Good News from TTRA | Kelby Bosshardt – Building Something That Lasts

Good News from TTRA | Kelby Bosshardt – Building Something That Lasts

Recorded live at the 2026 TTRA Annual International Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, this episode of Give Me Some Good News features a candid conversation with Kelby Bosshardt, CTO & Co-Founder of Datafy. Kelby shares the origin story behind Datafy—from consulting work in rural destination development to identifying a critical gap in tourism data accessibility and affordability. What started as a simple problem-solving mindset evolved into a technology company built to help destinations better understand and activate their data. In this conversation, we go beyond the startup story and into the realities of entrepreneurship in the tourism industry—what it really takes to build a company from scratch, the challenges of scaling through uncertainty, and the lessons learned from navigating COVID, rapid industry change, and evolving technology. Kelby also reflects on the importance of relationships, competition, and staying customer-focused in an increasingly complex and data-driven tourism landscape. From AI and geolocation shifts to the future of destination analytics, this episode explores where tourism technology is headed—and what founders need to know to keep up. This is a conversation about resilience, innovation, and the mindset required to turn ideas into lasting impact.

Episode 39: Making the Most of Destinations International Annual Convention with Julie Dennett

Whether you're attending your first Destinations International Annual Convention or your fifteenth, this episode is your guide to getting the most out of the industry's biggest gathering. Caleb sits down with Julie Dennett, Senior Vice President of Membership Engagement at Destinations International, to discuss how attendees can maximize their conference experience—from building meaningful relationships and choosing the right sessions to turning inspiration into action back home. They also explore why community is at the heart of DI, how first-time attendees can feel welcome, and the trends shaping the future of destination organizations. If you're heading to Portland—or simply want to become a better tourism leader—this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make every conversation count. Register for Give Me Some Good News Karaoke in Portland here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfI1f-_KNpe2EwQServfYKU-4NHyxSqVwyMS2MTrzEgzfmzqQ/viewform [https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnkd%2Ein%2Fekp_yyAv&urlhash=ZOY4&mt=fbwexe3F5LGILxs_jXULTLjmLy8NCrzVISO2aG9RnHCoAX-1LwckfHOpSPqHrRzE3JZNaR_WTywNHVI1eot_IgdWJ0vd7NbwzQSEhdVlv8Rgc1_z83IPzB7IbQ&isSdui=true]

Good News from TTRA | Dr. Jeremy Fairley— Turning Data Into Action

Welcome to Good News from TTRA, recorded live from the 2026 TTRA Annual International Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. In this kickoff in-person episode, host Caleb Sullivan sits down with tourism researcher, educator, and thought leader Jeremy Fairley (Greater Insights) for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving relationship between data, leadership, and destination decision-making. Jeremy shares insights from his work bridging academia and industry, including his perspective on why tourism organizations struggle to turn data into action, how destinations can move beyond reporting into real insight, and why collaboration—not silos—is the future of tourism research. The conversation also explores Jeremy’s journey from PhD researcher to professor and practitioner, the importance of teaching and lifelong learning, and how the tourism industry can better connect research, storytelling, and real-world strategy. This episode sets the tone for the TTRA series: thoughtful, honest, and focused on the future of tourism leadership and innovation.

Episode 38: Accessibility Is Hospitality with Kristy Durso

In Episode 38 of Give Me Some Good News, Caleb chats with accessibility advocate, speaker, travel advisor, and founder of Incredible Memories Travel, Kristy Durso, for a powerful conversation about making travel more inclusive for everyone. Drawing from her lived experience as a wheelchair user, military veteran, mother, and tourism professional, Kristy shares how accessible travel impacts far more people than most destinations realize. Together, they discuss why accessibility should move beyond compliance checklists, how destinations can better communicate with travelers of all abilities, and why some of the best accessibility innovations ultimately create better experiences for every visitor. From adaptive surfing in California to creative ways destinations are making Dark Sky experiences accessible, this episode is packed with practical insights, inspiring stories, and actionable ideas for destination marketers, hospitality professionals, and community leaders. If you've ever wondered how your destination can become more welcoming, more inclusive, and ultimately more successful, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 37: The Work Nobody Claps For: Leadership Lessons from the Florida Keys with Kara Franker

What does it take to lead one of America's most iconic tourism destinations? In Episode 37, Caleb sits down with Kara Franker, President & CEO of the Florida Keys and Key West, to discuss her remarkable journey from prosecutor and journalist to destination marketing leader. Kara shares how she helped rebuild the Florida Keys tourism organization from the ground up, the importance of doing "the work nobody claps for," and why successful destination marketing starts with earning trust from residents. The conversation also explores AI adoption in tourism, community engagement, destination stewardship, and what it means to attract the right visitors—not just more visitors. Plus, Kara reflects on protecting the unique character of the Keys, restoring coral reefs, and creating a future where tourism works with communities instead of happening to them. If you're a destination leader, marketer, or tourism professional, this episode is packed with practical insights on leadership, change management, and building better tourism for everyone.