Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, Ben Campbell, the President and CEO of Hospitality America, shares why the traditional path from frontline roles to executive leadership is at risk in an AI-driven world, and what hotel companies need to do about it now. Ben discusses how he's challenging his executive team to rethink talent development, why cross-functional training across properties could be the new leadership pipeline, and why he's cautious about deploying AI tools to properties before solving for confirmation bias.Listen to the first part of our conversation: How a Revenue Manager-Turned-CEO Drives Profit as Market Conditions Shift A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide, asks Josiah Mackenzie what's on his mind recently. What's your take? Send him a note hereA few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide, shares how his team and the broader hospitality industry responded when guests from The Summit were stranded by the war in Iran. From coordinating accommodations in Monaco and Nice with partners including Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and Hôtel Le Negresco, to governments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai stepping up to cover hotel costs for stranded travelers, Stuart reflects on hospitality's role as a refuge in crisis.A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide, shares an inside look at The Summit by Forbes Travel Guide, where the world's top luxury hospitality leaders gathered to celebrate, learn, and experience hospitality. Stuart explains how the event brought together luxury brands such as Bugatti, Michelin-starred chefs such as Daniel Boulud and Alain Ducasse, and speakers ranging from Chris Gardner to Joe Pine -- and why hospitality is becoming the unifying thread across luxury automotive, fashion, and real estate. A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Stuart Greif, the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide, shares key findings from McKinsey data showing that more than 80% of how you appear in AI search is based on reputation, not your own content. Stuart breaks down what this means for operational excellence, training, and how trust becomes the ultimate differentiator.Previously with Stuart:The Next Phase of AI Adoption Inside Hotel Companies (January 2026)Where The Real AI Revolution Is Happening Now in Hospitality (August 2024)What Are We Missing With AI in Hospitality? (February 2024) A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Ben Campbell, the President and CEO of Hospitality America, shares how he's navigating flat demand and rising costs by investing in data foundations and doubling down on both AI and human-led sales. You'll hear why he believes every piece of business has its own profitability, how his revenue management background shapes his strategy, and how the company's PEACH culture creates accountability and performance from the top down.This episode is brought to you with support from Actabl. Learn more about the products Ben mentions in this episode: ProfitSword and Hotel Effectiveness A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Valerie Ferguson, the former chair of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, shares why operations is the single function that defines your brand and determines whether guests come back. She explains how cleanliness, safety, and emotional connection form the foundation every brand depends on, and why she always hired for empathy over experience. Valerie also reveals how involving housekeepers and frontline staff in service design led to consistently higher guest satisfaction scores across every property she led. A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Valerie Ferguson shares why the guests experiencing your hotel now define your brand more than your marketing ever could. Drawing on nearly five decades at Hyatt, The Ritz-Carlton, Loews Hotels, and Disney, Valerie explains why online reviews have become the most important business driver in hospitality. A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Josiah Mackenzie shares the top takeaways he had from this year's Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Valerie Ferguson, the former Director of Lodging at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and past Chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, shares what she wishes she could have said earlier in her career about the tension between owner expectations and taking care of your people. Drawing on nearly five decades leading at hospitality companies, Valerie talks about the political pressure of owner meetings, why employee housing and fair compensation should be part of the development plan, and what it takes to fight the right battles in ownership conversations without losing your ability to inspire your team. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Valerie Ferguson, an 18-year veteran of Hyatt Hotels, shares how Hyatt's culture of trust and creative freedom produced innovations, from coordinated amenities to club level.  A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Valerie Ferguson reflects on her leadership as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta. She explains why community engagement played a central role in her leadership of the hotel and in building relationships across the city. Valerie shares how initiatives like volunteering with Project Head Start strengthened team pride, deepened empathy, and reinforced the idea that hospitality leaders serve their teams as much as their guests. Her perspective offers a clear reminder that strong hospitality businesses grow from strong connections with their surrounding communities.Listen to our episodes with Horst Schulze hereYou may also enjoy: Hospitality as an Engine for Generosity: How Humanitarian Hotels Operates with Excellence & Gives Away 100% of Profits - Chris GreenImpact Hospitality: How Hotels Can Build Community & Drive Change - Donte Johnson & Jason BassWorking With The LeBron James Family Foundation To Empower People Through Hospitality Skills Training - Stephan Bogardus and Tommy Ostrum, Graduate Hotels A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Nathan Woods, founder of Beloved Hospitality, returns to share how hospitality principles apply beyond hotels and restaurants. Drawing on ideas from Unreasonable Hospitality, he explains how leaders in industries such as insurance are rethinking customer relationships through a hospitality lens. Nathan breaks down how he teaches teams to see hospitality as a posture, not an industry, and why mapping the real customer journey reveals overlooked opportunities to serve people well. You'll also hear how he's building simple systems through his “Hospitality OS” approach to turn everyday interactions into meaningful moments and sustain the people whose work centers on serving others.More:Listen: AI Is Not the Threat to Hospitality. Artificial Hospitality Is. (Nathan Woods)Listen: Cultivating Heartfelt Hospitality - Nathan WoodsListen: From Track and Field to Treehouses: Lessons for Hospitality From Building Businesses In Other Industries - Nathan Woods, Bolt Farm Treehouse A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Nathan Woods, founder of Beloved Hospitality, joins the show to share his perspective that the real threat to hospitality is not artificial intelligence—it's artificial hospitality. Drawing from his own work experimenting with AI, Nathan explains why technology does not weaken human connection on its own. The real risk appears when we let systems replace care and attention for our guests.More:See Nathan's post on this on LinkedInRead Nathan's newsletter on thisListen: Cultivating Heartfelt Hospitality - Nathan WoodsListen: From Track and Field to Treehouses: Lessons for Hospitality From Building Businesses In Other Industries - Nathan Woods, Bolt Farm Treehouse A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie speaks with Mark Fancourt, cofounder and principal at TRAVHOTECH, and a former senior leader across global hospitality brands and technology companies. Their conversation explores what hotel leaders often misunderstand about technology strategy. Mark shares why many hotels invest heavily in new systems but still struggle to translate those investments into operational results. The discussion centers on the foundational role of structured data, organizational discipline, and education in unlocking the real value of technology.Josiah and Mark also examine the excitement around artificial intelligence in hospitality but why AI alone will not solve operational challenges without the right data foundations in place. Along the way, Mark offers a candid perspective on the industry's long-standing technology silos and outlines what a more integrated, platform-driven future could look like for hotel operations.For hotel leaders focused on improving performance, the episode offers practical insight into how better data structure, stronger technology partnerships, and better-trained teams can turn existing tools into a meaningful advantage. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Lisa Chung, Design Director at Gensler, shares how hospitality leaders should think about design through the lens of human needs. Drawing on insights from Gensler's latest design forecast, she explains why great hospitality environments start with understanding how people want to feel, connect, work, and recharge when they enter a space.In the conversation, Lisa discusses how wellness extends far beyond traditional amenities like spas and gyms, how hotels are creating flexible spaces that support both connection and intentional disconnection, and why timeless human behaviors matter more than short-term design trends. For owners, developers, and operators, the episode offers a clear perspective on how thoughtful design decisions shape guest experience and long-term hotel performance.Download the Gensler Design Forecast® 2026 A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Kristina Munoz, Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living, shares the leadership principles that shape strong teams. Drawing on experience across Michelin-recognized hotels, airlines, and senior living, she explains why trust, transparency, and follow-through sit at the center of effective leadership. She shares how leaders build loyalty by showing up for their teams, recognizing success, and stepping in early when someone struggles instead of waiting for failure. Hospitality leaders will gain a clear perspective on earning trust, removing ego from leadership, and building teams that move forward together. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Kristina Munoz, Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living, and former Vice President of Operations at Palisades Hospitality, shares a leadership lesson from one of the most overlooked departments in hospitality: housekeeping. Drawing on her experience working across many operational roles, she explains why leaders must understand frontline work in order to lead effectively. Kristina also discusses how cultural awareness shapes communication and why intention alone is not enough when leading diverse teams. Hospitality leaders will gain practical insight into building trust, communicating clearly, and leading teams with respect and understanding.Resources:Psicología del Mexicano en el Trabajo — Mauro Rodríguez Estrada A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Kristina Munoz, Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living, shares how she's applying hospitality principles to an industry that might be a little unexpected. After nearly years running Michelin-recognized boutique hotel properties, she transitioned to build hospitality training programs for caregivers and partner with outside brands to offer concierge-level services without the overhead. If you've ever wondered where your hospitality skill set has the most untapped value, or what your operations could borrow from a sector built around multi-year guest relationships, this conversation will reframe how you think about both. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Sloan Dean returns to the show after completing MIT's AI Strategy and Leadership program to share how he's applying AI in his work daily. The conversation covers two practical use cases for hotel GMs: using Claude as an executive assistant for email and communication, and as a financial analyst for P&L benchmarking and cost analysis. Sloan also walks through the power and limitations of "vibe coding" and why the hotel leaders who lean into AI now will be the ones leading in the future. If you want to know where AI delivers real value today and where it still falls short, this is one you won't want to miss.Resources:Watch this conversation (and bonus content) on YouTubeNot Done podcastClaude CodeManus AIGamma A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Kristina Munoz, Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living, shares lessons from an earlier chapter of her career working guest services in the airline industry. She explains how operating in a high-pressure airport environment shaped her mindset around speed, urgency, and decision-making in hospitality. The conversation explores what those lessons mean for hotel operations, hiring people who thrive in fast-changing environments, and building a career in service leadership. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Hotel earnings calls reveal how major brands and ownership groups view the business right now. In this solo episode, Josiah Mackenzie reviews recent calls from companies such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, and more to surface the signals hospitality leaders shared with investors. The discussion covers the financial performance behind asset-light brand models, how AI already drives sales productivity and direct bookings, and why ancillary revenue like food and beverage, spa, and experiences drives a larger share of hotel growth. You will also hear insights on the slowdown in new hotel supply, the rising importance of authentic guest experiences, and what the recovery in San Francisco shows about how perception and investment shape hotel markets. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sloan Dean, host of the Not Done podcast, reflects on what he has changed his mind about after interviewing some of the most influential leaders across hospitality and technology. In this episode, he shares why he believes traditional loyalty programs are losing strength, reframing points as a form of currency that many brands have steadily devalued. He also explains how AI and data are accelerating a power shift in travel, with technology platforms and distribution channels capturing more value than asset owners. If you lead, invest in, or operate hotels, this conversation will challenge how you think about loyalty, scale, and where value flows next.Also see:Our full conversation on YouTubeNot Done: Sloan Dean After Remington - How He's Betting on Himself and What's Next A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sloan Dean, host of the Not Done podcast and former CEO of Remington Hospitality, returns to share a leadership lesson he gained from an unlikely source: an orchestral conductor. After attending a YPO session led by a professional conductor, Sloan began rethinking the role of a leader as less of a performer and more of a conductor, someone who makes no sound yet drives performance through clarity, intention, and trust. In this conversation, he unpacks why command kills and connection creates, why leaders must face their teams instead of the crowd, and how ego becomes the biggest obstacle at the top. If you're leading in hospitality and want to elevate team performance without micromanaging, this episode will challenge how you see your role.Also see:Our full conversation on YouTubeIf you want to change the world, change yourself - Sloan Dean, Remington HotelsDirect Access Leadership: The Key To Building A Winning Culture - Sloan Dean, Remington HospitalityNot Done: Sloan Dean After Remington - How He's Betting on Himself and What's Next A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, and Abhi Jain, Partner at PwC, discuss how technology is influencing what people want from travel and real estate today. Abhi explains why the human need for experience and curiosity is showing up across asset classes, with multifamily and wellness real estate borrowing from hospitality's playbook. Jeanelle brings the consumer perspective to life, sharing a personal story about planning a family trip to Japan and how platforms like TikTok and Instagram create urgency and fear of missing out around places people feel compelled to experience firsthand. For hospitality leaders, this conversation offers a look at why consumer tech is coinciding with strong demand for in-person experiences—and what that means for how properties are designed, positioned, and operated. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, shares why their firm is making a deliberate investment in human skills now. As large language models reshape professional services, they argue that critical thinking, storytelling, curiosity, and relationship-building will determine who creates real value. This conversation explores PwC's Human Skills Project and why knowledge alone is no longer a differentiator.  A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, and Abhi Jain, Partner at PwC, explore what the robotics conversation in hospitality is really about. They discuss where robotics makes practical sense today, and where human judgment and interaction remain essential. The conversation then shifts to the structural realities of the hotel business, including ownership models, incentive misalignment, and the complexity of the ecosystem that often slows technology adoption. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of why innovation in hospitality is less about the technology itself and more about who pays, who benefits, and how alignment drives change. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, and Abhi Jain, Partner at PwC, break down what defined 2025 and what hotel leaders must focus on in 2026. From the rise of a two-speed market to persistent margin compression, they explain why operational excellence is now the primary driver of asset value. We explore how AI, "synthetic customers," and stronger data governance are reshaping pricing, product development, and time-to-market. If you own, operate, or invest in hotels, this conversation will help you compete in a structurally different hotel economy.Reports mentioned in the conversation:PwC Hospitality Directions US - the hotel industry outlook report discussedPwC & ULI Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026 - the report that identified operational excellence as the driving force for value creationPwC Holiday 2025 Spending Signals for 2026 - the post-holiday data showing the income-based spending divergence   A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Josiah Mackenzie reflects on leading change and reinvention, using Hospitality Daily as an example. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, shares how "AI has become agenda item one, two, three, four, and five" for hotel leaders worldwide. Recorded at ALIS in January 2026, this conversation explores how AI has shifted from experimentation to executive priority in a matter of months.Ryan outlines three key arenas shaping hospitality today: internal automation, on-property operational efficiency, and the high-stakes disruption of search and booking. He explains why AI is no longer a technology problem but an adoption challenge, why data readiness and trust will determine visibility in AI-driven discovery, and how leaders should think in scenarios as OTAs, suppliers, and agentic systems compete for control of the booking relationship.This episode offers a clear framework for where to act now and how to prepare for a rapidly shifting distribution landscape.See our previous conversation: How The World's Best Hotels Deliver Exceptional Service - Ryan Mann, McKinsey & Company A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Bashar Wali shares a personal look at how he approaches travel, often landing in a city for less than 24 hours and skipping the landmarks altogether. Instead of checking boxes or chasing must-see attractions, he spends his time in conversation, sitting at coffee shops and bars, speaking with strangers about their lives, ambitions, and perspectives. In this episode, he reframes travel as a tool for self-discovery rather than sightseeing, arguing that depth of connection matters more than distance covered. For hospitality leaders, the takeaway is clear. If you want to understand a place, a culture, or even yourself, start with people.Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, challenges one of the most common habits in life and work: leading with “What do you do?” He explains why that question limits connection, reinforces hierarchy, and undermines the core spirit of hospitality. Drawing from his global travels and leadership experience, Bashar makes the case for curiosity as a discipline and introduces a better starting point: “Where are you from?” Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares why staying culturally relevant is your responsibility. Read more from Bashar: The Merchants of Cool™Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this conversation, Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, returns to move the conversation from wellness theory to practical execution. Drawing on her background in luxury mystery shopping and experiential audits, she explains how a structured wellness audit helps hotels uncover hidden revenue opportunities already inside their operations. From sleep-focused room upgrades and minibar redesigns to team training and retreat partnerships, she outlines how operators can drive incremental top-line growth without major capital investment. If you are looking to offset rising costs, improve retention, and open new pockets of demand, this episode gives you a clear framework to turn wellness into a measurable profit center.More from Emily:Elevate Wellness CollectiveSubstackInstagramHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this conversation, Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, joins the show to unpack what hotels often misunderstand about wellness. Drawing on her background in hotel investment and development, Emily explains why wellness extends beyond the spa and how mental health and emotional well-being shape the overall stay. The discussion explores wellness as a strategic lens for design and operations, not a standalone amenity, and why hospitality leaders need to rethink how wellness fits into their business objectives. More from Emily:Elevate Wellness CollectiveSubstackInstagramGlobal Wellness Institute postLinkedIn post: Accor x Globetrender studyLinkedIn Post: Global Wellness Summit recapArticle: How Integrating Mental Health Into the Guest Journey Drives ProfitHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares how observing human behavior shapes his perspective on hospitality.Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares a candid perspective shaped by staying in a different hotel every night he travels, explaining how overdesigned spaces, sensory overload, and scripted service have pushed hospitality away from its core purpose. This conversation reframes hotels as a respite from daily chaos, not an experience competing for attention. Also see: Delighting Guests: Easier Than Ever? (Bashar Wali, Practice Hospitality)Let's Return To The Art of Hospitality - Bashar Wali, Practice HospitalityHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this special bonus episode from Actabl, Josiah Mackenzie and Sarah McCay Tams lead a candid discussion with Shozib Khan, David Lund, and Chris Green on how hotel leaders stop flying blind and win in 2026. The panel explains why having the numbers alone is not enough and why shared data, forecast accuracy, and daily execution drive real performance across portfolios. They explore how operators align revenue, labor, CapEx, and culture, while democratizing financial insight from the boardroom to the front line. You will learn how better reporting builds confidence, sharper decisions, and sustainable profit without losing sight of people.Learn more about Actabl's business intelligence and forecasting solutionsA few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares an unfiltered look at what is shaping his thinking as the industry enters 2026. He breaks down the reality of flat revenues, rising labor and insurance costs, policy uncertainty, and why eroding margins feel more dangerous than an outright downturn. Bashar explains how uncertainty is freezing investment, delaying renovations, and reshaping owners' thinking about growth, debt, and risk. This conversation provides hospitality executives with a grounded view of what matters most right now and where disciplined operators continue to focus to survive tough cycles.Also see: The Next Wave of Hospitality: Trends, Brands, and Innovation - Bashar Wali, Practice HospitalityHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Heather Dunwoody, founder and principal of Hospitality in Bloom, shares how participatory experiences, community, and a strong sense of place create guest experiences people remember and return for. Drawing from her background across agencies, large brands, and hospitality, she explains why humans are starving for connection and how hospitality is uniquely positioned to deliver it. You'll come away with a clearer perspective on how designing for connection builds stronger brands and more resilient hospitality businesses.Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Stacey Milgram Plotska, VP of Operations and Implementations at Actabl, shares how hotel technology delivers the best results when it's set up and used the right way. This conversation is a deep dive into what needs to happen, including the implementation, onboarding, training, and systems required to support ongoing learning and adoption. Stacey breaks down how strong technology partnerships work, what hotel teams need to do to succeed, and where some organizations struggle. If you care about driving performance, empowering teams, and getting real value from your technology investments, this conversation offers a clear, practical perspective.Resources:Request a conversation with Actabl about what Stacey shared hereRequest a product demo from ActablActabl customer story: Fast Track to Financial Visibility: How Commonwealth Hotels Quickly Activated ProfitSword Across More Than 40 HotelsActabl customer story: Future-Ready Hospitality: Hotel Equities Invests in the Actabl Platform to Scale with PurposeActabl customer story: Better Together: How We Aligned Hotel Operations, Staffing & Financial Performance with Actabl - Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & ResortsActabl customer story: How Hospitality America's CEO Ben Campbell Makes Work a Team SportPodcast: The Secret to Unlocking Performance: Your Technology Partner's Customer Success Team - Megan Yagoda Kaplan, ActablPodcast: The Magic Wand Question: Building Digital Night Audit (and Hotel Tech That Matters)Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares how his company thinks about “Sportspitality,” the intersection of hotels, mixed-use development, sports teams, and entertainment districts. He shares how projects tied to arenas and stadiums create amplified demand beyond traditional group, business, and leisure travel. The conversation explores real examples across professional sports, universities, and urban cores, including how hospitality plays a central role in placemaking. Learn more about Sage's McGregor Square projectMore with Walter:Hotels Are Splitting Into Two Completely Different Businesses - Walter Isenberg, Sage HospitalityThe Dana Crawford Playbook: How Risk, Storytelling, and Grit Built Iconic Hospitality - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality GroupCrafting Places Guests Remember: Inside Sage Studio's Story-First Approach - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality GroupHospitality as a Catalyst: Revitalizing Cities with Walter Isenberg (Sage Hospitality Group)The Letter That Turned a Young Dishwasher into a Hospitality Leader - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality GroupHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares why his company forecasts labor down to the minute and tracks forecast accuracy at 30, 60, and 90 days out. You'll hear how forecast discipline directly impacts labor planning, cash flow, and investment returns in a business Walter describes as having "one-day leases."Resources:Walter's article in Hotel Management: "Hospitality Begins from Within"Learn more about the technology Sage uses: ActablWhy The National Forecast Is Your Starting Point - Jan Freitag, CoStarHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares his reflections on 2025, the lessons he's bringing into 2026, and his perspective on the bifurcation in hospitality: commodity hotels moving toward automation and reduced staffing versus experience-driven hospitality, where people remain the competitive advantage. More from Walter: Walter's article in Hotel Management: "Hospitality Begins from Within"The Letter That Turned a Young Dishwasher into a Hospitality Leader - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality GroupHow Sage Hospitality Enriches Lives Through Culture - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality GroupThe Dana Crawford Playbook: How Risk, Storytelling, and Grit Built Iconic Hospitality - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality GroupHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Jan Freitag, National Director, Hospitality Analytics at CoStar Group, shares why the national forecast should be your starting point -- and gives specific things you can do to find growth this year.Links:"Tell Me More" Podcast by Jan Freitag & Isaac Collazo: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Read Jan's latest articles for CoStarVideo: Teague Talks with Jan Freitag of CoStar GroupOur previous conversation: Tariffs, Travel Disruption, and What Hotel Leaders Must Do Now - Jan Freitag, CoStarI-92/APIS Dataset from the U.S. Department of CommerceCanadian travel statisticsHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Nazpari Aydin is the co-founder and managing director of Destination AI — the #1 hospitality AI event — which she built from scratch in just two years. In this episode, she shares why she created the conference, how she approached speaker selection and community building, and what she learned from bringing hospitality leaders, operators, and technologists into the same room. Register now for Destination AI 2026You may also like: The Next Phase of AI Adoption Inside Hotel Companies - Stuart GreifHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Janette Roush, the SVP of Innovation and Chief AI Officer at Brand USA, shares how her team moved past AI hype to real, working applications across the organization. She explains what agentic AI looks like in practice, how organizations shift from individual experimentation to true organizational upskilling, and why trust and verified data are becoming mission-critical as travelers rely more on AI for planning. You'll hear concrete examples from RFP evaluation, internal workflows, and campaign launches, along with a clear argument for why destination organizations must reposition themselves as trusted sources of truth. This episode is for hospitality and travel leaders who need practical direction on how AI is already reshaping discovery, decision-making, and organizational strategy.Listen to our previous conversation: America's Chief AI Officer for Travel Shares AdviceResources we mentioned:Janette's websiteClaude Code LovableBrand USA's America the Beautiful campaign siteHow I AI PodcastEveryMarketing Against the Grain A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality, shares how art plays a direct role in how she leads and drives performance across her portfolio. She explains why her team invests in Artist in Residence programs, rotating galleries, and cultural programming as a way to create energy guests feel the moment they walk in. Sarah also talks about why she avoids standard hotel art packages and instead focuses on work with real meaning and local connection. Toward the end, she reveals an unexpected benefit of art that influences leadership, culture, and how people experience each day.See our earlier conversations: From 14-Year-Old Housekeeper to Ralph Lauren to CEO: What I've Learned in Hotel Management and Beyond The Box and the Wavy Line: A Smarter Way to Lead Hospitality A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality, shares how she thinks about growth through the lens of irreplaceability. She explains why historic hotels with emotional and cultural relevance often present stronger long-term opportunities than new builds, especially in today's environment. The conversation explores stewardship as an operating and investment discipline, where thoughtful repositioning, branding, and revenue management unlock value without erasing identity. Hospitality leaders will take away a clear framework for building durable advantage by leaning into what makes a property impossible to replace.See Sarah's TEDx talk: Old Wine in New Bottles: Generational Hospitality & ReinventionSee our earlier conversations: From 14-Year-Old Housekeeper to Ralph Lauren to CEO: What I've Learned in Hotel Management and Beyond The Box and the Wavy Line: A Smarter Way to Lead Hospitality A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Josiah Mackenzie recaps his takeaways from ALIS 2026, including why some hotels continue to grow even as industry top-line performance plateaus and costs rise faster than inflation. You'll hear why operational discipline, service excellence, and clear plans for differentiation matter so much, and how pricing power is built through basics done exceptionally well. More:What I'm Looking For (At ALIS & Beyond) - Josiah MackenzieHow Luxury's Growth Is Reshaping Hospitality - Stuart Greif, Forbes Travel Guide A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide, shares what he's seeing as AI adoption within hotel companies matures. Drawing on his involvement with Destination AI and a panel he led with leaders from major global brands, Stuart explains why many remain stuck in an efficiency-first mindset. He walks through concrete examples where AI already supports revenue, sales, staffing decisions, and guest experience, and where things are moving next. Watch the panel Stuart led at Destination AI 2025: How Hotel Chains Are Deploying AI TodayCompanies mentioned:ActablAbra HospitalityLeveeGuestOSHyper NimbusRoomiy A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands