Destination Marketing Podcast

Listen to an insightful conversation with two dynamic leaders in the tourism industry - Steve Arrison, CEO at Visit Hot Springs, and JR Shaw, Executive Director of Destination Rogers and Executive Vice President of the Rogers-Lowell Chamber. These guests share their expertise and insights on topics like collaborating with nearby destinations to drive visitation, emphasizing the importance of building partnerships and leveraging the strengths of your competitors to create a more robust tourism experience for visitors. The discussion also delves into Arkansas' unique way of funding their tourism organizations through lodging tax, and how this has enabled these destinations to invest in their tourism infrastructure and attract more visitors. Furthermore, the conversation takes a deep dive into a difficult employment situation that Steve Arrison faced in Visit Hot Springs, a destination with a low population and high visitation. Join Adam for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that highlights the importance of collaboration, creativity, and innovation in the tourism industry.
You can have those mechanisms as much as you want but unless there's a plan, unless there's solid marketing, unless there's a strategy, unless there are partners out there that can collaborate with the state . . . then everybody's going off in their own different directions and you don't get that unified voice that you need to have."
- Steve Arrison
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The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

Host Adam Stoker records remotely in this quick update episode. Topics include a Texas Tourism Industry Association Conference recap, a life update for Adam, and an introduction to the Destination Marketing Podcast producer, Kyle.
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
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If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Subscribe to our newsletter!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. Email [email protected] with any inquiries regarding the network.

On today’s episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam talks to Ryan Starks, the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Kevin Smith, the president and CEO of Tuacahn Amphitheater. Ryan discusses his journey from Heber Valley to the Governor’s Office and how he was able to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic while still being new on the job. The conversation then moves toward why Utah supports tourism-related small businesses and what other DMOs can take away from their strategy.
In the second half of the episode, Adam and Kevin discuss the history of Tuacahn Amphitheater in Ivins, UT and how they put together their theatrical productions each season. Kevin also details how the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office supports his business and helps it flourish.
Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
Tuacahn Amphitheater
“Our businesses have done a really good job in Utah, of rolling out the red mat, and making sure that these visitors have the best experience that they can possibly have, and that includes our hoteliers, our restauranteurs, our retailers, there’s just so many opportunities for them to connect with visitors who are coming to the state, who are spending money and looking for a wonderful experience.” - Ryan Starks
“So whatever that idea is that you may think, ‘Oh we’d never be able to pull it off in our area,’ if you’ve got a group of people that are talented and passionate, encourage that because that can become an annual event, sometimes biannual event that attracts visitors and puts your area on the map for having that festival.” - Kevin Smith
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
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Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].

On this special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, Adam sits down with the founder and CEO of Crowdriff, Dan Holowack. They discuss how Crowdriff has transformed the destination marketing industry through user-generated content. They also explore why destinations have seen tremendous organic growth on social media by letting local creators tell the story through short-form video. Adam and Dan delve into the future of content creators and influencers in destination marketing, highlighting why it's critical to incorporate this field into your strategy today.
"I deeply believe that the destination's story is best told by its people. That's going to be the differentiator between destinations as we go forward. Destinations need to continue to seek out those storytellers within their destination and I hope that Crowdriff Creators can help do that. One way or another, I hope that it's the local people that are telling that story and that's what's authentically resonating with visitors now more than ever." -Dan Holowack
We'd like to thank Crowdriff for sponsoring this episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast. Learn more about Crowdriff Creators here!
Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media:
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
TikTok
Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic’s services, please email [email protected] or visit www.relicagency.com.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email [email protected].