420. 2025 News from the ABA Marketplace in Philadelphia, with Nicole Mahoney
Release Date: 03/19/2025
445. Immersive Travel and Community Empowerment, with Florence Li
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Florence Li, Director of International Development for Songtsam Resorts, shares how her family-owned luxury boutique hotel collection has built its reputation by opening hidden doors to remote destinations in Tibet and Yunnan. She explains how Songtsam differentiates itself by offering immersive cultural experiences, empowering local communities through creative staffing solutions, and staying deeply committed to sustainability. Florence also highlights how the brand’s mission to preserve Tibetan culture and protect the environment resonates with...
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444. Reclaiming Imagination in Business, with Susan Robertson
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Susan Robertson, Possibility Architect at Sharpen Innovation and Harvard instructor. Susan shares why so many of us lose our sense of imagination as we grow up and how we can get it back by embracing curiosity and being open to mistakes. We also discuss how even the wildest brainstorming ideas can lead to real breakthroughs and role-play through a few examples to demonstrate that creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s something we can all tap into to spark fresh ideas. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Susan Robertson...
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443. Helping Tourism Professionals Reach Gen Z Audiences, with Nathan Oyer
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with our summer intern, Nathan Oyer, who’s about to head back to Binghamton University. In this episode, you’ll hear a candid introduction with Nathan about his experiences as a TAP intern, then we’ll dive right into the training session Nathan led for our team. He shares his insights and research on what makes Gen Z tick, from their love of authentic marketing to the language and wellness trends driving their travel decisions. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why understanding the differences between generations is key when...
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442. Sacramento’s Farm to Fork and Festival Revolution, with Mike Testa
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Mike Testa, President & CEO of Visit Sacramento, describes how his destination has diversified their focus to include festivals and events, sports, leisure markets, and culinary. He explains how positioning themselves as America’s Farm to Fork Capital has paid dividends, including booking a 10-year contract to host the Terra Madre Americas convention. Mike also discusses why tourism is not for tourists and how that plays into action through Visit Sacramento’s work and community partnerships. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why Mike’s...
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441. The Story Behind Hands Up Holidays’ Ethical Family Adventures, with Christopher Hill
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Christopher Hill, Founder of Hands Up Holidays. Christopher takes us inside his journey from a career in finance to launching a travel company focused on eco-luxury family volunteer vacations. In our conversation, Christopher shares the story behind Hands Up Holidays, and we discuss the company’s focus on family and ethical travel with a holistic approach that ensures each journey leaves a positive impact on local communities and their visitors. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Christopher built Hands Up Holidays by combining...
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440. Boosting Tourism Marketing Success with Owned Media Tactics, with Camille Zess
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Camille Zess, Vice President of Growth at TAP, who brings 14 years of wide-ranging expertise in digital strategy, website development, email marketing, and the ever-evolving world of AI. We discuss the “Owned” media segment of the —your website, blog, email marketing, and other assets you have complete control over. Camille shares practical tips on evaluating and optimizing these owned channels, from knowing when it’s time for a website refresh to the power of blog audits and list segmentation. Our discussion also explores...
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439. PESO Model in Action: Social Media and Shared Tactics, with Adrienne Currie and Brittany Lynn
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Adrienne Currie, Community & Marketing Manager at TAP, and Brittany Lynn, Senior Account Manager at TAP for the third installment of a special four-part series exploring the Model—a framework for creating integrated marketing plans that drive results in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Our conversation shines a spotlight on the “S”—shared media, and Adrienne and Brittany dive into the strategies behind creating impactful social media campaigns, from identifying your target audience to understanding the value of...
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438. Earned Media Essentials for Tourism Marketers, with Colleen Onuffer
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Colleen Onuffer for the second installment of a four-part series exploring the Model—Paid, Earned, Shared, and Owned media—in integrated marketing. Colleen shares more about earned media: what it is, why it’s critical for building credibility, and how organizations in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry can use it to tell their story more powerfully. From collaborating with influencers to maximizing media placements, she explains how earned media fits into the bigger picture and interacts with other parts of the PESO...
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437. Paid Media Tactics That Work in Travel and Tourism, with Colleen Senglaub
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Colleen Senglaub, Digital Account Manager at TAP, for the first installment of a four-part series exploring the Model—a foundational framework for integrated marketing plans in travel, tourism, and hospitality. We dig into the “P” of PESO—Paid Media. Colleen shares her expertise on digital advertising, breaking down today’s must-have channels, including Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google, programmatic, and connected TV campaigns. They also touch on emerging platforms like Pinterest and TikTok, offering fresh ideas for...
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436. Inspiring Confident Communication, with Karen Laos
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Karen Laos, a communication expert and confidence cultivator, about the most common mishaps that we make when communicating, and practical advice on how to avoid them. We discuss the importance of communication as a woman, the benefits of building strong relationships, and why being interested is a better strategy than being interesting. She also gives us easy phrases and questions to help us start creating deeper connections today. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Karen Laos discovered the power of confident communication, from...
info_outlineThis is the second of a series recorded at the ABA Marketplace. In it, we discuss how the industry is evolving, the biggest opportunities ahead, and strategies shaping travel’s future. Enjoy hearing from five inspirational tourism leaders about topics including the rise of slow tourism and experiential travel.
In this episode, you’ll hear from these extraordinary leaders:
- Jennifer Tremblay Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-tremblay-moore-b3014b73/
- Jana Kaylor: https://www.visiteurekasprings.com/
- Barry Surman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-surman-3b23a81/
- Annette Morejon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-morejon-mba-31a17b19/
- Adam Halay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-halay-b94276140/
Insights from ABA Marketplace in Philadelphia
My five guests discuss the evolving preferences of travelers and why the trend toward unique personalized experiences is picking up speed, the value of ABA Marketplace, and the importance of building genuine connections with industry partners.
Jennifer Tremblay Moore, the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Wild Center
Jennifer discusses the appeal of nature-based travel as people increasingly seek deeper connections with nature. She highlights new features at the Wild Center, like the extended Fen Trail and interactive exhibits such as the giant eagle’s nest and gorgeous resident river otters, which aim to reconnect visitors with the outdoors. Jennifer emphasizes the Center’s commitment to accessible and inclusive experiences that cater to all groups, including students and seniors.
Jana Kaylor, Group Sales Manager for Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a hidden gem, ideal for relaxation and an escape from the hustle of everyday life. Jana is keen to let people know all about her destination. She describes its extensive outdoor and cultural offerings, from kayaking and biking to exploring historic hotels and haunted sites. Jana loved attending ABA because it was such a great educational experience. Industry partners are willing to share advice and make genuine connections.
Barry Surman, Deputy Director of Tourism and Film for Westchester County, New York
Barry explains why the current trend is toward more specialized and personalized travel experiences with smaller, more tailored tour groups. He also explains why he appreciates the hospitality and culture of cooperation within the tourism industry so much and how ABA Marketplace exemplifies that. Barry also discusses the networking opportunities that help build collaborations and connections with industry partners.
Annette Morejon, President of North America for Whisper Systems USA
The key topic of my discussion with Annette centers on upcoming innovations in Whisper Systems USA tour-guide audio systems, including AI integration for real-time translations, which will enhance user experiences. Anette reflects on her 25-year career in tour guiding and tour management, noting a shift toward smaller, more personalized travel experiences that offer deeper cultural connections. She sees ABA Marketplace as an excellent place for networking and keeping abreast of industry trends.
Adam Halay, Assistant Sales Manager at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Adam shares why he’s so enthusiastic about upcoming exhibits, including one focusing on Japanese-American baseball. He talks about creating exclusive, behind-the-scenes travel experiences to meet travelers’ evolving desire for more personal interactions. Adam stresses the importance of building genuine relationships at industry events like ABA Marketplace, which he believes are crucial to allowing DMOs to share their stories and engage visitors on a deeper level to boost tourism to their destination.
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