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 Director of International Marketing, both at U.S. Travel Association.

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 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 Partnerships and Engagement & Chief Development Officer.

Confidence and connections drive success in travel and tourism—but what happens when self-doubt sneaks in? In this special International Women’s 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 revolutionize the way we experience the places we've seen on screen.

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.