Episode 6: Destinations International President/CEO

Episode 6: Destinations International President/CEO

In Episode 6 of Love2Lead, Al and Aaron welcome Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International, for a conversation on leadership, collaboration, and the evolving future of travel and tourism. Drawing on decades of experience leading destination organizations and industry initiatives, Don shares insights on building high-performing teams, fostering meaningful partnerships, and navigating change in an increasingly complex world. He discusses how strong leadership can unite diverse stakeholders around a common vision and why adaptability has become essential for organizations looking to thrive. The conversation also explores the changing role of destination organizations, the economic impact of tourism, and the opportunities that lie ahead for communities and travel professionals alike. Don offers practical advice for emerging leaders, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building, learning from failure, curiosity, and leading with love & passion. Thanks to our sponsors: SearchWide Global, Tourism Economics, PCMA, and Longwoods International.

Episode 5: ASAE President/CEO Michelle Mason

In Episode 5 of Love2Lead, Al and Aaron are joined by Michelle Mason, President and CEO of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), for a conversation about mentorship, servant leadership, and the value of strong professional communities in a rapidly changing world. Michelle reflects on her journey to leading ASAE and shares lessons learned from guiding one of the association industry’s most respected organizations through periods of growth, disruption, and innovation. From the future of meetings and events to the impact of AI on organizations and workforce development, Michelle offers a thoughtful perspective on her own personal leadership philosophy. Thanks to our sponsors: SearchWide Global, Tourism Economics, PCMA, and Longwoods International.

Episode 4: U.S. Travel Association President/ CEO Geoff Freeman

In Episode 4 of Love2Lead, Al and Aaron sit down with Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, for a conversation on leadership, industry growth, and where travel is headed next. Geoff shares perspective from leading one of the industry’s top advocacy organizations, including his work strengthening the industry’s voice in Washington and driving policies that support demand, workforce development, and long-term growth. Prior to U.S. Travel, he led the American Gaming Association and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, building a reputation for effective advocacy and coalition-building. In the episode, Geoff discusses leading at scale, aligning stakeholders across the travel ecosystem, and why investing in the next generation of leaders is critical. The conversation also touches on how innovation, including AI, is shaping the future of travel and destination marketing. Thanks to our sponsors: Tourism Economics, SearchWide Global, Longwoods International, and PCMA

Episode 3: President/CEO NYC Tourism + Conventions Julie Coker

In Episode 3 of Love2Lead, Al and Aaron sit down with Julie Coker, President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation on career growth and leadership. Julie shares her journey from serving as a hotel GM to becoming the CEO of multiple destination organizations, offering insight into the challenges and opportunities she encountered along the way. The episode also explores the importance of mentoring and investing in the next generation of leaders, the impact of her mother’s guidance, love, and wisdom in shaping both her personal and professional journey, and how AI may be used as a tool to help shape the future of the destination marketing space.Thanks as well to our sponsors: ⁠PCMA⁠, SearchWide Global⁠, ⁠Tourism Economics⁠,⁠ ⁠Longwoods International

Episode 2: President/CEO Visit Philadelphia Angela Val

In Episode 2 of Love2Lead, Al and Aaron are joined by Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, for a candid conversation about leadership, growth, and career progression. Angela reflects on her journey from receptionist to CEO, sharing practical insight into navigating an organization, building credibility, and preparing for the C-suite. Our Guest: Angela Val leads Visit Philadelphia’s efforts to elevate the region’s image, grow visitation, and drive economic impact through leisure travel, bringing more than 20 years of experience in tourism marketing to the role. Thanks as well to our sponsors: SearchWide Global [https://searchwideglobal.com/], Tourism Economics [https://www.tourismeconomics.com/], PCMA [https://www.pcma.org/], Longwoods International [https://longwoods-intl.com/]