Episodes

June 2, 2023

Raising the Bar with Beverage and Food - Richard Garcia, Remington Hospitality

Ready to shake up your understanding of the hospitality beverage and food world? Join me as I sit down with Richard Garcia, the Senior Vice President of Remington Hospitality, to uncover the secret ingredients behind their innovative beverage and food program. Discover why classic cocktails are still stealing the spotlight, and prepare to raise a glass to Richard's prediction for the next big cocktail trend - which he unveils in this episode. But that's not all - we also dive deep into the wor...
June 1, 2023

Stewarding Capital for Impact - Michael Hraba, Partner at Waterford Hotels & Inns

Could hospitality be an effective way to steward capital for positive impact? Join us as we chat with Michael Hraba, partner at Waterford Hotels and Inns, who shares his experience in bringing iconic hotel projects in California to life. We explore the idea of hospitality as not only a rewarding career path but also a means to transform communities, promote sustainability, and create jobs. Discover how capital can be used to enhance the world around us as Michael discusses the role of wealth in...
June 1, 2023

Empowering with Perspective - Michael Hraba, Partner at Waterford Hotels & Inns

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we want to share a heartfelt conversation with the inspiring Michael Hraba, Partner at Waterford Hotels and Inns and an experienced hospitality leader. Michael emphasizes the importance of giving your team perspective and supporting their mental well-being in the workplace. He shares how focusing on positive experiences and interactions in hospitality can alleviate anxieties and insecurities that come with dealing with demanding customers. Joi...
May 30, 2023

Building Resilience - Matt Welle, CEO at Mews

Could prioritizing mental health and wellness could actually make you a better leader and create a thriving work environment? Our guest today, Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, a hospitality technology company, shares his personal journey with mental health and the innovative wellness initiatives he's implemented at his global organization. Listen in as we discuss the importance of resilience in high-pressure environments, and how acknowledging mental health needs can lead to personal growth and succes...
May 29, 2023

The Power of Veterans in the Private Sector - Christopher Randall, Director of Impact at 21c Museum Hotels

I recently had the honor of speaking with Christopher Randall, a US Marine Corps veteran, police officer, and now the Director of Community Impact at the 21C Museum Hotel in St. Louis. Today on Memorial Day, it's essential to recognize not only those who have lost their lives serving in the armed forces but also the invaluable skills and experiences that veterans like Christopher bring to the table when transitioning to civilian life. In this insightful conversation, Christopher shares his advi...
May 26, 2023

Be the change you want to see: My advice for hospitality leaders - Craig Poole, Reading Hospitality

Ever find yourself inspired by the incredible things happening in the hospitality world but unsure if you can achieve the same in your own business? We've got just the person to talk you through this today - Craig Poole, President of Reading Hospitality and three-time Hilton Connie Award winner. Join us as he shares his wisdom on driving change in the industry and empowering the people around you to achieve success. Craig's insights on leadership, doing the right thing, and stepping outside you...
May 25, 2023

People are the point of impact: How to create new beginnings and empower through leadership - Craig Poole, Reading Hospitality

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, we discuss "second chance hiring," leading people, and cultivating a strong culture within your organization. Watch the documentary: Lead me and I'll follow you Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hosp...
May 24, 2023

Transforming lives through hospitality: What inspired me to do more - Craig Poole, Reading Hospitality

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're going to learn what inspired him to think about the power of hospitality in a new way. Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page. Hospitality Daily isn't just a podc...
May 23, 2023

The "Singapore Theory" is why I hired 208 people for my 209 room DoubleTree hotel - Craig Poole, Reading Hospitality

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're going to learn why he hired more than 200 people to run his 209-room hotel. Follow Craig on LinkedIn Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page. Hospitality Daily i...
May 22, 2023

Getting started - Craig Poole, Reading Hospitality

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 this episode, you'll learn both how Craig starts each day - and how he got started on the path to the business he runs today. Follow Craig on LinkedIn Watch the documentary: Follow Me and I Will Be Behind You Join the conversa...
May 19, 2023

The future of events (and the case for investing in hospitality) - Paul Miller, Questex

Today, we're learning from Paul Miller, CEO of Questex, and in our discussion, we cover: Background on the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference Why events matter now (2:26) What's changed post-pandemic in what we want from events (4:05) Trends and opportunities in events (4:57) Creating a "Coachella experience" in B2B events (7:37) The case for investing in hospitality (9:14) To learn more about Paul Miller and his work: Follow Paul on LinkedIn ...
May 18, 2023

Stay WEIRD: How hospitality leaders can create a culture of belonging - Shelley Brown

Today, we're learning from Shelley Brown. We've been talking about recruiting and hiring and engaging people in hospitality for years, but what's beneath all of that is creating a culture of belonging. The very best hospitality leaders I know focus on this because they know that if you welcome people to your teams well, and make them feel like they belong they will not only stay engaged and do their best work - but will help you recruit other talented people. Shelley began her career in hospit...
May 17, 2023

It's time we celebrate Night Auditors: The unsung heros of hospitality - Jason Freed & Eduardo Burkard [Sponsored by MDO]

This episode is sponsored by MDO's Night Auditor Appreciation Day. The Night Auditor plays a vital, yet often overlooked role in running a hotel. In this episode, Jason Freed and Eduardo Burkard from MDO discuss the range of responsibilities this role typically covers while working overnight: from checking people in to covering the kitchen to processing important data for every function of the hotel. While the working hours and wide range of jobs to be done can be tough, this role is often wher...
May 16, 2023

From stigma to support: How Remington Hotels is providing comprehensive solutions to hospitality's mental health and wellness challenges - Dan Aswell, Remington Hotels

Hotel Management’s Voice of the Owner survey just came out and showed employee mental health is the #1 most-anticipated challenge for hotel owners and investors over the next 12 months. Today, we’re learning from someone who has built a comprehensive employee benefits program to help address this: Dan Aswell, Senior Vice President of Total Rewards at Remington Hotels. In this episode, you’re going to learn the demographic least likely to receive important mental health support, what Dan offere...
May 15, 2023

What I learned working with Chip Conley - Sara Osias, Auberge Resorts

Imagine if you had the opportunity to work on a small team with one of the hospitality industry's most legendary leaders. What would you be looking for, and what would you take away from it? Sara Osias is now Head of Experiences at Auberge Resorts Collection, but in this episode shares what stood out to her working with Chip Conley when they were both at Airbnb. You're going to hear a leadership lesson that you can bring into your meetings today to level up your decision-making and make your c...
May 12, 2023

Be an "inspiration rainmaker" - Sara Osias, Auberge Resorts

To empower your teams to do their best work and delight your guests, you need to inspire them. And that, of course, requires being inspired yourself. Today, you're going to hear how Sara Osias, Head of Experiences at Auberge Resorts Collection, thinks about this and does this. In case you missed them, be sure to listen to our other conversations with Sara: My journey to leading experience design How I design and deliver experiences for our guests Join the conversation on today's episode on...
May 11, 2023

Q&A on mental health in hospitality: Identifying and addressing burnout (and more) - Alex Brown, Recover Hospitality

Our guest today is Alex Brown, Founder & President at CXN Travel and Recover Hospitality. In this episode, you'll hear how to identify and address burnout, how to reenergize yourself, the importance of building resilience - and a couple of quick stories from Alex on experiences that he's had that guide the way that he thinks about mental health in hospitality today. Connect and learn more about Alex: LinkedIn Recover Hospitality CXN Travel Join the conversation on today's episode on the H...
May 10, 2023

What I learned about mental health as a hotel owner and operator - Alex Brown, Recover Hospitality

Our guest today is Alex Brown, Founder & President at CXN Travel and Recover Hospitality. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there are few better to speak to both the challenges our industry faces and how to address them than Alex Brown, a hospitality management professional and hotel owner who transitioned to a career in substance use recovery support services. In this episode, you're going to hear what Alex has learned about mental health and advice for owners, operators, and hospital...
May 9, 2023

Using LinkedIn to reach your goals - James Ferguson, Wurzak Hotel Group

Today's guest is James Ferguson, Director of Culture at Wurzak Hotel Group. LinkedIn is responsible for most of the things I've able to create for you here at Hospitality Daily. In the past week, our stories reached more than 50,000 people on LinkedIn alone - which blows my mind. But it's not just me - time and again, I've heard from hoteliers that this social network plays a key part in their success and what they're building. One of those people is James Ferguson, Director of Culture at Wurz...
May 8, 2023

If you want to change the world, change yourself - Sloan Dean, Remington Hotels

In today's episode, Sloan Dean, CEO of Remington Hotels, shares his experience of how ambition affected his relationships with colleagues earlier in his career. Through executive coaching and feedback, he realized he needed to let go of ego and focus on empathy and vulnerability. By changing himself, he was able to achieve success, leading to his current role today as CEO of Remington Hotels. His advice for us today: "If you want to change the world, change yourself." Join the conversation ...
Guest: Sloan Dean
May 5, 2023

Creating opportunity and community impact - Christopher B. Randall, 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis

Christopher B. Randall is the Director of Community Impact at the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. In this episode, you'll learn what his role covers, why community impact matters, and a few ways he engages people through programming and creating access. You're going to be inspired by ways you can engage and impact the community around you as well. Follow Christopher on LinkedIn Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page. Hospitality Daily isn't just a podcast!...
May 4, 2023

Thoughts from OpenAI (ChatGPT) CEO Sam Altman [Stripe Sessions Conference Recap]

In this episode, I recap some of my top takeaways from listening to Sam Altman talk about AI, ChatGPT, and the future of technology at the Stripe Sessions event in San Francisco. For more on AI: Read my guide: AI for Hotels: A Guide to Artificial Intelligence for Hospitality Leaders Watch me and Chris Cano discuss the implications for hospitality providers Join the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page. Hospitality Daily isn't just a podcast! Every morning - T...
May 3, 2023

Hospitality is 'eating the world' - here's what it means for your business and your career - Richard Valtr, Mews

Richard Valtr is founder of Mews, and in this episode, shares the big trend creating opportunities for our businesses - and our careers. Read Richard's blog post Follow Richard on LinkedIn Follow Richard on Twitter 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 subsc...
May 2, 2023

How I design and deliver experiences for our guests - Sara Osias, Auberge Resorts

Today we're going hear from someone who oversees some of the most extraordinary experiences in hospitality today, Sara Osias. Sara is Head of Experiences at Auberge Resorts Collection, and in this episode, you're going to hear about everything from a creative spin on nightly turndown service to an arts-focused adventure to Marfa, Texas that includes a private jet and carefully curated culinary experiences. Experience is the key to standing out and making money in hospitality today. As we learn...