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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
209 episodes
A 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. With a career that spans venue management, entertainment, and major cultural e...
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20:54
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
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22:59
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Leading 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 San Diego Tourism Authority. In this episode of...
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22:03
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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 his journey from small-town New Hampshire to global traveler and nonprofit leader,...
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36:58
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, innovation, and authenticity in the tourism industry. They reflect on their recent jo...
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17:12
🎙 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 Sacramento, to explore how a city often overlooked on Califor...
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25:38
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 property management. From his humble beginnings in Lima, Peru, to leading a top company in B...
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18:37
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 host, Stephen Ekstrom. The result is a deeply personal, reflective, and often hu...
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21:46
Donuts, 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 marketing and the power of education. In this episode, Stephen Ekstrom is joined by Chris...
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40:04
From 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 unique journey that led him to lead two ...
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27:00
Toronto'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...
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21:07
Exploring 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 introducing the distinguished guest, Philip Jon...
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20:16
Hungry, 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 tourism industry. From his unexp...
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25:46
The 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 emotion, passion, and excitement. "We are in the memory-making business," says Julie Co...
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23:56
From 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 journey to Bend, Oregon, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
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28:23
Discover 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 growth, offers a mix of suburban charm and rural appeal, making it a popular destinati...
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18:55
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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
