Podcasts about Marriott

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, Steve Carran and David Millili is joined by Luis Segredo, CEO of Hapi, to discuss the biggest hospitality news and trends from November. They dive into the recent dissolution of the Marriott–Sonder partnership, exploring why integrations and siloed technology can make or break hotel collaborations.Steve and Luis also examine the rise of direct bookings, the impact of loyalty programs, and how travelers are navigating Black Friday and Travel Tuesday deals. They share insights on how hotel brands are adapting to changing customer expectations, leveraging technology to create seamless experiences, and preparing for the future of hospitality.Topics covered in this episode:Marriott & Sonder partnership dissolves: lessons learned from failed integrations and siloed tech.Why hotel brands are leading in U.S. travel searches.Thanksgiving travel trends: record-breaking numbers, road vs. air travel, and insights from personal experiences.How hotels can innovate faster with harmonized data across multiple property management systems.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IeKEY3anr54Links:Luis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luissegredo/Hapi: https://www.stayhapi.com/ Mariott Terminates Sonder AgreementBrands lead US Travel searchesThanksgiving TravelBlack Friday or Travel Tuesday dealsTell us more about the findings of The Future of Hotel Data ReportWhat is new at Hapi?For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/237Follow 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.

Discover how Kate Wik, CMO of Las Vegas, drives bold innovation and storytelling to transform the city into a global destination brand. Episode TranscriptPlease note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler (00:00):I'm Damian Fowler.Ilyse Liffreing (00:01):And I'm Ilyse Liffreing.Damian Fowler (00:02):And welcome to this edition of The Big Impression.Ilyse Liffreing (00:09):Today we're joined by Kate Wik, chief Marketing Officer at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The team behind the city's newest brand campaign, which launched in September,Damian Fowler (00:20):Las Vegas, is known around the world for its energy, its entertainment, and its edge. But this ladies' campaign takes a closer look at what the city means today beyond the casinos and into its growing identity as a cultural and sports destination.Ilyse Liffreing (00:34):We'll talk with Kate about the ideas behind the campaign, how Vegas is connecting with new audiences, and what it takes to evolve one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Q,Damian Fowler (00:45):Frank Sinatra. It's okay. You have an unusual role in that you represent a city as an iconic one, but could you tell us about the role?Kate Wik (00:56):That's exactly right. So I work for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Nobody knows what that is or what that means. So really, I shorthand it and I say I am the CMO of four Las Vegas. Las Vegas is my product, which is very unique. It is a city, it's a destination. It's unbelievably dynamic. And what's so unique and thrilling for a CMO of Las Vegas is that our product is always changing, always evolving. If you think back, we were known as the gaming destination. We've evolved into, we're the number one hospitality destination in the US with more hotel rooms than any other destination. And we are the entertainment capital of the world. You've got the world's best artists coming and performing on stages across destination every single night. And we've worked really hard to evolve ourselves into the sports destination as well through a lot of recent things. So really the exciting thing for me in this role is no one day is ever the same. Our product is constantly iterating and evolving, and that is a marketer's dream come true.Damian Fowler (02:10):Just on that point about the evolution of the city and the perception of it, how fast has that happened in the last, say, five, 10 years?Kate Wik (02:20):Yeah, absolutely. Incredibly fast. And so today we are known as the sports and entertainment capital of the world, but less than 10 years ago, we did not have any sports teams. Yes, sports has kind of always been in our DNA. We'd host major boxing matches in the eighties, NFR we've had for decades. NBA, we hosted their in-season tournament, NBA Summer League, but really it was through infrastructure development that really led to the explosion of sports today. So what I mean by that is we had T-Mobile Arena, which was a joint venture between MGM resorts and a EG that enabled NHL to come to town with the Vegas Golden Knights in 20 17, 20 18, we purchased the WNBA team, which we renamed the Las Vegas ACEs. And so now we've got A-W-N-B-A team. And then in 2020, of course with Allegiant Stadium, we welcome the Raiders. And so now we've got the Las Vegas Raiders, and we are, so actually in four years, we went from having zero professional sports teams to having three, and we're actively working to bring our fourth to town, which is the major league baseball. We're welcoming the Las Vegas a,Damian Fowler (03:34):Not to mention Formula One.Kate Wik (03:36):Yes, exactly. And Formula One now an annual event on our calendar. So it's a lot. It's a lot. And it creates new reasons to come to Las Vegas for our visitors. And what we found through research actually, is that the sports traveler, number one, we know sports tourism has just exploded the sports traveler. Through our research, we found that it creates a new reason to come to Las Vegas for those that haven't been here before. It creates a reason to explore the destination, see it, consider it, and then ultimately come. And then most importantly, we find that they spend more money than the average leisure traveler. So it's a really rich new audience for Las Vegas. And F1 has definitely exploded that for us too.Ilyse Liffreing (04:24):Do you know by just how much more do they spend?Kate Wik (04:27):It's usually anywhere from 500 to 800 more per trip.Ilyse Liffreing (04:31):Wow, that's a lot. And the rest on gambling,Kate Wik (04:36):AnythingIlyse Liffreing (04:36):Extra? It'sKate Wik (04:37):Funny. Gambling hasn't been, revenue from gaming hasn't been the primary source of how consumers are spending their budget while they're in town. Hasn't been that for over a decade.Ilyse Liffreing (04:51):AndKate Wik (04:51):I think it speaks to the diversification of the experience in Las Vegas. And when I say we're the entertainment capital of the world, we absolutely are. People come here to see shows, to see comedians, to experience not just like a touring show, but unbelievable residencies where our property resorts will build these amazing theaters where Lady Gaga performs, Bruno Mars performs, Adele performs, they'll create these residencies, which is unlike nowhere else in the US or world.Damian Fowler (05:26):I mean, I've been aware of that. I mean, obviously it goes right back to the Rat Pack, but more recently, like Sting had a residency there. I've been aware, IKate Wik (05:34):Just saw Backstreet Boys at the Spear, which was probably mind blowing, which was mind blowing. That's a whole nother level to the entertainment experience where it's just completely immersive that has changed the game for live music.Damian Fowler (05:48):The perception of Vegas has changed or is changing, and maybe that teases up to talk a little bit now about the new brand campaign and why this is the right moment to do it.Kate Wik (06:00):Yeah, absolutely. So we just launched a new campaign September of this year, so just a couple of weeks ago really. And the intent behind it is this notion that there are so many different reasons to come to Vegas, but there are also so many different vacation options. What we wanted to do was break through the noise and make sure that people understood that Vegas is the ultimate destination regardless of the experience you're looking for. We have it all, the breadth and depth that exists within our destination iss, it's uncomparable to any other destination. So we needed to get out there and get that message out there in big form. And why now what we found was through a lack of big brand messaging over the summer, we actually took a hit with a lot of negative headlines. And so we needed to get in front of that. And I think one of the big takeaways for marketers out there is that if you're not actively talking about your brand day in and day out, you create room for others to create their own narrative. And so after we launched the campaign, it's been about a month in market, we've seen a lot of that negativity drop because now everybody's covering, oh, here's the new elements, here are the new promotions they're doing, here are the new experiences that you can find. So it's really about driving the narrative that you want for your brand.Ilyse Liffreing (07:29):Very cool. And could you tell us a little bit about the campaign itself, maybe the creative, and then what channels are you leaning into?Kate Wik (07:36):Yeah, absolutely. In looking at how we were going to develop the work around this new brand campaign, what we wanted first and foremost was to be really authentic about Las Vegas and be very unique to a message that only Las Vegas can deliver. And so we took inspiration from our iconic welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. So it's the sign that exists literally on Las Vegas Boulevard as you drive into town. And that sign, it's 65 years old today, but it is more iconic. And the awareness on that is it puts it as one of the highest elements assets within our portfolio. So you think Las Vegas, you think of Bellagio, you think of Wynn, even Luxor or all these amazing resorts. When we show that sign, the amount of awareness of what that is and where it is and what it's for just exceeds every other asset that we have out there. So we took inspiration from that. We took the neon, the lights, the really, the notion of setting the example of fabulous Las Vegas. That's the experience that our visitors can come to expect when they come to Las Vegas. So it truly has been our brand promise for over 65 years. So that's the inspiration behind the campaign.Damian Fowler (08:57):Yeah, I can see that sign now.Ilyse Liffreing (08:59):Yes,Kate Wik (08:59):That's right.Ilyse Liffreing (09:00):Yeah, that's right. Do you have a sense of the audience that you're trying to reach and through, I guess, which channels are you trying to reach them?Kate Wik (09:10):Yeah, so we have a really diverse audience set, which is very unique for a marketer, which usually has a single product or they've got a very specific audience for that product. Vegas is really the 21 and older adult playground. And so if you look at just an average audience, it's like a 45-year-old split, 50 50 male, female, et cetera. But what we offer is an unbelievable unbeatable experience at every single price point. So we absolutely cater to that high-end luxury market, that luxury traveler, all the way down to the entry level budget conscious traveler. And so we've got products from a circus circus all the way up to a win Las Vegas. And so for us, our audience is very broad, but generally it's adult travelers, people that have traveled in the past year looking to travel again,Ilyse Liffreing (10:11):We just had Marriott on the podcast and we were talking about how more travelers now are singles and single people. And I would think that might be particularly true for Vegas. For some reason, people are coming for a new experience and to get away.Kate Wik (10:28):I think that's exactly right. Not necessarily single travelers, but the idea of it's a getaway, it's a new experience. What we find from our visitors is number one, it's really high repeat visitation because every time they come, they're finding something new. So we usually get at least 80% repeat visitation from our visitors and really high satisfaction rate, but it's that mindset of wanting to try something new. For sure. Yeah.Damian Fowler (10:56):One thing that just occurs to me as we are talking is how the awareness of Las Vegas has been so kind of embodied in so many movies and TV shows. I was just thinking, I watched the studio recently, the Seth RoganKate Wik (11:09):Show,Damian Fowler (11:09):Which I think that has a combination in Vegas whileKate Wik (11:12):I actually haven't seen it yet. So no spoilers on my list.Damian Fowler (11:16):I mean, I was thinking about Oceans 11, you can go back and back. I have to see it. But that is all kind of part of the kind of braided cultural iconography as it were of the city, I guess.Kate Wik (11:27):Yeah, I think movies represent, you almost have to think of it as a channel for marketing. It represents an amazing opportunity to penetrate culture, reach new audiences that you wouldn't normally get to talk to. And so we have a history of iconic movies. Actually this past summer, you might've seen it, but the F1 movie, that was a partnership that we did with them to make sure that they filmed in Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit. That was really important. But again, reaching new audiences, keeping us sort of at the pinnacle and sort of leading culture. Also really awesome to have Brad Pitt lead in that. I'm not going to lie. That was pretty awesome. But a ton of movies. And it's kind of interesting to think of it as almost like a marketing channel, not a traditionalIlyse Liffreing (12:17):One, but yes. Yeah, like free marketing too sometimes, because a lot of things are based in Vegas,Kate Wik (12:22):Right? On the marketing channel front, I know you had sort of asked about how do we launch the campaign, and it was very much an integrated multi-channel approach. We did everything from brand marketing, product marketing, I call it value, but it's really promotional as well as experiential. So of course, from a brand marketing point of view, TV or movies are wonderful, but there's also tv. And we launched the campaign actually with NFL kickoff, so September 4th. We know that when people tune into tv, they're tuning in really into an NFL game. That's where the most eyeballs are at any single time. So from a marketing point of view, it's great return on your investment there. So we launched with a 62nd ad on September 4th on kickoff, but really it was about making sure that this is not just a TV campaign, but it's a platform that reaches the consumer at every different touch point throughout their travel journey or through their daily life.(13:27):And so we maximized the viewership by making sure that, yes, we had a TV spot, but we partnered with the Raiders to actually take over the tunnel walk. And so when players arrive at the stadium, any stadium across the us, it's usually sort of this gray back of house space. And what we did was we installed neon all over the wall as the backdrop. And so it gave our players the sense of pride as they're walking in where they see this huge fabulous Las Vegas neon sign, and then they get a bit of a swagger. And then we partnered with GQ to cover sort of the fit that the players are wearing because that's a whole thing, this sort of new cultural moment where you've got the intersection of professional sports and these athletes in fashion. And so GQ wants to cover that. And so now the backdrop for all of this is the fabulous Las Vegas neon sign that we installed.(14:22):And so then CVS and ESPN want to cover it because they're like, oh, what's going on with the Vegas tunnel walk? And so every time Vegas shows up, we want to make sure that we're sort of breaking through the clutter. We're doing something very unique, bold and different, and whatever we do, it's sort of Vegas worthy. So I guess another channel is outdoor. We don't just buy outdoor. We worked with media partners to find these super high impact spectacular units that just command attention. So around the corner, in Times Square, we have this huge 3D board where you've got a 3D view of the iconic welcome to Las Vegas sign that rotates and dice come out, chips come out, an F1 race car comes out, right? It's a showstopper. And when you walk into Times Square, you see people taking pictures of advertising and that blows your mind.(15:21):And then on the other side of the country, we've got an actual neon installation on Sunset Boulevard. So we took, quite frankly, one of the ideas behind the campaign is let's take the neon and export it. Let's take our Neon National. And so we've got these big neon relics all across the us and so this one on Sunset Boulevard is spectacular. And then you walk across any of our resorts in Las Vegas and you see our Neon Signs Launch week. We took over all of our, well in our top 10 markets, we took over our digital outdoor boards and we had a roadblock for the whole week of launch. So just doing these big spectacular moments to capture the attention of our viewers. Wow,Damian Fowler (16:08):That's a lot that you're doing a tremendous amount, but on the other side of it, how are you kind of measuring and tracking all of these moments that you've created?Kate Wik (16:18):Yeah, I think measurement is incredibly important for any brand. We are actually consistently in market every single week with a research tracker, a brand health tracker. We've been doing it for decades. Making sure that we're keeping a finger on the pulse of our consumer is really important to us. So before we launched the campaign, obviously we tested it to see, number one, does it break through? Does it resonate? Does it deliver on the message of escape? Does it make people want to go to Las Vegas? It actually tested stronger than any other campaign that we've tested, and we test all of our campaigns. So that was pretty exciting. And then post-launch, again, we're in the market every single week. We found that we continue to uptick in terms of likability of the campaign, the campaign that makes you want to travel to Las Vegas. Those metrics are really important to us, intent to travel, and so it's continued to climb every single week since we've been in market. That's really strong. I think outside of traditional campaign testing, something that we consistently do is social listening, and so understanding what the current conversation is on social, I had mentioned this summer was a little bit rough. There was a lot of negativity out there for us. What we found was we had peaked in terms of negativity online in, gosh, in August. We launched Campaign in September, and that number has dramatically reduced, which is fantastic. It goes back to this point of you have to constantly be talking and driving your own narrative.(18:01):Otherwise if there's a void, others are going to fill it for you. That's was aIlyse Liffreing (18:05):Quick turnaround time too fromKate Wik (18:07):InIlyse Liffreing (18:07):August to launching inKate Wik (18:08):September. Absolutely. So a couple weeks. So I would say early August was peak and then Campaign formally launched September 4th, but working with our property partners to seed components of the campaign before, that was a big part of it as well. And then I think a very tactical measurement is we launched actually the first ever destination wide sale, so we called it the Fabulous Five Day Sale. Our campaign is Welcome to Fabulous, so fabulous five day sale. We wanted to make sure that we were putting a spotlight on the value that exists across the destination. And what we found was we drove four times the amount of website volume that we normally do to visit las vegas.com and that we actually were driving more referrals, so people were coming in to see what these deals were, what the sale was, this first ever limited sale, and then the traffic, the referral traffic that we were sending out to the booking engines of each of our property partners. That was 120 times the normal weekly average that we have in terms of, oh my gosh, yeah, referral, wait. So really unbelievable. It was kind of mind blowing for us in terms of the results of that. Nice.Ilyse Liffreing (19:28):And what was the reception from businesses in Las Vegas too, because that involved all of them?Kate Wik (19:34):Absolutely. Yeah. We don't launch a campaign without the support of our property partners. The reception was fabulous to use a cliche, incredibly fabulous. They leaned into it, you'll see part of the campaign. We created these neon elements and literally handed over this toolkit to our property partners so they can push out on all of their digital signage, on all of their marketing elements, sort of reflections of the campaign work as well and tie into it.Damian Fowler (20:05):Great. Just out of curiosity, is the campaign driven from the ground up by businesses or does it come top down as it were, from what your office, what's the kind of interaction?Kate Wik (20:19):Yeah. Well, the interaction is we are the DMO, the destination marketing organization for Las Vegas. So what we do is we work closely with our property partners to understand what's the business needs, what are the trends they're seeing. We do research and provide them top level trends, and then we work with them on what do we need the advertising to accomplish, and then we develop the campaigns. We're funded by them. We're actually funded by a room tax, which is paid by our visitors. And so there is complete coordination with our property partners, and we really do all of the upper funnel marketing for them. That's kind of the role we play for them.Damian Fowler (21:00):Interesting. Yeah. Yeah. I want to ask you, actually, I guess this is a big picture question. Are there other big cities that kind of have similar outreach or similar marketing campaigns, or are you unique in lots of ways?Kate Wik (21:15):I think the big destinations like New York, la, they will have a tourism authority within their destination that we'll do it for them. I think what's unique about Las Vegas is how we're funded. Again, it is through this room tax. And so generally, I'm not out there every day trying to drum up membership funds or anything. Our job is to go market the destination 365 days a year. That is why we exist. And so I think other destinations have something similar, but not quite the structure or the support behind it. And I think what is unique for Las Vegas is tourism is the number one economic driver for southern Nevada, and so we're the engine behind that. We have to make sure we're continuing to fuel that. Tourism represents 55 million or 55 billion, excuse me, in direct economic impact. That's visitors coming, spending fueling the local economy. And so the role we play matters. The advertising that we do matters because it fuels the entire ecosystem and the economic climate for Southern Nevada. Wow.Damian Fowler (22:33):Another quick question, follow up question there because you keep making me think of things. You have a lot of international visitors. Do you have a sense of where the majority of them are comingKate Wik (22:42):From? Yeah. Yeah. So international visitors are really important to us. Interesting. Canada's typically is our number one market. We have seen a decrease this year from our Canadian visitors. That's true for the US overall. We love our neighbors to the north and we welcome them back. But Canada is generally number one. Mexico is number two. Mexico is still going strong. They've actually seen growth year over year. UK is our number three market. We love our UK visitors and our partnership with F1 continues to grow that, which is phenomenal. And then interesting, our fourth market is actually Australia, and we don't have a direct flight there today, but it's an easy stopover from la. But the Australians and the Aussies, they love coming to Las Vegas. Great cultural alignment, but in general, we love all of our international visitors, and it's about anywhere from 10 to 15% of our overall visitor mix,Damian Fowler (23:46):So Cool.Ilyse Liffreing (23:47):Well, so along with just how many changes Las Vegas has seen, how would you, I guess, describe the expectations around hospitality and how that has changed over the years?Kate Wik (23:59):Gosh, hospitality, not unlike marketing, it's really fueled by tech innovation. Everything from keyless check-in, you can check in on your phone, you can use your phone as your key. All of these things have been unbelievable accelerants to a great experience, but that's across the board in every city, across the world. Technology has fueled that. I think what's unique for Las Vegas is actually doubling down on the core of who we are. And that's about service, and that's about kind of going back to the brand promise of the campaign where the welcome to fabulous Las Vegas isn't just a sign. It is the brand promise of the experience you're going to have here. And before we launched the campaign, we actually went around to all the CEOs and all the presidents of all our resort property partners to say and to remind them, we're going to launch this campaign, we're going to go back to the roots of Las Vegas. And the roots of that is hospitality, and it's about making every individual feel like somebody special that is so uniquely Las Vegas. You can walk into a circus, circus, an Excalibur, and have this mind blowing unbelievable experience. You could also walk into a Bellagio, an aria, a fountain blue, and have a mind blowing unbelievable experience. It's not based on your economic value or your financial worth. It's based on who you are as a visitor coming. We're going to deliver that unbelievable experience, and that is service related, hospitality related for us.Ilyse Liffreing (25:39):Very cool. So what's next then? How are you planning to build on the success?Kate Wik (25:44):I think for us, welcome to Fabulous is not just like an A Flash in the Pan ad campaign. What we intended to do was create a marketing platform that will just stand the test of time that will continue to iterate off of it. We have three big announcements, not yet announced, but still coming out later this year that just continue to build on this platform. So it's a platform for us as the DMO, but it's also a platform for our property partners to continue to iterate because it is so unique to us.Damian Fowler (26:20):Now we've got some kind of quickfire questions now we've looked at that bigKate Wik (26:24):Picture.Damian Fowler (26:25):What are you obsessed with figuring out right now?Kate Wik (26:29):I am obsessed with figuring out how you hack the social algorithms. And I think what's super interesting is something that can go viral that isn't necessarily representative of the brand or the experience that you have. And so really making sure that for us, it's fueling a ton of content out there to make sure that we're dominating what that narrative is. And that's not just from brand voice, it's influencers or whatever, but that social algorithms I think is really important forDamian Fowler (27:05):Brands. Yeah, absolutely. I would love to figure that out too. It seems like a kind of a magic unlock.Ilyse Liffreing (27:11):Yes. Right.Damian Fowler (27:14):Okay.Ilyse Liffreing (27:15):This year you are included on the Forbes list of 50 Fierce Global leaders.Kate Wik (27:20):Yes.Ilyse Liffreing (27:20):Congratulations. Thank you. What is one piece of wisdom you'd pass on to other marketers?Kate Wik (27:27):Oh gosh. Constant learning, constant iteration. Nothing is ever done, right? You put something out in the world, there's always a chance to continue to iterate and learn and get feedback and continue to push it further. Yeah.Damian Fowler (27:44):Another is ai, a marketer's friend.Kate Wik (27:46):Yeah, absolutely. But actually, let's be careful with that. It's a friend, but it's like a starting point, right? I think using it as information, as research, as sort of an input but not a final output is really important.Damian Fowler (28:01):I like that. That distinction is important.Ilyse Liffreing (28:03):One last fun one for you, maybe outside of the Brad Pitt movie from the summer. What's your favorite movie set in LasKate Wik (28:12):Vegas? Oh, gosh. I love Oceans 11. I mean, how can you not? I mean, it's still Brad Pitt, butDamian Fowler (28:20):Oh, yeah.Kate Wik (28:20):But it's an icon. He can be at anything, everything.Ilyse Liffreing (28:27):And that'sDamian Fowler (28:27):It for this edition of The Big Impression.Ilyse Liffreing (28:29):This show is produced by Molten Hart. Our theme is by Love and caliber, and our associate producer is Sydney Cairns.Damian Fowler (28:36):And remember,Kate Wik (28:37):If you're not actively talking about your brand day in and day out, you create room for others to create their own narrative.Damian Fowler (28:45):I'm Damian, and I'm Ilyse, and we'll see you next time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered how a company with nearly a million associates across continents keeps everyone learning, aligned, and prepared for constant change? That question sat at the heart of my conversation with Victor Arguelles, the VP of Global Learning Design and Development at Marriott International. Victor began his career as a high-school educator, and it is clear that this early experience shapes his entire approach to enterprise learning. He brings the empathy and discipline of the classroom into a global operation where cultural nuance, business complexity, and operational scale collide every day. Across our conversation, Victor opens up about what digital transformation in learning actually looks like behind the curtain at Marriott. Rather than focusing on tools alone, he explains how mindset, process, and cultural confidence dictate success. He talks about the delicate balance between global standardization and local relevance, and how Marriott validates learning experiences to understand how change will feel for associates before any deployment begins. It becomes clear that the company's commitment to people first is not a slogan, it is the foundation of the entire learning strategy. Victor also shares how Marriott is using partners and platforms to reimagine training in a way that fits into the flow of work. He describes how digital adoption tools have reduced training seat time by as much as 60 percent and given associates real support inside the tools they use every day. This shift has created confidence, improved performance, and given teams more time with guests, which he considers the most meaningful return on investment of all. Looking ahead, Victor reflects on the role AI will play in learning, from measurement to content creation, and how emerging tools could eventually provide adaptive, contextual support in real time. If you are a tech or business leader trying to understand how large enterprises truly modernize learning, this conversation offers a grounded and human view of what it takes. And as Victor looks toward 2026 and beyond, he shares why he believes the next wave of learning innovation will be shaped by AI, data, and a deeper understanding of behavior inside the flow of work. What stood out to you in his approach, and how do you see the future of enterprise learning evolving? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Most people know the names Marriott, Hilton, Wilson — but countless African American hoteliers helped build the foundation of American hospitality, and their stories rarely get told. I sat down with Calvin Stovall, author of Hidden Hospitality, to explore the remarkable journey behind his new book and the extraordinary hoteliers he uncovered along the way. Calvin spent decades researching these stories — from the late 1700s through the civil rights era — and the result is a stunning coffee table book filled with resilience, innovation, and legacy. On #NoVacancyNews, Calvin talks about the emotional moment he held the finished book for the first time, how the idea originated back in grad school, and why these stories matter for the next generation of leaders in our industry. A big thanks to Actabl — Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com. Key Insights:

Michael Broadhurst is the Chief Operating Officer at StepStone Hospitality, a lifelong hotelier who sprinted from dish pit to nightclub manager to senior posts with Marriott, Starwood, Crestline, and Crescent. He opened the Westin Reston, later led the Westin Arlington Gateway, and built a reputation for turnarounds driven by culture, coaching, and cross-discipline training. Susan and Michael talk about teams, transitions, and top-line revenue. What You'll Learn About: • Why quick, personal, and approachable service beats fancy food every time • How learning Rooms turbocharges a hotel career  • The Westin Arlington Gateway story—and how to revive a once-beloved flagship • Culture first: rebuilding teams before chasing scores and stars • When to walk away from an owner deal and the integrity lines you don't cross • Why management-company churn is rising, and how to avoid becoming a commodity • A step-by-step takeover playbook that calms nerves and kills rumors • Sales x Ops, not Sales vs Ops • The full-service future: experiential stays, destination F&B, and activated spaces • Solving owner–brand–operator misalignment *** Our Top Three Takeaways 1. Culture Comes First in Turnarounds When taking over a newly transitioned or underperforming hotel, Michael's first priority is always stabilizing the team and rebuilding culture. He emphasizes transparency, reassurance, and respect, meeting with associates early to address fears about job security, benefits, and pay. His philosophy mirrors the Marriott fundamental: take care of your associates, and they'll take care of your guests.  2. Integrity and Fit Matter More Than Growth Michael insists that StepStone walks away from deals that don't align with their values. He's clear that integrity and impact outweigh expansion, rejecting "numbers on paper" deals or partnerships without shared ethics. His approach to ownership relationships is built on honesty, ROI clarity, and long-term collaboration. He'd rather under-promise and over-deliver than chase short-term wins.  3. The Future of Full-Service Hotels Is Experiential Looking ahead, Michael predicts that full-service hotels will survive by becoming destinations, not just places to stay. Success will depend on differentiated experiences like vibrant F&B concepts, live entertainment, wellness and fitness activation, and localized service that connects emotionally with guests. He believes traditional "three-meal" models are obsolete; the new era of full service is about lifestyle, energy, and creating a sense of place that guests (and locals) seek out. Michael Broadhurst on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-broadhurst-13626b5/ StepStone Hospitality https://www.stepstonehospitality.com/ Other Episodes You May Like:  202: Casino Money Bag with Liz Dahlager https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/202 193: Room for Trouble with Scott Roby https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/193 112: No 7 AM Breakfasts with Leticia Proctor https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/112

Marriott keeps its global lead as Hilton accelerates, AI airfare pricing draws scrutiny in Washington, and flying taxis move from sci-fi to real-world service. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down the shifting race among the world's biggest hotel groups, why lawmakers are uneasy about the future of AI-driven pricing, and how Joby's electric aircraft are positioning Dubai — and possibly the U.S. — for commercial air taxi launches as early as 2026. This episode is brought to you by ⁠Amazon!⁠ To learn more, go to ⁠advertising.amazon.com⁠ Articles Referenced: Hotel Giants Race to Add Rooms: Marriott in the Lead, Hilton Gains Ground Inside Aviation's New Third Rail: AI Pricing Joby's Air Taxi Milestones Are Real – But Big Hurdles Remain Honorable Mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AskAConcierge on IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this episode, International Council for Animal Welfare's Chrys Liptrot sits down with host Trey to discuss abolition and welfare, movement solidarity, inclusivity in animal rights, and much more.Check out ICAW's work here:i-caw.org@icaw_orgICAW's Disruption of Denise Naguib of Marriott: https://youtu.be/n7mkJrDNmy8RAGE Tour Recap: https://youtu.be/KZ9yr0BokP4ICAW Marriott Disruption: https://youtu.be/KuQA3rwVIgcAAC Linktree (follow us, donate, bookshop, merch store, future events, and more):https://linktr.ee/animalactivismcollectiveTo support our work monthly: Patreon.com/AnimalActivismMentorshipTo keep up with the podcast, follow @AnimalActivismCollective on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.Want to get active for the animals but don't know where to start?Sign up for a free mentor at AnimalActivismCollective.com

In the 69th episode of the Trade Show Talk podcast, host Danica Tormohlen interviewed Kinsey Fabrizio, president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and producer of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES). They discuss what's new for CES 2026, which is expected to welcome more than 140,000 attendees from 150+ countries to Las Vegas in January.    The 2026 tech extravaganza will debut the CES Foundry focused on AI and quantum technologies, a show sector that will be held at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Fabrizio shared insights from her recent trip to the UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong and outlined how CTA is leveraging AI to enhance attendee experiences through the event's mobile app.     Additionally, there's an advocacy update from Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance EVP Tommy Goodwin on the latest government and tariff developments affecting the trade show industry.    This episode is brought to my Trade Show News Network and is sponsored by Marriott.    Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk  01:26 Meet Kinsey Fabrizio: Background and Achievements  02:47 Insights from the UFI Global Congress  05:06 Preview of CES 2026  06:25 Exciting New Features at CES 2026  08:18 The Role of Robotics and Health Tech at CES  12:42 Kinsey's Fabrizio's Journey and Leadership at CTA  22:54 Advocacy and AI in the Tech Industry  30:14 Personal Interests and Hobbies  31:10 Favorite Gadgets and Wishlist  35:27 Travel Tips and Hacks  39:06 Advocacy Update with Tommy Goodwin  39:33 Government Reopening and Tariff Discussions  46:05 Visa Fee and Industry Impact  50:17 Conclusion and Farewell    Guest bio: Kinsey Fabrizio Kinsey Fabrizio is president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, which represents more than 1,200 consumer technology companies and owns and produces CES® - the most influential tech event in the world. In this role, Fabrizio serves on CTA's Executive board and directs strategy and operations across all business units.  Since joining CTA in 2008, Fabrizio has driven transformation at both CTA and CES. As senior vice president, she oversaw CES conferences and show operations, led an expansion of CES products, and spearheaded a modernization of CTA's membership infrastructure and categories.  Earlier in her career, she drove strategic growth in emerging tech categories. A pioneer in the digital health space, Fabrizio created CTA's Health Division, launched a healthcare provider program for doctors at CES 2015, and debuted CES's first Continuing Medical Education (CME)-accredited conference in 2019. She also spearheaded the Video Division Board's 4K and 8K TV initiatives, founded the Content and Entertainment Council, and launched CTA's Disruptive Innovation Council in 2016 to engage companies with breakthrough technologies and services.  Fabrizio's leadership earned her recognition as one of Washingtonian's Most Powerful Women in 2025 and a Washingtonian Tech Titan in 2024 and 2025. She also received the 2023 Women in CT Legacy Award for her contributions to the consumer technology industry.  Fabrizio is a member of the George Mason University Costello College of Business Dean's Advisory Council and the Washington Economic Club. She holds a BA from George Mason University and an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband and two children.  Guest bio: Tommy Goodwin Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years working for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute. Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy has also received several industry awards including: CEO Update/Association Trends: Leading Association Lobbyist (2023) American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE Fellow (2022) DCA Live: Association Innovation Leader (2022) Trade Show news Network: Industry Support Award (2022) MeetingsNet: Changemaker (2022) Host bio: Danica Tormohlen An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, association meeting, experiential marketing and exhibition industries. Tormohlen currently serves as president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA, DI and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few. Keywords: CES, Kinsey Fabrizio, Consumer Technology Association, AI, trade shows, event industry, technology trends, advocacy, digital health, robotics 

In this episode of Superhost Down Under, Ray and Silvia talk with Meredith Cowley, founder of Custom BNB Hosting, about what it really takes to build and run a short term rental management business across Australia's east coast. Meredith shares her journey from working in frontline child protection as a social worker to becoming a property investor and host. A stage four breast cancer diagnosis forced her to rethink what she wanted from life and created the space to start a business that aligned more closely with her values and lifestyle. Today she manages a portfolio of around 35 properties across Melbourne, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay. The conversation dives into co hosting models, the leasing or arbitrage model, guest expectations, owner psychology and the reality of operating a 24/7 hospitality business. Meredith also explains how Custom BNB Hosting uses multiple platforms and local hosting professionals to deliver a consistent guest experience and solid returns for owners. In this episode, we discuss: Listing on multiple platforms and how Custom BNB Hosting balances Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, Expedia, Marriott and direct bookings. Meredith's personal story, including her cancer diagnosis and the decision to move from social work into property and hosting. The leasing model: how renting properties and then listing them on Airbnb works in practice and when it makes sense. How co hosts and local hosting professionals support operations across different cities while Meredith is based in Queensland. Cleaners, checklists, photos and the ongoing challenge of maintaining standards that keep reviews and ratings high. How Custom BNB Hosting onboards new owners, sets expectations and structures its commission and pricing model. Guest expectations, value for money and why styling, amenities and experience now matter more than ever. Emerging trends in the short term rental space, including automation, AI tools and changing regulations. If you are a new host, a property investor or someone considering working with a professional management company, this episode offers a practical and honest look at what works, what is hard and how to think about building a sustainable short term rental business in Australia.

Send us a text and chime in!Here are the Top News Stories in Central Arizona for this week on November 26th, 2025! New Marriott Hotel Now Open in Prescott Valley, AZ. TownePlace Suites by Marriott has officially opened a new 93-suite hotel in Prescott Valley, offering studio and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and modern amenities. Located near Findlay Toyota Center with views of Glassford Hill and the Bradshaw Mountains, the hotel provides complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, outdoor gathering spaces, and convenient access to local trails and attractions. The Beck family and InterMountain Management emphasize the hotel's role in supporting community growth and delivering... For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/top-news-stories-of-the-week-november-26th-2025/Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

In Episode 27 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the most recent news in the world of miles and points, starting with Hilton's new Diamond Reserve tier and its impact on loyalty members. The team explores several opportunities to purchase points, plus Iberia Airlines' new route to Canada and the associated redemption opportunities. They also delve into the frequent transfer bonuses that RBC Avion offers for British Airways Avios. Other news includes Marriott's soft status landing for 2026, TD's new personalized offers, and the new Air Canada Cafe in Vancouver. The episode wraps up with listener questions about US credit cards, particularly focusing on address issues with Amex and the benefits of Visa Infinite Privilege cards. Tune in for the most current insights on traveling with points and miles!

Jason discussed upcoming virtual events and market trends, particularly focusing on changes in credit markets and the current real estate market conditions where sellers are becoming less motivated. He highlighted significant shifts in the money supply and economic conditions, predicting a surge in real estate and asset markets that investors should capitalize on during the holiday season. Jason announced an upcoming masterclass on business credit and discussed financial programs offering revolving credit with no collateral, emphasizing the benefits of using business credit for property purchases and wealth creation. Key Takeaways: 1:46 Nvidia and the Buffet Indicator 4:47 Join our FREE Masterclass for something NEW JasonHartman.com/Wednesday 5:58 Delistings jumps to 28% 16:15 Money supply 18:24 Money supply in terms of percentage change 22:06 The Cantillion effect 24:21 Marriott's Disasterou bet on Sonder 26:04 Join our FREE Masterclass and avail amazing deals   #RealEstateInvesting #MoneySupply #M2MoneySupply #AllTimeHigh #DeLinstings #UnmotivatedSellers #SellerStubbornness #LockinEffect #HousingInventory #TighterInventory #KeepPricesElevated #DogsThatDontBark #CantillionEffect #SkateToWhereThePuckIsGoing #DirectInvestor #FocusCreatesWealth #Syndication #FundInvestment #InsiderExitStrategy #PublicOffering #CreditMarkets #BusinessCredit #ZeroPercentInterest #OPM #DelayedPurchaseLoan #NewHomeBuilders #CashDiscounts #JasonHartman #MasterClass #HappyThanksgiving   Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class:  Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:Rumours abound that LOT Polish Airlines is nearing their completion of the acquisition of Smartwings, the largest airline in the Czech Republic.Marriott Hotels' "bespoke stay" partnership with Sonder Inc. comes to an abrupt halt, and 48 hours later, Sonder files for bankruptcy. I saw many chaotic stories of travellers having to cut their stay short and being left without accommodation.Ethiopian Airlines becomes the latest airline to sign up for Sabre Corporation's Mosaic platform.BCD Travel and Conferma partner to launch a virtual card acceptance rating, with which travellers and travel managers can see how well a hotel is able to process virtual cards.Virgin Atlantic shakes up their loyalty program with an initiative called "High Five". Rob Burgess explains what it is about here, and why he thinks they've been a bit too generous.A financing deal done by Virgin Atlantic reveals their Heathrow slots are worth $745M.Revolut has partnered with SAS - Scandinavian Airlines to let EuroBonus members convert their RevPoints into EuroBonus points.The most engaged post of the week by miles goes to Avi Meir from Perk on his views about having a work/life balance.Extra StoriesYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Is Marriott Bonvoy® the secret to luxury hotel stays, or just another confusing points program? In this episode, Alex and Pam break down how to earn, redeem, and maximize Marriott Bonvoy® points. They simplify the complex credit card options and eligibility rules, covering strategies for earning points, using free-night certificates, and enjoying luxury hotel stays.   Alex and Pam walk through each Marriott credit card option, explaining the value of free-night certificates and why they often provide better returns than simply accumulating points. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly hotel for a quick stay or hoping to book a luxurious getaway, this episode provides the insights you need to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy® rewards. Tune in to learn which Marriott cards offer the best value and how you can use your points and certificates strategically for your next vacation.   You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: pointstalksquad.com/156   Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: https://pointstalksquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/   Points Talk is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@pointstalksquad   Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/pointstalksquad

A wave of new spots is changing the rhythm of daily life in Perry, and we're mapping it corridor by corridor so you know what's open now and what's around the corner. From coffee and cones to craft beer and new hotel keys, the skyline isn't the only thing shifting - your options for food, services, and experiences are growing fast.We start on Perry Parkway, where recent openings like KidStrong, Pilates, Waffle House, Giles Outdoor Power, and Holy Pie Pizzeria set the pace. Then we look ahead to Dunkin' paired with Baskin Robbins, Surcheros, Meridian Craft Kitchen, Flow and Glow Wellness, a nail salon, Jack in the Box, Five Star Credit Union, and Valvoline - an everyday mix that keeps errands and weeknight meals closer to home. Over on Sam Nunn Boulevard, the new Hilton Garden Inn is open, while strategic redevelopment is reshaping high-traffic sites: Aspen Dental and Piedmont Urgent Care at the former Chick-fil-A property, Sonic at the old Zaxby's, a Japanese hibachi in the former Applebee's, and a major Hampton Inn renovation to match the corridor's role as a gateway.Downtown gets momentum from the Chalet Lofts, adding homes above fresh dining like Fuego Fresco and the Italian market Ciao Bella, with another 36-unit loft building in the pipeline. A craft destination, Left at the Pig Brewery, brings energy to Jernigan Street, and a new Morris Bank strengthens Main Street services. Citywide, major anchors round out the picture: a dual-branded Marriott at the Georgia National Fairgrounds with a restaurant and beer garden, Jack Link's manufacturing up and running, and the UGA Grand Farm pushing ag-tech research and startup testing.Underneath it all is a simple driver: more homes, more neighbors, and more demand for better choices. We connect the dots on how residential growth supports restaurants, medical services, hotels, and financial institutions—and why that matters for traffic, convenience, jobs, and a resilient local economy. Tune in to get the what, where, and why of Perry's growth spurt, and hear how we're working to keep it smart, sustainable, and community-first.Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review to help more Perry residents stay in the know.If you like Inside Perry - subscribe and share the podcast with friends and family. The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms.Visit us at perry-ga.gov. We hope to see you around in our amazing community...Where Georgia Comes Together.

Luxury hotel photography isn't a niche most portrait or wedding photographers ever think about — but after hearing Bruce Vincentiis' story, you might see it differently. Bruce went from teaching himself photography through YouTube tutorials in Asian internet cafés to becoming an approved photographer for brands like Marriott, Accor, and Hyatt. In this episode, he opens a window into a world most photographers never get to see — the relationships, expectations, and opportunities behind photographing some of the world's most beautiful hotels. You can explore his work at https://bdv.photography The post 644: Bruce Vincentiis – From YouTube Tutorials to a Luxury Hotel Photography Business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we chat with Emily Cooper of @EmilyEatsandExplores about her unforgettable honeymoon in Bora Bora. Emily takes us beyond the postcard-perfect overwater bungalows to explore what it's really like to experience this bucket-list destination. She shares insights on connecting with local culture, from art galleries to turtle sanctuaries, and how visitors can support the island community while traveling responsibly. We dive into active vacation options, including snorkeling, yoga, and excursions, as well as the realities of resort life, from bungalow distances to practical planning tips. Emily also offers advice on dining, budgeting, and maximizing points with Marriott and Amex for a more accessible luxury experience. Families and couples alike will find valuable guidance, including what to expect when bringing kids and how to make the most of a romantic getaway. With a focus on sustainability, practical travel hacks, and insider tips, this episode is full of inspiration and advice for making a dream trip to Bora Bora a reality.Episode SponsorComfrt Hoodie EXTRA 15% OFF of Black Friday Sale Prices!Youtube Review of Comfrt HoodiesFind Us On OnlineMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupWonderland On Points BlogMentioned in the EpisodeJW Masai Mara Episode with EmilyTahiti Episode with @LetsTravelTalkTravel Chat with Ashley and Emily PodcastAffiliate LinksChase/Capital One/Amex Card Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!Tripiamo Driving TutorialsOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

Links to Activate Instacart credits:United Cards: https://www.instacart.com/p/chase-united?unauth-refresh=1Chase Ink Cards: https://www.instacart.com/p/chase-ink?unauth-refresh=1Chase co-branded cards (Marriott, Hyatt, etc): https://www.instacart.com/p/chase-cobrands?unauth-refresh=1What if the credits you ignore every month could stock a food bank, surprise a caregiver with lunch, or stretch a teacher gift from thoughtful to unforgettable? We walk through the exact playbook we use to turn small, forgotten perks into big, tangible help—no coupon spreadsheets, no all‑day errands.We start with quick wins you can do tonight: send a hot meal using Uber, DoorDash, or Grubhub credits to a friend, a grandparent across the country, or a new parent who needs a break. Then we level up with the Amex Gold Dunkin credit, turning it into donut drops for local schools, fire stations, or hospital staff. For holiday gifting, we show how certain Chase cards' DoorDash pickup credits can buy third‑party gift cards through the Flower & Gift Boutique, often turning $10 of credit into $15 or $25 of spending power. Pair that with Chase Freedom rotating categories and you can fund Angel Tree or sponsored family gifts while maximizing rewards.If you plan to donate cash, don't miss airline partnerships that return miles for every dollar—Southwest Rapid Rewards and American Airlines often run strong promos—so your generosity fuels future trips too. We also highlight creative uses for credits like the Amex Platinum's Saks benefit and the Business Platinum's Dell credit to supply shelters and student programs with essentials. And yes, that old suitcase can do real good at a foster care agency.Our deepest dive is a step‑by‑step guide to using Chase co‑branded Instacart credits and Instacart Plus to buy exactly what local food banks request via Community Carts. We cover card activation links, stacking free Plus months, choosing a food bank, and a simple checkout routine that waives fees and adds a small tip. With a handful of cards, we donated over $120 of groceries with about $20 out of pocket—set it up once and repeat it monthly in under 15 minutes.If this helps, share it with a friend who hoards points, subscribe for more practical travel and points tactics, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. Tell us: which give‑back hack will you try first?

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today's show:· He's a true Renaissance man in the food world. You've seen him on PBS and all sorts of national media … and now Chef Gregorio Fierro is here on Foodie and the Beast. He is a certified master Instructor for the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli, an authority on Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine, and co-owner of Wagyu Sommelier, a Florida-based purveyor of authentic Japanese Wagyu beef; · Marriott's Bonvoy Moments. Here to talk about them is Chef Stephen Toevs, VP Culinary, Global Operations, Marriott International; · Mel Johnson, executive director, The Storehouse, a fresh food bank that started in 2022 in Prince George's County. It is the nation's first Black-run food bank; · Gardner Douglas, the "Oyster Ninja," a professional oyster shucker and personality from the Washington, D.C. area, · And we're talking beer. Kyle Farrelly is here. He's the GM at Atlas Brew Works and the new Atlas Bridge District Brewery & Tap Room. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Frequent Miler on the Air podcast, we'll look at United's cardholder discount, Hilton's Diamond Reserve status, and we'll rank the perks of hotel elite benefits from Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG.Giant Mailbag(01:13) - "I just spent the day in Nice and Monte Carlo and I have you to blame..."Bonvoyed(03:30) - United increases prices for close-in award bookingsRead more about United's increased prices for close-in award bookings here.Awards, Points, and More(06:08) - Bilt/Rakuten: Read more about earning Bilt points with Rakuten here.(08:36) - Add your Passport to your Apple Wallet(11:11) - Hilton Diamond ReserveRead more about Hilton Diamond Reserve status here.(19:57) - Read more about Greg's opinion about how Hilton's Diamond Reserve status disappoints here.Main Event: Elite Benefit Battle: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG(23:52) - Free breakfast, lounge access, suite upgrade certificates, guaranteed late check-out: which program has the best benefits?(24:20) - Primary shortcuts(30:36) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott for free breakfast(40:21) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott upgrade certificates(50:43) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott lounge access(58:05) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott, 4 PM Late check-out guaranteedQuestion of the Week(1:03:54) - Are there banks that let you refer to a lesser card if you have the more premium card?Learn more about Amex multi-referrals here.Subscribe and FollowVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Inside 20+ Years of Hotel Operations, Digital Marketing, Guest Tech, and the Future of HospitalityHospitality innovation, hotel technology, and digital marketing for hotels take center stage in this powerhouse conversation with Michael and Marcy Albert—two industry veterans with over 40 years of combined experience across Marriott, Hyatt, Radisson, Ace Hotels, OTA strategy, guest communication tools, and hotel operations leadership. This episode dives into how technology, culture, and service collide to create unforgettable guest experiences in today's competitive travel landscape.Michael Albert brings more than two decades of hospitality experience, including major roles with Marriott, Radisson, Hyatt, and 14+ years helping scale Ace Hotels from a small handful of properties to a globally recognized brand. His background spans hotel operations, digital marketing, distribution, convention and trade show logistics, and the systems that power modern hotels.Marcy Albert's journey is equally compelling—from culinary school dropout to 25-year hospitality leader across Hyatt, independent hotels, online travel agencies, and now a decade in hotel technology, property management systems, guest communication tech, and digital marketing solutions. Her vantage point bridges both the operational and tech-sales sides of the industry.Together, they unpack where hospitality is heading next, why guest expectations are evolving faster than ever, how hotels can adopt smarter technology without losing their soul, and what every operator should be doing right now to stay ahead.Perfect for:• Hotel operators and GMs• Hospitality tech leaders• Digital marketers in travel• Revenue managers and distribution teams• Anyone who cares about people, service, and unforgettable guest experiencesMichael and Marcy's lobby talk podcasthttps://hotelhumor.com/If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, review, and share the podcast to help spread the message.All links are right here: https://solo.to/kellycardenas

Marriott's partnership with Sonder collapses dramatically, with more details unveiled in court filings. REI makes a major return to travel through a new alliance with Intrepid, and Hilton doubles down on a high-growth strategy across Asia Pacific. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks the chaotic final days of Sonder, why REI is betting big on guided adventures, and how Hilton is positioning itself for long-term dominance in Japan, India, and China. Articles Referenced: Sonder's Final Days: Marriott Lays Out the Timeline in Court Docs Intrepid Travel and REI Partner to Launch Adventure Tours Hilton's Asia Pacific Playbook: China vs. Japan vs. India Honorable Mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Honorable Mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AskAConcierge on IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Découvrez ma formation aux fondamentaux de l'accueil, un parcours d'excellence, accessible à toutes & tous !1️⃣ Présentation de l'invité :On parle souvent du numérique comme d'un progrès.Mais dans les faits, il soulève de vraies questions : où s'arrête l'innovation, et où commence la protection de l'humain ?Dans l'hôtellerie-restauration, les données clients sont partout : CRM, e-mailing, Wi-Fi, domotique, caméras, objets connectés…Mon invité du jour s'interroge depuis des années sur cette frontière entre technologie et humanité.Matthieu Bourgeois est avocat et expert français du droit du numérique.Ensemble, nous allons parler de confiance, de souveraineté et de sobriété numérique dans les CHR.Découvrez pourquoi prendre soin de vos données numériques, c'est comme prendre soin de votre client en face-à-face, en assurant la discrétion et la transparence.Comprenez les vrais risques juridiques (le RGPD prévoit jusqu'à 20 millions d'euros ou 4 % du CA) et les risques d'image, illustrés par des cas comme la fuite de données chez Marriott.Identifiez comment éviter l'« ébriété numérique » qui menace la bonne santé de votre organisation par le stress et la dépendance.Apprenez à ne pas devenir le vassal de vos fournisseurs de services en externalisant trop vos données et vos processus.Anticipez les développements futurs, notamment l'explosion de la biométrie et de l'IA, et comment choisir une technologie qui s'efface derrière la noble relation humaine.Matthieu nous invite à avoir une réflexion critique pour ne pas tomber dans l'indifférence numérique et à exercer notre droit au choix dans le numérique. Notre conversation permet d'obtenir les clés pour construire un numérique responsable et souverain pour votre établissement !2️⃣ Notes et références :▶️ Toutes les notes et références de l'épisode sont à retrouver ici.3️⃣ Le sponsor de l'épisode : HotelPartnerHotelPartner Revenue ManagementPrendre un rendez-vous avec MarjolaineDites que vous venez d'Hospitality Insiders et Marjolaine se déplace gratuitement dans votre établissement pour effectuer un diagnostic !4️⃣ Chapitrage : 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:00 - Définition du bon usage de la donnée00:06:00 - Parcours de Matthieu Bourgeois00:12:00 - Les contraintes de conformité : mentions légales et transparence00:17:00 - L'évaluation des risques et la durée de conservation des données00:24:00 - Les concepts stratégiques : souveraineté et sobriété numérique00:34:00 - L'avenir de la technologie (IA et biométrie)00:43:00 - Questions signaturesSi cet épisode vous a passionné, rejoignez-moi sur :L'Hebdo d'Hospitality Insiders, pour ne rien raterL'Académie Hospitality Insiders, pour vous former aux fondamentaux de l'accueilLe E-Carnet "Devenir un Artisan Hôtelier" pour celles et ceux qui souhaitent faire de l'accueil un véritable artLinkedin, pour poursuivre la discussionInstagram, pour découvrir les coulissesLa bibliothèque des invités du podcastMerci de votre fidélité et à bientôt !Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

This week, I sat down with Dan Barnes, Managing Director of Flourish Hospitality, a learning and development consultancy built on one simple idea: that every moment in hospitality is a chance to help someone grow.Dan's story is one of those brilliant hospitality journeys that started with polishing cutlery and pretending to be a grown-up in a suit and somehow led to building learning cultures across hotels, restaurants and private members' clubs.From Marriott to Edwardian Hotels, Caprice Holdings and now Flourish, Dan's career has been a masterclass in curiosity, creativity, and learning the hard (but hilarious) way.In this episode, Dan and I dive into…How he went from dreaming of being a history teacher to becoming hospitality's go-to L&D guruThe lessons learned from Marriott's graduate scheme (and a haggis-related feedback story you won't forget)His time at Edwardian Hotels, where he built a Food & Beverage Academy and developed “The Service World to Stage” programWhy L&D in hospitality is the only truly positive role in HRThe realities of pre-opening a major hotel and the mantra that kept him saneThe joy (and chaos) of opening Annabel's and running training for 1,500 people at Caprice HoldingsWhy feedback hurts, but silence in a training room hurts moreAnd the beautiful truth that great hospitality isn't an act, it's genuine human connectionDan Barnes Quotes“Learning and development is the one truly positive role where every interaction is positive.”“It doesn't have to be perfect for it to be wonderful.”“If you're good at L&D, you build rapport — which is essentially hospitality skills.”“You can't inspire people on day one with food safety. Orientation should be about joining the journey.”“As long as you're passionate about hospitality, you can find a career anywhere.”Why this episode is worth your timeDan embodies everything great about hospitality learning, heart, humour, and humility.This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone who's ever tried to train, lead, or inspire a team while the fire alarm's going off.It's honest, it's funny, and it's full of lessons about resilience, storytelling, and why you should always leave space for people to find their own answers.Show PartnersA big shout out to Today's show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud's time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

India's largest cineplex chain, PVR INOX, has pulled off a major financial reversal, posting a ₹100 crore profit this quarter, a drastic recovery after bleeding nearly ₹12 crore last year. Over 40 million people showed up—but occupancy ratios are still struggling to cross 30%.To fix this, PVR INOX is expanding into new, non-metro markets like Gangtok and Raipur. But there's a major twist: the company is no longer footing the bill for expansion.Taking a page from hospitality giants like Marriott, PVR INOX is embracing an asset-light franchise model. Partners will now bankroll everything from projectors to seating, while PVR INOX manages the brand and operations. We explore this strategic shift—how it hedges risk, frees up capital, and whether betting on multiplexes in the age of OTT is a "Hail Mary" move.Tune in.Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India's first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories. Join The Ken as a Podcast Producer and work with India's most ambitious storytellers! We're creating a podcast about India's biggest companies, with each episode backed by weeks of deep research. You'll lead the workflows that turn that research into exceptional narratives and bring the show to listeners around the world. Join us to help shape something exceptional. Check out the details and apply here. 

Frank Rodgers, director of global sales for Peregrine Hospitality, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his hotel management and services newest hotel, the Tess, in Atlanta, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. Rodgers tells about the rooms and suites, the food, the overall décor and theme, the location and the target guests. For more information, visit www.marriott.com and www.peregrinehg.com.  All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our Youtube channel  (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on: Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, TuneIn + Alexa, Podbean,  iHeartRadio,  Google, Amazon Music/Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and iTunes Apple Podcasts, which supports Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro and Castbox.  

Independent analyst Jimmy Moyaha unpacks SA's sovereign credit upgrade from S&P and what a positive outlook really signals. Bastian Teichgreeber from Prescient Investment Management cuts through the G20 noise to focus on what's driving local exchange performance. Marriott's Scott Cooper explains how they're positioning portfolios.

Live at the Marriott.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live at the Marriott.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live at the Marriott.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Subscribe to This Week in Hospitality wherever you get you podcasts: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5oPExA0txHMjEI5Ye13IUy Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-hospitality/id1849637233 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinHospitality   In this episode of This Week in Hospitality, Zach Busekrus sits down with Scott Eddy, Ben Wolff, and Edwin Kramer to unpack three major stories dominating the travel and hospitality world. From Sonder's dramatic collapse following Marriott's termination, to Hilton's launch of the Outset Collection, to Airbnb's bold embrace of hotels — this was one of the most consequential weeks the industry has seen in years. The team brings perspectives spanning global travel, hotel development, luxury operations, and hospitality tech. Fast-paced, unfiltered, and deeply informed — this is the weekly breakdown every hotelier, operator, developer, and investor should be listening to. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you're an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Introductions & why this podcast exists 09:12 — Story #1: Sonder × Marriott partnership collapses 17:08 — Ben's take: STR brand value & commodity product problem 23:45 — Marriott, scale, loyalty, and future brand strategy 25:47 — Story #2: Hilton launches The Outset Collection 33:50 — Owner perspective: data, flag strategies, ROI trade-offs 39:01 — Independents vs. major flags: the next 10 years 42:11 — Story #3: Airbnb officially welcomes hotels 45:42 — Airbnb's evolution into a hospitality ecosystem 50:51 — Does Airbnb need a total rebrand? 54:00 — “Back to hospitality roots” debate 54:53 — Wrap-up & what's coming next Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinkramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

ABOUT DINA TOWNSEND Dina's Linkedin Profile: linkedin.com/in/dinatownsendDINA TOWNSEND BIOAs Chief Sales Officer at Mamava, Dina leads the Sales Organization with energy, optimism, and a genuine passion for building connections. She is rooted in the belief that strong business acumen and a meaningful mission can be seamlessly intertwined. After a purpose-driven career pivot from Digital Signage Technology to Mamava, she channels her expertise into propelling sales for this mission-centric company. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dina is a former skydiver, a hobby homesteader, an avid college football fan, and a well-intentioned, albeit average, golfer.email: dinat@mamava.com | 802.347.2111 (o) Website: www.mamava.comSay yes to dignified lactation spaces! Be a hero—here's how you can help. SHOW INTRO:Welcome to Episode 82! of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast…In every episode we continue to follow our catch phrase of having “Dynamic Dialogues About DATA: Design, Architecture, Technology and the Arts.” And as we continue on this journey there will be thought provoking futurists, AI technology mavens, retailers, international hotel design executives as well as designers and architects of brand experience places.We'll talk with authors and people focused on wellness and sustainable design practices as well as neuroscientists who will continue to help us look at the built environment and the connections between our mind-body and the built world around us.We'll also have guests who are creative marketing masters from international brands and people who have started and grown some of the companies that are striking a new path for us follow.If you like what you hear on the NXTLVL Experience Design show, make sure to subscribe, like, comment and share with colleagues, friends and family.The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is always grateful for the support of VMSD magazine.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. I think the IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing us to keep on talking about what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience.SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.org Today, EPISODE 82… I talk with Dina Townsend Chief Sales Officer at Mamava a company whose mission is to create a healthier society through infrastructure and support for breastfeeding. And, along with partners who share in in their purpose of celebrating and supporting breastfeeding, Mamava is moving closer to creating a future where there is a dignified lactation space anywhere a parent may go. We'll get to my discussion with Dina in a minute, first though a few thoughts…*                     *                          *                          *A few episodes back I had Claire Coder founder and CEO if Aunt Flow on the show. That was an interesting conversation since we crossed what I think were a few boundaries (at least for me) and we talked quite candidly about menstruation. Not just about the biology of women's monthly cycle but about the fact that there are many women who have faced the scenario of getting their period unexpectedly and not have pads or tampons to meet them in their moment of need.Enter the company Aunt Flow who provides free feminine hygiene products in public restrooms, schools and other public buildings and to Fortune 500 corporate headquarters - for which tens of thousands of women are eternally grateful.This conversation with Dina Townsend, I guess you could say, falls in the Aunt Flow camp of subjects. Breast feeding moms was not a subject that I had on the list of things to address on the podcast. But here we are nevertheless with a subject that piqued my curiosity because the company Dina works for, Mamava, checks most of the boxes in our Dialogues on DATA: Design, Architecture, Technology and he Arts” catch phrase.First off…I did not know there was something called the “Pump Act”. For the curious out there, a little internet searching comes up with this:“…The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, enacted in December 2022, expands workplace protections for nursing employees by requiring employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for pumping breast milk for up to one year after a child's birth.This law allows for legal action if employers fail to comply…”Now… Dina will contend that many employers do in fact provide such a space and also that a janitors closet with a folding chair would be in line with the requirements. Sure, a closet meets the description of a ‘private space' but it wholly underserves the needs of a nursing mother in terms of experience.I am aware that there are widely divergent views on the whole subject of breast feeding – we are not going to go there – except that I'll say that I fully line up behind my wife who breastfed our two sons.My discussion with Dina moves from the necessity to provide environments for nursing mothers to breastfeed their infants while in public places to the buying power of mothers who statistics indicate make an enormous amount of the buying decisions in households to how tying Retail Media Networks - RMNs – to Mamava pods serve a triple bottom line serving People, Planet and Profit. It's a way of shifting our thinking about business from “How much money did we make?” to: “Did we make money in a way that benefits society and the environment too?”Nielsen, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Harvard Business Review research tells us that Women drive 70–80% of consumer purchasing decisions in the U.S. and that is even for products they don't personally use.  And that their annual global consumer spending, is $20 trillionwhich, by the way, is a number projected to rise to $28 trillion. In many households, women make or heavily influence91% of new home purchases, 92% of vacation decisions, and 80% of healthcare choices says research by the Yankelovich Monitor, Marketing to Women Conference data.And Millennial and Gen Z mothers are even more influential: they control about $1 trillion in direct annual spendingand are primary decision-makers for food, home goods, education, and entertainment – says research by the Pew Research Center.So, women and moms are a force to be reconned with in terms of buying power and why Mamava pods are more than an economic discussion. The behavioral and psychographic aspects of them is important as well.Women increasingly valuebrands that support family life, caregiving, and inclusivity and so features like Mamava pods in retail locations or corporate HQs or parental-leave policies have brand-equity impact.We have known for some time that brands that are considered authentic exhibiting genuine empathic concern for their customer and employeesare major drivers in establishing brand affinity and purchase decisions. The BabyCenter “State of Modern Motherhood” report says that “ 9 in 10 mothers say they are more loyal to brands that “understand the challenges of motherhood.”And then there is mom's digital influence. Pew Internet studies explains that“80% of moms research products online before buying and that 60% follow parenting or lifestyle influencers for purchase guidance.”When you combine these factors with the emergence of Retail Media Networks, RMNs, you have a value add to placing Mamava pods in places that do not actually take up any more space on the sales floors of a store than is already being occupied with stuff that does support the brand experience or selling anything.Use to be that when digital screens came into the retail world, we had kiosks as wayfinding devices. Then a proliferation of screens emerged in the market where walls were more digital wallpaper crowding the environment with content and, in my opinion adding little to experience, arguably creating a shopping experience with more visual distraction and diminishing the overall experience. Painting the environment with the broad-brush stroke of digital media is often ineffective in capturing and retaining attention and doesn't lead to the positive results we think it does.That said, well considered application of digital media like those found on Mamava pods creates an opportunity to provide messaging to customers that could be more like a public service announcement, like ‘get your flu shot here today,' or a focused marketing piece that invites customers to consider a particular product that they may not have thought of prior to arriving at the store.So, you might ask why this matters to retail designWomen and mothers aren't just your average everyday consumers, they're key decision-makers shaping the social expectations of brands and spaces. Retailers, airports, and workplaces that provide amenities like Mamava pods, family restrooms, or flexible shopping experiences are responding directly to data-driven insights like:Increased dwell time and spending when caregivers feel accommodated.Higher brand loyalty and word-of-mouth among mothers.Positive CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility - and inclusivity signaling which is important for both consumer and employee attraction.If you have recently traveled through an airport, you may have already come upon a Mamava pod or maybe you have seen their “bench” version in a retail store. Fed up with pumping in bathrooms and borrowed spaces—Mamava's co-founders, Sascha Mayer and Christine Dodson, applied their decades of expertise in design and brand strategy to solve a problem that was largely invisible: the lack of lactation spaces in workplaces and public spaces and as a result, the Mamava pod was born.Tying together the Mamava pod, and its various incarnations, and retail media needed some savvy about how to create an effective in-store media application that wouldn't end up as just another screen in an already overwhelming environment.Enter Dina Townsend.As Chief Sales Officer at Mamava, Dina leads the Sales Organization with energy, optimism, and a genuine passion for building connections. She is rooted in the belief that strong business acumen and a meaningful mission like the Mamava brand platform can be seamlessly intertwined. After a purpose-driven career pivot from the world of Digital Signage Technology to Mamava, Dina channels her expertise into propelling sales for this mission-centric company. ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon.  The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Dave and Chuck the Freak talk about Dave losing his Apple Watch, emailer had to break into her own house with no pants on, people mover at airport crashed, update on plane crash with hurricane relief supplies, video of sassy check-in agent, hotel had to file for bankruptcy one day after cutting ties with Marriott, cop and his dispatcher brother help woman deliver her baby at side of road, Chihuahua’s recognition of Spanish got him a new home, Jason’s breakfast biscuits in fridge, cereal and junk food, update on Antonio Brown, possible MLB lockout, sports betting is costing player integrity with fans, food influencer died in horrible accident, pay package for Elon Musk, Amy Schumer lost weight, Eddie Murphy cured his OCD, Dolly Parton talks about aging, bagpipers make it into Guinness Book of World Records, Uber driver stops to poop during ride, guy stole construction vehicle, restaurant manager accused of planting hidden cam in bathroom, perv sentenced after hiding camera in a rental, update on guy who ran over lady for not letting him smell her feet, man took city bus for joyride with passengers on board, man rushed to hospital after his dog accidentally shot him, man limped into bank and robbed it, update on drunk guy who fell out for carnival ride, guy whose photos have been used for romance scams, exploding sun roofs, guy sells fried rice out of trunk, iPhone Pocket, and more!

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we're talking to Anthony Cawdron, Westwood event coordinator and estate manager, and adjunct hospitality and tourism management faculty member.   Westwood has been home to four Purdue University presidents and their families since it was donated to the university in 1971, and for the last 25 years, Anthony has been instrumental in the operations of what he calls the “front door to Purdue University.” He's also an expert in all things etiquette.   This incredible conversation first aired last November, and since it's one of our most popular episodes, we wanted to share it again as the holiday season approaches. Get ready to entertain your guests, crush that big job interview or impress at your next networking event after listening to this one!  In this episode, you will:  Discover his path from working in several castles in Europe to his time in America and following former President Martin Jischke from Iowa State to Purdue   Explore behind-the-scenes stories of Westwood from its interesting history to what it takes to host events for guests ranging from Boilermaker students and faculty to U.S. secretaries of state   Gain insight into what Anthony teaches his students about networking, job interviews and standing out at professional events through his business etiquette course in Purdue's White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management  Learn more of Anthony's expert etiquette tips for both hosting and attending holiday parties  You don't want to miss this episode, which is jam-packed with expert etiquette tips and historical details about Westwood — one of the landmarks of the Purdue community.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonder's bankruptcy has shaken the short-term rental world — and for good reason. Once the poster child of the “hotel-meets-Airbnb” model, Sonder's downfall marks a pivotal moment for operators everywhere. In this episode, AirDNA's Chief Economist Jamie Lane and co-host Scott Sage unpack what went wrong, what it signals for the rental arbitrage model, and how changing travel demand is reshaping the industry.From a surprising partnership failure with Marriott to the ripple effects in urban markets still struggling post-COVID, Jamie and Scott connect the dots between Sonder's story and broader market trends. They also dig into fresh October 2025 performance data, including occupancy declines, rate adjustments, and a critical PSA for hosts affected by Airbnb's new service fee model.The episode closes with a behind-the-scenes look at AirDNA's latest data model upgrades, revealing how machine learning is improving accuracy and trust in industry insights — setting the stage for even more powerful analytics ahead.You don't want to miss this episode — especially if you rely on rental data to guide your business decisions.Key Takeaways for STR Pros

In this episode of The Liquidity Event, AJ and Shane cover everything from shattered mirrors to shattered housing markets. AJ shares an update on her book deadline and upcoming Thanksgiving travel while Shane recounts a chaotic morning involving a Roomba and a broken mirror. The duo unpack the hidden tax pitfalls of S-Corps in New York City, debate credit card rewards and travel perks, and react to the Frontier Airlines CEO telling customers to buy a backup ticket. They also dive into the strange slowdown in new home sales, the Trump administration's proposed 50-year mortgage, Elon Musk's massive pay package, and whether the AI boom is already bubbling over. Timestamps (00:00) Welcome, introductions, and AJ's end-of-year check-in (01:00) Shane's Roomba disaster and chaotic morning (02:30) AJ's book update and Thanksgiving travel plans (04:00) Delta, Marriott, and Chase credit card strategy for the holidays (08:45) Why S-Corps don't make sense in New York City (12:20) Frontier Airlines CEO tells customers to buy a backup ticket (15:15) AJ on the government shutdown and SNAP benefits (18:15) Housing market troubles and unsold new builds (23:10) The Trump administration's 50-year mortgage proposal (29:45) AI, crypto, and whether the boom is just another bubble  

Episode 2681 - Who said if you don't work you don't eat? Tucker covers chemtrails? Marriott closes a brand? Is antisemitism rampant in DC? Young children being exposed to filth ? Human hunting parties? Was WW1 due to the FED? Plus much more. Audio only today.

Dr. Haley Perlus is a Doctor of Performance Psychology, speaker, author, and coach specializing in sport-specific techniques to optimize the mental game for athletes and high achievers. With a PhD in Sport Psychology, MS in Sport Pedagogy, and certifications in coaching, fitness, and nutrition, she draws from her elite athlete background to deliver practical strategies. Haley has worked with Marriott, Starbucks, NASA, Johnson & Johnson, Deloitte, U.S. Air Force, Oprah, and ESPN on embracing pressure, building focus, and overcoming mental blocks. Author of Personal Podium, her keynotes like "Harnessing Stress as a Performance Enhancer" and "Optimal Energy Flow for Success" help turn stress into power and sustain energy. Her philosophy—"Perform with heart. Win with mind"—guides Olympic hopefuls and executives toward peak performance and well-being.ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daaEntrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daaConnect with Haley on LinkedIn: Haley PerlusOther Social Media Links for Haley:Instagram: @drhaleyperlus Youtube: @drhaleyperlusWebsite: https://drhaleyperlus.com/Haley's book "Personal Podium: How to Use Your Mind to Maximize Your Potential in Sport and Life" You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.Music Production by Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at klauersebas@gmail.com. 

Lisa Holladay is the first Chief Experience Officer at TIGER 21, where she crafts learning, access, and connection for a global community of ultra-high-net-worth, largely first-generation entrepreneurs. Formerly the global brand leader for The Ritz-Carlton and a luxury portfolio lead at Marriott, Lisa brings a rare guest-centric lens to designing unforgettable moments online and off. Susan and Lisa talk about privacy, personalization, and peer-to-peer power. What You'll Learn About: • How Shakespeare and student teaching shaped Lisa's storytelling superpowers • The pantyhose policy heard 'round the world • Why "over-engineered" hotel rooms (hi, mystery nightlights) kill delight • Turning virtual events from sleepy streams into sparky, small-group salons • TIGER 21's Learn–Access–Connect framework for members who "have everything" • Designing money-can't-buy moments (like lunch on a Costa Rican cane-sugar farm) • Hosting without being subservient: "ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen," updated • Measuring what matters: retention, sold-out events, and the "you can feel it" factor • The next luxury frontier: invisible security and privacy as core experience • Breaking the ballroom mold—escaping the sea of sameness in event design Our Top Three Takeaways 1. Storytelling and Empathy Are the Heart of Hospitality Lisa traces her career from Shakespearean acting to luxury marketing, showing that storytelling, performance, and understanding your audience are universal skills. Whether crafting a brand narrative or leading a guest experience, she believes the best hospitality professionals think like empathetic storytellers—anticipating needs, creating emotional resonance, and delivering "the right kind of drama." 2. Exceptional Experiences Are Built on Authenticity and Human Connection From Ritz-Carlton to Tiger 21, Lisa emphasizes that the most meaningful luxury isn't opulence—it's authenticity, access, and connection. At Tiger 21, she and her team design "money-can't-buy" moments that surprise even ultra–high-net-worth members, like an unglamorous but deeply human visit to a family-run cane sugar farm. Whether at a five-star resort or a midmarket hotel, she believes memorable experiences come from personal touches, genuine local insight, and small gestures that foster belonging. 3. The Future of Luxury Is Privacy, Security, and Individualization Lisa predicts that true luxury will soon be defined by safety and discretion as affluent travelers become increasingly protective of their digital and physical privacy. She calls on the industry to go beyond superficial personalization and cookie-cutter design—to innovate around invisible service, security, and emotional intelligence. Her "magic wand" wish is to see hospitality move away from sameness and toward transformative, one-of-a-kind experiences that feel both safe and singular. Lisa Holladay on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaholladay01/ TIGER 21 https://tiger21.com/ Other Episodes You May Like:  165: Purple Flower Luxury with Florence Li https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/165 210: Six Months at the Waldorf with Josh Kremer https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/210 29: Buzz Sawed Tables with Marc Eliot https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/29

“The tide is turning, but it hasn't gone out yet.” — Alex Quilici, CEO, YouMail In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green speaks with Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail, about how the company is helping both carriers and enterprises identify, block, and eliminate fraudulent robocalls and impersonation attacks. After peaking at nearly 5 billion robocalls per month, U.S. volumes have fallen by more than a billion calls—a positive trend, though the fraudsters behind the remaining calls are earning more money with fewer calls. Quilici explains that YouMail, a Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) member, is helping stop telecom “troublemakers” through a suite of AI-driven solutions that protect consumers, carriers, and enterprises alike. For carriers, YouMail's Watch and Score products flag risky robocallers by monitoring live calling behavior. Carriers upload the phone numbers they issue, and YouMail reports back when any number engages in suspicious or illegal activity—empowering providers to act quickly and shut bad actors off the network. For enterprises, YouMail's Quash solution identifies and suppresses impersonation campaigns in real time. Using analytics and carrier collaboration, Quash helps organizations such as banks and hospitality brands detect where fraudulent calls originate, block offenders, and even prepare evidence packages for law enforcement. Case studies on Regions Bank and Marriott highlight real-world success: a 60 percent reduction in telecom attacks and an $8 million fraud judgment. The results demonstrate how YouMail's technology helps legitimate businesses reclaim trust in their communications. Looking ahead to 2026, YouMail is developing a referral and reseller program to extend its protection ecosystem to more carriers and call-center partners. Learn more at youmail.com.

Marriott and Sonder’s messy breakup leaves guests stuck in the middle as cancellations and confusion pile up. Then, Andy introduces Frolly, the new dating app bringing dog lovers together - because why not find love through your pup? Finally, we explore the haunting yet heartwarming story of the dogs of Chernobyl, the resilient descendants of pets left behind who’ve adapted to one of the most radioactive places on EarthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world's biggest hotel development story isn't in the U.S. or Europe — it's in Asia-Pacific. I connected with Bruce Ford, SVP at Lodging Econometrics, to break down the data behind the region's record-setting pipeline growth — from China's near–million-room surge to luxury expansion across Indonesia and Thailand. We examine the factors shaping this boom on #NoVacancyNews, including how master franchise deals, soft brand launches, and Western brand expansion are redefining the region, while construction delays from the pandemic are now converting into a flood of new openings.

On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, and Brandreth Canaley are joined by Skift Senior Hospitality Reporter Sean O'Neill to unpack the breaking story of Marriott Bonvoy ending its licensing agreement with Sonder Inc. after the company defaulted on the deal. The partnership had been a much-needed lifeline for Sonder, allowing its apartment-style properties to be listed across Marriott's booking channels. But with the agreement now terminated, and Sonder's own website currently showing zero available listings, the situation is raising questions about the company's operations, liquidity, and future as a public brand. Marriott has said it's assisting guests with existing bookings made through its platforms, while those who booked via third parties should contact their providers directly. As this story continues to develop, Sean shares what's known so far, and the GMH crew digs into what this could signal for Marriott's extended-stay ambitions, Sonder's next move (if any at all), and how confidence in hotel–tech partnerships may shift in the days/weeks ahead. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Hosts: Brandy Canaley – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Wil Slickers – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Michael Goldin – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Justin Nielsen and Mike Webster analyze Friday's market action and discuss key stocks to watch on Stock Market Today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textThere's a brand new hotel in downtown Las Vegas. It's a non-gaming and non-smoking hotel. It's also a dual brand. We went over to take a look and it's really nice! A cool event is taking place at Oscar's Steakhouse at the Plaza. It's a special installment of Oscar's Dinner Series and will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie Casino. Parts of the film were shot in Las Vegas and Oscar Goodman will be there to talk about it. It's a benefit for The Space 2.0 Capital Campaign. The Titanic Exhibit at the Luxor has a beautiful diamond ring on display. The jewelry was recovered from the first recovery expedition in 1987. There's also a new Saturday Dim Sum brunch at Genting Palace at Resorts World. Monsoon damage? Insurance company low-balling you? Call Jonathan Wallner of Galindo Law for a FREE Claim Review at 800-251-1533. If your home was damaged in the California wildfires, Galindo Law may be able to help you get more compensation. Call 800-251-1533 or visit galindolaw.com VegasNearMe App If it's fun to do or see, it's on VegasNearMe. The only app you'll need to navigate Las Vegas. Support the showFollow us on Instagram: @vegas.revealedFollow us on Twitter: @vegasrevealedFollow us on TikTok: @vegas.revealedWebsite: Vegas-Revealed.com

India's travel industry shows two sides of the same boom, Marriott doubles down on luxury and loyalty ahead of 2026, and American Airlines joins the wave of corporate layoffs reshaping aviation. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks what's driving confidence in India, how Marriott is positioning itself for the next travel cycle, and why airlines are getting leaner — and more premium — by design. Articles Referenced: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IndiGo Takes a Hit, IHCL Shines: What Their Earnings Say About India's Travel Market Marriott's 2026 Outlook: New Credit Card Deals, World Cup Boost, and Luxury Premiums American Airlines Layoffs to Hit Corporate Jobs Honorable Mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Honorable Mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AskAConcierge on IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk are joined by Skift Airlines Reporter, Meghna Maharishi, to kick off the show with updates on how the government shutdown has impacted the airline industry and what ripple effects it's had on Marriott's business performance. After Meghna's segment, Sarah and Steve dive into Marriott International's 2026 outlook, unpacking the company's plans for new credit card partnerships, expected gains from the World Cup, and continued strength in the luxury segment. They also discuss the latest corporate layoffs at American Airlines and explore how hotels and travel companies are turning to soil carbon credits as part of their sustainability strategies. From shutdowns and staffing to carbon markets and brand growth, this episode offers a grounded look at the forces shaping hospitality right now. Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Hosts: Sarah Dandashy – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Steve Turk –⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

You have until the end of the year to earn the number of elite nights required for the elite level you're aiming for, so it's time to start thinking strategically!(00:58) - Which status levels are worth targeting?Read more about which Marriott elite benefits apply and when here.(03:23) - Shortcuts (You can read more about this here.)(05:11) - Learn more about Marriott credit card eligibility here.(08:42) - Nick's plan(12:25) - Greg's planVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

In this week's episode of WSJ's Take On the Week, guest host Miriam Gottfried speaks with Eric Resnick, CEO of private equity investment manager KSL Capital Partners, about the resilience of the travel and leisure sector. He explains why he sees leisure travel demand as a powerful anchor that allows the sector to defy pressures typically seen during an economic downturn. We dive into the outlook for corporate travel, the challenges facing new hotel construction, the rising experiential economy and what investors should be watching for as lodging companies like Marriott and Airbnb release their earnings this upcoming week. Correction: Hilton Grand Vacations released their earnings on Oct. 30. An earlier version of this podcast incorrectly said it was releasing its earnings this upcoming week. (Corrected on Nov. 3) This is WSJ's Take On the Week where co-hosts Gunjan Banerji, lead writer for Live Markets, and Telis Demos, Heard on the Street's banking and money columnist, cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy and finance—the big trades, key players and business news ahead. Have an idea for a future guest or episode? How can we better help you take on the week? We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at takeontheweek@wsj.com. To watch the video version of this episode, visit our WSJ Podcasts YouTube channel or the video page of WSJ.com For more coverage of the markets and your investments, head to WSJ.com, WSJ's Heard on The Street Column, and WSJ's Live Markets blog. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Follow Gunjan Banerji here and Telis Demos here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch Us On YouTube! On this week's episode of Miles to Go Podcast: