392: How To Secure Permanent Funding For Your Destination with Rochelle Hicks

In this episode, Adam sits down with Rochelle Hicks, director of tourism at Visit Mississippi, to uncover the secrets of securing permanent destination marketing funding. Rochelle shares her valuable insights and hands-on strategies for building sustainable financial models that transformed Visit Mississippi's budget from $2 million to $17 million. Learn how to navigate complex funding landscapes, find untapped resources, and build long-term financial stability that extends beyond annual appropriations and changing tourism trends. If you're ready to transform your destination's financial future, this episode is a must-listen! 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Adam introduces his latest innovation, a technology designed to solve the disconnect between destinations and their stakeholders. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Adam sits down with Eric Knopsnyder, the Director of Public Relations and Community Outreach at Go Laurel Highlands. They discuss the changing world of PR, where the roles of journalists and content creators increasingly overlap, emphasizing the significance of relationship capital in building strong community partnerships. Gain insights on strategic outreach, developing engaging stories, and experimenting with new media to enhance the success of your marketing efforts. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Adam sits down with Mike Testa, President and CEO of Visit Sacramento, to explore how a challenger destination can evolve into a national tourism leader. Mike reveals how Sacramento transitioned from a convention-reliant city into a vibrant, multifaceted destination through bold strategic moves—like establishing the first Tourism Improvement District, launching nationally recognized music festivals, and claiming its title as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. This episode unpacks how strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and a refusal to settle for the status quo can reposition a city, elevate community pride, and drive long-term tourism growth. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Adam sits down with Ryan French of the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association and Charity Toombs of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail to uncover powerful strategies for state-level organizations and local DMOs to work together. This episode reveals how statewide initiatives, like the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, can serve as significant drivers for tourism and how local DMOs can leverage these programs to maximize the visitor experience and economic impact. Discover how open communication and smart partnerships can turn broad campaigns into tangible local revenue and enhanced visitor experiences. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast, we're bringing you Adam's live keynote from the 2025 PRSA Conference.This talk tackles one of the industry’s toughest truths: playing it safe might be the biggest risk of all. Adam dives into what it really means to evolve as a destination marketer, drawing lessons from icons like Kodak and Blockbuster to bold moves in places like Myrtle Beach and Kazakhstan. You’ll hear provocative questions, surprising parallels, and a call to action for marketers ready to challenge the status quo and think beyond quarterly metrics. If you’re tired of “safe,” this one’s for you.

In this episode, Adam welcomes Kevin Boyle, General Manager of Seaside, Florida, to discuss creating unparalleled destination experiences through authentic lifestyle brands. Kevin shares his unique journey from college comedian to destination expert, and how his experience has helped him understand what visitors truly want from their stay. He also reveals how Seaside has meticulously crafted a choreographed visitor experience and why innovative brand partnerships prove there is more to a lifestyle brand than just merchandise. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this week’s episode, Adam talks with Matt Libber, Executive Director of the Maryland SoccerPlex, about the impact of sports tourism on destinations. Matt shares his journey and offers DMOs advice on building strong partnerships with facilities and event operators, navigating challenges, and maximizing sports' economic and community benefits. He also emphasizes the importance of advocating for tourism funding with elected officials. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Adam sits down for a solo episode packed with insights on the key trends shaping destination marketing today. From the accelerating adoption of AI and its impact on the industry to the growing importance of stakeholder communication and innovative content strategies, this episode provides a roadmap for DMOs in 2025. Explore the necessity of calculated risk-taking, the value of owned media, and the importance of engaging both visitors and local communities in a rapidly changing world. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Adam joins Brand Revolt Production Manager, Matt Henson, to discuss Matt’s background in destination marketing and content production. Matt shares his insights on the importance of high-quality content creation, his experience working with destinations like Wrangell, Alaska, and his transition to the agency world. Learn practical tips for capturing effective video, audio, and photography, and how a 'content first' approach can amplify your destination's marketing efforts. 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 Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt’s services, please email ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.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]⁠⁠⁠.