468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
Release Date: 03/18/2026
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_outlineOn 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 personalized value for travelers
- What content creation means for travel advisors and how becoming a content creator at any level can help build an audience and demonstrate expertise
- How Joshua encourages travel advisors to overcome the fear of content creation with his mantra: “get going, get smart, then get good”
- Why he advises advisors to align their business with personal passion and interests
- How collaboration between travel advisors and supplier partners leads to mutual business growth
- Marketing systems and foundational strategies Joshua recommends to help advisors streamline their marketing
The Modern Travel Advisor
Once upon a time, the idea of a travel agency conjured images of mall storefronts and swivel chairs. But today’s travel advisor is a totally different breed, part consultant, part marketer, and 100% expert.
Pre-2020, many Americans believed DIY online booking made travel advisors obsolete. But it was really the post-pandemic world that revealed just how valuable a travel professional can be. Whether unraveling complex travel restrictions or finding that off-the-beaten-path experience, advisors offer insider knowledge and advocacy that algorithms simply cannot replicate.
Building Authority and Community
Successful advisors aren’t just travel experts; they’re also storytellers, educators, and digital community builders, whether they do it by sending curated newsletters, going live on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, or sharing firsthand travel experiences on social channels.
Don’t be fooled into thinking only “influencers” can play the content game. Most successful travel advisors are content creators at some level. The key is helping potential clients see not just what you know, but how you think, your personality, experience, and specializations shining through. Start where you’re comfortable, learn as you go, and trust that consistency breeds improvement and audience growth. The perfect lighting or equipment can wait. What matters is showing up and sharing your expertise.
The Secret Sauce for Sustainable Growth
The real magic happens in collaboration. Joshua backs this up with real stories, discussing the power of reaching out to suppliers, account managers, and fellow advisors. Whether joining mastermind calls, exploring new product lines, or simply sharing best practices, these partnerships unlock opportunities you might never have considered.
He shares an example of an advisor who built a thriving business creating group trips for botanical societies, all sparked by a single phone conversation with a tour operator’s representative.
Resources:
- Website: https://worldviatravelnetwork.com/
- LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaharrell/
- LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldvia/
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