Danielle Borja of Visit Conejo Valley On How To Create A Travel Experience That Keeps People Coming Back For More

An Interview With Savio P. Clemente

Leave Them Wanting More — Create compelling reasons for guests to return. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum regularly rotates special exhibits, offering fresh experiences alongside signature attractions like Air Force One and The Oval Office. Meanwhile, outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 500 miles of trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, providing endless opportunities for adventure.

As part of my series about “How To Create A Travel Experience That Keeps People Coming Back For More”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Danielle Borja.

Danielle Borja is the President/CEO for the Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District, the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation.

She oversees the tourism efforts of Visit Conejo Valley that promotes overnight stays in the cities of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills at 16 different lodging properties and leads one of largest Chambers in the state of California with over 900 business members. With a goal of increasing tourism and enhancing visitor experience, Borja offers creative and unique ideas to elevate Conejo Valley’s profile.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

After my time in the private sector as an event planner and marketing professional, the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce was my first introduction to the nonprofit sector. I quickly applied my event and marketing expertise to elevate the Chamber’s brand, collaborating closely with our President/CEO, Jill Lederer, on initiatives such as the formation of our tourism district, Visit Conejo Valley. Little did I know, this collaboration and experience would prepare me to take the helm of both organizations following Jill’s retirement in 2019.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

In late 2019, our President/CEO called me into her office where she disclosed her impending retirement plans and expressed her desire for me to succeed her in the role leading Visit Conejo Valley and the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Less than 90 days into the new role, I was faced with a global pandemic and the most stringent statewide business and travel restrictions in a role responsible for increasing overnight hotel stays.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

To increase traffic at one of our shopping centers, I came up with the idea of using a pond on the property for kids to drive remote-controlled sailboats during the summer. My regional team loved the idea, and a week later, I pitched the concept to the CEO with a branded sailboat in the middle of the boardroom table. We received the green light immediately.

What I didn’t anticipate was the interference caused by multiple sailboats operating simultaneously and the fact that hobby store sailboats weren’t designed for prolonged commercial use. Determined to bring the program to life, my team and my husband rallied to troubleshoot the issues, but it was not smooth sailing. We ended up setting up a kiosk with multiple charging stations and a boat repair area because the sailboats constantly broke down. Despite the challenges, it built a strong sense of camaraderie among our small team, and it was hard to contain our laughter when a team member had to wade into the pond to retrieve yet another broken-down sailboat.

I learned that having a great concept is one thing, but successfully implementing it is quite another. From that experience, I realized the importance of doing my due diligence before pitching programs, including engaging with team members from the operations team to ensure successful execution.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

My career path has been profoundly influenced by two extraordinary mentors, Rick Lemmo and Jill Lederer. While in college, I secured an internship at a regional mall but lost it just a week later when the property was sold. Soon after, I received a call at my restaurant job from Rick Lemmo, who had heard about my situation from the former GM. He invited me for coffee to discuss a potential internship. That meeting led to an internship at Caruso, which became my first professional role as a corporate event planner. Rick’s continued mentorship opened doors to future career opportunities, including a return to Caruso and my role at the Chamber.

Having your parents believe in you is one thing, but having a corporate VP show ten times the confidence in you than you have in yourself is something else entirely. A decade later, when I took over the Chamber, Jill Lederer shared that same unwavering confidence in my abilities, providing an opportunity I might never have pursued on my own.

Thank you for that. Let’s jump to the core of our discussion. Can you share with our readers about the innovations that you are bringing to the travel and hospitality industries?

One of the innovations coming to our region, aligned with eco-tourism, is the construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the bridge from different outlook points and learn about the unique ecosystem in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Which “pain point” are you trying to address by introducing this innovation and how do you envision that this might disrupt the status quo?

The purpose of the project is to create a safe and sustainable passage for wildlife across eight lanes of the 101 freeway. Once completed, it will be the largest wildlife crossing in the world.

As you know, COVID-19 changed the world as we know it. Can you share a few examples of how travel and hospitality companies will be adjusting over the next five years to the new ways that consumers will prefer to travel?

Hotels are increasingly catering to the enduring trend of pet-friendly travel and the demand for expanded outdoor spaces and diverse culinary options. In Thousand Oaks, the Hyatt Regency Westlake is introducing The Drop Yard, an outdoor food truck park where visitors can enjoy a relaxed, pet-friendly environment with live entertainment, oversized games, and innovative food truck offerings. Across town, the Palm Garden Hotel has unveiled a sophisticated dining option, Selvin’s Restaurant & Lounge, featuring signature dishes like seared scallop risotto, inspired by the California Coast.

You are a “travel insider.” How would you describe your “perfect vacation experience”?

For me, the perfect vacation strikes the right balance between relaxation and adventure. My family of five is headed to Kauai, where we plan to enjoy a tubing adventure down historic plantation canals, take a local shelter dog out for a field trip, snorkel, and spend plenty of time relaxing both on the beach and by the pool. When we travel to beachside destinations, we value direct water access and expansive pool areas, with bonus points if there are water slides.

That said, the perfect vacation experience varies for everyone, and that’s the beauty of travel. Every destination offers the chance to customize your experience, whether you’re seeking non-stop adventure, a tranquil retreat, or something in between — where most of us find ourselves.

Travel is not always about escaping but about connecting. Have you made efforts to cultivate a more wellness-driven experience? We’d love to hear about it.

Conejo Valley has definitely seen an expanded selection of wellness-driven experiences. King Gillette Ranch now offers “Yoga on the Mountain” monthly, set in a picturesque oak grove near their visitor center, complete with live acoustic music. At Halo Salt Spa in Thousand Oaks, guests can relax with their feet in the sand while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of salt walls that promote better breathing, healthier skin, and improved sleep patterns. For those seeking a true retreat, Heaven’s Hill Estate in Old Agoura features a spacious teepee and an oversized yoga platform overlooking a family-owned vineyard known for producing Napa-quality wines.

Based on your experience and success, what are the five most important things one should know in order to create a travel experience that keeps bringing people back for more?

1. Authentic Local Experiences — Travelers crave unique, localized experiences they don’t have access to back home. For example, take a two-hour guided tour of Apricot Lane Farms, famously featured in “The Biggest Little Farm.” Explore how they harness the interconnectedness of nature to enhance soil health, boost biodiversity, and grow nutrient-dense foods. During the educational tour, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the 234-acre farm and meet an array of residents, including pigs, chickens, sheep, ducks, goats, and their guardian dogs.
2. A Memorable Meal — Culinary experiences often define our travel memories. Cedro Italian Restaurant in Thousand Oaks, recently recommended by the Michelin Guide, is known for its exquisite Ossobuco served over tender saffron risotto, making it a must-try for food enthusiasts.
3. Personalized Service — Attention to detail in service can transform a stay. Hotels should seize every opportunity to personalize guest experiences, whether in person or through technology. Digital check-in and mobile keys streamline the process, providing unmatched convenience. Once guests are settled, staff can use messaging tools in the app or via text to stay connected and attentive.
4. Comforts of Home — True comfort extends beyond just a good night’s sleep. The Courtyard by Marriott in Agoura Hills ensures a restful stay with ergonomic desk chairs in all guest rooms and soundproof windows for a peaceful night.
5. Leave Them Wanting More — Create compelling reasons for guests to return. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum regularly rotates special exhibits, offering fresh experiences alongside signature attractions like Air Force One and The Oval Office. Meanwhile, outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 500 miles of trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, providing endless opportunities for adventure.

Can you share with our readers how you have used your success to bring goodness to the world?

Having benefited from the guidance of mentors, I’m passionate about giving back to our local youth. I’ve hosted summer interns and connected students with employers through a job readiness program. I also participate annually in our community’s youth summit, providing students with networking and job shadowing opportunities to help them explore their career paths.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I envision a one-day interactive financial literacy course for every high school student in the United States. This course would offer hands-on activities that teach essential skills in money management, investing, understanding debt instruments, and setting financial goals.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Connect with me on LinkedIn and follow Visit Conejo Valley on IG, Facebook and TikTok.

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

About The Interviewer:Savio P. Clemente, TEDx speaker and Stage 3 cancer survivor, infuses transformative insights into every article. His journey battling cancer fuels a mission to empower survivors and industry leaders towards living a truly healthy, wealthy, and wise lifestyle. As a Board-Certified Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC, ACC), Savio guides readers to embrace self-discovery and rewrite narratives by loving their inner stranger, as outlined in his acclaimed TEDx talk: “7 Minutes to Wellness: How to Love Your Inner Stranger.” From his best-selling book to his impactful work as a media journalist covering resilience and wellness trends with notable celebrities and TV personalities, Savio’s words touch countless lives. His philosophy, “to know thyself is to heal thyself,” resonates in every piece.