MARK MOHAMMADPOUR, TRAVEL AND TOURISM KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND TEAM FACILITATOR
Build Healthy, Confident, and Connected Travel and Tourism Teams
Mark helps teams at hotels, destinations, and travel organizations perform at their best for their customers.
Trusted by travel, tourism, and events organizations:
“Mark's keynote presentation was exactly what we were looking for and got our event off to a pitch-perfect start. His message is broad enough to connect with a variety of audiences, but specific enough so that everyone leaves with practical takeaways.”
— Todd Probus, Director of Member Solutions, National Tour Association
About Mark
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A former communication executive who led award-winning teams and strategy for global brands like Microsoft, Adobe, and Amazon, and who has naturally lost and kept off 150 pounds over 15 years, Mark Mohammadpour combines Fortune 50 leadership experience with certified health coaching expertise.
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Mark has worked with hospitality leaders, travel associations, and destination organizations, including Holland America Line, and he understands that the guest experience is only as strong as the team delivering it.
He builds his sessions around the real dynamics of hospitality culture: high seasonality, often undervalued frontline teams, and leaders who are expected to inspire and retain people under the toughest operating conditions in the service industry.
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His keynote conversations blend full attendee engagement, actionable insights, and current research. Today, his most requested topics. Leading with Empathy, The Buoyant Leader, and Lead a Culture of Well-being, are built around one belief: healthy employees are your greatest competitive advantage.
Who We Help
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The Goal: Aligning stakeholders and community partners under a unified vision.
The Result: A resilient destination brand and stronger community advocacy.
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The Goal: Reducing frontline turnover and "Seasonal Burnout."
The Result: Improved guest reviews and lower contract labor/recruiting costs.
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The Goal: Maintaining team cohesion during high-stress, high-execution windows.
The Result: Flawless execution and a "Hero-focused" event culture.
What We Address
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A workforce defined by customer-first thinking, with self-care as a luxury.
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Destination teams are fighting for budget, staff, and recognition all at once.
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Seasonal stress that never really ends, just rotates.
“Mark was easy to work with, highly collaborative, communicative and open to feedback. He was happy to meet virtually, as many times as needed, to ensure his message and takeaways were in line with our brand and audience.”
— Taylor Smith, Meetings Today
How to work with Mark:
Keynote Conversation
Start here. An interactive session built around your people and your industry. 45 to 90 minutes, steeped in data, insights, humor, and engagement. Your audience walks out with something they can use the same day.
Team Facilitation & Offsites
Go deeper. Mark sits with your team and names what's been going unsaid. No personality colors. No letter types. No trust falls. Half-day, full-day, or multi-day. You leave with a written plan: decisions, owners, dates.
The Three-Point Impact™
Make it stick. Mark’s signature program. Includes one keynote, a facilitated team session, and follow-up coaching on priority topics. This is a long-term investment that builds healthy, confident, and connected teams.
Keynote Conversation Topics
The four facilitation topics teams ask for most.
Any theme below can run as a half-day, full-day, or multi-day offsite. Mark builds the agenda around what your team actually needs.
“I HIGHLY recommend Mark for a keynote or workshop leader for any group looking for tactical, practical, and hands-on tips to become a better leader.”
— Liz Lathan, Club Ichi
Contact Mark about your event.
Email Mark at mark@chasingthesunpdx.com, call him at 360.609.1077, or fill out the form below.
Mark will respond to you within one business day.
Frequently asked questions:
Do you speak at travel agent and travel advisor conferences?
Yes. Mark speaks at travel advisor conferences, host agency events, consortia meetings, and tour operator gatherings. He builds each session around what advisors are dealing with that year, whether that is supplier pressure, booking swings, or the strain of being on call for clients who are already traveling.
What does a travel industry speaker need to understand about this business?
That the work never really stops. Guests travel on weekends and holidays, problems happen in other time zones, and the person solving them is often alone. Mark builds sessions around that reality instead of offering general advice about balance that assumes a nine-to-five job.
What topics does Mark cover as a tourism industry speaker?
Team communication, burnout during peak season, building confidence in frontline staff, and keeping good people through the season instead of rehiring every spring. Sessions are interactive. Attendees answer live polls and leave with one change they can make that week.
How can tourism organizations reduce frontline turnover during peak season?
By fixing what staff are quietly frustrated by rather than adding another perk. Mark helps teams write down how they will communicate during the busiest weeks: who covers what, when it is fair to say no, and what support looks like at nine on a Saturday night. Clear rules beat encouragement.
Why does employee well-being affect the guest experience?
In travel, the employee is the brand. A tired, unsupported team gives shorter answers and takes fewer extra steps, and guests feel it immediately. When staff feel backed up by their leaders, customer ratings and repeat bookings follow.
Do you work with DMOs and CVBs?
Yes. Destination marketing organizations and convention and visitors bureaus bring Mark in for staff retreats, board sessions, and annual meetings. The work usually centers on aligning a small team that has to represent an entire community, often with more stakeholders than employees.
Can Mark speak during peak travel season?
Yes, though the calendar fills early. For travel and tourism keynotes, the typical lead time is six to eight weeks. For conferences during high season, three to four months gives everyone more room to build the session properly.
How much does a travel or tourism keynote cost?
The fee depends on the format, the length of the session, travel, and whether you add a follow-up workshop or coaching. Email mark@chasingthesunpdx.com with your date, location, and audience size, and you will have a number back within one business day.
Where is Mark based, and does he travel?
Mark is based in Portland, Oregon, and travels nationally and internationally. He has worked with travel and tourism organizations across the United States, including clients outside the mainland.