Leveraging Data to Navigate the Early Stages of Recovery, with James Sauter
James is Partner and Co-founder of Rove Marketing, a leading tourism data, analytics, and consulting firm. They are focused on helping tourism organizations become more data-driven, so they are better positioned to navigate change, maximize travel visitation, and ultimately drive revenue growth. He brings over 20 years of strategic knowledge in CRM, customer experience management,…
Building a Forward-Thinking Business Strategy, with Nicole Mahoney
In Destination on the Left’s solocast episode, we share the process that our team recently developed to reset our forward-thinking mindset. We found that when you challenge yourself and your team to move past the perceived limitation of uncertainty and stay focused on the future, many opportunities will appear. This solocast will discuss our company’s…
How Museums are Adapting to the Global Pandemic, with Erika Sanger
Sanger is the leading ambassador and advocate for museums in New York State. She produces programs that promote best practices and deepen connections with members and constituents. She also seeks out new programs and funding opportunities for museums and the organization; maintaining and developing relationships with stakeholders including museum professionals, industry partners, state and federal…
Navigating a Global Pandemic in the Group Travel Industry, with Kate Scopetti
Kate Scopetti is living a full life revolving around a passion for travel. This, plus an exceptional ability to develop super creative and truly unique experiences, naturally led to the creation of the categorically successful Mid Atlantic Receptive Services, (MARS) and its subsidiaries: Go Performing, Go Student Tours, Go Sports Tours, and SoccerTours.net. Destination on…
Content Strategy at Starved Rock Lodge, with Kathy Casstevens
Kathy Casstevens is the Marketing Director at Starved Rock Lodge. She is also a photographer, tourism professional, and lover of nature. Kathy launched GnatTravel a year ago to promote travel in a different way. She is also the chair of the LaSalle County Tourism coalition. Destination on the Left is joined by Kathy Casstevens, the…
Supporting the Tourism Industry from Lockdown to Reopening, with Rachel Laber Pulvino
Rachel Laber Pulvino is a Rochester native who has the privilege of promoting her hometown on a daily basis as the Director of Market Communications and Public Relations for Visit Rochester. In this role, Rachel is regularly reaching out to regional, national, and international media to share Rochester’s story, and help media and visitors alike…
Building the Botanical Brand in Ottawa, IL, with Curt Bedei
Curt Bedei is the Executive Director for the Ottawa Visitors Center in Ottawa, Illinois. He was hired in 2011 as a Graphics Design Manager to handle the botanical brand management. Since then, Curt has worked his way up, earning a certificate in not-for-profit management and stepping into his current role as Executive Director in 2015….
Hosting Virtual Events in the Travel and Tourism Industry, with Nicole Mahoney
For Destination on the Left’s solocast episode, host Nicole Mahoney talks to you about virtual events. Our team has been working with several clients to assist them with virtual event planning, and so much valuable information has come out of our experiences. On our podcast, we talk about why you should consider virtual events, what…
Sustainability Through Storytelling, with JoAnna Haugen
JoAnna Haugen is a seasoned writer, speaker, and founder of Rooted, a solutions-storytelling platform. Her work has been published in more than 60 print and online publications, including Fast Company, Popular Science, Mongabay, BBC, and CNN. Her time as a returned Peace Corps volunteer, commercial travel writer, intrepid world traveler, international election observer, and American…
Brand Identity in Historic and Cultural Destinations, with Courtney Kasper
There’s a southern accent, where Courtney Kasper comes from. She is a Sweet Home Alabama native, Florida State and Syracuse University graduate, and a Poodle person. She is also the current Visitor Experience Manager at the Equal Rights Heritage Center located in Auburn, NY. Courtney is a former associate publisher of Today’s Central New York…