In this episode of Fast Forward STL, host Keith Alper speaks with Brad Dean, president and CEO of Explore St. Louis. From leading tourism growth in Puerto Rico to now driving conventions, meetings, concerts, and major events in St. Louis, Brad is helping shape the future of St. Louis as one of America’s great destination cities. Tune in to hear lessons learned through his previous roles in Puerto Rico and Myrtle Beach, what he loves about St. Louis, what he’s accomplished so far and what’s ahead, and what it will take to move the region forward. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-18

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i 

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079 

This episode is sponsored by Fast Forward STL Live. Join host Keith Alper on September 16 for a discussion about the business of sports in St. Louis as he interviews an all-star panel, featuring Carolyn Kindle, St. Louis CITY SC; Chris Zimmerman, St. Louis Blues; Anuk Karunaratne, St. Louis Cardinals; Brad Dean, Explore St. Louis; and Marc Schreiber, St. Louis Sports Commission. Get tickets.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. 

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com. 

In this episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/">Fast Forward STL</a>, host Keith Alper speaks with&nbsp;Brad Dean, president and CEO of Explore St. Louis. From leading tourism growth in Puerto Rico to now driving conventions, meetings, concerts, and major events in St. Louis, Brad is helping shape the future of St. Louis as one of America&rsquo;s great destination cities. Tune in to hear lessons learned through his previous roles in Puerto Rico and Myrtle Beach, what he loves about St. Louis, what he&rsquo;s accomplished so far and what&rsquo;s ahead, and what it will take to move the region forward. Watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL">YouTube</a>, and listen on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa">Spotify</a>, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.
<blockquote></blockquote>
See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-18
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&amp;si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i&nbsp;
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/fast-forward-stl-live/">Fast Forward STL Live</a>.&nbsp;Join host Keith Alper on September 16 for a discussion about the business of sports in St. Louis as he interviews an all-star panel, featuring Carolyn Kindle, St. Louis CITY SC; Chris Zimmerman, St. Louis Blues; Anuk Karunaratne, St. Louis Cardinals; Brad Dean, Explore St. Louis; and Marc Schreiber, St. Louis Sports Commission.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/fast-forward-stl-live/">Get tickets.</a>
New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/
Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.&nbsp;
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.&nbsp;

Fast Forward STL is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, “I didn’t know that.” From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city’s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.

Fast Forward STL&nbsp;is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know that.&rdquo; From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city&rsquo;s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.