In this episode of Traveling Tribes, host Jeff Gayduk sits down with Sally Davis Berry, Tourism Director for Great Lakes USA and Cruise the Great Lakes, to explore her remarkable journey through the group travel industry. From her early days at the Corning Museum of Glass to her leadership in promoting the Great Lakes region internationally, Sally shares practical lessons on cultivating group tours, mentoring newcomers, and adapting to the evolving tourism landscape. Discover how collaboration, creativity, and community continue to drive her passion for helping destinations thrive in the group and inbound travel markets.

Host Jeff Gayduk sits down with Ron Gulaskey, SVP of Sales at Margaritaville at Sea, to dive into the rise of this vibrant cruise brand and what makes it a unique choice for travelers and groups. Ron shares his fascinating journey from Polaroid to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and now Margaritaville at Sea, revealing insider stories about cruise line growth and innovation.

Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Margaritaville experience, from thoughtfully redesigned ships to personalized touches like custom towel animals and hand-crafted cocktails. Ron also explains why Margaritaville’s smaller, mid-sized ships are perfect for family reunions, affinity groups, and music charters, and how they stand apart from mega-ships with their welcoming vibe and flexible group policies.

Whether you’re a travel planner, a cruise enthusiast, or just ready to escape to paradise, this episode uncovers how Margaritaville at Sea blends the laid-back island lifestyle with exceptional guest service to create unforgettable vacations at sea.

In this episode, we sit down with Marica Mackenroth Brewster, CEO of Von Mack Agency, a travel-centric strategic marketing agency to explore how travel brands can achieve breakthroughs by embracing more strategic, scalable approaches. Marica shares real talk on influencer trends, overhyped AI, and why tourism pros need to prioritize operations before chasing trends. We discuss the evolution of content and building genuine creator partnerships. Tune in for a sharp, honest look at what’s working, what’s not, and how to build a future-ready tourism brand.