Episodes

Lincoln, Nebraska, is one of the Midwest’s most interesting undiscovered treasures, and today we’re taking you on a deep dive into the city. On this bonus episode of Gather and Go, Kelsey Meyer of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau walks us through Lincoln’s distinctive historic downtown district, marquee attractions, outdoor experiences and nearby hub-and-spoke destinations. Plus, she shares how her team can help you plan a memorable Lincoln adventure for your group. To plan your grou...

Tourism has a diversity problem, but Stephanie Jones has ideas about how to fix it. Founder and CEO of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance and Black Cultural Heritage Tours, Stephanie joins this episode of the podcast to talk about how the tourism industry can increase diversity, boost underrepresented tourism entrepreneurs and create pathways to success for minority groups. She also offers tips about how to identify culturally authentic experiences in off-the-beaten-path places and ideas o...

Tourism has a diversity problem, but Stephanie Jones has ideas about how to fix it. Founder and CEO of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance and Black Cultural Heritage Tours, Stephanie joins this episode of the podcast to talk about how the tourism industry can increase diversity, boost underrepresented tourism entrepreneurs and create pathways to success for minority groups. She also offers tips about how to identify culturally authentic experiences in off-the-beaten-path places and ideas o...

“Data provides a roadmap to the answers to your questions.” Amir Eylon believes the solutions to your travel organization’s problems are hidden in the numbers. The Longwoods International president and CEO joins the podcast today to tell us how travel planners and destination marketers can use data to sell more trips and shares his firm’s latest research on American travelers’ interests and expectations. Plus, we have have news about growing interest in travel to Europe; a Road Tip about track...

“Data provides a roadmap to the answers to your questions.” Amir Eylon believes the solutions to your travel organization’s problems are hidden in the numbers. The Longwoods International president and CEO joins the podcast today to tell us how travel planners and destination marketers can use data to sell more trips and shares his firm’s latest research on American travelers’ interests and expectations. Plus, we have have news about growing interest in travel to Europe; a Road Tip about track...

“You have to learn when to talk, what to talk about and when to shut up.” Ted Bravos knows what it takes to make a good tour director. The International Tour Management Institute founder has been leading tours — and training tour directors — since the 1980s. On this episode of Gather and Go, Ted joins us to talk about teaching new tour directors the ropes and how a talented tour director can take a trip from good to great. Plus, we have news about a change in Canada’s COVID-19 policies; a Road...

“You have to learn when to talk, what to talk about and when to shut up.” Ted Bravos knows what it takes to make a good tour director. The International Tour Management Institute founder has been leading tours — and training tour directors — since the 1980s. On this episode of Gather and Go, Ted joins us to talk about teaching new tour directors the ropes and how a talented tour director can take a trip from good to great. Plus, we have news about a change in Canada’s COVID-19 policies; a Road...

Are we living through a new Golden Age of Air Travel? Patrick Smith thinks so. The aviation expert and author of the popular blog Ask The Pilot joins the podcast today to tell us why flying is better than ever and help us wrap our heads around forces impacting the airline industry in 2022. Plus, we have an update about new government efforts to regulate airlines; a Road Tip about making the most of inflight entertainment; and a Hot Minute about the role of flying in the group tourism industry. ...

Are we living through a new Golden Age of Air Travel? Patrick Smith thinks so. The aviation expert and author of the popular blog Ask The Pilot joins the podcast today to tell us why flying is better than ever and help us wrap our heads around forces impacting the airline industry in 2022. Plus, we have an update about new government efforts to regulate airlines; a Road Tip about making the most of inflight entertainment; and a Hot Minute about the role of flying in the group tourism industry. ...

“Culinary tourism is a memory, not a meal.” Erik Wolf knows how to find the best culinary experiences, no matter where he goes. And as the founder of the World Food Travel Association, he has made it his life’s work to help others do the same. Erik joins this episode of the Gather and Go podcast to explain how travel planners can find and deliver delicious, authentic and culturally meaningful culinary moments during their trips. Plus, we have a news update on travel to the Holy Land; a Road Ti...

“Culinary tourism is a memory, not a meal.” Erik Wolf knows how to find the best culinary experiences, no matter where he goes. And as the founder of the World Food Travel Association, he has made it his life’s work to help others do the same. Erik joins this episode of the Gather and Go podcast to explain how travel planners can find and deliver delicious, authentic and culturally meaningful culinary moments during their trips. Plus, we have a news update on travel to the Holy Land; a Road Ti...

Faith-based travel isn’t just for trips to the Holy Land. On this episode of the Gather and Go podcast, Eddie Lutz of the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum introduces us to the thriving world of faith-based travel and shares insights on how travel organizations can make faith communities a successful part of their businesses. He also shares tips on how to build a winning faith-based tour and how to start a travel ministry at your local church. Plus, we have news about an aggressive new tra...

Faith-based travel isn’t just for trips to the Holy Land. On this episode of the Gather and Go podcast, Eddie Lutz of the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum introduces us to the thriving world of faith-based travel and shares insights on how travel organizations can make faith communities a successful part of their businesses. He also shares tips on how to build a winning faith-based tour and how to start a travel ministry at your local church. Plus, we have news about an aggressive new tra...

“Experiences are the currency of 21st century travelers.” Joe Veneto knows all about how to create engaging travel experiences. In fact, there’s a good chance your group has enjoyed a travel experience he has helped develop in some of America’s most popular group destinations. Joe joins this episode of the Gather and Go podcast to explain how destinations and group travel planners can create deep, authentic experiences that make an impact on travelers and locals alike. Plus, we have a news upd...

“Experiences are the currency of 21st century travelers.” Joe Veneto knows all about how to create engaging travel experiences. In fact, there’s a good chance your group has enjoyed a travel experience he has helped develop in some of America’s most popular group destinations. Joe joins this episode of the Gather and Go podcast to explain how destinations and group travel planners can create deep, authentic experiences that make an impact on travelers and locals alike. Plus, we have a news upd...

Savannah, Georgia, is one of the most popular group tour destinations in the country, and today we’re taking you on a deep dive into the city. On this bonus episode of Gather and Go, Anjuli King of Visit Savannah walks us through Savannah’s incredible culinary scene, rich history, African American heritage and up-and-coming attractions. Plus, she shares some insider tips on how group travel planners can score the best hotel room rates and exclusive dining opportunities. To plan your group’s ne...

Savannah, Georgia, is one of the most popular group tour destinations in the country, and today we’re taking you on a deep dive into the city. On this bonus episode of Gather and Go, Anjuli King of Visit Savannah walks us through Savannah’s incredible culinary scene, rich history, African American heritage and up-and-coming attractions. Plus, she shares some insider tips on how group travel planners can score the best hotel room rates and exclusive dining opportunities. To plan your group’s ne...

How does a regional family tour business become a trendsetting leader in the global tourism marketplace? On this episode of Gather and Go, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote shares the secrets to Collette’s success and tells us how her company uses customer feedback to pioneer new tourism experiences that influence the entire travel industry. She also tells us what it was like to grow up in travel and go on to take over the family business. Plus, we have news about the latest pandemic-related cruising policies...

How does a regional family tour business become a trendsetting leader in the global tourism marketplace? On this episode of Gather and Go, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote shares the secrets to Collette’s success and tells us how her company uses customer feedback to pioneer new tourism experiences that influence the entire travel industry. She also tells us what it was like to grow up in travel and go on to take over the family business. Plus, we have news about the latest pandemic-related cruising policies...

Can group travel experiences broaden people’s horizons and help foster greater cultural understanding? Cheryl Hargrove thinks so. On this episode of the Gather and Go podcast, the Hargrove International founder and cultural travel expert shares her perspective on how authentic cultural experiences can make good trips great. She also talks about how CVBs and DMOs can assist tour planners in creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange and shares tips for helping cultural attractions p...

Can group travel experiences broaden people’s horizons and help foster greater cultural understanding? Cheryl Hargrove thinks so. On this episode of the Gather and Go podcast, the Hargrove International founder and cultural travel expert shares her perspective on how authentic cultural experiences can make good trips great. She also talks about how CVBs and DMOs can assist tour planners in creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange and shares tips for helping cultural attractions p...

How do you turn your niche travel passion into a viable travel business? On this episode of the Gather and Go podcast, Scott Brodsky of Country Heritage Tours tells the story of how his family turned a love of quilting into a thriving tour company. He also shares insights on how he has leveraged marketing and technology skills to take the business to the next level. Plus, we have news about air travel’s summer woes; a road tip about travel insurance; and a Hot Minute about solving the staffing ...

How do you turn your niche travel passion into a viable travel business? On this episode of the Gather and Go podcast, Scott Brodsky of Country Heritage Tours tells the story of how his family turned a love of quilting into a thriving tour company. He also shares insights on how he has leveraged marketing and technology skills to take the business to the next level. Plus, we have news about air travel’s summer woes; a road tip about travel insurance; and a Hot Minute about solving the staffing ...

If you’re like most travelers, you’ve likely experienced some sticker shock when shopping for hotel rooms recently. On this episode of Gather and Go podcast, we talk with Hannah Smith of hospitality research firm STR, who explains what’s driving room rates, how inflation factors into the equation and what travel planners can expect for hotel prices in the next few years. Plus, we have a big update on COVID testing requirements for international travelers; a Road Tip about dealing with your your...