463. Group Travel Trends for 2026: Voices from the ABA Marketplace in Reno Part 1, with Nicole Mahoney
Release Date: 02/11/2026
489. Building Collaboration Across Borders and Waterways, with Sally Berry
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Sally Berry, Tourism Director for Great Lakes USA and Cruise the Great Lakes. Sally shares how an unexpected career path led her into tourism and eventually to one of the industry’s most collaborative regional organizations. We discuss the power of partnerships, the rapid growth of Great Lakes cruising, and why thinking beyond traditional destination boundaries creates stronger visitor experiences and more resilient communities. Sally also offers practical insights into building meaningful collaborations that benefit destinations,...
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488. Community Conversation: Strengthening Tourism Through Advocacy
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I host a special Community Conversation featuring Patrick Kaler, President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara; Tony Snell-Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion at Visit Milwaukee; Steven Coyle, Director of Government Relations for Transportation Policy at the American Bus Association; and Hillarie Logan-Dechene, Deputy Director of The Wild Center. Together, they explore the many dimensions of advocacy in the tourism industry, from legislative engagement and community partnerships to storytelling, relationship building, and...
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487. Building Culinary and Agritourism Through Collaboration: Conversations from the Taste of Place Summit
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, we bring you Part 2 of our Roadshow series recorded live at the 2026 Taste of Place Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. Hosted by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with Explore Edmonton, the Summit brought together destination leaders, economic development professionals, and tourism organizations exploring how culinary tourism can strengthen local economies and create more distinctive destination identities. Through conversations with Ellen Walker-Matthews, Elaine Zedack, Eiblis Doherty, Ceri Chong, and Bryanna Kumpula-Yung, we explore how...
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486. Food Tourism Begins with People: Conversations from the Taste of Place Summit
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, we bring you the first of two Roadshow episodes recorded live at the 2026 Taste of Place Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. Hosted by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with Explore Edmonton, the Summit gathered culinary tourism and agritourism leaders, destination professionals, farmers, chefs, producers, and artisans from across Canada and beyond to explore how food connects visitors to people, culture, and place. Through conversations with Tam Anderson, Jenni Lessard, James Eddington, Carl-Éric Guertin, and Monica Frost, we uncover a common...
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485. Building Stronger Communities Starts with an Open Mind, with Bradley Kautenburg
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Bradley Kautenburg, Executive Director of the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce in Algoma, Wisconsin. Bradley shares how a small lakeside community neighboring some of Wisconsin’s best-known tourism destinations has embraced its authentic character as its greatest strength. We discuss the power of collaboration, the importance of remaining open to change, and how destination leaders can build stronger organizations by focusing on community, partnerships, and a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions. What You Will Learn in This...
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484. How Research and Collaboration Is Transforming Erie, with Chris Temple
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Chris Temple, Director of Communications at Visit Erie. Chris shares how Visit Erie has transformed its destination brand through an extensive research-driven process, positioning Erie as a four-season destination built around authentic experiences, outdoor recreation, and the lifestyle of the Great Lakes. We also discuss how strategic partnerships, community engagement, and thoughtful destination development are helping Erie build momentum while creating lasting benefits for residents and visitors alike. What You Will Learn in This...
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483. Leading with Authenticity and Resilience, with Lauren Bennett McGinty
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota. Lauren shares how Minnesota has evolved its destination marketing strategy beyond traditional tourism promotion to focus on storytelling, quality of life, and reputation leadership. We discuss the development of the state's Star of the North brand, how Explore Minnesota responded to unexpected national attention with authenticity and compassion, and why collaboration across agencies, industries, and communities is shaping a stronger future for tourism. Lauren also shares...
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482. Customizable Luxury and Brand Stewardship in Beverly Hills, with Julie Wagner
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Julie Wagner, CEO of the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau. Julie shares her journey from the cruise and hotel industries to leading one of the world’s most iconic destination brands. We explore how Beverly Hills continues to evolve while staying true to its legacy, the challenges and opportunities of marketing a globally recognized destination, and the importance of collaboration, innovation, and destination stewardship. Julie also discusses how Beverly Hills is redefining luxury for the next generation of travelers and...
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481. From Port to Community: Rethinking the Cruise Experience, with Shelly Hartfield
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Shelly Hartfield, Vice President of Destinations for Victory Cruise Lines. Shelly shares how her passion for destinations evolved from a career in maritime operations into a role focused on creating meaningful connections between travelers and communities throughout the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Atlantic Canada, and the U.S. East Coast. We explore the power of collaboration in cruise tourism, how unexpected challenges often lead to remarkable guest experiences, and why destination stewardship, community partnerships, and...
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480. The Power of Crazy Solutions and Human Imagination, with John Franklin Rinehart
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with John Franklin Rinehart, founder of Austin Film Crew. We talk in depth about his latest project in Gonzalez, Texas, and the Texas Legacy in Lights project, a full-scale live-action film projected onto the Gonzalez Memorial Museum. With the film, John is helping the community prepare for future visitors by developing new branding and digital assets that reflect the community. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How John moved from a career in music to becoming a leader in experiential storytelling How thinking differently can create...
info_outlineThis 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 political and economic headwinds facing the industry.
In this episode, you’ll hear from these extraordinary leaders:
- Fred Ferguson: https://www.buses.org/
- Terry Fischer: http://tcsbus.com/
- Patricia Cowley: https://pabus.org/
- Jim Warren: https://www.andersonvacation.com/
- Stacey David: https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/
- Todd Read: https://www.gosoin.com/
- Whitney Lubbers: https://visitduboiscounty.com/
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How ABA’s leadership is addressing current challenges in group travel, including restoring the crucial relationship between the U.S. and Canada
- Why collaboration between industry partners, including operators, suppliers, associations, and destinations, is mission-critical for the future of group travel
- Trends are shaping group travel in 2026 and beyond, such as the rise of experiential itineraries, smaller group sizes, and the impacts of major events like the FIFA World Cup and MA250
- How regional and cross-border partnerships are creating unique travel experiences and tour products that benefit entire ecosystems, not just individual destinations
- Collaborative initiatives, such as Tour in 64 are demonstrating the value of teamwork
- How industry organizations like ABA can accelerate personal and professional growth
The Future of Group Travel is Collaboration
The ABA 2026 Marketplace is filled with optimism, but nobody shies away from today’s realities. Fred Ferguson sets the stage by underscoring the economic importance of group travel—$158 billion in economic output and 800,000 jobs in North America.
The entire travel flywheel, operators, destinations, restaurants, and attractions, only spins when everyone works in sync. Fred Ferguson and Terry Fischer both stress that now, more than ever, strategic alliances and industry unity are essential for lasting impact. It’s no longer enough to operate in silos. As Terry puts it, “It takes a village,” and internal and external collaboration are the most important ingredients in weathering disruptions, from politics to pandemics.
Collaboration in Action
My guests also share what deep collaboration looks like in practice. Across the group travel ecosystem, leaders are getting creative. We hear how DMOs are embracing regionalism, and Todd Read from SoIN Tourism and Whitney Lubbers of Dubois County described how Tour in 64, a partnership among destinations along Interstate 64, helps smaller markets punch above their weight. By pooling marketing budgets, sharing top experiences, and even jointly running an ABA booth, collective impact outweighs any competition for hotel nights.
With mega-events like the FIFA World Cup and MA250 (America’s 250th anniversary) on the horizon, Stacey David detailed how municipalities, nonprofits, small businesses, and big attractions can co-create fan zone festivals that benefit everyone. Every stakeholder has a seat at the table for shared successes.
The Power of Relationships
The ABA conference is a great way to build relations, get involved, and engage with others in the travel and tourism industry. Jim Warren of Anderson Vacations credits strong partnerships as the industry’s lifeblood, helping everyone survive the inevitable economic and political storms.
Those connections are formed and deepened at conferences like ABA Marketplace. Investments in community, from Women in Buses initiatives to association days, make all the difference for newcomers and veterans alike. Leaders are putting collaboration-first strategies in place—whether it’s regional joint marketing, creating new products, or advocating for the sector at the policy level.
Resources:
- Fred Ferguson: https://www.buses.org/staff/fred-ferguson-mba-ms/
- Terry Fischer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-fischer-31895b122/
- Patricia Cowley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pcowley/
- Jim Warren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-warren-1b2b59187/
- Stacey David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-david-940a214/
- Todd Read: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-read-182ab73a/
- Whitney Lubbers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-lubbers-07374360/
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