Love2Lead

In Episode 6 of Love2Lead, Al and Aaron are joined by Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA, for a conversation on leadership, partnership, and the power of travel to connect people and communities.With decades of experience across the tourism and destination marketing industry, Fred reflects on what it takes to lead through change, build alignment across stakeholders, and champion the United States on the global stage. He shares perspective on the importance of collaboration, innovation, and storytelling in strengthening the travel industry and driving meaningful impact.The episode also the role of destination leaders in supporting local economies, and the opportunities ahead for the next generation of tourism professionals. Fred offers thoughtful advice on staying curious, building strong relationships, learning from challenges, and leading with purpose.Thanks to our sponsors: PCMA, Longwoods International, Tourism Economics, and SearchWide Global.

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.

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.

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

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

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, Tourism Economics, PCMA, Longwoods International

In the debut episode of Love2Lead, Al and Aaron sit down with PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat and PCMA Board Chair Kelly Ricker for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, growth, and the lessons that shaped their journeys to the top of the business events and tourism industry. Together, they share practical guidance, hard-earned insights, and perspectives on leading organizations through change.Our Guests: Sherrif Karamat, CAE, is President and Chief Executive Officer of PCMA, where he also serves as President of the PCMA Foundation and Publisher of Convene magazine. He leads PCMA’s global vision and growth strategy, advancing the business events industry as a driver of economic, social, and professional impact. Kelly Ricker is Chief Operating Officer of GTIA, the only vendor-neutral, non-profit trade association for the global IT channel, representing more than 2,000 member companies. She oversees education, research, events, and operations, bringing deep expertise in association leadership shaped by senior roles at the American Academy of Neurology and CompTIA.Thanks as well to our sponsors: ⁠PCMA⁠⁠, Tourism Economics⁠,⁠ ⁠Longwoods International, SearchWide Global⁠⁠

Love2Lead brings together Al Hutchinson, a veteran leader with 30 years of experience in destination marketing organizations, and award-winning podcast host Aaron Dante. Each episode explores what strong, effective leadership looks like in the tourism industry through conversations with accomplished leaders and professionals. The show breaks down core leadership principles, practical strategies, and real-life experiences that have shaped successful careers, offering listeners clear takeaways they can apply to their own leadership journeys.