Hello, my fine friends in the destination marketing world!

Adam Stoker and I have been in the destination marketing industry for quite a while now, and we’ve seen impressive campaigns, seismic changes, and, let’s be honest, a few stubborn points of resistance. As the landscape has evolved and DMOs are being asked to do more with less, we’ve often found ourselves wondering: “Are we asking the right questions?” We know our industry is filled with talented people, strong opinions, and big ideas, but sometimes, those ideas need a space to stretch, clash, and get messy. That’s exactly why we created Destination Discourse.

We didn’t want just another destination marketing podcast. There are plenty of those already doing a great job at sharing best practices and celebrating wins. We needed a platform where we could roll up our sleeves, have the tough conversations, and get into the weeds on what’s working, what’s not, and why.

Destination Discourse isn’t a pat-on-the-back kind of show. It’s not about spotlighting polished campaigns and smooth success stories. It’s about pushing each other to dig deeper. It’s about sparking real debate, inspiring innovation, and, yes, sometimes stepping on a few toes to drive the industry forward. Adam and I want to create a space that goes beyond the standard industry echo chamber and tackles the questions we might be avoiding—things like, “Are we getting the strategy right but missing on the execution?” or “Are we focusing too much on brand and not enough on community value?”

Each week, we’ll be bringing in guests from every corner of the tourism world—whether they’re from the “dark side” of the vendor community or the “heroic” DMO side—to share their insights, challenge our thinking, and debate the big issues. We’re going to ask the hard questions, and we’re not always going to agree. But that’s the point. This isn’t about creating neat, packaged answers; it’s about sparking new ideas and changing the way we all approach the business of destination marketing.

Think of Destination Discourse as part love letter, part therapy session, and part user manual for anyone who touches the DMO world. We want this show to be a resource, a sounding board, and, most importantly, a catalyst for better decisions and braver strategies. If we can inspire just one DMO to try something new, question their current approach, or find a fresh way to tell their community’s story, then this show is a success.

But we don’t want to do it alone. That’s where you come in.

If there’s a burning topic you want us to tackle, a pressing issue in your own organization, or if you think you’ve got a point of view that’s going to shake things up, we want to hear from you. Whether you’re a DMO newbie, an industry veteran, or someone with a unique perspective, we’re looking for voices that aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Reach out to us, suggest a topic, or join us on the show as a guest. Let’s make this discourse as lively and impactful as it deserves to be.

Drop me a line at stuart.butler@visitmyrtlebeach.com or find us on LinkedIn. Your ideas could be the spark that lights the next big discussion in destination marketing.

Until next time, my friends—keep questioning, keep pushing, and let’s make our industry better, one discourse at a time.

– Stuart