Strategy Episodes

In this episode, Philippa Wagner, the Founder of People Places Spaces , and former head of 23 Lab at Ennismore , shares why the hotel industry's segmentation habit is breaking down, what the solo traveler actually wants, and why community can't be manufactured. Learn more about The Future Guest Report A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here . You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable ins...

In this episode, Ben Campbell, the President and CEO of Hospitality America, shares how he's navigating flat demand and rising costs by investing in data foundations and doubling down on both AI and human-led sales. You'll hear why he believes every piece of business has its own profitability, how his revenue management background shapes his strategy, and how the company's PEACH culture creates accountability and performance from the top down.

In this episode, Jan Freitag , National Director, Hospitality Analytics at CoStar Group , shares why the national forecast should be your starting point -- and gives specific things you can do to find growth this year. Links: "Tell Me More" Podcast by Jan Freitag & Isaac Collazo : Apple Podcasts or Spotify Read Jan's latest articles for CoStar Video: Teague Talks with Jan Freitag of CoStar Group Our previous conversation: Tariffs, Travel Disruption, and What Hotel Leaders Must Do Now - Jan Freit...

Josiah Mackenzie recaps his takeaways from ALIS 2026, including why some hotels continue to grow even as industry top-line performance plateaus and costs rise faster than inflation. You'll hear why operational discipline, service excellence, and clear plans for differentiation matter so much, and how pricing power is built through basics done exceptionally well. More: What I'm Looking For (At ALIS & Beyond) - Josiah Mackenzie How Luxury's Growth Is Reshaping Hospitality - Stuart Greif, Forbes Tr...

In this episode, Matthias Huettebraeuker and Josiah Mackenzie unpack what innovation actually means in hospitality, and why most efforts start in the wrong place. This conversation moves past trends to focus on first principles, specifically how designing around human needs creates more resilient, relevant hospitality businesses. Matthias shares a clear framework for rethinking hotels through convergence, fluidity, and versatility, with real-world examples from hospitality and beyond. Listeners ...

In this episode, Sarah Eustis , CEO of Main Street Hospitality , shares how she leads with what she calls “the box and the wavy line.” She explains how disciplined operating systems, clear SOPs, and financial rigor create the stability teams need in a volatile market. Sarah also breaks down why structure does not limit creativity and how it creates room for innovation, new concepts, and thoughtful growth. This conversation offers a practical leadership framework for hospitality executives balanc...

Rob Blood , founder and chairman of Lark , joins the show to reflect on the collapse of Sonder and what it revealed for owners, operators, brands, and technology companies. Drawing from firsthand experience working with properties affected, Rob explains where the master lease model broke down and why control and transparency matter when hotels operate at scale. The conversation explores the right role of technology in hospitality, the limits of venture-driven growth, and how strong partnerships ...

In this episode, host Josiah Mackenzie speaks with Jan Freitag (CoStar) and Jamie Lane (AirDNA): two of the most respected analysts in hospitality today. Together, they explore the state of the industry, from the convergence of hotels and short-term rentals to the forces shaping demand, supply, and traveler behavior. Hospitality leaders will gain insight into demand bifurcation, supply shortages -- as well as opportunities in loyalty, multi-generational travel, and differentiated assets. 🔗 Resou...

In this episode, STR President Amanda Hite shares why benchmarking still matters in a hospitality market that feels like it changes every month. Recorded at the 2025 Hotel Data Conference, this conversation explores the “golden rule” of benchmarking, why consistency matters more than the specific numbers, and how hotel leaders can grow market share even when overall demand is flat. You’ll hear how to cut through the noise of rapid change, focus on what you can control, and use performance data t...

In this episode, STR President Amanda Hite joins us to discuss the profitability pressures shaping hospitality in 2025, and what leaders can do about them. She explains why margins are shrinking despite strong demand, from ADR lagging behind inflation to rising labor costs, PIPs, and debt service challenges. Amanda also shares how STR’s new tools and global benchmarking capabilities are helping owners, operators, and brands align on data, make faster decisions, and protect the bottom line. This ...

Episode Overview In this episode, recorded August 7, 2025, STR President Amanda Hite shares the latest U.S. hotel performance forecast based on fresh market data. Speaking at the Hotel Data Conference, Hite explains why RevPAR growth in 2025 is projected to remain flat at –0.1%, with slightly negative demand growth and slowing ADR, particularly in upscale, upper midscale, and mid-tier select service hotels. Luxury remains a bright spot, but most chain scales face a turbulent six months ahead. Gu...

Scott Roby , President of Pacifica Hotels , shares how he's navigating the current economic environment by strategically cutting costs without sacrificing quality or guest experience. Also see: How Stories Unlock Success in Hospitality - Scott Roby Episode Overview In this episode, Scott Roby, President of Pacifica Hotels, shares insights on how he's navigating a tough hospitality market by strategically driving profitability through operational efficiency and creative engagement. Amidst soaring...

In this episode, Shozib Khan , VP of Hotel Performance and Analytics at Spire Hospitality , shares what he calls "the people side of data" and his approach to freeing hoteliers from being overwhelmed by reports, empowering them to focus on their guests and support their teams. Learn more about ProfitSword by Actabl - the tool Shozib mentioned several times in the show. Also see: The Chemistry Major Who Makes Hotels Better, One Data Point at a Time: Shozib Khan, Spire Hospitality Episode Overview...

In this episode, Sarah McCay Tams , Head of Editorial at Actabl , joins Josiah Mackenzie to discuss the launch of HotelData.com and insights from their new 2025-2026 budgeting guide. The conversation explores how hotels are managing a gap between budgeted and actual RevPAR performance, while maintaining ADR discipline and successfully hitting gross operating profit targets through strategic cost management. Sarah also shares her journey from radio journalism to hospitality media and explains how...

In this episode, Chris Kluis, VP of Product Operations & Data at Actabl, discusses his family's unique history with artificial intelligence, how early curiosity sparked his career journey, and why experimentation matters more than theory. Chris provides practical advice for hospitality professionals looking to start leveraging AI today, shares lessons from implementing AI at scale, and explores how digitization, effective prompting, and careful data management can unlock real business val...

In this episode, Ryan Bukstein shares the behind-the-scenes story of Ace Hotel ’s early days and how the punk, DIY spirit of Seattle’s cultural scene influenced its groundbreaking approach to hospitality. Ryan takes us back to when he joined Ace founder Alex Calderwood as an intern and reveals how Ace Hotel became a magnet for creative talent, driven by curiosity, mentorship, and a willingness to break traditional industry norms. He explains the unconventional strategies that enabled Ace to deep...

Episode Overview In this episode, Hospitality Daily Innovation Correspondent Matthias Hüttebräuker speaks with Lennert de Jong , CEO of citizenM, about the strategic decision behind citizenM's recent brand sale to Marriott. Lennert explains how the collaboration will accelerate growth, expand citizenM's global reach, and tap into Marriott's powerful Bonvoy loyalty program. He details why Marriott was the ideal partner, emphasizing alignment in technology, operations, and vision. This discussion ...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie shares insights from the 2025 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum held in New York. Josiah discusses the conference's theme, "Engagement Drives Returns," and highlights the importance of active participation in the hospitality industry. He delves into consumer spending patterns, the impact of AI on jobs, and the resilience of the hospitality sector. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here . You can send me a message here w...

In this episode, Kevin Kelleher , a former hotel leader who is now an account manager at Actabl , shares what he's learned about the hotel pre-opening and opening process. Recommended next episode with Kevin: The 70% Rule: Why Hospitality Leaders Grow Faster by Stepping Beyond Their Comfort Zone A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here . You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights ...

In this episode, Zach Demuth , the Global Head of Hotels Research at JLL, shares what he sees happening in the hotel and hospitality ecosystem, including tariffs, travel trends, and San Francisco's comeback. See insights and research from JLL here See coverage of JLL's San Francisco research on Hotel Management and Hotel Investment Today . Check out our other conversations: Why The Hotel Industry is at a Pivotal Moment (December 2024) Research: Top Hospitality Trends to Watch (February 2024) Lux...

In this episode, Steven Marais , Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Hotels & Resorts , shares the most valuable lesson he's learned in his career: that execution is everything. He discusses the importance of follow-through in hospitality, the role of training and preparation, and how to handle high-pressure events. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here . You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary ...

In this episode, Vance Morris , a former Disney leader and founder of Deliver Service Now, shares how hospitality businesses can create extraordinary guest experiences—and significantly increase revenue—by implementing the proven systems behind Disney’s magic. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here . You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your ...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie , founder of Hospitality Daily and Head of Marketing at Actabl , shares more takeaways from the recent Hunter Hotel Investment Conference , highlighting the opportunity in hotel operations today. Also check out: Control What You Can: How Top Hoteliers Are Navigating Chaos in 2025 (Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Insights) A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here . You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest su...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie , founder of Hospitality Daily and Head of Marketing at Actabl , shares takeaways from the recent Hunter Hotel Investment Conference , with insights on the economic environment in 2025 and strategies for hotel owners and operators to thrive: (00:00) Introduction and conference overview (00:21) Changes in hotel investment conversations over the years (00:42) Economic uncertainty in 2025 (01:04) Chaos and volatility in the market (01:47) Key takeaways from the ope...