Episodes

Jay Hubbs is the VP of Advertising, Marketing, Innovation, and Analytics overseeing BWH Hotels’ consumer-facing marketing, advertising, and the award-winning Best Western Rewards program. Today, Jay Hubbs was awarded Marketing Professional of the Year by HSMAI, and in this conversation, we cover: Why marketing matters today What Jay is most proud of building over the past year What experiences have been most helpful in Jay's career journey to date The role of marketing in providing...

What happens when you combine journalism, technology, and the hospitality industry? You get an insightful conversation with our guest, Jason Freed, the Hospitality Data Evangelist at MDO. In this episode, Jason shares his journey from reporting to exploring the exciting intersection of technology and pricing in the hotel sector, emphasizing the importance of revenue management technology in creating memorable guest experiences and keeping businesses profitable. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoub...

Ready to discover how the world of travel and hospitality is being revolutionized by cutting-edge technology? Join us in an enlightening conversation with our special guest, Shane O'Flaherty, Microsoft's Global Director of Travel, Transportation, and Hospitality. Shane brings a wealth of experience, including his time at the helm of Forbes Travel Guide, and he offers valuable insights into the role of AI in personalizing the customer journey and empowering employees to work more efficiently. T...

Ready to master the art of upselling in the hospitality industry and create extraordinary guest experiences? Join us as we chat with Erik Tengen, co-founder and CEO of Oaky, an upselling software platform, who shares his wealth of knowledge on understanding what your guests want and offering it to them proactively, smoothly, and in a relevant way. Eric also provides valuable advice on evaluating and implementing technology in your hospitality business, emphasizing the need for a dedicated champ...

Imagine a world where transactions are so smooth that they become an afterthought, leaving more room for a seamless hospitality experience. In this episode, we sit down with James Lemon, the Global Lead for Travel & Leisure at Stripe, to unlock the secret to achieving this. With a background rooted in hospitality, James shares his insights on how Stripe is revolutionizing payments and financial infrastructure, both online and in-person. We take a closer look at how hospitality businesses can l...

Are you ready to upgrade your experience to delight your guests and grow your business? Then you need to hear from seasoned hospitality leader Martin Soler, as we explore the barriers to innovation in the hospitality technology sector. In this fascinating discussion, we uncover how hoteliers often overlook the importance of technology in shaping the guest experience and dive into the challenges faced in adopting new technology. Through Martin's personal experience as a general manager - and th...

Today we're learning from Actabl CEO Steven Moore about the power of data in hospitality, and how technology can unlock insights that give you an advantage. We cover: Hospitality's adoption of technology and how Covid changed it [00:43] Opportunity with housekeeping and engineering [01:58] Using technology to attract and retain a new generation of hoteliers [02:47] The importance of having visibility of what's going on through data [03:35] "Moneyball” and hospitality [04:49] ...

How do you create a remarkable experience for guests with technology? Join me in learning from Hanna Schiller, VP of Product at Ireckonu, about the complexities of hospitality technology and the importance of integration in delivering exceptional service. We dive into the challenges of siloed systems and how Ireckonu's middleware solution addresses these issues, while Hanna shares her journey and invaluable insights from her experience working with industry nonprofit HTNG. We also discuss the ...

Could "user disengagement" be a key to elevating your guest experience through technology? Join me as I explore this idea with Matt Welle, the CEO of Mews, a hospitality technology company. We also talk about the implications of technology on hiring, examples of hospitality companies that have implemented technology well, how to shop for technology, and what most excites him about the future. Follow Matt on LinkedIn Learn more about Mews Join the conversation on today's episode on the H...

Parijat Gupta leads online reputation and social media management for Coast Hotels, and in this episode, you'll hear about how a role earlier in her career helped shape how she views communicating with people digitally today. I want you to hear this because we're heading into some of the biggest technology tradeshows in the hospitality industry over the next few weeks, and as we do that I encourage you to think about people and the guest experience first. Follow Parijat Gupta on LinkedIn Join ...

What if the key to standing out in a world increasingly dominated by technology and AI is to embrace - and share - our unique stories? Join us in learning from executive coach Andy Ellwood about the importance of knowing and owning your story to create connections and make a lasting impact. Follow Andy on LinkedIn Follow Andy on YouTube Follow Andy on Instagram Visit Andy's website Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page. Hospitality Daily isn't just a...

Could offsites unleash the power of your team - and your hospitality business? Our conversation with executive coach Andy Elwood will leave you with practical insights and fresh inspiration. Andy shares advice on preparation, including pre-event surveys that ensure all voices are heard equally. He also introduces the "Artifact Dinner"– a powerful activity that fosters deep connections among team members by sharing personal stories through small objects. Discover the secrets to creating unforge...

Ever wondered how to create a high-performing culture that rewards excellence and drives success? Join me in a fascinating conversation with Loretta Macke, Senior Vice President of Sales at Remington Hospitality, as we uncover the secrets to building a performance culture through incentive programs and events like their Pinnacle Incentive Trip. Loretta shares the incredible impact these experiences have had on their organization, inspiring and motivating staff all year long. We also discuss le...

Could having a great mentor could propel your hospitality career? In today's episode, we had the pleasure of learning from none other than the person known across the hospitality industry as The Hospitality Mentor, Steve Turk. You'll learn why mentorship matters in hospitality and how it can make a world of difference for those eager to grow in their careers. We'll also explore what it means to mentor others and the importance of self-awareness for leaders in the hospitality industry. Join ...

Could engaging the millions of people often overlooked by employers help address the talent shortages in hospitality? Join us as we chat with Jeff Korzenik, Chief Economist at Fifth Third Bank, about the potential of second-chance hiring as a solution to this pressing issue. We discuss the importance of not overlooking individuals with felony and misdemeanor records, and how business leaders can find success in selecting and supporting these individuals, ultimately leading to thriving business...

In this episode, Zach Demuth, Global Head of Hotels Research in JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, shares what's going on in the world of luxury travel and hospitality. Our discussion begins with an in-depth look at the rise of worldwide wealth, changing consumer spending habits, and the increasing demand for unique experiences, all contributing to the current market opportunities for luxury investments. Zach explains how capital from other sectors is moving into hospitality and creating unique ...

This episode is sponsored by MDO and their new report, Data-driven Strategies to Move Beyond Rooms Revenue. Are you making the most of your business's revenue sources? All of them? Jason Freed, Hospitality Data Evangelist at MDO, and Billy Copelan, Director of Revenue Management at Sea Island Resorts, share their insights on unlocking the full potential of total revenue optimization. From Jason's background as a former journalist to Billy's passion for data and revenue management, their experie...

Discover the power of personal development and how it can transform your career in the hospitality industry, as we chat with hotel owner and leadership coach, Rachel Vandenburg. Learn from Rachel's own journey of self-discovery, as she shares the challenges she faced managing people and the turning point that led her to hire a coach. Uncover the keys to self-reflection, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and applying that knowledge to your leadership style. Level up as a hospitality ...

Growing up in a hospitality family business shaped hotel owner Rachel Vandenburg's approach to leadership and customer experience. Inspired by her parent's visionary thinking, Rachel shares what it's like to push the boundaries in the hospitality industry, from opening a Dutch pancake restaurant to building an eight-lane boutique bowling lounge. Listen in as we discuss the crucial role of community in hospitality. Discover how Rachel emphasizes the importance of creating gathering spaces and fo...

Deanna Vollmer is the Director of Events and Customer Experience at Questex and shares what she’s learned along her journey so far. We discussed: Deanna's career path (2:25) Discovering the hospitality industry (2:41) First job in meeting planning (4:17) Importance of understanding customer needs in events (6:50) Staying inspired and up-to-date on industry trends (9:22) Incorporating theatrics and unique elements (11:46) Importance of networking and conversations (12:38) ...

In this episode, Josiah shares insights and takeaways from the 2023 NYU Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page. Hospitality Daily isn't just a podcast! Every morning - Tuesday through Friday - I summarize the stories you need to know as a hospitality professional in a short email. Read today's issue and subscribe here. Run a hotel? Then check out my website HotelOperations.com. Every Sunday evening, I send ...

Ever wondered what it's like to invest in hotels? Get ready for an eye-opening discussion with Jake Wurzak, founder and CEO of DoveHill Capital Management - a firm with more than $1.5 Billion in assets under management - as we explore the fascinating world of hospitality investment. Join us as we dive into the unique advantages of investing in this asset class, the process of creating a new hotel from the ground up, and the importance of design, creativity, and food and beverage in the hospital...

Are you ready to uncover the trends shaping the hospitality industry? Join us as we chat with David Eisen, the editor-in-chief of Hotels Magazine, and explore the strength of segments like extended stay and hoteliers' strategies to break even in a post-pandemic world. We're diving into the upcoming 2023 NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, discussing working with the media to gain coverage, as well as macroeconomic issues such as inflation and the role of private equit...

Get ready to unlock the power of storytelling in hospitality as we chat with Regitse Rosenvinge, a brand storyteller and communication consultant for hotels and hospitality brands. We discuss how a compelling narrative can connect your business to your consumers in a more meaningful way and explore the importance of storytelling in the digital age. Join us as we dive into various channels for sharing your story, from websites to podcasts and social media. Find out how to tap into the history a...