Podcasts about hitec

Brent Hayhurst, VP at Curator Hotel and Resort Collection, won't look at a new technology until he knows what KPI it's supposed to move.

In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Apaleo co-founder Philip von Ditfurth and SVP Revenue Florian Montag to explore the future of hospitality technology, AI, and open platform architecture.The conversation dives into why Apaleo chose a composable, API-first approach long before it became an industry trend, how leading hotel brands are leveraging technology to improve both guest experiences and operational efficiency, and what hoteliers need to do today to prepare for the rise of agentic AI.Philip shares lessons learned from building technology platforms across fragmented industries, while Florian offers a hotelier's perspective on AI adoption, governance, and the importance of creating a future-ready technology foundation. Together, they discuss why flexibility, open infrastructure, and strategic technology decisions will define the next generation of successful hotel operators.Key Topics Include: The power of open APIs and composable hospitality technology  Why AI readiness starts with the right technology foundation  Lessons from innovative hotel brands like citizenM Building a future-proof hotel tech stack  The balance between guest experience and operational efficiency Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uBwm8n1ExM8Links:Philip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-von-ditfurth-1a570/ Florian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmontag/Apaleo: https://apaleo.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/296Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Branigan Mulcahy, CEO and Co-founder of Virdee, to explore how AI and digital wallet technology are transforming the hotel guest experience.Branigan shares insights into Virdee's partnership with Apple and Google to bring hotel room keys directly into mobile wallets, eliminating many of the friction points associated with traditional digital key systems. The conversation dives into the future of contactless hospitality, AI-powered guest engagement, personalization at scale, sustainability benefits, and how hotels can balance automation with exceptional human service.From seamless room access through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet to AI-driven guest communication and operations, this episode offers a glimpse into what the next generation of hospitality technology looks like—and why hotel operators should be paying attention.Key Topics Covered: Digital room keys in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet  Enhancing guest convenience and satisfaction  AI's role in the hotel guest journey  Sustainability benefits of eliminating plastic key cards  The future of hospitality technology and guest experiences Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/46LegJqDHdQLinks:Branigan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/branigan-mulcahy/ Virdee: https://virdee.ai/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/294Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Recorded live from HITEC, Steve Carran sits down with the Alliant leadership team—CEO Tristan Gadsby, SVP of Customer Experience Andrew Pirret, and CRO Alberto Santana—to explore how technology is transforming the guest experience while keeping hospitality at its human core.The conversation dives into Alliant's collaboration with Les Clefs d'Or, where concierge professionals are embracing AI and modern technology to enhance personalized service. Tristan shares how technology can make hospitality professionals "superhuman" by automating routine tasks and allowing them to focus on meaningful guest interactions.Alberto discusses the untapped opportunity hotels have to better understand why guests are traveling, using a compelling World Cup travel scenario to illustrate how hotels can move beyond generic upsells and create memorable, emotionally connected experiences. The team also explores the importance of recognizing every guest on a reservation—not just the primary booker—and how doing so unlocks deeper personalization and increased revenue opportunities.Andrew explains why digital wallets and contactless check-in technology have reached a tipping point, making travel smoother for guests while helping hotels overcome staffing and operational challenges. The discussion also highlights how Apple Wallet integrations are changing the way travelers manage their stays and interact with hotel brands.Finally, Tristan shares how Alliant is leveraging agentic AI, guest data, and contextual intelligence to create smarter recommendations for guests and more efficient workflows for hotel teams. From AI-powered morning briefing agents to hyper-personalized guest engagement, the future of hospitality is becoming more connected, intelligent, and guest-centric than ever before.In this episode, you'll learn:How concierge teams are embracing AI without losing the human touchWhy understanding a guest's reason for travel matters more than everThe hidden revenue opportunities in identifying all guests on a reservationHow digital wallets are reshaping the hotel guest journeyThe role of agentic AI in delivering personalized hospitality at scaleWhy data quality is the foundation of successful AI initiativesWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pREGBac4jyALinks:Tristan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristangadsby/Alberto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsantana/Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-pirret/Alliants: https://www.alliants.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/293Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jeff Bzdawka, CEO of Hapi and a Hall of Fame inductee in hospitality technology. Jeff shares his unique journey from aspiring dentist to hospitality technology leader, reflecting on the experiences that shaped his career across Hyatt, Pegasus, TravelClick, Noland, and now Hapi.The conversation explores the evolving relationship between hospitality and technology, with a deep dive into what it truly means for hotels to be AI-ready versus AI-enabled. Jeff explains why clean, connected, and actionable data is the foundation for successful AI adoption, the challenges of achieving the industry's long-sought 360-degree guest profile, and how hotels can leverage technology to create more personalized guest experiences.They also discuss operational automation, payment processing innovations, the importance of data normalization, and the future of hospitality technology as the industry moves from AI experimentation to real-world implementation. Plus, Jeff shares insights from the HITEC show floor, leadership lessons from his Wisconsin roots, and his vision for the future of guest experience.Key Topics Covered: The intersection of hospitality and innovation  Why hotels must focus on data before AI  Payment automation and reducing operational friction  HITEC trends and the future of AI in hospitality  Leadership, culture, and industry transformation Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Dg2iO2DW3MLinks:Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbzdawka/Hapi: https://www.stayhapi.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/292Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Denise Walker, CIO at Starwood Hotels and Resorts, started her career on a TRS-80. Thirty years later, she told me AI is the first technology she's never had to explain to anyone — people already see why it matters.

In this special episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Will Gilbert, Co-Founder of Bodhi, live from HITEC, to explore how hospitality technology is rapidly transforming hotel operations, guest experience, and revenue performance.Will shares how Bodhi has achieved 10X growth since last October, and why the company is positioning itself not just as a product vendor—but as a true hotel operating platform designed to unify fragmented systems across the hospitality ecosystem.The conversation dives deep into how Bodhi is helping hotels deliver measurable ROI through its powerful ROI calculator, which links operational improvements directly to revenue impact, guest satisfaction, energy savings, and operational efficiency.Rather than bolting on features or claiming AI hype, Will explains Bodhi's philosophy of building a purpose-built, fully integrated platform that improves over time and delivers tangible business outcomes. From housekeeping optimization and valet integration to work order management and predictive insights, Bodhi is redefining what “platform” really means in hospitality tech.The discussion also covers: Why most hotel “platforms” are actually disconnected products  How guest experience issues directly impact revenue and ratings  The importance of data security, including SOC 2 Type 2 compliance  What's next for the future of hotel operating systems Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BF9nGmpAU-kLinks:Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-gilbert-0348586/Bodhi: https://www.gobodhi.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/290Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ryan King, SVP of the Americas at Shiji, live from the Shiji Cafe and Marketplace on the trade show floor. The conversation dives deep into how hospitality technology is evolving—and where it's still falling short.Ryan shares insights from over a decade of attending HITEC and explores the industry's ongoing struggle with fragmented, siloed systems across PMS, POS, spa, and operations. While hotels rushed to adopt tech to solve staffing shortages, many ended up with disconnected tools that fail to deliver a unified guest experience.In this episode, you'll learn: Why many hotels still struggle with fragmented, siloed technology—and how it impacts the guest experience  How rushed tech adoption during staffing shortages created operational inefficiencies instead of solving them  What it really means to “meet the guest where they are” and how these changes hotel operations in practice  How mobile and on-the-floor service models can increase speed, upsells, and guest satisfaction  Why cloud-based systems are key to connecting PMS, POS, spa, and other hotel platforms  The growing importance of clean, unified data in an AI-driven hospitality landscape Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qIkt3mlnx1ULinks:Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-king-11083842/ Shiji Group: https://www.shijigroup.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/288Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tim Major, CEO of Operto, to explore how AI is transforming hotel marketing, direct bookings, and operational efficiency.Tim shares how Operto One's autonomous AI agents help hotels combat predatory OTAs, improve direct booking performance, and optimize visibility across both traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered search experiences. The conversation dives into the role of agentic AI in hospitality, the balance between automation and authentic guest service, and how hotels can leverage AI without adding complexity to their existing technology stack.Key topics include: How AI agents protect hotel brands from predatory OTA practices  Increasing direct bookings through automated search and GEO optimization  The future of agentic AI in hospitality operations  Real-world success stories from hotels using AI-driven solutions  Preparing hotel websites and content for AI-powered search platforms Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/zGLo-TaAMykLinks:Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majortm/Operto: https://operto.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/289Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Hotel operators don't lack AI options. They lack a clear way to evaluate them. At HITEC, I talked with Shannon McCallum, VP of Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas, about the HFTP AI Collective and how operators can make smarter decisions around AI tools, robotics, chatbots, reporting, and vendor partners.

Live from HITEC in San Antonio, the Steve Turk and Sarah Dandashy recap the inaugural Hospitality Creator Summit, created by Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri, which drew 200+ attendees for a full day of networking and creator-focused education. Sara shares first impressions of the high-energy event, meeting online peers in person, and the supportive, low-ego atmosphere. A panel on “behind the brand deal” featured Margaritaville and My Place Hotels discussing how brands choose creators, partnership paths from in-kind to paid, and the challenge of tracking bookings driven by content, including working with small-audience creators for fit and aesthetic. They note sessions on newsletters and podcasting milestones, HITEC's creator booth with interview and green-screen setups, and floor trends like better booth experiences, fewer AI buzzwords but more specific integrations, data consolidation, and room automation savings, plus a push for brands to create personality-driven, value-first content.A big shout out to our sponsor Lodgify! Starting June 17th to June 30th, use promo code THM60 for 60% off00:00 Live From HITEC00:21 Sponsor Shoutout - Lodgify 00:58 Creator Summit Recap02:55 Brand Deals Panel05:09 Creator Growth Tips05:50 Meet Tyler Behind Scenes06:37 Content Booth Setup07:31 HITEC Floor Highlights08:27 Tech Trends And AI09:57 Venue Vibes San Antonio10:16 Creators Take Over10:57 Booth Snacks and Vibes11:24 Why Brands Need Content12:55 Make Value Not Ads14:19 One Post Big Impact16:05 HCS First Day Energy17:54 After Party and Wrap

I'm at HITEC in San Antonio today and tomorrow, and I talked with Stephen Katsirubas, CIO of Pursuit Collection, about AI that's already doing real work for guests and operators. Pursuit has a lot more going on than rooms and room nights. They're dealing with lodging, attractions, retail, boating, gondolas, sky trams, and all the guest questions that come with those experiences. Stephen isn't talking about AI in some vague "future of hospitality" way. He's talking about using it now so guests get faster answers and teams spend less time buried in the same basic questions. One example got my attention: Pursuit cut call volume by more than 30% in one area by helping guests get answers about hours, parking, pet rules, and other basics before they need a person. Thanks to Unifocus. Workforce management redefined. Visit unifocus.com. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.

In this episode, Martin Soler shares where hoteliers should focus as technology and AI reshape the industry. Recorded ahead of HITEC 2026, Martin explains why strong data foundations matter more than the latest AI tools, how to evaluate technology vendors through the lens of integrations and APIs, and what hotel leaders should prioritize today to prepare for what's next. If you're trying to make smarter technology decisions in a rapidly changing environment, this conversation offers a practical starting point.Read Martin's newsletter on SubstackYou may also enjoy: AI Only Works for Hotels in This Order: Data, Intelligence, Action - Stephen German, ActablYour AI Tools Won't Save You. Your Data Will. - GB Sharma, Mosaic HospitalityWhy Our Approach to Hotel Data Earned a Patent and Prepares Hotels for AI - Clark Brayton, Joseph McGroarty & Pritesh Patel, ActablFinding Gold in Your 'Data Attic': How Margaritaville's Chief Data Officer Unlocks Hidden Opportunities 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

Guest Bio Michelle Davis is the General Manager of the SpringHill Suites Orange Beach at The Wharf and a recognized leader known for building high-performing teams and delivering standout guest experiences. Jason Kern is the General Manager of Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort, where he combines servant leadership with a deep passion for hospitality and team development. Together, these award-winning leaders share lessons on culture, coaching, and customer care. *** What You'll Learn: *** • Why great GMs are leaders first and operators second • How delegation creates stronger managers and better hotels • How to stop taking guest complaints personally • The power of "unreasonable hospitality" • How empathy can defuse even the toughest guest situations • Small leadership habits that create big guest impressions • Why communication norms matter more than communication tools • The surprising value of daily team huddles • Why recognition from guests means more than you think • Why successful leaders love seeing others surpass them • Practical ways to spend less time behind a desk • Why the best GMs constantly change their routines • How building the right management team changes everything • The balance between profitability and genuine hospitality • Hilarious "only in hotels" stories you'll never forget *** The Takeaway: The best GMs don't create great hotels. They create great teams that create great guest experiences. Michelle Davis on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-davis-4037b86/ Jason Kern on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-kern-70b6496/ Sign up to record at HITEC https://forms.gle/hZCJfZXbz2vSnetD6 Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

In this solo episode, Cody breaks down the top hospitality conferences and networking events every hotel owner, operator, and hospitality professional should have on their radar this year.Whether you're looking to grow your network, discover new technology, stay ahead of industry trends, or simply surround yourself with other passionate hospitality leaders—these events can completely change the trajectory of your business.Cody shares where he'll be, what makes each event unique, and how to maximize the value of attending.

In this episode, Chris Kluis, VP of Product Operations & Data at Actabl, discusses his family's unique history with artificial intelligence, how early curiosity sparked his career journey, and why experimentation matters more than theory. Chris provides practical advice for hospitality professionals looking to start leveraging AI today, shares lessons from implementing AI at scale, and explores how digitization, effective prompting, and careful data management can unlock real business value.We cover:0:00 – Intro01:35 – How it started: Chris's family history with AI07:33 – What is AI? Definition and how it works09:54 – Use case: AI for advertising11:58 – Starting with personal AI use cases13:43 – Encouraging curiosity and learning14:57 – Personalized podcasts with NotebookLM16:21 – AI podcasts replacing humans?17:21 – Trust and AI19:08 – Importance of “Human in the loop”20:22 – HITEC 2025: AI in hotel tech today23:21 – Can AI expand opportunities?25:36 – Hoteliers: Start by digitizing workflows29:13 – “Treat AI like a new employee”33:17 – Higher-order thinking and AI35:51 – Building repeatable AI systems36:56 – ChatGPT vs Gemini vs other LLMs39:56 – What makes a good AI prompt?41:26 – Juxtaposition of new vs old44:21 – Skills to develop to stay relevant46:18 – Personal and professional next steps49:03 – Voice-powered AI50:50 – Corporate AI policies51:58 – Where Chris learns about AI54:26 – How AI will shape life and work 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

Recorded during HITEC, #NoVacancyNews had the privilege of chatting with Michael Schubach Shubach from Rosen Hotels & Resorts to explore how #hoteltechnology, people-first thinking, and bold ideas could reshape the hospitality industry. ✨ Key highlights from our conversation: • Why Rosen is exploring a 4-day workweek with 5-day workweek pay as a real benefit of AI-driven productivity • How sharing automation gains with employees—rather than only owners—can build unmatched loyalty • Tackling class divides in hospitality by returning more time (instead of promising remote work that frontline staff can't access) • Using technology to remove workplace monotony and open paths for growth, not just cost-cutting • What it means to truly care for your people beyond the usual perks and policies It's not just about doing things differently—it's about rethinking why we do them at all.

What stood out on the HITEC 2025 show floor? What trends will shape hospitality's next wave of innovation? And what does it mean for your hotel? In this episode of dojo.live, we're joined by Katie Moro, Vice President of Data Partnerships at Amadeus Hospitality, for a post-HITEC 2025 debrief that goes beyond the booth to explore what's truly shaping the future of hotel tech. From AI-driven commercial alignment to traveler personalization trends, Katie unpacks the technologies and insights that stood out across the show floor and what they actually mean for hotel operators right now.Joined by Shridhar Padmanabhan, Encora's VP of Travel and Hospitality, this conversation also dives into how hospitality leaders can move from innovation fatigue to smart, scalable adoption. Whether it's making sense of rising guest expectations, turning market-level data into action, or filtering the noise around AI, Katie and Shridhar bring a grounded yet forward-looking lens to what hotels should prioritize next.About Katie MoroKatie Moro is a veteran of the hospitality industry and a pioneer in hospitality demand data. She joined TravelClick (now an Amadeus company) in 2011 and is responsible for the global expansion of Demand360©, the hospitality industry's only and most comprehensive forward-looking data tool designed to help hotels maximize their revenue.Previously, Katie led a major accounts sales team at Rubicon, a provider of competitive market intelligence to the travel and hospitality industry and held sales roles at Morgans Hotel Group and Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.Katie was named by Hotel Management Magazine as one of 2018's Influential Women in Hospitality. In 2020, Katie joined the board of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Georgia.About Shridhar PadmanabhanShridhar Padmanabhan is VP of Travel & Hospitality @ Encora Inc. He is known for his empathetic leadership style and ability to build strong, trust-based partnerships with clients and stakeholders. With a deep background in sales and business development across the Travel & Hospitality sector, he brings a strategic mindset to solving complex challenges at scale. His focus on collaboration and innovation helps organizations drive meaningful transformation and measurable results.

Recorded live during HITEC last month, Glenn Haussman and hashtag#NoVacancyNews talks with Deborah Stuempfig and Amy Jones from Omni Hotels & Resorts about what it really took to rebuild their entire hashtag#hospitalitytech stack—and why it's transforming how they do business.

In this episode, we sit down with Mahwish Saleem, Head of Sales at FCS Solutions, to explore how hotels can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve guest satisfaction—all by simplifying their tech stack.Mahwish shares her first impressions of HITEC, what excites her about the future of hotel tech, and how FCS is helping hoteliers stay ahead in an increasingly complex digital landscape.What you'll learn in this episode:Mahwish's first HITEC experience and why it's more than just a trade showHow FCS Solutions helps hotels improve operations and guest serviceWhy reducing the hotel tech stack is becoming a top priorityHow automation and AI are driving productivity in housekeeping and maintenanceWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OQLYoLfKBNM This episode is sponsored by FCS Solutions: https://www.fcshub.com/enJoin the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Mahwish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahwish-saleem-17ab1283/?originalSubdomain=ca FCS Solutions: https://www.fcshub.com/enFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/184Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Today, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Tony Ross, Director of Sales at Craftable, to talk about how technology is helping operators tackle today's biggest hospitality challenges — especially rising costs and profit pressure.Tony brings decades of industry experience and shares how Craftable is streamlining operations, cutting down bloated tech stacks, and helping hotels make smarter, faster decisions with AI and automation.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why “profit pressure” is one of the biggest challenges in hospitality right nowHow Craftable is helping operators manage rising food and labour costsThe role of AI in automating invoice processing and GL codingHow Craftable simplifies integration and helps reduce your tech stackWhat Craftable is promoting at HITEC and what's next for the companyWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yQbyFZraJRIThis episode is sponsored by Craftable: https://craftable.com/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaross1/Craftable: https://craftable.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/183Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this live episode of The Modern Hotelier, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Jason Jenkins, Vice President & Managing Director of the Americas, HRS, to talk all things hotel tech—from AI-powered upselling to seamless system integration.Whether you're a HITEC veteran or a tech-curious hotelier, this episode gives you a front-row seat to how HRS is streamlining operations and enhancing the guest experience in a rapidly evolving landscape.In this episode, you'll learn about:Jason's HITEC experience and what's trending in 2025How HRS is using AI and automation to improve workflows and guest experiencesThe benefits of HRS's in-house AI platform—from data security to eliminating third-party integrationsWhy system integration is still a challenge and how HRS is simplifying itHow LTE-enabled mobile ordering boosts efficiency and revenueThis is one episode you don't want to miss—straight from the show floor with insights that could shape your tech strategy this year.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9w05FN3UAYAThis episode is sponsored by Americas, HRS: https://hrsinternational.com/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-jenkins/ Americas, HRS: https://hrsinternational.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/182Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we're joined by a hospitality tech powerhouse: Robert Dawson, Chief Strategist and Product Officer at IRECKONU.Robert shares his journey from front desk college job to C-suite, how he fell in love with the hotel industry, and why solving fragmented data problems became his mission. We talk all things AI, automation, data management, and CRM evolution — and what's making waves at HITEC this year.We talk about:Why the entrepreneurial section at HITEC is the place to beThe real opportunities (and limits) of AI in hospitalityWhat IRECKONU is doing to turn data into real guest engagementWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7X3r0-OPuWc This episode is sponsored by IRECKONU: https://ireckonu.com/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hospitalitytechnologyexecutive/IRECKONU: https://ireckonu.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/180Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier, we're live from the Dallara IndyCar Factory at HITEC—and yes, the cars are as fast as the tech talk.We're joined by Phil Crawford, Head of Hospitality at Adyen, who dives into how they're reshaping the future of payments for the hotel industry.From solving the chaos of fragmented systems to leveraging true AI (not just buzzword fluff), Phil breaks down how Adyen's unified commerce approach is creating seamless, data-driven guest experiences. He shares real-world applications—from fraud prevention to global API integrations—and how they're listening to their clients to build smarter, faster, and more flexible tools.Whether you're a hotelier struggling with outdated systems or just a tech geek who loves a good innovation story, this episode is packed with insights you can't afford to miss.Tune in for: Behind-the-scenes of Phil's first HITEC How Adyen is building payment solutions hotels actually need What AI should really look like in hospitalityWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2z2e61p_Xds This episode is sponsored by Adyen: https://www.adyen.com/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crawfordphil/Adyen: https://www.adyen.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/181Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Recorded on the bustling HITEC show floor, hashtag#NoVacancyNews caught up with Jeff Borman of Ashford Inc. (and No Show, A Travel Industry Podcast) to unpack how AI in hashtag#hospitalitytech is moving from hype to practical strategy. Here's what you'll hear: ✅ Why this year's conversations finally feel actionable, not just theoretical ✅ How hotel commercial leaders are using AI today to improve operations and guest connections ✅ The challenges of data ownership, privacy, and working across brands vs. independents ✅ Why Jeff left HITEC with a real to-do list instead of just big ideas Big thanks to Uniguest for supporting this conversation! Learn more about how they connect the guest journey to your branding at uniguest.com.

In this second batch of HITEC interviews, Susan invites a new group of hotel tech leaders into the Top Floor recording booth to deliver their best Elevator Pitches—and a few unforgettable stories. From AI-powered concierges to spa booking solutions and a piano-playing manager who couldn't play piano, this episode blends industry insight with plenty of personality. Plus, you'll find out exactly how a monkey became part of a hotel's guest communication demo. Featured guests: James Hansen, Vice President of Business Development, REECO Eric Lutz, Co-Founder & CEO, OLIVE Shawn Tarter, President, RealTime Reservation Mark Cederloff, CEO, VSR Network Technologies Mike Medsker, Founder, SIV Jen Barnwell, President, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection Tess McGoldrick, Senior Vice President, Travel & Hospitality, Revenue Analytics Tanya Pratt, Global Vice President, Oracle Hospitality Stephen Chen, CEO, Phunware

In this special HITEC 2025 edition of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality's Most Engaged Podcast, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dan Bell, VP of Hotels and Resorts at Agilysys, for an energized and insightful conversation straight from the show floor.Dan shares his journey from his blue-collar roots in Easton, Pennsylvania, to leading hospitality tech innovation at Agilysys. He opens up about what drives him, his favorite city in the world, and the lessons he still carries from his early days in restaurant tech. The trio also dives into the transformative power of integrated, guest-focused technology—and how forward-thinking hoteliers are boosting revenue, efficiency, and experience through modern solutions.From intelligent guest profiles and PMS innovation to post-sale support and the future of hospitality service, this episode is packed with insights for industry leaders who want to stay ahead.You'll learn:Why Dan believes singular industry focus is the key to better techHow Agilysys is redefining the guest experience with end-to-end solutionsThe importance of collaboration between sales, development, and operatorsWhat post-sale service really looks like when it's done rightWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F135XFiPjgY This episode is sponsored by agilysys: https://www.agilysys.com/en/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bell-01a6055/agilysys: https://www.agilysys.com/en/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/178Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode recorded live at HITEC, we sit down with Estella Hale from Zucchetti North America to talk all things innovation, automation, and integration in hotel tech. With more than 15 years of HITEC experience under her belt, Estella shares insider insights into how Zucchetti is reshaping the hospitality tech landscape in North America.In this episode, we cover:How Zucchetti brings European tech excellence to North American hotelsHow generative AI is being used for translations, chatbots, and impactful visualsThe industry's ongoing challenge with tech integration—and how Zucchetti addresses itWhy integration should go beyond the “minimum common denominator"Creating data lakes to improve revenue decisions and future-proof hotel operationsWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h2ORBFn6oI0 This episode is sponsored by Zucchetti North America: https://www.zucchetti.com/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Estella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estellahale/Zucchetti North America: https://www.zucchetti.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/175Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Today, we sit down with Will Gilbert, co-founder of Bodhi, a groundbreaking platform transforming hotel operations through AI, automation, and integration.With over 25 years of system integration experience, Will shares how Bodhi acts like a virtual technician, working 24/7 to ensure every device in a hotel—regardless of brand—is functioning flawlessly. From a universal guest app that requires no downloads to a powerful AI "Super Agent" processing hundreds of thousands of data points every second, Bodhi is solving problems hotels didn't even know they had.We dive into:The challenges of integration and how Bodhi stays one step aheadHow AI is actually being used—no fluff, just functionThe power of real-time data across lighting, HVAC, locks, and PMS systemsTheir new innovations debuting at HITEC (hint: three layers of AI!)Why the guest experience starts before they even speak upWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-eapkMzXYrQ This episode is sponsored by Bodhi: https://www.gobodhi.com/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-gilbert-0348586/Bodhi: https://www.gobodhi.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/176Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we're coming to you from the floor of HITEC in Indianapolis, where Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Kevin Bidner, CEO of Hotel Communication Network (HCN).Kevin shares the incredible journey from being a serial tech entrepreneur to disrupting the hospitality industry with an innovative, guest-centric solution: in-room tablets that redefine hotel communication. Discover why HCN's technology is quickly becoming the global standard, how it's solving the decades-old problem of digital guest engagement, and how it's now accessible to hotels of all levels through an ad-subsidized model.We also dive into HCN's latest breakthrough: a conversational AI concierge that speaks every language, solves problems instantly, and helps guests explore the city — revolutionizing the travel experience from the inside out.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why hotel apps fall short, and tablets win the engagement battleHow HCN became the global leader after acquiring CraveThe real impact of guestroom tablets on satisfaction and hotel revenueHow AI is transforming the hotel experience — in-room and beyondThe bold vision to become “the concierge to the world”Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TU0bR74Jpd0 This episode is sponsored by HCN: https://hcn-inc.com/Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbidner/HCN: https://hcn-inc.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/172Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How can hotels modernize revenue strategies with AI—without losing sight of human insight or control?In this episode of dojo.live, we're joined by Mark Lewis-Brown, President, and Estella Hale, Vice President of Commercial Strategy at Zucchetti North America, for a timely conversation on the evolution of revenue management in hospitality. Recorded live at HITEC 2025, this episode explores how automation and machine learning are transforming the way hotels approach pricing, forecasting, and distribution—from smarter demand modeling powered by flight search data to strategies for maintaining brand control across OTAs, GDS, and direct channels. With the North American launch of Lybra Assistant as a backdrop, Mark and Estella discuss the growing need for forward-looking insights and the importance of finding the right balance between technology and human decision-making in driving profitable outcomes.About Mark Lewis-BrownMark Lewis-Brown is an industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience. At Zucchetti North America, Mark is responsible for overseeing and implementing the commercial and strategic aspects of Zucchetti's expansion into the North American market. Mark is also involved in key decision-making regarding Zucchetti's global strategies and in the positioning of the North American branch within the larger organization.Mark began his hospitality career as an owner and operator of boutique properties across the U.S. Over the past 24 years, he has held leadership roles at several top hotel technology companies. His combined experience on both the hotel and vendor sides gives him a rare, well-rounded perspective on the industry—past and present—making him an ideal leader for Zucchetti North America.About Estella HaleEstella Hale brings over two decades of highly specialized expertise in the hospitality industry, the majority in strategic leadership roles for hotel technology companies. As the Vice President of Commercial Strategy for Zucchetti North America's Hospitality Division, Estella plays a pivotal role in strengthening the company's position as a leading provider of innovative solutions for the hospitality sector. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company's vision for bringing new technology solutions to the North American market.Prior to joining Zucchetti North America, Estella served as the Chief Commercial Officer at HotelIQ, where she crafted the company's strategic vision and oversaw commercial operations. Previously, she led strategic sessions at Deloitte's Greenhouse® and held executive leadership positions at other prominent hospitality technology firms, including SHR, iHotelier and Whiteboard Labs.Estella's passion for guiding innovative technology companies stems from being part of the founding team of distribution start-ups and a master's degree in technology commercialization from Texas McCombs School of Business. Her career showcases a consistent drive to innovate and optimize commercial strategies within the hotel tech landscape, and her numerous successes have positioned her a prominent leader in the hospitality industry.

Live from the buzzing HITEC trade show floor, The Modern Hotelier sits down with Darien Long, SVP of Specialty Access Control at dormakaba — and trust us, this isn't your average corporate interview.From growing up in small-town Texas with a love for sunsets and strong coffee to running a 250-person team in a global powerhouse, Darien's journey is packed with grit, charm, and game-changing insights.In this episode, you'll discover:The best advice she ever got (spoiler: it's about money vs. experience) Why fashion-forward PPE should be a thing (yes, really) The future of hotel access, cloud tech, and how AI could transform your next stay Tune in to find out why access control is no longer just about locks — it's about experience.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OvJp0-_L9hs This episode is sponsored by dormakaba: https://www.dormakaba.com/us-en Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Darien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darienlong/dormakaba Americas: https://www.dormakaba.com/us-enFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/170Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How can AI and smarter payments help hospitality procurement teams reduce friction, cut costs, and unlock strategic value?In this episode of dojo.live, we sit down with Phil Beck, General Manager of Payments, and David Schloss, General Manager of Payments at BirchStreet Systems, to explore how AI and digital transformation are reshaping procurement in hospitality. Often overlooked in the guest-facing tech conversation, procurement and payment systems are ripe for innovation—especially as hotels face growing complexity in payments, fraud risk, and supplier networks.Phil and David break down where AI is already making an impact, how smarter workflows are streamlining operations from invoice to reconciliation, and why procurement technology can drive broader business goals—from cost control to ESG compliance to guest satisfaction. They also share what BirchStreet is showcasing at HITEC 2025, the evolving role of ecosystem partnerships, and the future trends the industry isn't paying enough attention to—yet.About Phil BeckPhil Beck has been at the forefront of payments and technology for more than twenty-five years, serving in senior executive roles at Capital One, SAP, Ariba and FreeMarkets. He has launched and scaled multiple payments platforms serving as Head of Treasury Management for Capital One, as SVP and GM for SAP's payments and business network and multiple card, real-time settlement, dynamic discounting and working capital finance solutions across the US, EMEA and APJ. He has been a mainstage speaker at Money2020, AFP and PYMNTS.com and is regularly sought out by innovative payments companies to develop next-generation solutions to solve B2B use cases around the world.Beck has also served as a board advisor for Series A-C companies in the payments space, including most recently at Trovata.io, Transactis (acquired by MasterCard) and Apparent Financing (an SAP.io company), and as a non-profit board member and advisor across Western PA.About David SchlossDavid Schloss comes to BirchStreet with more than 20 years of SaaS experience. He is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of leading and transforming revenue teams to achieve accelerated growth. His teams pride themselves on collaboration, transparency, execution, and having a customer-centric mindset.Previously David worked at ADP, Convergys, Oracle, and most recently Vice President and General Manager of North American Sales at Certinia, delivering over 60% revenue growth.

How can hotels harness AI to enhance guest experiences—without breaking what's working behind the scenes?In this episode of dojo.live, we sit down with Frank Trampert, Senior Vice President and Global Managing Director of Community Sales at Sabre Hospitality Solutions, to explore how hotels can adopt artificial intelligence in ways that elevate—not disrupt—the human core of hospitality. With automation accelerating across booking engines, inboxes, voice, and social channels, Frank discusses how AI is shifting from hype to everyday utility.The conversation dives into SynXis Concierge.AI, Sabre's latest innovation in guest engagement, and how it blends personalization with automation to deliver timely, relevant interactions without sacrificing control. Frank also shares how the move to the cloud has opened the door to faster innovation, and why now is the moment for hotels to rethink how their tech stack can support flexibility, integration, and growth. If you're wondering how to future-proof your operations while keeping guest service at the center, this episode is full of candid insights and forward-thinking perspective.About Frank TrampertFrank Trampert is Senior Vice President, Global Managing Director of Community Sales for Sabre Hospitality Solutions. Within his role, Frank is responsible for leading global sales, customer engagement, account management, and marketing for all of Sabre Hospitality Solutions' community partners worldwide.Frank has well over two decades of experience within the hospitality industry, having held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility across multiple hoteliers worldwide. Most recently, he served as managing director and chief commercial officer, EMEA and APAC, at Sabre. Prior to that, Frank held the roles of CEO and chief operating officer at Tune Hotels Group. He also held senior roles at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Brand Karma. Additionally, Frank spent 13 years at Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, where he ultimately held the role of EVP, revenue generation for APAC.

We're live from the Stayntouch booth at HITEC with a powerhouse guest — Bill Fanning, Chief Revenue Officer of Stayntouch. From rolling out 139 properties in 90 days to launching new grab-and-go kiosk tech, Bill shares how Stayntouch is redefining PMS innovation in the hospitality industry.Tune in as we cover the latest innovations, guest experience enhancements, and the real impact of customer-led product development.In this episode, you'll learn about: How Stayntouch scaled across 139 Cobblestone properties in under 90 daysA new way to manage booking, reporting, and operations at scaleHow their self-service kiosk is transforming the late-night guest experienceWhy Stayntouch stays in its PMS lane — and thrives with over 1,200 integrationsHow hotelier feedback directly shapes new features and partnershipsListen now to hear how Stayntouch is leading the charge in hospitality tech and what's coming next in their roadmap.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aBpJR-LyJng This episode is sponsored by Stayntouch: https://www.stayntouch.com/ Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billfanning1/Stayntouch: https://www.stayntouch.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/169Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How can AI and data-driven insights help hotels meet rising traveler expectations—without overwhelming their teams?In this episode of dojo.live, we sit down with Katie Moro, Vice President of Data Partnerships at Amadeus Hospitality, live from the HITEC 2025 show floor. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping hotel operations through tools like Demand360 and MeetingBroker, enabling everything from smarter forecasting to automated RFP handling. Katie also unpacks key findings from the Amadeus “Travel Dreams” report, offering a window into what today's travelers really want—and what they're willing to pay for. Together, we connect the dots between evolving guest expectations and scalable personalization, highlighting what still stands in the way and how hotels can close that gap. If you're navigating the intersection of innovation and operations, this episode is one you won't want to miss.Katie Moro is a veteran of the hospitality industry and a pioneer in hospitality demand data. She joined TravelClick (now an Amadeus company) in 2011 and is responsible for the global expansion of Demand360©, the hospitality industry's only and most comprehensive forward-looking data tool designed to help hotels maximize their revenue.Previously, Katie led a major accounts sales team at Rubicon, a provider of competitive market intelligence to the travel and hospitality industry and held sales roles at Morgans Hotel Group and Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.Katie was named by Hotel Management Magazine as one of 2018's Influential Women in Hospitality. In 2020, Katie joined the board of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Georgia.Want to see what's shaping traveler expectations in 2025 and beyond? Explore the latest insights in Amadeus' Travel Dreams report.About Katie MoroAdditional Resources

How can a fully connected, cloud-based tech stack unlock better guest experiences and smarter hotel operations?In this episode of dojo.live, we sit down with Tanya Pratt, Global Vice President of OPERA Cloud Strategy and Product Management at Oracle Hospitality. Recorded live at HITEC 2025, this conversation unpacks what the next generation of hospitality technology really looks like when cloud-native platforms and connected ecosystems come together.Tanya shares insight into the recently announced expansion with Omni Hotels & Resorts, exploring how a unified approach across OPERA Cloud PMS, Simphony Cloud, and Central unlocks operational agility, real-time insights, and better guest personalization. She also speaks to the importance of openness and ecosystem enablement in an increasingly complex tech environment—and why seamless integrations are no longer a nice-to-have, but a strategic imperative.Whether you're navigating modernization or thinking about what's next in hospitality tech, Tanya offers timely, practical advice for getting the most out of your digital transformation journey.Tanya Pratt is Global Vice President of OPERA Cloud Strategy and Product Management at Oracle Hospitality. A seasoned hotelier, Tanya spent over 20 years at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts in various leadership positions in Hotel Operations, Revenue Management, Distribution and Loyalty. Immediately prior to joining Oracle, Tanya was Senior Vice President of Global Business Technologies for Accor Hotels Luxury Brands division, responsible for digital transformation, innovation and management of global programs and solutions. Her passion and focus at Oracle Hospitality is on driving value to our industry through increased levels of engagement with customers and delivering hospitality solution that enable and enhance strategic business priorities.

In this special HITEC edition of Top Floor, we're riding the elevator with hospitality tech leaders who know how to make a pitch. From PMS platforms to AI concierges, we cover real-world tools and real-life chaos, including fainting coworkers, bat encounters, and nightclub drama. Whether you're here for the insights or the insanity, this episode delivers both! Featured in Part One: David Fox with Quore Mark Lewis-Brown with Zucchetti North America Estella Hale with Zucchetti North America Christian Arias with Hapi Doug Ralston with True Omni Ethan Wiseman with Sabre Sandrine Zechbauer with RMS

In this episode, we're coming to you from the floor of the HITEC Trade Show to celebrate a decade of innovation, grit, and startup brilliance with the Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) competition. Hosts David Millili and Steve Carran are joined by: Lyle Worthington – Founder of E20X & tech visionaryJonathan Rojas – First-ever E20X winner & Co-Founder of WhistleAl Lagunas – 2025 E20X People's Choice & Judge's Award Winner, CEO of LeveeTogether, they unpack what it takes to build, pitch, and thrive in the hospitality tech world.

During Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) HITEC, hashtag#NoVacancyNews caught up with Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel and Resort Collection, to discuss how she evaluates hospitality technology for a diverse portfolio of independent hotels. With so many vendors vying for attention, she shared how Curator narrows the field and finds real value for its member hotels. Here's what we covered: How Curator uses events like hashtag#HITEC to strengthen vendor relationships and discover meaningful innovations The role of pilot programs in validating tech before wider adoption Why it's critical to focus on tools that support team efficiency and guest experience The growing pressure on profitability in a year of minimal revenue growth Curator's commitment to helping members stay ahead without getting overwhelmed If you're feeling the pressure to make smart hashtag#hospitalitytech decisions, Jen offers a sharp, practical perspective that's well worth your time. Special thanks to our sponsor Uniguest — their Hotel Hub solution connects every step of the guest journey to your messaging and brand. Learn more at uniguest.com.

On this episode, we head to HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis. We sat down with Members of HFTP to talk about HITEC's growth, vision for the future, and what makes HITEC truly special. Thanks to Justin Taillon, the Global President of HFTP, Arlene Ramirez, the Senior Vice President of Learning for HFTP, and Scot Campbell, Principle at Integrated Resort Advisors, for sitting down with us and talking about HITEC with us!Links:HITEC: https://www.hitec.org/HFTP: https://www.hftp.org/Justin Taillon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-taillon/Arlene Ramirez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlenedramirez/Scot Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scot-campbell-chtp-2543a02/Join the conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...For full show notes head to: Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Yesterday at Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) hashtag#HITEC2025, I spoke with Ben Jamieson of Sonesta International Hotels about how the company is approaching hashtag#hoteltechnology and operations to support one of the fastest growth stories in hospitality. With more than 1,200 hotels and a portfolio that spans from economy to upscale, Sonesta is focused on building systems that work across all brands while keeping the guest experience front and center. This episode of hashtag#NoVacancyNews looks at how they're doing it. Key points from our conversation:

In this episode of dojo.live, we welcome Marty Williams, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Chargeback Gurus. This conversation dives into the evolving chargeback landscape—and why hospitality brands need more than just reactive fraud tools to stay ahead. Marty explains how rising guest expectations around flexibility, refunds, and alternative payments are driving increased chargeback risks, and how data-driven prevention strategies can help mitigate losses before they occur. From root-cause analysis to smarter integrations across the guest journey, Marty offers a practical look at how hoteliers and travel operators can better balance frictionless experiences with financial protection. He also shares key trends shaping the next 12–18 months in payments and fraud, and how Chargeback Gurus is helping the industry respond with agility and impact.

In this episode of dojo.live, we sit down with Jill Wilder, President of Aptech, to explore how hotels can modernize their financial operations—without overwhelming teams or abandoning the tools they know best. As guest-facing innovation takes center stage, Jill makes a strong case for why budgeting, forecasting, and financial clarity deserve just as much attention behind the scenes.The conversation spotlights TVNG, Aptech's newly launched budgeting and forecasting tool, built with an intuitive, non-Excel interface that still integrates seamlessly with Excel. Jill shares how this hybrid approach is helping teams transition into smarter, more structured workflows while reducing friction and data chaos. From embedding rationale into forecasts to imagining how AI might eventually support financial decision-making, Jill emphasizes the power of connected systems—and why forecasting, accounting, and business intelligence should never be siloed.If you've ever wrestled with Excel overload or struggled to connect strategy to numbers, this conversation is for you.About Jill WilderJill Wilder is the President of Aptech, a leading provider of enterprise accounting, business intelligence, and budgeting and forecasting solutions for the hospitality industry. She has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 40 years, 38 of which have been with Aptech. Wilder manages all day-to-day development functions, as well as the financial, administrative and customer support teams. She, as well as the Aptech team, is known for her high attention to detail and the priority she places on customer relationships. During her tenure, Wilder created Aptech's customer support department and doubled its size, and she helped create the company's training certifications and implementation programs.Prior to joining Aptech, Wilder was on the accounting team at the Longue Vue Club where she supervised financial reporting for the Pittsburgh-based country club. Wilder is active with Hotel Financial and Technology Professionals' (HFTP) Pittsburgh Chapter, where she has been instrumental in helping build its membership development and program departments. Wilder has a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Accounting from Robert Morris College and resides in the Pittsburgh area.

Recorded live at HITEC 2025, #novacancynews caught up with Jenna Fishel, Chief Commercial Officer at First Hospitality, to explore how her team is taking #AI from theory to action—and evolving how commercial teams collaborate. This isn't about chasing tech trends. It's about building smarter systems that make life easier and business better. Here's what we covered: How #hoteltechnology is being used to analyze commercial calls and suggest strategy improvements The shift from siloed meetings to a fully integrated commercial strategy that include marketing, sales, revenue, and ops Why First Hospitality built a dedicated marketing team—and what happens when you stop forcing salespeople to moonlight as marketers The power of collaboration in a world where RevPAR growth is harder to come by Ways AI is helping reduce repetitive tasks so teams can focus on meaningful work

What does true personalization in hospitality look like—and how can tech help hotels deliver it at scale, without sacrificing the human touch?In this episode of dojo.live, we sit down with Michael Coscetta, President of Mews, for a forward-looking conversation on how the hospitality industry is rethinking the guest experience from check-in to check-out. Michael shares why personalization is more than just a buzzword—and what it really takes to make it actionable at scale. From evolving front desk interactions to smarter data usage and the ethical complexities of guest intelligence, this conversation explores how hotels can build more intuitive, seamless, and human-centric journeys powered by technology. Michael also spotlights emerging trends that deserve more attention and shares what's new at the Mews HITEC booth that could help hoteliers future-proof their operations.About Michael CoscettaMichael Coscetta joined Mews as President in July 2024, overseeing the company's global go-to-market efforts. Michael brings extensive growth experience to the business, including from his previous role as Chief Revenue Officer at Paxos, a global blockchain infrastructure company. There, he oversaw sales, partnerships, business development, customer success, operations, international expansion, and trading functions across the business.Michael has also held roles at Compass (NYSE: COMP) where he was responsible for sales, development and growth, scaling annual revenue to $2b and preparing the company for IPO, and Square, now Block (NYSE: SQ), where he helped the company grow from a $3b new IPO to a $50b global business.Outside of his day-to-day, Michael is an advisor to payments tech startup MagicCube, data startup Enigma, and is both an advisory partner at H-L Ventures/CityRock and an advisor to Garden City Funds. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Economics from Harvard University and lives in Miami, Florida.

This is our 2025 guide to the conference and events season in the Hospitality Industry.In the episode, Brent Hayhurst, the VP of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection joins us to take a look at some of the upcoming events and conferences in the Hospitality Industry. We breakdown upcoming events so you can see what events you should put on your calendar in 2025. We talk about the benefits of attending these upcoming events:Digital Transformation in Hotels & HospitalityBITAC EventsAAHOACONDirect Booking SummitHITEC & HSMAIILC EventsHotel Data Conference Independent Hotel Show The Hospitality Show ILHA INSPIREWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Is8aVAYZGLEJoin the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:Digital Transformation in Hotels & Hospitality: https://dthsummit.com/BITAC Events: https://www.bitac.net/Event/Sales/2025AAHOACON: https://aahoacon.com/Direct Booking Summit: https://www.directbookingsummit.com/HITEC & HSMAI: https://www.hitec.org/ILC Events: https://ilcongress.com/Hotel Data Conference: https://str.com/event/hotel-data-conferenceIndependent Hotel Show: https://independenthotelshow.us/The Hospitality Show: https://www.thehospitalityshow.com/ILHA INSPIRE: https://inspire.ilha.org/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/140Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, the team reflects on an exceptional year for the Modern Hotelier podcast, which gained recognition as a top hospitality podcast and more than doubled its follower base across LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.The hosts reminisce about attending key industry events like HITEC, ILC in Sausalito, and the Hospitality Show, sharing their favorite moments and interviews. They also discuss the biggest lessons learned over the year and express gratitude to their guests, sponsors, and followers, teasing exciting announcements for 2025.Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from the Modern Hotelier team!Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More MediaLinks:For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/126Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Julissa S. Germosén

Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons, and Hard Truths From A Brown Latina In Tech by Julissa S. Germosén Amazon.com Latinamadrina.com In Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons and Hard Truths from a Brown Latina in Tech, Julissa S. Germosén offers an empowering guide for Latinas, BIPOC, and other marginalized leaders navigating the challenging world of the technology industry and their personal identity. Drawing on her twenty-five years of experience, Julissa presents a road map to success that blends professional strategies with personal stories and reflections for you to consider. The book covers a wide range of topics, from overcoming generational trauma to redefining what it means to be a successful Latina, from mastering the top leadership skills to investing in yourself and making money moves, all while emphasizing the importance of embracing your authentic Latinidad. Julissa shares her journey from an immigrant family to achieving global leadership roles at Microsoft, Salesforce, and tech start-ups and building generational wealth in the tech industry. She provides readers with practical advice on topics like tackling microaggressions, the complexities and push-pull of Latinidad, and creating financial and emotional well-being. Through her unique perspective as a Dominicana and café-con-leche Latina in tech, Julissa acts as your Latina Madrina—godmother—offering guidance, wisdom, hard truths, and insider knowledge that can only come from someone who has walked the path.About the author Julissa S. Germosén, CEO of Mariposa Blanca, is an award-winning technology leader, highly sought-after speaker, best-selling author, and career coach with over two decades of experience leading teams in global enterprise sales, consulting, strategic alliances, product development, go-to-market strategy, and partner operations. Julissa's book, *Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons and Hard Truths from a Brown Latina in Tech,* and TEDx Talk, reflects her journey from immigrant roots in the Dominican Republic to her rise in the technology industry. Throughout her career, Julissa has driven growth and competitive advantage for Fortune 500 companies at Microsoft, Salesforce, and tech startups. Her expertise lies in people leadership, business strategy, transformation, and continuous improvement. As Director of Partner Ecosystem Development, notable achievements include optimizing Salesforce's partner operations and growing iCIMS' strategic alliances function by building product partnerships with Microsoft, Google, and Meta. At Microsoft, she held leadership positions in Microsoft Partnerships, Learning Experiences, and Consulting Services. Julissa has been honored to speak at TED x MSJC and various tech conferences, including Microsoft, Salesforce, HITEC, and LTX Connect. Additionally, she's been a Keynote Speaker at the National Hispanic Media Coalition and has spoken at Rutgers University and the New Jersey Statewide Latina Conference, among others. As a proud immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Julissa is passionate about education and the Latinx community. She has created the Latina Leadership Potential Award scholarship at Rutgers University, the first for a woman of Hispanic/Latine descent. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Criminology from Rutgers University and a Diversity Management Graduate Certificate from Cornell University.