Company Features Episodes

Deep dives into the companies changing the hospitality industry, as told by the people behind them.
Hospitality as an Engine for Generosity: How Humanitarian Hotels Operates with Excellence & Gives Away 100% of Profits - Chris Green
Oct. 19, 2025

Hospitality as an Engine for Generosity: How Humanitarian Hotels Operates with Excellence & Gives Away 100% of Profits - Chris Green

In this episode, Chris Green , President of Humanitarian Hotels , shares how his organization gives away 100% of its profits to charity -- while operating with world-class excellence. He explains how hospitality can become an engine for generosity, where every associate, guest, and community benefits -- and challenges us to rethink what it means to pursue what's good. Links to learn more: Humanitarian Hotels Founder's Story Business as a Force for Good: The Humanitarian Hotels Story (video with ...
Showcasing Artisans and Elevating Teams: How Appellation Crafts a Unique Sense of Place - Christopher Hunsberger, Appellation
Oct. 2, 2024

Showcasing Artisans and Elevating Teams: How Appellation Crafts a Unique Sense of Place - Christopher Hunsberger, Appellation

In this episode, Christopher Hunsberger , co-founder and chief operating officer of Appellation , shares how the Appellation Crafted program embeds his brand deeply into local communities through partnerships with artisans, farmers, and makers. Listeners will learn: How Appellation celebrates makers, artisans, and people who are the fabric of the community through the Appellation Crafted program (01:47) How Appellation showcases its own team members' talents and skills through the Crafted classe...
The Equinox Approach: Empowering High-Performance Living through Hospitality - Chris Norton, Equinox Hotels
Feb. 15, 2024

The Equinox Approach: Empowering High-Performance Living through Hospitality - Chris Norton, Equinox Hotels

This episode is sponsored by Sojern - the #1 marketing platform for hospitality In this episode, we're learning from Equinox Hotels CEO Chris Norton about how they built on the 30-year legacy of the Equinox brand to create what has become one of the most exciting new hospitality companies in the world today. Listen to hear their strong point of view, the details they're obsessed with, a deep dive into sleep, how they use their clubs as community hubs, and the growth opportunities they see now. L...
Hybrid Hospitality: How We're Merging the Best of Hotels and Short-term Rentals - Ryan Killeen, The Annex Hotel
Dec. 30, 2023

Hybrid Hospitality: How We're Merging the Best of Hotels and Short-term Rentals - Ryan Killeen, The Annex Hotel

Join us as we dive into the world of hybrid hospitality with Ryan Killeen, the Chief Operations Officer at the Annex Hotel in Toronto. With a rich background that includes roles at Airbnb and Sonder, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, discussing the future of hospitality that marries the comfort of short-term rentals with the luxury of hotels. In this episode, listeners will learn about: The evolution of short-term rentals and hotels into a new, hybrid model. Ryan's journey from tra...
Guest: Ryan Killeen
Scaling Proprieter-Driven Hospitality: The Palisociety Story - Jorgan von Stiening, Palisociety
Dec. 19, 2023

Scaling Proprieter-Driven Hospitality: The Palisociety Story - Jorgan von Stiening, Palisociety

In this episode, we learn from Jorgan von Stiening , President of Palisociety , about scaling a business while maintaining the soul of hospitality. We cover: The unique business model that combines a powerful corporate engine with the charm of small hotels. Strategies for structuring a hospitality company to optimize performance and retain top talent. The delicate balance between corporate oversight and local autonomy in hotel management. The creation and importance of brand standards, even in p...
How We Make More Money by Questioning Everything - Alastair Thomann, Generator and Freehand
Dec. 14, 2023

How We Make More Money by Questioning Everything - Alastair Thomann, Generator and Freehand

In this episode, we speak with Alastair Thomann , CEO of Generator and Freehand Hotels , about the innovative strategies that have propelled their properties to success in the competitive hospitality landscape. You're going to learn about: The unique positioning of Generator and Freehand brands in the market and how they cater to different age demographics with a focus on social experiences. The pivotal role of food and beverage in creating memorable guest experiences and driving significant non...
Why I'm Focused on Hospitality (After Touring the World and Performing for Millions with NEEDTOBREATHE) - Seth Bolt, Bolt Farm Treehouse
Dec. 7, 2023

Why I'm Focused on Hospitality (After Touring the World and Performing for Millions with NEEDTOBREATHE) - Seth Bolt, Bolt Farm Treehouse

In this episode, we're learning from Seth Bolt, founder of Bolt Farm Treehouse and member of the band NEEDTOBREATHE. Seth shares his insights on the importance of rest and how it is essential for high-output people to avoid burnout. He uses the analogy of changing tires in a race car to emphasize the need to stay fresh and sustain well-being. Seth's personal experience with burnout led him to create Bolt Farm Treehouse, a mountaintop wellness resort in Tennessee. Don't miss this inspiring conver...
Democratizing Hospitality: How We Can Make Independent Lifestyle Hotels Profitable, Efficient, and Accessible to More People - Rami Zeidan, Life House
Nov. 21, 2023

Democratizing Hospitality: How We Can Make Independent Lifestyle Hotels Profitable, Efficient, and Accessible to More People - Rami Zeidan, Life House

How can hotels provide unique, reliable experiences to more people while remaining profitable? Joining us today to answer that question is Rami Zeidan. Rami drew from his experience in investment banking and hotel development at companies such as Deutsche Bank, Starwood Capital Group, and Sydell Group to found Life House in 2017 after spotting an opportunity that many hospitality entrepreneurs were missing - and that was to empower hotel owners to run profitable independent hotels through techno...
Palisociety: The Power of Proprietor-Led Hospitality - Jorgan von Stiening, Palisociety
Nov. 16, 2023

Palisociety: The Power of Proprietor-Led Hospitality - Jorgan von Stiening, Palisociety

How does Palisociety , the rapidly growing lifestyle hospitality company, create a distinctive and inviting experience for its guests? This episode with Jorgan von Stiening , President of Palisociety, delves into the company's journey from its inception, including its "proprietor-driven" approach that reflects the taste and style of its founder and CEO, Avi Brosh . In this episode, you will learn about the company's focus on small, neighborhood-centric hotels, attention to detail in design and g...
The Story Behind Mint House: Pioneering a New Kind of Stay - Christian Lee, Mint House
Nov. 7, 2023

The Story Behind Mint House: Pioneering a New Kind of Stay - Christian Lee, Mint House

In this episode, we're learning from Mint House CEO Christian Lee about the story behind their tech-forward hospitality company, whose board and investors include former chief executives from Four Seasons, Disney, Club Med, Starwood Hotels, St. Regis Hotels, JBG Smith, and Travelocity. Christian shares his unique global perspective and how it has shaped his career in hospitality. You'll hear what sets Mint House apart, the trends they are tracking, and the creative approaches they are taking to ...
Why (And How) We're Creating a "Deconstructed Resort" - Tanner Cummings, Thin Spaces Hotel Company
Nov. 5, 2023

Why (And How) We're Creating a "Deconstructed Resort" - Tanner Cummings, Thin Spaces Hotel Company

Tanner Cummings is creating a "deconstructed resort" based on an old Celtic concept of "thin places" - the notion of heaven meeting earth. In this episode, you'll learn how he and his wife Melissa drew from their background of ministry and caring for others into the opportunity they had to create a radically different kind of hospitality business in northern Georgia. You'll learn how they also draw from their career experiences in technology and e-commerce to build this business, how they think ...
How We Balance Rapid Growth With Innovation - Eli Sokol, citizenM Hotels
Oct. 19, 2023

How We Balance Rapid Growth With Innovation - Eli Sokol, citizenM Hotels

In this episode, Eli Sokol, Vice President of Development and Investment at citizenM Hotels, shares the unique business model of citizenM and how they maintain momentum while staying innovative. From their "asset-heavy" approach to working with companies like Meta, to technology and urbanism, Eli shares insights on what growth in hospitality can look like in a rapidly changing world. Follow Eli on LinkedIn Learn more about citizenM Join in the conversation on this episode on the Hospitality Dail...
Guest: e
How We Created An Award-Winning Boutique Hotel Management and Development Company - Meg Kennedy & Rob Blood, Lark Hotels
Oct. 12, 2023

How We Created An Award-Winning Boutique Hotel Management and Development Company - Meg Kennedy & Rob Blood, Lark Hotels

Lark Hotels is an award-winning boutique hotel management and development company, and in this episode, we hear from their founders - partners in life and in business - Meg Kennedy and Rob Blood - about their fascinating story of getting started in hospitality, the career opportunities this industry provides, expressing creativity through hospitality - and much more. Follow Meg on LinkedIn Follow Rob on LinkedIn Lark Hotels website Follow Lark Hotels on Instagram Join in the conversation on this...
How We Built an Extended-Stay Hotel Empire from the Ground Up - Ryan Rivett, My Place Hotels
Sept. 14, 2023

How We Built an Extended-Stay Hotel Empire from the Ground Up - Ryan Rivett, My Place Hotels

Extended-stay hotels are one of the hottest segments of hospitality today, and My Place Hotels stands out as a leader in this space. Today, President & CEO Ryan Rivett explains what led him to start the company and what he’s learned over the past 10 years building My Place into the powerhouse it is today. We’ll learn what Ryan and his team did differently that has worked so well for them, why he focuses on new construction, how he draws from his early childhood experiences of family hospitality ...
Guest: Ryan Rivett
How We Created An Award-Winning Collection of Restaurants from Scratch - Sherry Villanueva, Acme Hospitality
Sept. 12, 2023

How We Created An Award-Winning Collection of Restaurants from Scratch - Sherry Villanueva, Acme Hospitality

Sherry Villanueva is the Founder and Managing Partner of Acme Hospitality , an award-winning collection of restaurants and hotels based in Santa Barbara, California. In this episode, Sherry shares her journey of how she accidentally got into the restaurant business and the lessons she learned along the way. From designing and opening her first restaurant to the success of her eclectic collection of properties, Sherry's story is both inspiring and informative for anyone who either works in hospit...
Culinary-Forward Luxury Hospitality - Ed Skapinok, Appellation
Sept. 7, 2023

Culinary-Forward Luxury Hospitality - Ed Skapinok, Appellation

Appellation is a new culinary-forward luxury hotel company co-founded by chef Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger , the former president of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. In this episode, we speak with Ed Skapinok , the company's chief commercial officer, about the origins of the brand and its unique approach to providing hospitality. Learn more about Appellation Follow Ed on LinkedIn Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page .
Creating The Madrona, One of the "Best New Hotels In The World" - Cory Schisler
Aug. 24, 2023

Creating The Madrona, One of the "Best New Hotels In The World" - Cory Schisler

The Madrona , a luxury boutique hotel in California's Sonoma County, has been named one of Travel + Leisure's "Best New Hotels of the Year" and Conde Nast Traveler called it one of the most exciting new hotel openings they've seen. Cory Schisler is a Partner at the hotel and in this episode, we get to hear the story behind how it all got started, how Cory and his partners think about hiring and team building, experience design and delivery, and much more. The Madrona Featured on Magnolia Network...
Promoting Sustainable, Regenerative Farming Through Hospitality - David Rust, Sagra
Aug. 21, 2023

Promoting Sustainable, Regenerative Farming Through Hospitality - David Rust, Sagra

David Rust is the founder and CEO of Sagra , a hospitality business whose mission is to bring awareness to regenerative agriculture and support the farms that practice it. In this episode, you'll learn about David's journey to founding Sagra and what he learned about sustainability and hospitality along the way: 00:50 - David talks about his influences growing up 03:12 - Joining Lyft as an early employee and launching in cities like LA, Seattle, and Chicago 05:11 - How he got to know a place qui...
Guest: David Rust