04/25/2026
The MS in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management Program, The George Washington University School of Business, with its 50 years of history and legacy in graduate education, has been engaging the industry powerhouse leaders and industry icons by inviting them as guest speakers in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. More recently, it was a great honor to host two incomparable industry icons, Dean, CEO of Explore St. Louis, and Leah Chandler, CDME, CMO of Brand USA, as guest speakers in my TSTD 6263 Destination Marketing class.
It was an incredible learning experience for my students. It was so engaging and insightful. Brad and Leah shared their perspectives on the practical implications of the marketing management philosophies in the context of destination marketing and management under different cultural settings and at different administrative levels. In Brad Dean’s words, “Their (students’) questions were sharp. Their thinking was bold. Their enthusiasm was undeniable.” In my words, the perspectives of the guest speakers are visionary, insightful, forward-looking, and even revolutionary.
The key takeaway noted by one student, Naomi Horna Young, “The best destination marketing professionals don't just promote places. They transform them. Seeing that kind of passion and expertise shared with graduate students like me is exactly why I love this field. … Brad put it best: "our industry's future isn't just bright. It's about to be reimagined."
It is a pleasure to see our students engaging so deeply with the industry’s top minds. This is what experiential learning looks like at the Master of Science in Tourism Hospitality and Event Management, The George Washington University School of Business.
... we prioritize bringing the "real world" into the classroom. When leaders like Brad Dean and Leah Chandler, CDME, share their expertise, it doesn't just provide a lesson—it provides a roadmap for the next generation of destination marketing professionals.
Thank you, Brad Dean and Leah Chandler, CDME, for your availability out of your busy schedule. I am greatly honored to have you in my Destination Marketing class. Your insights on resilience—from Puerto Rico’s recovery to the evolving role of DMOs—remind us that our industry doesn’t just sell travel; it drives transformation. You are truly powerhouse industry leaders and icons.
