7: Through the Haze: Real-Time Tech and Transparency in Crisis Marketing

7: Through the Haze: Real-Time Tech and Transparency in Crisis Marketing

Wildfires and smoke have become an unavoidable reality for travel in the West, but how a destination communicates during a crisis can make or break the visitor experience. In this episode, we talk with Scott Larson of Visit Central Oregon and Lesley Rowbal of Madden Media about their collaboration to build a custom, real-time smoke map API. We explore why transparency is the new currency in travel marketing and how DMOs can use technology to help visitors navigate a destination even when the skies aren't clear. The Where We Goin’? Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Melyssa Reeves and the team at One West Tourism Alliance and produced by the team at Brand Revolt. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠https://thedmpn.com/⁠ [https://thedmpn.com/]. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email ⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com [adam@thebrandrevolt.com]⁠.

6: The Art of Inclusion: Branding, Community, and the Future of One West

Tourism is no longer just about pretty pictures; it’s about the people who live in the frame. In this episode, we sit down with Sonya Bradley, Chief Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer at Visit Sacramento, and Jeff Miraglia, Executive Creative Director at JNS Next, to explore the intersection of high-end destination branding and authentic community representation. The Where We Goin’? Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Melyssa Reeves and the team at One West Tourism Alliance and produced by the team at Brand Revolt. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠https://thedmpn.com/⁠ [https://thedmpn.com/]. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email ⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com [adam@thebrandrevolt.com]⁠. https://www.jnsnext.com/ [https://www.jnsnext.com/] https://www.onewesttourism.org/ [https://www.onewesttourism.org/]

5: Decoding the Gen-Z Travel Journey

Gen-Z isn't just a demographic; they are the architects of a new travel landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Bethany Bee, Digital Content Specialist at Explore Utah Valley, and Jason Dodge, Founder of BlackTruck Media + Marketing, to bridge the gap between how younger travelers discover the world and how brands must adapt to reach them. From TikTok "wish-listing" to human-centered search strategy, Bethany and Jason break down the shift from traditional search to community-driven discovery. The Where We Goin’? Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Melyssa Reeves and the team at One West Tourism Alliance and produced by the team at Brand Revolt. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠https://thedmpn.com/⁠ [https://thedmpn.com/]. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email ⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com [adam@thebrandrevolt.com]⁠.

4: From Training to Transformation: Building Smarter Destinations Through Learning and Experience

Learn Tourism [https://learntourism.org/] Travel Portland [https://www.travelportland.com/] Education and experience are two sides of the same coin in tourism. In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and Co-Founder of Learn Tourism, and Andrew Moore, Visitor Services Manager at Travel Portland, to explore how professional development and visitor engagement intersect to build stronger, more sustainable destinations. From training programs that upskill tourism professionals, to on-the-ground visitor services that shape how travelers experience a place, Stephen and Andrew share insights on what it means to create destinations that learn, adapt, and welcome with intention. The Where We Goin’? Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Melyssa Reeves and the team at One West Tourism Alliance and produced by the team at Brand Revolt. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠https://thedmpn.com/⁠ [https://thedmpn.com/]. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email ⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com [adam@thebrandrevolt.com]⁠.

3: From Planning to Impact: Sports Tourism in Southern Oregon

In 2013, a bold strategic planning process set the stage for a regional transformation: the creation of the Southern Oregon Sports Commission. More than a decade later, the Commission is driving national conversations on sportsmanship, facility development, and the economic power of sports tourism. In this episode, we’re joined by Jon Schmieder, Founder & CEO of Huddle Up Group, Darren Van Lehn, Director of Sports Development for Travel Medford, and TJ Holmes, Senior Vice President of Travel Medford, to reflect on how vision turned into reality—and what’s next for sports tourism in Southern Oregon. From pioneering sportsmanship programs used across the country, to cutting-edge venues like Rogue X and Lithia & Driveway Fields, to new facilities under construction, this story is a case study in how strategy, leadership, and persistence reshape communities. The Where We Goin’? Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Melyssa Reeves and the team at One West Tourism Alliance and produced by the team at Brand Revolt. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠https://thedmpn.com/⁠ [https://thedmpn.com/]. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email ⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com [adam@thebrandrevolt.com]⁠.