Featuring Lori Pepenella, Southern Ocean County / Long Beach Island

In this episode of Field Notes, Eric Hultgren sits down live in Atlantic City at the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association Conference with Lori Pepenella, a longtime tourism leader representing Southern Ocean County and the Long Beach Island region.

This conversation explores what it really takes to grow a destination when geography, seasonality, weather, and history all impose real limits—and why education, authenticity, and resilience are the most durable tools travel marketers have.

From Superstorm Sandy to COVID to the massive opportunities ahead with America’s 250th Anniversary and the World Cup, Laurie shares how New Jersey destinations prepare for peak moments without losing what makes them special—and how DMOs should think beyond banner years.

This episode is packed with practical insight for travel marketers navigating volatility, scale limits, and long-term destination stewardship.

🧠 Key Topics Covered

• Why tourism education is never “done”

• Leading through volatility: weather, transportation, and economic shifts

• Building destination growth without geographic expansion

• Authenticity as the foundation of sustainable tourism

• How small destinations innovate without overdevelopment

• Supporting generational businesses and local stakeholders

• Preparing for America’s 250th Anniversary and World Cup discovery moments

• Planning for the post-peak year (2027 and beyond)

• Conferences as engines for mentorship, ideas, and momentum

• Tourism as memory-making, empathy-building, and legacy work

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Field Notes (Live from Atlantic City)
00:45 – Reflecting on a year of tourism challenges and growth
01:45 – Education, certification & lifelong learning in tourism
03:15 – Resilience after Sandy, COVID & industry disruption
04:45 – Growing destinations that can’t physically scale
06:00 – Authenticity, community & finding your true niche
07:30 – Supporting small businesses and generational tourism
08:45 – Preparing for America’s 250th & the World Cup
10:00 – Creating peak-year memories that last decades
11:30 – Managing expectations after a banner tourism year
12:45 – What great conferences really deliver
14:00 – Closing thoughts on optimism, potential & legacy

🎧 About the Guest

Lori Pepenella is a veteran tourism leader representing Southern Ocean County and the Long Beach Island region in New Jersey. A pioneer in tourism education and certification, Laurie has played a critical role in guiding destinations through recovery, reinvention, and long-term growth—while preserving the character and authenticity that keep visitors returning for generations.

🌍 About the Podcast

Field Notes is a podcast for travel marketers, destination leaders, and tourism professionals focused on real conversations about strategy, storytelling, experience design, and the future of travel.

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📍 Recorded live at the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association Conference
🎤 Hosted by Eric Hultgren