Join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili for the latest episode of The Modern Hotelier featuring special guest Bruce Jordan, the Managing Partner of Hotel Guest Management. This monthly show dives deep into the hottest topics in the hospitality industry. In this September edition of Hospitality Hot Topics, our expert panel discusses: The recent acquisition of Motel 6 by OYO Hotels and its implications for the industryRecord-breaking global GDP contributions from the travel and tourism...

How is Relay's technology improving cross-departmental communication in hotels? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Derek Pando, Director of Product Marketing at Relay. They discuss Relay's innovative communication devices and how they're revolutionizing operations in the hospitality industry. Derek shares insights from Relay's first-ever hospitality report, highlighting trends in personalized guest experiences and safety investments. He explains how Relay's...

How has David Barry's journey from a ski instructor to President of Pursuit Collection shaped his approach to leadership in the hospitality industry? In this engaging episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with David Barry, President of Pursuit Collection. Barry shares his unique journey from ski instructor to hospitality leader, offering valuable insights into creating exceptional guest experiences, fostering a strong company culture, and navigating challenges in the...

Curious about the intersection of luxury and wilderness? Ever wondered how a 37,000-acre ranch became a world-renowned resort?  In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran have an engaging conversation with Steve Hurst, the Managing Director at The Resort at Paws Up. They discuss Steve's career journey from his early days as a barista to managing luxury hotels and resorts, with a special focus on the unique guest experience at Paws Up. The resort, set on a 37,000-acre ranch in...

Ever wondered what it would be like to turn your childhood treehouse dreams into a thriving resort business? Join hosts David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Amanda Jensen, CEO and co-founder of Sanctuary Treehouse Resort, the world's largest treehouse resort. In this captivating episode, Amanda shares the inspiring journey of how a simple treehouse for her children blossomed into an innovative and immersive hospitality experience.In this episode, you'll discover: The origin...

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kyle Hughey, CEO of Charlestowne Hotels, to discuss the independent hotel management landscape and Hughey's journey in the hospitality industry. In this episode, you'll learn: The appeal and challenges of managing independent hotelsCharlestowne Hotels' approach to creating unique guest experiencesIndustry challenges, including staffing and recruitmentThe impact of hotel brand consolidation on independent operatorsAdaptive...

How would your travel experience change if you knew exactly how welcoming a hotel is to your furry friends? In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran interview Guise Bule, the founder of Ranked by Roch and the Roch Society. Guise shares his journey from cybersecurity to creating the first dog-friendly certification and ranking process for the hotel industry. Driven by personal frustrations with misleading "pet-friendly" claims, Guise explains how Ranked by...

The Modern Hotelier is a dynamic podcast that explores the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the hospitality industry. Hosted by Steve Carran and David Millili and featuring expert guest hosts, this show delivers insightful discussions on hot topics affecting hoteliers and travel professionals. In this episode, "August Hospitality Hot Topics," Steve and David is joined by guest host Jasmine Seliga from Affixify and regular contributor David Millili. In this episode, you'll...

Are you curious about what it takes to build a successful boutique hotel company from the ground up? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran interview Ethan Orley, Founder and Managing Partner of Oliver Hospitality. Ethan shares his journey from environmental studies to real estate and hospitality, discussing how he and his partner built Oliver Hospitality from the ground up. The conversation covers: Ethan's background and early career experiencesThe founding and growth of...

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jason Craparo, CEO of Hovr, a technology company revolutionizing guest engagement in the hospitality industry. Jason shares his fascinating journey from dishwasher to successful entrepreneur, including his experiences as a Sonic Drive-In franchisee and his time at Babson College. The conversation dives deep into how Hovr is transforming the way hotels showcase their amenities and drive direct bookings. Jason explains how...

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran interview Benjamin Powers, founder and CEO of Visiting Media. Benjamin shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting businesses as a child to founding a company that revolutionizes hotel sales through immersive technology. He discusses how Visiting Media's software empowers hospitality professionals to leverage virtual tours, 3D models, and other immersive assets to drive revenue and enhance the customer experience. In this episode, we...

In this episode, Steve and David are joined by guest host Mercedes Blanco from The Hotels Network. They discuss various trending topics in the hospitality industry for July, including the rumor of Hyatt acquiring Standard Hotels, an extensive computer outage affecting multiple industries including hospitality and travel, the rise of 'bleisure' (business and leisure travel), and the growing importance of automated technology in hotels. In this episode, we discuss: The potential acquisition of...

Join us as we sit down with Ryan Heideman, Vice President of Sales at React Mobile, for an insightful discussion on cutting-edge safety solutions in the hospitality industry. With over six years of experience at the company, Ryan shares React Mobile's mission to make the world safer by revolutionizing emergency response systems. In this episode, we explore: React Mobile's journey as a pioneer in hotel safety panic buttonsThe various types of panic buttons available and their unique...

"No Vacancy Live from HITEC: Featuring Podcast Pioneers Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri" In this episode, podcast veterans Anthony Melchiorri and Glenn Haussman discuss their experiences and insights from attending HITEC events over the years. They reminisce about the evolution of these events and share their personal highlights, including the transformation and increasing engagement in technology within the industry. Glenn talks about the origins and growth of the 'No Vacancy' podcast,...

In this episode, Steve Carran speaks with CEO Rodrigo Jimenez about the recent acquisition of SHR by the UK-based Access Company. Jimenez shares the excitement and opportunities brought by this merger, highlighting Access Company's diverse portfolio and their focus on the hospitality sector. He also touches on the positive buzz at the high tech trade show and the evolving role of technology in the hospitality industry. Jimenez concludes with insights on SHR's future, including ongoing growth...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Rodrigo Perez Garofalo, founder of Zerf Tech, live from a hospitality tech conference. In this episode, Rodrigo explores how Zerf Tech is revolutionizing hotel operations by serving as an external IT department and optimizing direct booking channels. He also introduces an AI-powered search tool designed to enhance guest interactions and engagement on hotel websites. Key topics include: Zerf Tech's mission to simplify technology integration for...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Scott Buelter, founder of Ascent360, at the HSMAI Strategy Conference. Scott shares insights on how hotels and resorts can use customer data platforms to create more effective, personalized marketing campaigns. Key topics covered: The importance of integrating data from multiple systems to get a complete view of guestsStrategies for segmenting guests and creating targeted marketing campaignsTips for growing a hotel's customer...

Today, we are joined by Tristan Gadsby and Alberto Santana from Alliants. We are discussing their backgrounds, experiences in the hospitality industry, and insights into guest experience technology. Recorded live at Truist Field in Charlotte, North Carolina during a VIP event, the conversations offer a blend of personal anecdotes and professional expertise in the evolving world of hotel tech and customer service. In this episode, you'll learn: Tristan's background growing up between the UK...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili interview Aditya Thyagarajan and Fareed Ahmad, co-founders of HotelKey, at the HITEC conference. The conversation delves into the origins of HotelKey, its cloud-based property management system, and the company's vision for the future of hospitality technology. The founders share insights on overcoming challenges, incorporating AI, and their commitment to improving operations for hotels while enhancing the guest experience. In this...

Today's episode features hosts Steve Carran and David Millili interviewing Jill Wilder, the newly appointed President of Aptech Computer Systems, at the HITEC conference. Jill shares insights from her 38-year career at Aptech, discusses the company's evolution in hospitality technology, and highlights their latest innovations in hotel accounting and business intelligence solutions. In this episode, you'll learn: The resurgence of HITEC post-COVID and industry networkingWhat are Aptech's core...

In this episode, we sit down with Theresa Ellsworth from Sertifi. Theresa shares insights into her background growing up in Yonkers, New York, her passion for hospitality, and her journey from college to a 14-year stint at Springer Miller. The conversation delves into how Sertifi accelerates revenue for hotels through digital authorization processes, securing revenue by reducing chargebacks, and using advanced AI-driven fraud prevention tools. Additionally, Sertifi's new features, such as ACH...

In this episode, recorded at the HITEC trade show floor, Steve interviews Rich O'Brien from Xpodigital and Michael Parissee from HSMS about digital investments in hotels and event spaces, focusing on how large-format LED displays and digital signage are transforming guest experiences and revenue opportunities. In this episode, you'll learn: The evolution of digital signage in hotels and event spacesHow will large-format LED walls impact guest experienceThe challenges in implementing and...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili interview Jon Schniepp, SVP of Marketing at Relay. Jon discusses his background, Relay's journey into the hospitality industry, and how their smart radio technology is revolutionizing hotel operations and staff communication. The conversation covers emerging trends in hospitality communication, staff safety solutions, and the innovative use of AI in overcoming language barriers. In this episode, you'll learn: Relay's evolution from a...

In this episode, join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili at HITEC 2024 in Charlotte as they interview a diverse lineup of hospitality industry leaders and innovators. From established executives to emerging startups, guests share insights on the latest hotel technologies, industry trends, and their experiences at the conference.   The episode concludes with a lively discussion on whether anyone will hit a home run at the event’s batting competition. Join the conversation on today's episode...

In this monthly "Hospitality Hot Topics" segment, David and Steve dive into the most pressing issues and exciting developments in hospitality. From the booming wellness sector to music tourism's impact on hotel bookings, they explore how these trends are transforming the guest experience and affecting business strategies. They also tackle important industry challenges, such as ongoing staffing shortages, and discuss potential solutions. With a mix of data-driven analysis and personal...