Destination On The Left

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Chris Fair, President and CEO of Resonance. Drawing on his background in journalism, destination marketing, and futures studies, Chris shares how destinations can use data-driven insights to better understand their strengths, identify opportunities, and build authentic brands that stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace. We discuss the relationship between destination development and marketing, why collaboration across organizations is essential, and how communities can align around a shared narrative that supports tourism, economic development, and long-term prosperity.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:
How destinations can evaluate the gap between performance and public perception
Why authentic, focused place branding is more effective than trying to appeal to everyone
What Resonance's Best Cities rankings reveal about livability, lovability, and prosperity
How performance, perception, and community aspiration work together to shape destination strategy
Why destination marketing organizations and economic development organizations should collaborate more closely
How creating a shared narrative helps communities strengthen their reputation and attract visitors, talent, and investment
What practical steps destination leaders can take to prioritize resources and build long-term competitive advantage
Beyond "Beige": Finding an Authentic Destination Narrative
Chris explains that one of the greatest challenges destinations face isn't overcoming negative perceptions—it's overcoming a lack of perception altogether. Many communities have exceptional experiences to offer but struggle to communicate what makes them distinct. Instead of trying to promote every possible attraction, successful destinations identify the unique story that reflects both who they are and what audiences value most. 
He shares how Resonance helps destinations diagnose where they stand by comparing performance with perception. When communities understand whether they need stronger destination development, better branding, or a combination of both, they can focus their resources more strategically. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Chris encourages destination leaders to identify what belongs in their "storefront window"—the defining experience or story that invites people to discover everything else the destination has to offer. 
Using Data to Guide Smarter Destination Strategy
Chris discusses the framework behind Resonance's America's Best Cities rankings, which evaluate destinations through three interconnected lenses: livability, lovability, and prosperity. These rankings measure everything from parks, restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions to economic opportunity, infrastructure, education, and quality of life, providing communities with a clearer understanding of how they perform compared to their peers. 
Beyond performance data, Chris emphasizes the importance of combining research on public perception with the aspirations of local residents and businesses. By studying performance, perception, and aspiration together, destinations can uncover opportunities that traditional research alone may overlook. Throughout the conversation, he shares how this evidence-based approach helps communities prioritize investments, refine their positioning, and make informed decisions that support both residents and visitors. 
Building a Shared Narrative Through Collaboration
One of the most important themes throughout our conversation is the role collaboration plays in creating a successful destination brand. Chris shares examples of communities where tourism organizations, economic development agencies, civic leaders, and other stakeholders have worked together to build a shared narrative that aligns how the destination is presented to visitors, investors, businesses, and residents alike. 
He also notes that creating the narrative is only the beginning. The greater challenge is sustaining it through ongoing education, leadership, and cross-sector collaboration. As organizations evolve and leadership changes, maintaining alignment requires continual investment and commitment. Chris leaves listeners with a compelling perspective: destination marketing organizations should think more like economic development organizations, while economic development organizations should become stronger storytellers. By breaking down organizational silos and working toward shared goals, communities can strengthen their reputation, attract investment, and create lasting benefits for everyone. 
Resources:
Website: resonanceco.com
Best Cities Reports: resonanceco.com/reports
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisfairresonance/

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Morag Barrett, leadership expert, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author of You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work and How to Show Up as One. Morag shares why meaningful workplace relationships are no longer a "nice to have" but a critical leadership skill in today's rapidly changing world. We explore how leaders can strengthen human connection, build trust, and create workplaces where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered to do their best work. From navigating uncertainty to embracing vulnerability and accountability, Morag offers practical strategies that apply not only to leadership but to every relationship we build throughout our lives.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:
Why the human side of leadership often determines long-term organizational success 
How uncertainty, rapid change, and remote work have reshaped workplace relationships 
What it means to adopt an ally mindset and why everyone needs a friend at work 
How the five Ally Mindset practices strengthen trust, collaboration, and accountability 
Why meaningful conversations begin by checking in on people before focusing on the work 
How leaders can create environments where candor, healthy debate, and new ideas flourish 
Practical ways to strengthen relationships through small, intentional actions every day 
Why Human Connection Matters More Than Ever
Throughout her career, Morag Barrett has observed that successful organizations aren't defined solely by strategy, systems, or technology. Instead, their greatest advantage comes from how people relate to one another. While technical expertise remains essential, lasting success depends on trust, communication, and the quality of workplace relationships. 
As organizations continue navigating constant change, hybrid work, artificial intelligence, and ongoing uncertainty, many employees are feeling increasingly disconnected. Morag explains that while conversations around leadership and emotional intelligence have grown, the challenge remains helping leaders invest the time required to strengthen relationships. Rather than treating connection as a soft skill, she encourages leaders to recognize it as a business imperative that directly influences engagement, collaboration, and performance. 
Becoming an Ally at Work
Morag shares the inspiration behind her book, You, Me, We, which reframes Gallup's familiar question, "Do I have a best friend at work?" into a more powerful leadership challenge: "Am I a friend at work?" This shift encourages individuals to focus less on what they receive from others and more on how they intentionally support those around them. 
The conversation explores the five practices of the Ally Mindset: abundance and generosity, connection and compassion, courage and vulnerability, candor and debate, and action and accountability. Together, these practices create a framework for building healthier relationships, encouraging honest conversations, and fostering workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported. Rather than relying on grand gestures, Morag demonstrates how consistent everyday behaviors create lasting trust across teams and organizations. 
Small Actions That Create Lasting Impact
One of the most practical takeaways from this conversation is Morag's reminder that meaningful relationships are built through small, intentional moments. Whether asking a teammate, "What's your number today?" to better understand how they're showing up, expressing appreciation to someone who has positively influenced your career, or simply making time to truly listen, these simple actions create powerful ripple effects. 
Morag also challenges leaders to reflect on how they are remembered by those they work alongside. The question isn't simply whether you have supportive colleagues, but whether others would eagerly choose to work with you again. By focusing on intentional connection, personal accountability, and genuine care for others, leaders can strengthen their teams while creating cultures where both people and organizations thrive. 
Resources:
Website: SkyeTeam.com
Ally Mindset Self-Assessment: SkyeTeam.cloud/youmewe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moragbarrett/

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Sally Berry, Tourism Director for Great Lakes USA and Cruise the Great Lakes. Sally shares how an unexpected career path led her into tourism and eventually to one of the industry's most collaborative regional organizations. We discuss the power of partnerships, the rapid growth of Great Lakes cruising, and why thinking beyond traditional destination boundaries creates stronger visitor experiences and more resilient communities. Sally also offers practical insights into building meaningful collaborations that benefit destinations, visitors, and the tourism industry as a whole.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:
How Sally's unconventional career journey shaped her collaborative leadership style
Why regional partnerships create greater value for international visitors and industry stakeholders
How Cruise the Great Lakes is helping destinations prepare for continued cruise tourism growth
What memorable destination welcomes look like, and why they leave a lasting impression on visitors
Why successful collaborations depend on a diversity of perspectives and shared goals
How creative partnerships across states, provinces, and organizations lead to stronger tourism products
What opportunities Sally sees ahead for the Great Lakes region through sustainability, stewardship, and collaboration
Collaboration Is the Competitive Advantage
Throughout our conversation, Sally makes a compelling case that collaboration isn't simply a nice idea—it's one of tourism's greatest competitive advantages. Leading initiatives that span eight states and two Canadian provinces requires balancing different priorities while helping partners recognize the value of working toward common goals. Rather than expecting every destination to participate in every initiative, Sally focuses on matching opportunities with the destinations best positioned to benefit, creating stronger outcomes for both individual communities and the region as a whole.
She also shares how collaboration flourishes when organizations embrace different perspectives. Strong partnerships need enthusiastic champions, thoughtful protectors, and even healthy skeptics who ask the difficult questions. Those varied viewpoints ultimately strengthen projects, deepen trust, and create initiatives that are more successful over the long term.
Turning First Impressions Into Lasting Connections
As Great Lakes cruising continues its impressive growth, Sally shares how destinations are embracing the opportunity to create unforgettable welcomes for visitors arriving by ship. Communities are greeting passengers with local musicians, historical interpreters, regional cuisine, and experiences that immediately reflect the character of the destination. These authentic touches create meaningful first impressions while giving visitors a genuine sense of place.
Beyond the excitement of arrival day, Sally explores the broader impact cruise tourism has on local economies. Many passengers spend additional time in port cities before or after their voyages, and countless visitors discover communities they later return to explore in greater depth. For many Great Lakes destinations, cruise tourism is becoming an important gateway for introducing travelers to places they may never have considered visiting before.
Investing in Relationships That Strengthen the Industry
One theme consistently surfaces throughout Sally's career: tourism is built on relationships. From mentors who helped her navigate unfamiliar areas of the industry to the connections she now creates through webinars, trade events, and industry education, she believes sharing knowledge strengthens the entire tourism ecosystem. Helping new professionals build confidence today creates stronger collaborators for tomorrow.
Looking ahead, Sally is optimistic about the future of the Great Lakes region. As travelers seek authentic experiences beyond traditional gateway destinations, the region offers abundant natural beauty, vibrant communities, rich history, and distinctive cultural experiences. By continuing to invest in partnerships, sustainability, and destination stewardship, Great Lakes communities are positioning themselves for long-term success while demonstrating that the strongest destinations are the ones that work together.
Resources:
Website: greatlakesusa.org
Website: cruisethegreatlakes.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-davis-berry/

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I host a special Community Conversation featuring Patrick Kaler, President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara; Tony Snell-Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion at Visit Milwaukee; Steven Coyle, Director of Government Relations for Transportation Policy at the American Bus Association; and Hillarie Logan-Dechene, Deputy Director of The Wild Center. Together, they explore the many dimensions of advocacy in the tourism industry, from legislative engagement and community partnerships to storytelling, relationship building, and cross-sector collaboration. Their conversation demonstrates that effective advocacy isn't just about influencing policy—it's about creating trust, building authentic partnerships, and helping communities understand tourism's value as a driver of economic growth and quality of life.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:
Why advocacy extends far beyond government relations and begins with building authentic relationships
How destination organizations, attractions, and industry associations are using collaboration to strengthen tourism's voice
What role storytelling plays in helping elected officials, residents, and stakeholders understand tourism's economic impact
How community engagement and resident sentiment are becoming key measures of destination success
Why partnerships across sectors create stronger advocacy efforts and more resilient communities
How research, data, and personal stories work together to influence decision-makers
What practical steps tourism professionals can take to become stronger advocates within their own communities
Advocacy Begins with Relationships
Throughout the conversation, one message rises above the rest: successful advocacy starts long before asking for support. Whether working with elected officials, community organizations, business leaders, or residents, each panelist emphasizes that trust is built through consistent relationships, active listening, and genuine collaboration.
Rather than approaching advocacy as a series of requests, the panel explores how tourism organizations can position themselves as community partners. By understanding shared priorities and working toward mutual goals, destinations are able to demonstrate that tourism benefits far more than visitors—it strengthens local economies, supports small businesses, creates jobs, and enhances quality of life for residents.
Using Stories and Data to Demonstrate Tourism's Value
While economic impact numbers remain an essential advocacy tool, the panel discusses why statistics alone are rarely enough. Effective advocacy combines measurable data with compelling human stories that help decision-makers understand tourism's real-world impact.
The guests share examples of how visitor spending supports local businesses, creates employment opportunities, reduces the tax burden for residents, and generates long-term community investment. They also explore how personalized examples—from small business testimonials to resident feedback—can transform large economic figures into meaningful stories that resonate with legislators, community leaders, and stakeholders alike.
Building Stronger Destinations Through Cross-Sector Collaboration
One of the strongest themes throughout the discussion is the importance of looking beyond traditional tourism partnerships. The panel encourages organizations to collaborate with museums, transportation providers, nonprofits, healthcare institutions, educational organizations, chambers of commerce, neighborhood groups, and local businesses to build stronger advocacy networks.
The guests share how these relationships not only strengthen individual organizations but also create more resilient destinations capable of addressing community priorities together. Whether developing new programs, supporting accessibility initiatives, attracting meetings and events, or advocating for infrastructure investments, they demonstrate that tourism is most successful when it is viewed as a shared community asset. By embracing collaboration over competition, destinations can amplify their impact, strengthen public trust, and ensure tourism continues to deliver lasting benefits for visitors and residents alike.
Resources:
Website: https://travelalliancepartnership.com/
Patrick Kaler
Website: https://visitbuffalo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickkaler/
Tony Snell-Rodriguez
Website: https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-snell-rodriguez/
Steven Coyle
Website: https://www.buses.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steventcoyle/
Hillarie Logan-Dechene
Website: https://www.wildcenter.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillarie-logan-dechene-2bb8aa18/

On this episode of Destination on the Left, we bring you Part 2 of our Roadshow series recorded live at the 2026 Taste of Place Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. Hosted by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with Explore Edmonton, the Summit brought together destination leaders, economic development professionals, and tourism organizations exploring how culinary tourism can strengthen local economies and create more distinctive destination identities.
Through conversations with Ellen Walker-Matthews, Elaine Zedack, Eiblis Doherty, Ceri Chong, and Bryanna Kumpula-Yung, we explore how collaboration serves as the foundation for successful culinary tourism, connecting producers, businesses, communities, and visitors into experiences that are greater than the sum of their parts.

In this episode, you'll hear from these extraordinary leaders:
Ellen Walker-Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-walker-matthews-6951ab4/
Elaine Zedack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-zedack/
Eiblis Doherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eiblis-doherty/
Ceri Chong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cerij/
Bryanna Kumpula-Yung: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryannakumpula/
Collaboration Is the Foundation of Culinary Tourism
One of the strongest themes throughout these conversations is that successful culinary tourism rarely happens in isolation. While exceptional farms, restaurants, and producers may draw visitors on their own, destinations create lasting impact when they intentionally connect those individual experiences into a cohesive visitor journey.
Ellen Walker-Matthews shares how the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association views culinary and agritourism as foundational to its destination strategy. Through readiness programs, partnerships between operators, and collaborative experience development, the region is helping visitors understand not only where food comes from, but also the relationships between farms, vineyards, Indigenous foodways, and the landscape itself. Across the episode, guests demonstrate how destination organizations can act as conveners, creating opportunities for businesses to work together in ways that benefit both visitors and local communities.
Food Creates a Stronger Sense of Place
Beyond great meals, culinary tourism serves as a powerful storytelling tool that helps destinations express their identity. Elaine Zedack explains how Pittsburgh uses food to celebrate its distinct neighborhoods, immigrant heritage, and blue-collar history while embracing the city's continued evolution. Local food experiences become a form of placemaking, allowing visitors to better understand the people and cultures that have shaped a destination over time.
Ceri Chong shares a similar approach in Richmond, British Columbia, where the destination's culinary story is built around Asian dining, fresh seafood, and local agriculture. Through events, partnerships with fishers and restaurants, and immersive waterfront experiences, Tourism Richmond is creating opportunities for visitors to engage directly with the people and industries that define the community. These conversations reinforce that food is one of the most accessible ways to experience the character and heritage of a place.
Creating the Conditions for Local Businesses to Thrive
Several guests emphasize that one of the most valuable roles destination organizations can play is helping local businesses succeed together rather than independently. Eiblis Doherty describes her role as a facilitator, connecting operators, encouraging collaboration, and helping businesses develop visitor-ready experiences that might not happen without someone bringing the right people together.
Bryanna Kumpula-Yung expands on this idea by sharing how Leduc County is investing in networking opportunities, food trails, business education, and a new local food hub that makes it easier for producers, restaurants, and consumers to connect. Rather than focusing solely on marketing, these initiatives strengthen the local ecosystem behind the visitor experience. Together, the guests demonstrate that sustainable culinary tourism depends on building relationships, removing barriers, and creating the infrastructure that allows communities, businesses, and destinations to grow together.
Resources:
Ellen Walker-Matthews
Website: https://www.totabc.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-walker-matthews-6951ab4/
Elaine Zedack
Website: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-zedack/
Eiblis Doherty
Website: https://www.strathcona.ca/tourism/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eiblis-doherty/
Ceri Chong
Website: https://www.visitrichmondbc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cerij/
Bryanna Kumpula-Yung
Website: https://www.leduccountybusiness.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryannakumpula/