Brand USA Talks Travel

The "Carry On Queen" Mary Charleson joins Brand USA Talks Travel to talk marketing strategy, storytelling, and smart packing. From insights into the awards at ESTO to travel trends in AI-driven content, Mary offers actionable tips for DMOs and industry pros alike. Plus: media platforms that travel brands shouldn't overlook. Mary Charleson is a marketing speaker, author, and consultant.

Don Welsh returns to Brand USA Talks Travel to break down the must-know sessions, tools, and trends coming to Chicago this July. With record-breaking attendance, a focus on metrics and funding models, and some seriously fun evening events, the Destinations International Annual Convention is shaping up to be a standout. Bonus: Don shares what really happens behind the scenes. Don Welsh is President and CEO of Destinations International.

Intergenerational travel, last-chance trips, and dealing with over-tourism: adventure travel is evolving, and U.S. destinations have a big opportunity. Shannon Stowell joins Mark to talk about a new adventure travel study, small town experiences and best practices. Whether you’re promoting trails, small towns, or cultural immersion, this episode is packed with real-world guidance for travel marketers. Shannon Stowell is CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and a Founding Board Member of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund.

As artificial intelligence continues to permeate the travel industry, understanding its use in travel planning is crucial. Carroll Rheem shares key takeaways from a new study titled "Traveler Technology: The State of AI,” including understanding current traveler planning routines, how AI will affect content created for destination websites, and whether consumers will go for specific travel planning AI tools or opt for their favorite general-use AI platform. Plus: would you trust an AI with your credit card? Carroll Rheem is CEO and Founder of iolite group.

IPW is more than a trade show - it’s where the global travel industry connects. So, what should you pack besides your walking shoes? In this episode, U.S. Travel’s Aimee Misako Gabel and Michael Martin join Mark to talk prep tips, networking hacks, and what’s new for 2025 - including the cruise pavilion, super fun Chicago activities, and even a pickleball court. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, we’ll help you get the most out of the travel industry’s biggest week. Aimee Misako Gabel is Senior Vice President of Events & Education, and Michael Martin is Di...

In an era of digital disruption and AI, what’s the best way for destinations to engage with travel media? Chez Chesak, a leader in both outdoor and travel writing, shares strategies for DMOs to build lasting relationships with writers, secure impactful coverage, and navigate the evolving content ecosystem. He also delivers advice for new travel writers. A must-listen for industry professionals looking to refine media outreach. Aaron Wodin-Schwartz, Brand USA’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, joins Mark as co-host.

Success in travel and tourism takes passion, resilience, and the right mindset—but how do you juggle it all? In this special International Women’s History Month episode, Brand USA leaders Angie Briggs and Leah Chandler open up about their career journeys, the transformative power of mentorship, and the art of work-life balance in our evolving industry. Discover how a startup mentality has fueled their personal and professional growth and gain insights into leadership and intention along the way. Leah Chandler is Brand USA’s Chief Marketing Officer. Angie Briggs serves as Brand USA’s Senior Vice President of Industry Partners...

Confidence and connections drive success in travel and tourism—but what happens when self-doubt sneaks in? In this special International Women’s History Month episode, NYC Tourism & Conventions’ Kim Wright joins guest host Monica Lopez for an honest conversation about imposter syndrome, building authentic confidence, and the power of mentorship. Together, they share personal insights and practical strategies to help industry professionals overcome doubt, strengthen relationships, and thrive in this fast-paced, high-profile field. Monica Lopez is Chief of Staff and Culture, Brand USA. Kim Wright is Senior Vice President, Membership, New York City Tourism + Conventions.

AI is revolutionizing the travel industry, but are destination organizations keeping up? In this special episode for International Women's History Month, guest host Janette Roush speaks with Esra Calvert, and Signe Jungersted about how AI can enhance strategy, efficiency, and visitor engagement. Learn practical ways to integrate AI into your work and why industry-wide adoption is key to staying competitive. Janette Roush is SVP, Innovation and Chief AI Officer at Brand USA. Esra Calvert is Chief Insights Officer at Esra Calvert Consulting. Signe Jungersted is CEO and Founding Partner at Group NAO.

Guest host Casey D’Ambra kicks off our International Women’s History Month celebration with an intimate conversation with Emmy Award-winning storyteller Samantha Brown. She shares memorable experiences, the secrets to great travel content, and insights from 25 years in destination storytelling — all in under 25 minutes. Samantha’s adventures air on PBS in the U.S. and GoUSA TV internationally. Casey D’Ambra is Brand USA’s Director of Content.

Luxury expert Alison Gilmore and Mark explore luxury travel for 2025 and beyond, unpacking VIP experiences, and what’s next for the industry. From the rise of branded residences to how AI is reshaping high-end travel, get the inside scoop on what’s redefining the luxury lifestyle. Alison Gilmore is the Portfolio Director of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM).

How do life stages impact the way people travel? Steven Paganelli joins Mark to discuss the Travel Through Life study and the first-ever Tripadvisor Trendcast 2025. Plus, hear about unexpected trends like "waterculturalism" and gaming tourism that could reshape the industry. Steven Paganelli is Senior Head of Americas Partnerships at Tripadvisor.

Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting out, Doug’s insights will help you take your communication skills to the next level. Mark and Doug tackle overcoming stage fright, engaging an audience, death by PowerPoint, and avoiding common presentation pitfalls. Doug Lansky has authored ten books, worked as a syndicated travel journalist, hosted a Travel Channel show, and continues to appear as the keynote speaker at travel’s biggest conferences, where he introduces audiences to the newest travel insights and smart tourism concepts.

Kristin Dunne and Dawnielle Tehama introduce the innovative Wayfinder framework, a strategic approach that helps destinations balance tourism with community priorities, foster economic growth, manage risks, and adapt to evolving challenges. Discover how this model enables destinations to thrive while safeguarding their unique character for future generations. Kristin Dunne is Director, Destination Stewardship at Miles Partnership and Co-Deputy Chair at Tourism Industry Aotearoa. Dawnielle Tehama is Senior Associate Principal at Coraggio Group and Executive Director at Willamette Valley Visitors Association.

Explore how Fort Worth, Texas has become a global model for music-driven tourism. Mark is joined by Bob Jameson, CEO of Visit Fort Worth, and Shain Shapiro, Founder of Sound Diplomacy, to discuss strategies that blend music and cultural policy to elevate tourism, economic growth, and quality of life. Learn how data-informed insights, initiatives like the Fort Worth Music Office, and support for local artists are transforming Fort Worth into a cultural hub.

Movies have the unique power to create emotional connections and inspire us to explore the world. Mark sits down with Erik Nachtrieb and Charlie Hartsock, the team behind SetJetters — a groundbreaking mobile app that brings film tourism to life. SetJetters allows fans to step into the scenes of their favorite films with pinpoint accuracy. With over 7,000 iconic locations from more than 1,500 movies, this app transforms movie magic into real-world adventures. As Erik and Charlie put it, “Come for the movie, stay for the experience.” Erik Nachtrieb, CEO, and Charlie Hartsock, CFO, share the story behind SetJetters and why they believe it can...

Group travel has strong growth ahead and is more demographically diverse than ever, according to Brian Jewell, VP & Executive Editor of The Group Travel Leader. In this episode, Brian debunks stereotypes concerning group travel and explains why the future looks bright. He also shares insight into international groups and faith-based group travel.

We kick off the new year with Jenny Southan, Founder and CEO of U.K. travel trend forecasting agency Globetrender. Jenny shares Globetrender's 5 big travel trend predictions for 2025, from appealing to travelers' sense of nostalgia to uplift from Asia.

Take a journey through some of the top moments of 2024 with insights from Geoff Freeman, Julie Coker, Elliott Ferguson, Cambria Jones, Nick Hentschel, Liz Bittner, David Gilbert, Katie Streater, Taylor Ruoff Snider, Mike Mangeot, Jeremy Jauncey, Sophie Morgan, Nick Hall, Seth Orozco, and Fred Dixon. This special year-end review offers a curated audio tour of the year’s most intriguing conversations. Hear a highlight that catches your interest? Dive deeper by exploring the full episode in our podcast feed. Thank you for joining us this year—safe travels, and we’ll see you in 2025!

Mark and Sammy Malave Jr., Manager of Creative Insights at Getty Images, explore how visuals can transform travel marketing. Discover how Getty Image’s VisualGPS informs creative decisions with data, learn about common image licensing challenges, and understand why authenticity matters. This episode is packed with actionable advice for marketers, content creators, and creatives alike.

Daniel Wiener and Matt Clarke share how KAYAK empowers travelers, explain how destinations utilize their services, and happily debunk common travel planning myths. Daniel Wiener is KAYAK's Senior Director of Ad Sales and Data Partnerships, and Matt Clarke is Vice President of North America Marketing.

From what started as a family passion for David to now being named one of the top five private airlines in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler, David Zipkin chats with Mark about his company Tradewind Aviation. You’ll get a glimpse into the exclusive world of luxury private aviation, plus, sustainable practices that are shaping the future of air travel. David Zipkin is the co-founder of Tradewind Aviation.

Mark quizzes Michelle Denogean about Mindtrip’s proposition for consumers and businesses and how it differs from other products. She also delivers solid career advice for upward mobility in any company. Michelle Denogean is Chief Marketing Officer at Mindtrip and author of GrowUp: Take Your Startup To The Next Level.

Seth Orozco & Nick Hall serve up highlights from an extensive research project that will get you up to speed on developments in destination marketing. Their organizations work with hundreds of global destinations to reach consumers who are ready to travel. This new report is 48 pages of valuable research that you can download for free at https://www.sojern.com/reports/state-of-destination-marketing. Nick Hall is Founder/CEO of the Digital Tourism Think Tank in the U.K. Seth Orozco is Sales Director at Sojern.

Learn how AIANTA connects the 574 tribes across the nation with partners like Leave No Trace and the National Tour Association, meeting the growing interest in Native Tourism while preserving mutual respect and authenticity, and how travelers can participate in Native American Heritage Month during November. Sherry Rupert is CEO of AIANTA, the organization that serves as a united voice for the $15.7B Native hospitality sector.

Our final panel from Travel Week dives deep into growing demand for hidden gems, illustrating how destinations can connect with travelers seeking unique, authentic travel along with more traditional landmarks and luxuries. You’ll also hear how Tourism Exchange USA and receptive tour operators can help. Moderator: April Hutchinson, Editor of TTG Luxury. Panelists: Liz Bittner, CEO of Travel South USA; Nate Huff, President of Tourism Exchange USA; and Lena Ross, Director of Product Development at America 4 You.

Hear the perspectives of a diverse array of travel storytellers. This Travel Week panel explores how destinations can create more seamless and inclusive experiences for travelers from diverse backgrounds. Moderator: Kav Dadfar, Founder of JRNY Travel Magazine. Panelists: Rashmi Narayan, Freelance Travel Journalist; Gerda van't Land, Accessible Tour Operator; and Ben Pechey, Author and Trans/Queer Advocate.

Discover why British travelers are seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations, how TikTok is transforming the way people book trips, and why sports tourism is booming. This panel session from Brand USA’s Travel Week 2024 provides a data-driven look into new consumer trends for 2025. Panelists are Simon Calder, Travel Journalist and Broadcaster; Nicky Kelvin, Senior Director of Content at The Points Guy; and Angelique Miller, Vice President at Expedia Group Media Studio. Moderated by Tania Bryer, anchor at CNBC International.

Janette Roush offers you an unflinching look at the urgency of learning and leading the way in this era of artificial intelligence, which is evolving at a rapid pace. Janette Roush is Brand USA's new Senior Vice President of Innovation and Chief AI Officer. Believe it or not, this is Janette’s first week on the job!

If you’re interested in the future of international travel to the United States, this episode is a must-listen. Leaders from the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security discuss how their agencies are making travel to the USA safer and easier – and provide updates on the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, record-breaking visa issuance, enhancements to trusted traveler programs, collaboration with the private-sector, and more practical takeaways. Panelists: Alex Lasry, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism, National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce; Brooke Wehrenberg, Outreach & Inquiries Chief, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. D...

British television presenter and disability advocate Sophie Morgan shares her inspiring journey with disability, accessibility, and inclusion. This very personal address clearly expresses the physical and attitudinal paradigm shift necessary for travel equality. Sophie challenges us all to take the buzzwords and turn them into reality.

Brand USA’s new CEO Fred Dixon sets the tone for Travel Week 2024 from London. In this episode, he begins to outline his bold vision for the future of Brand USA, the landscape of inbound tourism, and how the U.S. can maintain its competitive edge. Fred touches on market analytics including inbound visitation projections, the current competitive climate and upcoming market opportunities for U.S. destinations.

John David joins Mark to discuss the upcoming "mega decade" of sports in the U.S., featuring events from the FIFA World Cup to the Olympics. Learn how communities large and small are tapping in, and discover the resources Sports ETA offers to help destinations score big in the competitive world of sports tourism. John David is the CEO of the Sports Events and Tourism Association.

Leonard describes how he’s built out Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions for destinations. He also offers advice for those just entering the travel industry and talks about how to grow your career. Leonard Hoops is President and CEO of Visit Indy, so we just couldn’t resist chatting about the Indy 500, too.

Mark chats with Leona Reed about why Visit California is going all-in on Tourism Exchange USA to better deliver on California’s brand promise internationally. Leona also talks organizational lift and logistics of launching the exchange, and how this new partnership adds a critical missing element to their established travel trade strategy. Plus, Nate Huff provides updates on state participation, what to look for in year two and early success stories. Nate Huff is President of Tourism Exchange USA. Leona Reed is Associate Vice President of Global Marketing at Visit California.

Learn how players like Major League Baseball and Broadway are utilizing conversational A.I., and how DMOs can do the same to enhance visitor engagement. Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs takes us behind the scenes of effective A.I. implementation. Plus, you’ll get Dan’s tips on several new A.I. products.

Discover how Gen Z and Millennials are shaking up the industry, how technology is reshaping the competitive landscape and why authenticity is crucial for travel brands. Seth unpacks these key findings from the Skift State of the Industry 2024 report. Seth Borko is Head of Research at Skift. Download your copy here: https://skift.com/insight/state-of-travel/

Mark has questions and Kara has answers! Is there a point where DMOs can, and should, start using AI to generate public-facing content even while acknowledging that there are going to be errors? Is it ethical to use AI images which may be composites? We discuss these questions and more with Kara Franker, the new CEO of Visit Florida Keys. Kara is also an attorney - and a former NFL cheerleader.

Utah is celebrating a centennial of Film and TV creation in the state. You’ll hear about the long history of filming, how residents feel about productions, incentives for companies, screen tourism, and how Sundance has evolved. Virginia Pearce is Director of the Utah Film Commission.

Sally says: “The goal is not to be better than your competition. The goal is to be different.” This episode is packed with research-based insights that have highly practical applications. To understand Sally’s approach and obtain an understanding of your own personality strengths, our listeners can take a free version of the “Fascinate” test at HowToFascinate.com/BrandUSA. Sally Hogshead is a New York Times bestselling author, National Speakers Association Hall of Fame speaker, and CEO of How to Fascinate.