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Business Class: The Tourism Industry's Podcast
Business Class is a podcast for those looking to make a living in tourism and traveling well. We host smart conversations with interesting people who built satisfying careers in the tourism workplace. Presented by the academy at Learn Tourism | learntourism.org
Episodes
193 episodes
Balancing 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 managing Aspen's tourism while maintaining the quality of life for its residents....
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14:52
Exploring 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 opportunities that come with managing tourism in a remote yet breathtaking destination. With...
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23:08
Embrace 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 journey in the tourism industry. With a warm and engaging style, Tico shares his ins...
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25:40
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Unpacking 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 Management. Bryan shares insights from his dissertation on user-generated content (UGC) mar...
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21:38
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Destination 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 organization, shared insights on their roles, experiences, and the growth of t...
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22:14
Navigating Destination Management with Purpose: An Interview with Tina Valdecañas
Navigating Destination Management with Purpose: An Interview with Tina ValdecañasLearn Tourism CEO Stephen Ekstrom interviews Tina Valdecanas, Principal at Clarity of Place, on the latest episode of Business Class. In the recent p...
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21:49
Tourism: 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. Rodriguez offers a deep dive into the intricate world of...
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29:32
Creative 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 community building. Dan shares...
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23:54
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Creativity 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 classes. He shares how this experience instilled a constant need to prove his worth, a ...
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27:20
Sarasota 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 tourism professional. In this episode, Erin reveals the unique charm of Sarasota County,...
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29:01
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Rural 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 Carolina. With over 22 years of experience in tourism marketing, Sarah shar...
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27:27
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From Marketing Maven to CEO: Katherine O'Donnell's Journey in Richmond's Tourism Scene
In this episode, we sit down with Katherine O'Donnell, the newly appointed President and CEO of Richmond Region Tourism. Katherine shares her remarkable 22-year journey with the organization, revealing how she transitioned from publications coo...
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26:05
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Hand Sanitizer to High-Flying Strategies: Cambria Jones on Navigating Careers and Destinations with Searchwide Global
Rising Through the Ranks: A Journey in Marketing and Experience with Amber JonesIn this episode of the Business Class podcast, Steve interviews Amber Jones from Searchwide Global. Amber discusses her career progression from Marketing Ma...
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17:52
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From Teen Struggles to Tourism Leader: Dawnielle Tehama on Resilience, Regeneration, and Connection
In this powerful episode of Business Class, host Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Dawnielle Tehama, a Senior Associate Principal at Coraggio Group and an enrolled Klamath Tribal member, who shares her remarkable journey from a homeless t...
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34:39
Newsroom to Tourism Boom: Lisa Bethea’s Blueprint for Destination Success
In this episode, we chat with Lisa Bethea, Director of Destination Services for Visit Frisco. From a broadcast news career to a leading role in tourism, Lisa’s journey is a story of resilience and passion. Join us as we explore her unique path ...
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18:22
Stewardship in Action: Mat Woods on Leading Sustainable Tourism in Queenstown NZ
In this episode of the Business Class Podcast, host Steve Ekstrom welcomes Mat Woods, the CEO of Destination Queenstown in New Zealand. Mat shares his unexpected journey from running a retail chain specializing in outdoor gear to becoming the C...
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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29:22
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Game Changer: How Sports Tourism Fuels Community Growth with John David, Sports ETA
In this episode of the Business Class Podcast, host Steve Ekstrom sits down with John David, President and CEO of Sports ETA, to explore the dynamic in...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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21:10
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Colin Carson: Cultivating Local Pride for Sustainable Tourism
In this episode of the Business Class podcast, host Steve Ekstrom talks with Colin Carson, CEO of Tourism Prince George, a destination nestled in the heart of British ...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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25:50
Discovering Tampa Bay: A Treasure Awaits with Santiago Corrada
Just days before the destination marketing community converges on the vibrant landscape of Tampa Bay for the annual Destinations International Conference, Steve Ekstrom revisits his engaging c...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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20:05
Beyond Bourbon Street: Navigating New Orleans Tourism with Alice Glenn
Welcome to another episode of the Business Class Podcast with your host, Steve Ekstrom. Today, we delve into the vibrant world of destination marketing with a special guest who knows it intimately. Joining us from the heart of New Orleans is Al...
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17:49
Building Networks and Giving Back: A Conversation with Keith Douglas
In this episode of a podcast hosted by Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and Co-founder of the Nonprofit Tourism Academy | tourismacademy.org, Keith Douglas from KD & Co Ad...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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21:58
John Marshall: Empowering Local Stakeholders for Sustainable Cultural Tourism
In this episode, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and Co-Founder of Tourism Academy, has a conversation with John Marshall, Founder and Chief Stewardship Officer at NYC Borough Pass. John shares his extensive journey in the tourism industry, the creation a...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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31:09
5 Critical Career Skills Learned While Waiting Tables
The following broadcast is an excerpt of a recent live lecture presented by The Tourism Academy's Stephen Ekstrom to a group of entry-level hospitality students studying hotel and restaurant skills to aid in sustainable tourism development of t...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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30:03
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Work With A Purpose: Cassandra McAuley of MMGY Global
Join us for an insightful conversation between Stephen Ekstrom, CEO of Tourism Academy, and Cassandra McAuley, industry expert and managing director at MMGY Global, as they delve into their unique career journeys and the transformative power of...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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22:21
Tourism Culture & Heritage with Richard Peterson
Richard Peterson, President of the U. S. Cultural and Heritage Marketing Council, shares insights on cultural tourism, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, community engagement, and visitor experiences. He discusses the intersection of c...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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40:01