The Road to Travel Jam

The road to Travel Jam is paved with lots of great music, amazing friends, and good times!

Watch the latest video: "That's What DMOs Are Made To Do."

What started in 2015 as a grassroots concert featuring Tempest's house band, has grown into a full-blown event featuring talented vocalists and musicians from across the travel and tourism industry. Check out the Convene article to learn more about the story behind Travel Jam. See how Gregg Shapiro, our President and Chief Creative Officer, was able to work with Destinations International to source talent and bring a mix of voices and musicians to the stage. 

We hope you enjoy these behind-the-scenes look at the road to Travel Jam featuring photos from live performances at Destinations International's Annual Conference, The Spirit of Hospitality, Destinations International Advocacy Summit, and Tempest's own Tourism Academy Conference. You'll see many familiar faces and guest appearances along the way! 

2020

Taking the Show Virtual

Along with many big events, the 2020 Destinations International Annual Convention pivoted to a virtual format this year. Even though the annual convention will be different, that can't stop the Destinations International House Band from putting on a show. The band will get back together again in 2020 to help connect people, raise everyone's spirits, and promote recovery through the healing powers of music!

As a teaser for the 2020 Travel Jam performance, check out this original tune "That's What DMOs Are Made To Do," featuring performers from across the industry. You can learn more about the spirit behind this song in PCMA's Convene Magazine.

2019

Opening Reception for Destinations International Annual Conference

We're honored to be featured in the October 2019 issue of Convene magazine. The article highlights the creative origin story behind Travel Jam, the performance that rocked the opening party of Destinations International 2019 Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO. 

The Travel Jam house band took the stage at Ballpark Village in St. Louis, MO before a crowd of 1,000-plus attendees at Destinations International Annual Conference. Check out these highlights from the band's rehearsal session, the excitement backstage, and the big performance.

Here's a clip from the Travel Jam band's rehearsal session. 

Rehearsing before taking the stage at the 2019 DI Annual Conference - Ballpark Village St. Louis, MO.
Craig Davis from VisitPITTSBURGH, rehearsing before the 2019 DI Annual Conference - Ballpark Village St. Louis, MO.
Temporary tattoos were a big hit backstage in the green room before playing at the 2019 DI Annual Conference - Ballpark Village St. Louis, MO.
Nani Almanza from the Monterey County CVB singing with the Travel Jam band at the 2019 DI Annual Conference - Ballpark Village St. Louis, MO.
Gregg Shapiro playing at the 2019 DI Annual Conference - Ballpark Village St. Louis, MO.
Adam Sacks from Tourism Economics, Toni Hopkins an event and meeting planner, and Gregg Shapiro from Tempest perform at the 2019 DI Annual Conference.
Jake Buganski from Tempest singing at the 2019 DI Annual Conference - Ballpark Village St. Louis, MO.

"The Party Formerly Known as Travel Jam" at Destinations International Annual Conference

"Travel Jam" has become part of the Destinations International opening reception. So when Tempest and a group of industry partners put on an an after party at The Tin Roof in St. Louis, we called it "The Party Formerly Known As." Here are a few highlights from this event where Tempest beach balls made a big splash.

"The Party Formerly Known as Travel Jam" - Tin Roof - St. Louis, MO
"The Party Formerly Known as Travel Jam" - Tin Roof - St. Louis, MO
Britt with Tempest and Toni Hopkins. Toni crushed a few metal tunes with the band at "The Party Formerly Known as Travel Jam" - Tin Roof - St. Louis, MO
Gregg Shapiro playing "The Party Formerly Known as Travel Jam" - Tin Roof - St. Louis, MO
Derek, Jake, Chelsea, Britt, and Jenny from Tempest at "The Party Formerly Known as Travel Jam" - Tin Roof - St. Louis, MO

Tourism Academy in Pittsburgh, PA

The Travel Jam house band played a classic rock themed set at Mike's Beer Bar during the Tourism Academy conference in Pittsburgh, PA. 

Brenda Hill from VisitPITTSBURGH sings lead vocals at the 2019 Tourism Academy - Mike's Beer Bar in Pittsburgh, PA.
Craig Davis from VisitPITTSBURGH at the 2019 Tourism Academy party at Mike's Beer Bar in Pittsburgh, PA.

Spirit of Hospitality in Washington D.C.

Members of the Travel Jam band were able to sit in and play a few tunes with the Pat McGee band at the Destinations International 2018 Spirit of Hospitality event in Washington, D.C. 

Adam Sacks from Tourism Economics and Gregg Shapiro from Tempest sitting in with the Pat McGee band at the 2018 Spirit of Hospitality event in Washington, D.C.

Tourism Academy in Louisville, KY

We had a rocking good time at Fourth Street Live during Tourism Academy in Louisville, KY. 

Jake Buganski from Tempest sings lead at 2018 Tourism Academy - Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, KY.
Tempest co-founder and CEO Alex Heimann hopped onstage with a few attendees for a tune at 2018 Tourism Academy - Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, KY.
Adam Sacks from Tourism Economics rocks out at 2018 Tourism Academy - Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, KY.

Destinations International Advocacy Summit in Philadelphia, PA

The Travel Jam band played the after party at The Raven Lounge for the 2018 Destinations International Advocacy Summit in Philadelphia, PA. 

The Travel Jam band at the 2018 Destinations International Advocacy Summit after party at The Raven Lounge - Philadelphia, PA
A close-up of Adam Sacks from Tourism Economics, who joined the band onstage at The Raven Lounge - Philadelphia, PA.

2017

2017 Destinations International Annual Conference in Montreal, QC

The Travel Jam band played Metropolis, a popular venue in Montreal, QC. The unique masquerade theme made this party one to remember!

The concert poster for the 2017 DI Annual Conference performance - Metropolis in Montreal, QC
The marquee at the 2017 DI Annual Conference - Metropolis in Montreal, QC
The band drew a great crowd at the 2017 DI Annual Conference - Metropolis in Montreal, QC.
Rocking out at the 2017 DI Annual Conference - Metropolis in Montreal, QC

Tourism Academy in Long Beach, CA

It was a blast to play at Federal Underground for the Tourism Academy conference in Long Beach, CA. This unique venue is in an old underground bank vault. 

Gregg Shapiro and Matt Kurke from Tempest take the stage at 2017 Tourism Academy - Federal Bar in Long Beach, CA.
Shane Osguthorpe from Visit Ogden played keys at 2017 Tourism Academy - Federal Bar in Long Beach, CA.
Jenny Rose from Tempest had some great stage antics while singing at 2017 Tourism Academy - Federal Bar in Long Beach, CA.
The set list from 2017 Tourism Academy - Federal Bar in Long Beach, CA.
Mark Lynch from Tempest belts one out at 2017 Tourism Academy - Federal Bar in Long Beach, CA.
Britt Brouse from Tempest contributed vocals at 2017 Tourism Academy - Federal Bar in Long Beach, CA.

2016

2016 Destinations International Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN

It was a thrill for the Travel Jam band to play at legendary First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN for the 2016 Destinations International Annual Conference. 

2016 DI Annual Conference - First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
Attendees take selfies at this famous venue! 2016 DI Annual Conference - First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
The Travel Jam band playing at 2016 DI Annual Conference - First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
DJ 3D spinning a set at the 2016 DI Annual Conference - First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
Jenny Rose from Tempest signing at 2016 DI Annual Conference - First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
The Travel Jam Band at 2016 DI Annual Conference - First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
The crowd was jumping at the 2016 DI Annual Conference - First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN

Tourism Academy in Philadelphia, PA

The Travel Jam Band kicked off with a rare acoustic set, before heating up with more hard rock at Chris' Jazz Cafe for Tourism Academy in Philadelphia, PA. 

Here's Jenny Rose fronting the Travel Jam band at 2016 Tourism Academy - Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, PA

2015

Destinations International Annual Conference in Austin, TX

The Travel Jam band played a few sets at Speakeasy in Austin, TX for the Destinations International Annual Conference.

2015 DI Annual Conference - Speakeasy in Austin, TX.
A conference attendee helps the band out with some vocals at the 2015 DI Annual Conference - Speakeasy in Austin, TX.
DJ 3D spun a set at the 2015 DI Annual Conference - Speakeasy in Austin, TX.
Getting the crowd involved at the 2015 DI Annual Conference - Speakeasy in Austin, TX.
Gregg Shapiro from Tempest shreds at the 2015 DI Annual Conference - Speakeasy in Austin, TX.

Tourism Academy in Minneapolis, MN

This is where it all started. The Travel Jam band played at the 2015 Tourism Academy conference in Minneapolis, MN. The venue was Hell's Kitchen, an underground bar and club. 

Gregg Shapiro from Tempest sings with Toni Hopkins, a conference attendee at 2015 Tourism Academy - Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.
Some more conference attendees stepped up to help on vocals at the 2015 Tourism Academy - Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

We hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane. Check out the full feature article in Convene magazine and look for the Travel Jam band at more upcoming travel and tourism events!