452. How Dot Vegas Connects Travel, Technology, and Marketing, with Chris Mondini & Dusty Trevino
Release Date: 11/05/2025
471. Building a Sustainable Future for Mongolian Tourism, with Jalsa Urubshurow
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Jalsa Urubshurow, CEO and Founder of Nomadic Expeditions. Jalsa shares the story of how he co-founded one of Mongolia’s most significant cultural events, the Golden Eagle Festival, held annually in the country’s remote West. Drawing on his background as the child of Mongolian refugees and his decades of experience bridging entrepreneurship and heritage, Jalsa shares firsthand stories about partnering with local communities and creating initiatives that drive economic growth while protecting Mongolia’s unique natural and cultural...
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470. From Total Eclipse to Community Impact, with Debra Ross
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Debra Ross, author, community engagement advocate, and entrepreneur. We talk about her recent book, The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities, and how it was inspired by planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse. Drawing from her experience planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse and spearheading community engagement initiatives. Debra also shares her practical strategies for turning extraordinary events into lasting networks. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Debra transitioned from a...
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469. Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with communication and leadership specialist Dayne Whitehurst, and author of “Empathy Impact: The Wild Effects of Kindness in Action”. She explains why communication is central to building collaborations, developing relationships, and driving sales. Dayne also explains how personal triggers can get in the way of our communications and provides strategies for identifying and pushing past those triggers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dayne became an expert in communication and de-escalation How recognizing and addressing...
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468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for sharing great content with your audience. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Joshua transitioned from a background in marketing and entrepreneurship into the travel advisor industry How the travel advisor profession has evolved to provide...
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467. Can AI Improve Visitor Experience? with Dan Flores
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, all about using AI in the travel industry. We discuss how conversational artificial intelligence can help drive revenue and operational efficiency, and Dan offers real examples of where this AI is being deployed and how it has had real impacts. We also talk about adoption rates of AI within the tourism industry, and Dan shares a framework for approaching this new technology in your organization. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dan Flores transitioned from a long career in tourism...
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466. Indigenous Tourism and Community Impact at Métis Crossing, with Juanita Marois
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing, shares her personal experience in developing a tourism destination tied to her roots as a Métis Indigenous person from Canada. She shares in detail how the destination engages visitors by sharing what makes them special, including the experiences Métis Crossing offers—from paddling down the North Saskatchewan River in voyageur canoes to wandering historic buffalo habitats, indulging in Indigenous cuisine, and soon, relaxing at a uniquely Métis-inspired wellness spa. We also talk about collaboration and how...
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465. Collaboration Drives Success in Small Town Destination Marketing, with Clare Marie Ritter
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Clare Marie Ritter, Motorcoach Coordinator at the historic Penn Wells Hotel and Lodge in rural Pennsylvania. She shares her experience positioning a smaller, less well-known destination. We talk about the foundations of successful collaborations and why building a supportive network has been crucial to her success. Clare brings vivid examples of successful collaborations, from multi-state itineraries to connecting with neighboring museums, that prove even “off the beaten path” destinations can thrive with teamwork and creative...
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464. Insights from the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno Part 2, with Nicole Mahoney
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with industry leaders from across the country at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada, to uncover what’s next for destinations, attractions, and travelers. You’ll hear from Josef Kruger of US Ghost Adventures, Aisha Jones of Mystic Seaport Museum, Jana Carter from Visit Annapolis, Kay Calzolari of Visit Winston Salem, Meredith Dollevoet from Cartersville Museum City, Jim Vozzella with 360Chicago, and Debra Tassone from Discover Long Island. Together, they share fresh insights on how storytelling, immersive...
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463. Group Travel Trends for 2026: Voices from the ABA Marketplace in Reno Part 1, with Nicole Mahoney
Destination On The Left
This episode of Destination on the Left is a special roadshow edition recorded live at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada. I’m joined by a fantastic group of industry leaders to hear first-hand how collaboration is playing a critical, mission-driven role in the future of group travel, moving beyond a “nice-to-have” and becoming essential for success. My guests discuss the economic impact of group travel and the importance of restoring cross-border connections between the U.S. and Canada, to creative regional itineraries, and share ideas for navigating the...
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462. How Tourism Fuels Economic Growth in Rural Livingston County, with Maureen Wheeler and Ashley Comeau
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Maureen Wheeler, Deputy Director of Livingston County Economic Development, and Tourism Director Ashley Comeau to discuss the strategic moves Maureen’s department made to bring tourism under the same roof as economic development. We talk about business retention and expansion, building robust small destinations, and why visitor spending is critical for rural areas. Ashley and Maureen also share more about the business plan contest designed to attract breweries, restaurants, and experiential businesses to the area, and how that...
info_outlineOn this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Chris Mondini, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director of Europe for ICANN, and Dusty Trevino, CEO of Dot Vegas. We will learn how top-level domains are created and what domains like Dot Vegas can do to help a brand stand out. Our conversation is informative, educational, and will give you a whole new perspective on your brand’s Internet address.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How top-level domains (TLDs) are created and why the addressing system of the Internet matters
- Why distinctive TLDs, like Dot Vegas, offer a strategic advantage for destination branding and marketing
- What it takes to register your own top-level domain, including the technical, financial, and organizational requirements necessary
- How geographic domains (such as .vegas, .nyc, and .brussels) can strengthen place identity and foster trust
- Why cities and entrepreneurs collaborate in launching city-based TLDs, and how community endorsement is essential for successful implementation
- How adopting new TLDs can make brands more memorable to prospective visitors, and help organizations stand out from the crowd
Demystifying Top-Level Domains
A memorable web address is more than just a convenience, it’s an essential tool for branding, discoverability, and trust. Chris Mondini, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director of Europe for ICANN, and Dusty Trevino, CEO of Dot Vegas, discuss how TLDs like .vegas, .paris, and .nyc can be invaluable assets for destination marketers, tourism professionals, and place branding experts.
Most consider internet domains an afterthought, but as Chris explains, they’re the backbone of online connectivity. The Internet isn’t a single global network—it’s tens of thousands of independently operated networks that agree to connect using common protocols and a shared addressing system. Fifteen years ago, there were only a handful: .com, .net, .org, and so on. Today, there are TLDs for cities (.nyc, .paris), concepts (.guru, .xyz), and more, opening new doors for personalized branding and community-building online.
The Dot Vegas Story
Dusty offers an inside look into operating Dot Vegas, which shows how a custom domain can amplify a destination’s brand. Unlike some city domains, .vegas is globally accessible; anyone can register, regardless of residency. This flexibility enables local businesses, tour operators, and organizations worldwide to associate themselves with the Vegas brand, strengthening their ties to the city’s renowned excitement and appeal.
Why Top-Level Domains Matter for Marketers
A custom TLD isn’t just a vanity URL. Operating a TLD means running a piece of internet infrastructure and directly controlling your digital address, data queries, policies, and trust signals. For marketers, there are lots of benefits:
- Brand Identity: A city or region TLD immediately communicates place and can reinforce local pride.
- Discoverability: Words like “weddings.vegas” are memorable, making campaigns more effective and easier to recall.
- Trust & Security: A TLD operated or endorsed by local government or a trusted entity assures users of authenticity—crucial for e-commerce, municipal services, and tourism.
- Data Insights: TLD operators gain visibility into traffic and usage, supporting more targeted digital strategies.
If you see “.yourcity,” you can trust you’re connecting with the real brand.
Top-level domains aren’t just technical jargon; they’re strategic marketing tools that can transform destination branding, promote community engagement, and build trust with global audiences.
Resources:
- Website: https://www.icann.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmondini/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-trevino-743064a/
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