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Destination Discourse

Destination Discourse
Artificial Intelligence
Destination Marketing Organization
Paid Media
Myrtle Beach
Branding
Destination Marketing
DMO
AI In Marketing
Tourism
Owned Media
Earned Media
Claude Cowork
Product Development
Board Governance
Supply Chain
Las Vegas
Destination Marketing Organizations
Digital Display Advertising
Tourism Economics
Adgenuity

Destination Discourse is the essential podcast for DMOs and travel industry professionals who want to stay ahead in destination marketing, stewardship, and management. Hosted by industry experts Stuart Butler and Adam Stoker, each episode delves into the key issues and trends shaping the future of tourism. From cutting-edge innovations to the complex challenges of destination management, we offer ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes91Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MarketingBusiness

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Artwork for Destination Discourse

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Destination Discourse, Stuart Butler and Adam Stoker tackle a question most DMOs would rather avoid: why should AI ever trust your content over anyone else's? Stuart's thesis - DMOs have grown addicted to equitable treatment of eve... more

Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, joins Stuart Butler and Adam Stoker with an uncomfortable premise: most DMOs are still treating AI like a gadget instead of a coworker. Dan explains why "we need AI on the website" isn't a strategy, and wh... more

Most DMOs talk about economic impact. Chris Fair, CEO of Resonance Co and author of the annual Best Cities report, talks about something harder to measure — and more consequential: whether a city is actually lovable.

In this episode, Fair shares dat... more

Most DMOs measure success in website clicks and visitor guide downloads. Gary Sherwin has spent 20 years at Visit Newport Beach asking a harder question: if you disappeared tomorrow, would your stakeholders call you essential - or just convenient?

T... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Gary Sherwin
Industry leader featuring in the episode
Visit Newport Beach
Episode: 87: Would Your Stakeholders Fight to Keep You If You Disappeared Tomorrow? (Gary Sherwin)
Jeanette Roush
Speaker from Brand USA discussing AI in tourism marketing
Brand USA
Episode: 86: Are You Still Doing Work That AI Should Be Doing For You? (Dan Holowack & Jeanette Roush)
Emily Zertuche
Author and industry commentator, Substack writer
Corpus Christi Visit (brand and innovation perspective)
Episode: 85: Are DMOs Focused on the Wrong Things at the Worst Possible Time? (Emily Zertuche)
Dan Gibson
Guest, presumably a DMO leader from Visit McMinnville
Visit McMinnville
Episode: 84: Can DMOs Fill the Void Left by Local Media? (Dan Gibson)
Sue O'Shea
From Visit Anaheim, adds perspective on funding models
Visit Anaheim
Episode: 83: What Is the Real Purpose of a DMO? (LIVE from DI MarCom 2026)
Ashley Mays
Leader of a combined DMO/economic development organization
Newark Alliance / Newark, NJ
Episode: 83: What Is the Real Purpose of a DMO? (LIVE from DI MarCom 2026)
Janette Roush
Industry expert invited to discuss AI strategy for DMOs
Brand Revolt / Brand USA (as discussed in episode)
Episode: 82: What Should DMOs Actually Be Doing With AI Right Now? (Janette Roush and Dan Holowack)
Dan Holowack
Executive involved with CrowdRiff, AI tools integration
CrowdRiff
Episode: 82: What Should DMOs Actually Be Doing With AI Right Now? (Janette Roush and Dan Holowack)
Matt Vinson
Executive/Leader in Destination Marketing (Visit Dallas)
Visit Dallas
Episode: 81: Are DMOs Still Thinking Like Marketers Instead of Experience Creators? (Matt Vinson)

Hosts

Stuart Butler
Host of Destination Discourse, with affiliations spanning Visit Myrtle Beach and related DMOs; frequent on-air collaboration with co-hosts to discuss AI, governance, and industry strategy.
Adam Stoker
Co-host, founder/CEO roles discussed on show; frequent guest with affiliations to Brand Revolt, Madden Media, Tourism IQ, and DMO-focused initiatives.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Essential listening for destination marketers

    Super smart people discussing the challenges of our industry. Not just dudes talking, but conversations with people of different walks in this industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    beezbo
    United States2 months ago
  • Big fan of Stu’s News

    I wish I could grow two more hands so I could give this podcast four thumbs up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Destie Roush
    United States3 months ago
  • A Must Listen for DMO Professionals

    Stuart and Adam are not only fun to listen too, but they offer up valuable insights and ideas. Every podcast sparks an a-ha moment and provides inspiration. They have fantastic guests and do a great job keeping us updated on trends in our industry. Make this a mandatory listen for your team!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Travel_Guru
    United States7 months ago
  • One of my favorite industry podcasts!

    I just wanted to say that this is one of my favorite destination marketing podcasts. The format of the podcast really lends itself to seeing all sides of an issue. The show is a great resource for everyone in the destination marketing industry. I never miss an episode.

    Stu's news and the jingle is definitely one of the best segments in all of podcasting!

    Desty Nation!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nate Gresock
    United Statesa year ago
  • The greatest show for DMOs

    I have to say, I’m incredibly proud of my son for hosting such a fantastic podcast… but let’s be real, Stuart is the true star of the show! His insights are razor-sharp, his voice is smooth as butter, and he just gets destination marketing in a way that keeps me coming back for more.

    Now, don’t get me wrong—Adam is doing his best, bless his heart. He brings great energy, and I’m sure he tries very hard. But Stuart? That’s where the magic happens. If you’re looking for expert-level tourism marke... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Adams Actual Mom
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests consistently bring practical, real-world examples for DMOs.
Hosts balance optimism with critical questions on AI and governance.
Shows mix rigorous industry insights with humor and accessibility.
Community-centric discussions make it a top resource for destination marketers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

43: Is It Time to Rethink Agency Models and the Marketing Funnel? (Dan Janes)
Q: What is your pet peeve or friction point in the industry?
Dan argues that RFPs are optimized for the past and over-emphasize inputs over outcomes, which constrains agencies from showing true capability. He advocates for outcome-based RFPs and cross-functional, agile teams that can adapt to rapid changes in technology and consumer behavior.
45: Where Should DMO CEOs Be Spending Their Time? (Kristen Adamo)
Q: What role does public communications play for a DMO CEO?
Clear, consistent communication—op-eds, presentations, and regular stakeholder updates—builds trust with politicians, partners, and the public, helping secure support for long-term initiatives and funding.
45: Where Should DMO CEOs Be Spending Their Time? (Kristen Adamo)
Q: How should a DMO CEO balance promotional work with product development and advocacy?
By staying at the table and educating the board about why investments in product matter, and by using data to show ROI, DMOs can advocate for product improvements without neglecting marketing or visitor economy goals.
45: Where Should DMO CEOs Be Spending Their Time? (Kristen Adamo)
Q: What led Kristen to focus on building relationships across transportation, housing, and other departments after she became CEO?
Her experience during the pandemic showed that recoveries require holistic collaboration; she leveraged marketing strengths to push a PR campaign and used cross-department partnerships to protect and promote assets like WaterFire, ultimately creating a more integrated, destination-wide approach.
49: How Can DMOs Stand Out in Meetings Marketing? (Joe Heller)
Q: How does the team differentiate advertising from promotions, and what are some example tactics to stand out at large industry events?
They differentiate by focusing promotions on experiential and arrival-point engagements (e.g., airport presence, wrapped vehicles, interactive pickable pickleball setups) rather than relying solely on banners and ads; they also use targeted podcast sponsorships and immersive activations to create memorable experiences for planners and attendees.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Destination Discourse

What is Destination Discourse about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Destination Discourse centers on destination marketing, AI adoption in DMOs, governance, and the evolving role of technology in tourism. Episodes frequently explore practical frameworks for organizational change, data-driven storytelling, and partnerships with industry players to improve visitor experiences while managing budgets and risk. The show stands out for its hands-on conversations with practitioners, a candid culture, and a willingness to challenge conventional approaches in public-facing marketing. Listeners are likely to gain actionable playbooks on AI governance, cross-team collaboration, and innovative program design, making it a strong fit for senior marketers, DMOs, and travel-industry leaders looking to modernize operations ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Destination Discourse?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Destination Discourse:

1. Destination Marketing Podcast
2. DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University
3. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
4. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Destination Discourse are there?

Destination Discourse launched 2 years ago and published 91 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Destination Discourse?

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What guests have appeared on Destination Discourse?

Recent guests on Destination Discourse include:

1. Gary Sherwin
2. Jeanette Roush
3. Emily Zertuche
4. Dan Gibson
5. Sue O'Shea
6. Ashley Mays
7. Janette Roush
8. Dan Holowack

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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