Symposium special: AI governance for DMOs and their leaders

I’m excited to introduce a series of new, special editions of the Future of Tourism podcast. These episodes are inspired by dynamic conversations from our first ever Executive Insights Symposium — which took place at Simpleview Summit 2025 this past April.

We begin by diving into a topic that has fundamentally changed and challenged the way we work. I’m talking about artificial intelligence (AI). Not only through the lens of its creative applications (you can find more about that here), but in how destination executives and leaders can ethically and effectively govern how their organizations use this nascent technology.

The accelerating influence of AI is ripe with possibility, but also with danger. Personally identifiable information, confidential data, technical security, and intellectual property are all at risk without the proper processes and protections in place.

My guest for this episode, Janette Roush, senior vice president of innovation and chief AI officer at Brand USA, is a force to be reckoned with. From her early work on Broadway as vice president of marketing for AKA NYC, to her time as executive vice president at NYC and CO — she conceptualizes of AI through a unique and unrivaled perspective and authority.

Together, we explore the urgent need for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and their leaders to take a step back and evaluate how they can strategically, intentionally, and ethically implement AI in their daily operations.

Let’s dig in.