode as we sit down with Sebastian Torres Calderon, a true exemplar of resilience and adaptability in the dynamic world of…
- Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership Conversation
Unexpected Role Reversal: Stephen Ekstrom on Life as a Digital Nomad
In this special episode of Business Class, the mic flips as Cagdas, a PhD candidate researching digital nomadism and global mobility, interviews our usual…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationDonuts, Detours & DIY: Building Better Tourism Through Education
What do donuts in Amish country, curious bison in Wyoming, and 30,000 learners have in common? A passionate conversation about the evolution of tourism…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationFrom Cleveland, With Soul: David Gilbert on Leading with Purpose
In this heartfelt and insightful interview, David Gilbert, President and CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, shares the…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationToronto's Superpower: Diversity, Design, and Destination Strategy with Andrew Weir
In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Business Class, Stephen Ekstrom interviews Andrew Weir, President & CEO of Destination Toronto, about the…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationExploring the Future of Tourism with Philip Jones
In this episode of Learning Tourism's Business Class podcast, host Stephen shares his experiences waking up by Lake Erie and traveling across the U.S. before…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationHungry, Humble, and Leading the Way: Brad Dean on Tourism, Teamwork & Telling St. Louis' Story
In this episode of Business Class, I sit down with Brad Dean, President & CEO of Explore St. Louis, to explore what it really means to lead with heart in the…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationThe Business of Making Memories: NYC Tourism CEO Julie Coker on Leadership, Travel, and Connection
In the fast-paced world of tourism, where destinations evolve and trends shift constantly, the heart of the industry remains unchanged: the ability to evoke…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationFrom Kansas to Oregon: A Journey Through Hospitality and Tourism with Jeff Knapp
In a recent conversation on the Learn Tourism podcast, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO of Learn Tourism, spoke with Jeff Knapp, President and CEO of Visit Bend, about his…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationDiscover the Authentic Charm of York County, South Carolina
Visit York County, led by CEO Andy Clinton, is a thriving tourism organization situated just outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The area, known for its rapid…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationBalancing Tourism and Community: How Aspen Pioneers Sustainable Destination Marketing
Eliza Voss, Vice President of Destination Marketing at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA), provides fascinating insights into the delicate balance of…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationExploring Tourism and Community: Interview with John Urdi
Learn Tourism CEO Stephen Ekstrom sits down with John Urdi, the President and CEO of Mammoth Lakes, California, to delve into the unique challenges and…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationEmbrace Connections: Tico Soto’s Inspiring Journey in Tourism and Personal Growth
In this episode of Business Class, Learn Tourism Stephen Ekstrom welcomes Tico Soto, the founder of Tourism Tactics by Tico, to discuss his nearly three-decade…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationUnpacking User-Generated Content with Professor Bryan Lavin
Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Bryan Lavin, a distinguished professor at Johnson and Wales University's College of Hospitality…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationDestination Ann Arbor: Growing Together and Embracing Sustainability in Tourism – Insights from CEO Sarah Miller and Research Director Tim Crouson
In a recent podcast episode of Business Class, Sarah Miller, President and CEO of Destination Ann Arbor, and Tim Crouson, Director of Research at the same…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationNavigating Destination Management with Purpose: An Interview with Tina Valdecañas
Navigating Destination Management with Purpose: An Interview with Tina Valdecañas Learn Tourism CEO Stephen Ekstrom interviews Tina Valdecanas, Principal at…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationTourism: A Complex Force for Good – Insights from Santiago Rodriguez
Learn Tourism CEO Stephen Ekstrom interviews Santiago Rodriguez, a Ph.D. in tourism and author of The Tourism Practitioner newsletter on the latest episode of…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationCreative Collisions & Community Impact: with Dan Janes of Madden Media
In this episode of Business Class, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Dan Janes, CEO of Madden Media, to explore the dynamic world of tourism marketing and…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationCreativity and Discipline: Gathan Borden’s Story
Gathan Borden, Client and Insights Relations Manager at Tourism Economics, recounts the challenges he faced growing up as the only black student in advanced…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationSarasota Secrets: Hidden Gems and Future Visions with Erin Duggan
Join us for an engaging conversation with Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, as she shares her journey from local resident to leading…
Business Class: The Global Tourism Leadership ConversationRural Roots & Tourism Truths: Empowering Communities with Sarah Benoit
Join us in this insightful episode of Business Class as we sit down with Sarah Benoit, co-founder and lead instructor of JB Media Institute in Asheville, North…