Dec 9, 2025
Newport Beach looks luxurious from the outside — but its secret sauce is heart, identity, and a fiercely intentional brand strategy.
On #NoVacancyNews, I teamed up with my Friday Night Audit partner-in-crime Craig Sullivan to talk with Gary Sherwin, CEO of Visit Newport Beach, about how one of America’s most aspirational coastal cities keeps its charm, avoids the “sea of sameness,” and delivers the version of Southern California people dream about.
A big thanks to Actabl — Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
Here’s what we
cover:
🌴: How Newport Beach built a destination brand that hotels actually
use
💼: Why 100% locally owned hotels strengthen the community’s
identity
🏖️: How Newport avoids the “two people holding hands on a beach”
cliché trap
💡: Why luxury now means accessible, customized, and never
stuffy
🎯: How the city stays true to its brand promise across every
neighborhood
🎨: Why in-house creative helps the DMO avoid homogenized
marketing
🎄: How “50 Days of Festive Fun” became a massive holiday
driver
🍽️: The rise of high-end dining, RH’s splashy opening, and what’s
coming next
🏆: Why taking creative risks beats playing it safe — every time
Question for you:
What U.S. destination delivers the experience you imagined before you arrived?