Episodes

Scott LaMont is the CEO of EDSA - a planning, landscape, and architecture firm - and in this episode, he shares what he sees regarding the role of AI in designing hospitality environments. Follow Scott on LinkedIn Learn more about EDSA This episode is brought to you with support from Sojern. Finding and appealing to travelers online means getting to know them, and that's why first-party data - the information you have about your guests - is so important to providing hospitality today. I tea...

Gilda Perez-Alvarado is the CEO of Orient Express and Group Chief Strategy Officer at Accor. In this episode, she shares what she's excited about in the world of hospitality today. This episode is brought to you with support from Sojern. Finding and appealing to travelers online means getting to know them, and that's why first-party data - the information you have about your guests - is so important to providing hospitality today. I teamed up with Sojern to study how hoteliers are using this ...

Craig Poole is the President of Reading Hospitality, which owns and operates the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading, Pennsylvania. He's a three-time Hilton Connie Award winner and was recognized as General Manager of the Year by the American Hotel and Lodging Association. In today's episode, you'll learn how he came to think about the power of hospitality in a new way. Follow Craig on LinkedIn Listen to our other episodes with Craig Watch the documentary: Follow Me and I Will Be Behind You

Are you getting the rest you need? I want you to think about this because working in hospitality means giving out, and unless you find time to rest, you won't be able to provide hospitality at the level you want, for as long as you want. Someone who has been very influential in how I think about the role of rest over the past few months is our guest today, Nathan LaGrange, Executive Director of Oasis Rest International. In this episode, you'll hear what he's learned about rest and resting well....

Rachel Humphrey is the founder of The Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance and is Principal at DEI Advisors. In this episode, we explore how we can make hospitality events more inclusive and reflective of the industry's talent pool. Listeners will learn about: The current state of diversity among attendees and speakers at hospitality events. The importance of visibility for women and diverse groups in leadership roles within the industry. Practical strategies for conference organi...

In this episode, we're learning from Jake Wurzak (LinkedIn, X)- Founder and CEO of DoveHill Capital Management and CEO of Wurzak Hotel Group. Jake shares his perspective on the hospitality industry today, revealing why now might be the best time to invest. Listeners will gain an understanding of: The value of investing in hospitality today The benefits of being vertically integrated in hotel management and investment. Innovative investment strategies, including structured equity and pr...

In this episode, we learn from Jake Wurzak (LinkedIn, X)- Founder and CEO of DoveHill Capital Management, CEO of Wurzak Hotel Group, and Host of the Masters of Moments Podcast - about the power of education and teaching others to succeed in today's landscape. If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy our other episode with Jake, Mastering The Game of Hotel Investment, Design & Branding, as well as our other episodes on investment and development. Questions, comments, or suggestions? Get in...

In this episode, we learn from Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas, at IHG. You'll gain a deeper understanding of a Chief Development Officer's crucial role in fostering relationships with franchise partners and driving the growth of hotel brands. You'll discover the intricate connection between real estate and hospitality and why understanding this relationship is essential for anyone passionate about the industry. Julienne sheds light on the challenges and opportunities the c...

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...

This episode is sponsored by Pure Wellness In this episode, we're learning from Haley Payne and Zach Webster from Pure Wellness about the booming trend of wellness in the hospitality industry. You'll hear how wellness has become a key decision-making factor for travelers and how hoteliers can capitalize on this trend to provide better guest experiences and boost their revenue in doing so. Learn more about Pure Wellness Follow Pure Wellness on LinkedIn Follow Haley Payne on LinkedIn Follow Z...

What does it take to reach the top of executive leadership in hospitality - and then use that position to create opportunities for those you work with? Today, Dorothy Dowling joins us. She is a trailblazer and industry legend who spent 17 years at BWH Hotel Group - most recently as Chief Marketing Officer - and is now Managing Director at Horwath. In this episode, you will learn the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in this rapidly evolving business, the power of building and ...

Today, we're joined by Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. In this episode, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the current state of travel, the challenges faced by the industry - and the critical role travel plays in our economy, community, and personally. Geoff shares his insights on why travel should never be taken for granted, the unintentional harm caused by policymakers, and the need for improved travel infrastructure and policies. You'll learn: The eco...

How can we define quality and excellence in hospitality so that we can measure it and get better? I can't think of someone better qualified to answer this question than Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy, Innovation, and Operating Officer at Forbes Travel Guide - the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas. In this episode, you'll learn how they approach the challenging problem of rating diverse hotels worldwide, the surprising methodology they use - and Stuart...

Join us as we dive into the inspiring story of Saira Hospitality, a nonprofit organization revolutionizing the way hospitality businesses engage with people and local communities to build careers and thrive together. In this episode, we're talking with Harsha L'Acqua, Founder of Saira Hospitality, to explore the pivotal moments that sparked the creation of a new form of education, bridging the gap between underprivileged communities and the world of hospitality. Listeners will learn about: ...

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 significan...

Join us on a fascinating journey with Ben Uyeda, an architect turned internet sensation, as he shares his unconventional path from academia to becoming a social media powerhouse with millions of followers. In this episode, Ben dives deep into his transition from teaching sustainable design at Cornell to founding a successful architecture firm and a tech company that revolutionized home design distribution. Discover how Ben leveraged his design expertise and passion for content creation to build...

Gilda Perez-Alvarado is the CEO of Orient Express and Group Chief Strategy Officer at Accor. In this episode, she shares career and leadership advice on everything from why you should learn about real estate to why being a global citizen is important to time management to lessons from parenting and creating more inclusive work environments. Join in the conversation on this episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page here. This episode is brought to you with support from Hireology, the pla...

In this episode, Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express and Group Chief Strategy Officer at Accor, discusses her new roles and observations so far. You'll learn about the process of managing a historic luxury brand such as Orient Express, the strategic vision behind Accor's diverse hospitality portfolio, and Gilda's approach to integrating sustainability and global perspectives into corporate strategy. This episode offers valuable insights into modern hospitality management and strategic ...

Michelle Jensen Session is the co-owner of Kensington Investment Group, which owns and manages a mix of commercial and hotel properties. She's also the co-founder of Aquarius Hospitality Solutions, a strategic advisory firm for hospitality. In this episode, Michelle teaches us about emotional awareness and how to navigate differences in personality types thoughtfully. Follow Michelle on LinkedIn Learn more about Aquarius Hospitality Solutions Follow Aquarius Hospitality Solutions on LinkedI...

Have you ever thought about how a change of pace might change your experience of travel and hospitality? Join us as we dive into this today with Mollie Reese, who shares her journey from corporate burnout to discovering the soul of travel through unique, family-run accommodations. In this episode, you'll learn about the importance of slow travel, the personal stories behind the people enabling this, and how they're reshaping the landscape of hospitality. Learn more about Stay in Good Company L...

How can you use music to elevate your guest experience and set your brand apart? I can't think of someone better suited to answer that question than our guest today, Clay Bassford, founder of Bespoke Sound. Clay and his team created the new sonic identity for Hospitality Daily that you hear on this show now, and he's helped countless other leading hospitality providers use music and sound to differentiate their brands and delight their guests. In this episode, you'll get a behind-the-scenes lo...

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 conve...

What does it take to hire the best executive talent in hospitality today? Joining us to answer this question today is Alison Harrigan, Senior Client Partner in the Hospitality & Leisure Practice at Korn Ferry - which is one of the top executive search firms in the world. She's an expert in the area of executive talent in hospitality and focuses on helping hotel brands, ownership and operating companies find and recruit C-Suite leaders. Over the last 9 years, Alison has placed over 200 executive...

You love hospitality and want to build a project, but how do you actually get it done? Stephen Galbreath, Chief Development Officer and Head of Construction for Garfield Public Private, has built a reputation for working with local governments to create win-win scenarios that gets projects done and benefits communities. In this episode, you'll learn from Stephen about how they do this and how they develop creative financing strategies with local governments to stuff done. Join in the conver...