Podcasts about Marriott

Dylan and Max talk Alaska dreams, Southwest's new nonstop to Anchorage, lake lodge podcast fantasies, and Max's brave decision to bypass the discounted Marriott burger for Yemeni cuisine. In the Mailbag, listener Elijah checks in with a unique path back into aviation after the Air Force and a decade away from flying. For Flight Advice, the guys break down why using the GI Bill for PC-12 initial training, single-engine ATP currency, and an Alaska 135 strategy might actually be a no-brainer. Also: meta glasses, janky gravel strips, and potential tax treatment for baklava. TankerBot - Try out the beta version of the Dylan's Tankering Calculator! NewYorkTurk - NYC Food Reviews Show Notes 0:00 Intro 3:55 Max's Musings: Sitting Reserve 15:21 MD-11: PSE vs SSI  27:35 Airports & Tangents 32:37 Special Announcement: Tankering Calculator 35:25 Spirit Comments 41:59 Comments & Reviews 55:16 AI & Mailbag 1:09:35 Flight Advice Our Sponsors Tim Pope, CFP® — Tim is both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a pilot. His practice specializes in aviation professionals and aviation 401k plans, helping clients pursue their financial goals by defining them, optimizing resources, and monitoring progress. Click here to learn more. Also check out The Pilot's Portfolio Podcast. Advanced Aircrew Academy — Enables flight operations to fulfill their training needs in the most efficient and affordable way—anywhere, at any time. They provide high-quality training for professional pilots, flight attendants, flight coordinators, maintenance, and line service teams, all delivered via a world-class online system. Click here to learn more. Raven Careers — Helping your career take flight. Raven Careers supports professional pilots with resume prep, interview strategy, and long-term career planning. Whether you're a CFI eyeing your first regional, a captain debating your upgrade path, or a legacy hopeful refining your application, their one-on-one coaching and insider knowledge give you a real advantage. Click here to learn more. The AirComp Calculator™ is business aviation's only online compensation analysis system. It can provide precise compensation ranges for 14 business aviation positions in six aircraft classes at over 50 locations throughout the United States in seconds. Click here to learn more. Vaerus Jet Sales — Vaerus means right, true, and real. Buy or sell an aircraft the right way, with a true partner to make your dream of flight real. Connect with Brooks at Vaerus Jet Sales or learn more about their DC-3 Referral Program. Harvey Watt — Offers the only true Loss of Medical License Insurance available to individuals and small groups. Because Harvey Watt manages most airlines' plans, they can assist you in identifying the right coverage to supplement your airline's plan. Many buy coverage to supplement the loss of retirement benefits while grounded. Click here to learn more. VSL ACE Guide — Your all-in-one pilot training resource. Includes the most up-to-date Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and Practical Test Standards (PTS) for Private, Instrument, Commercial, ATP, CFI, and CFII. 21.Five listeners get a discount on the guide—click here to learn more. ProPilotWorld.com — The premier information and networking resource for professional pilots. Click here to learn more.   Feedback & Contact Have feedback, suggestions, or a great aviation story to share? Email us at info@21fivepodcast.com. Check out our Instagram feed @21FivePodcast for more great content (and our collection of aviation license plates). The statements made in this show are our own opinions and do not reflect, nor were they under any direction of any of our employers.

He went from $180K for 14 units… to 7,500 multifamily units… to NOW closing 7 hotels in a single year with $40M of investor capital.   In this short clip from Abundance Mindset, Vinney "Smile" Chopra breaks down:

Own Your Results. Own the Returns. Why the Smartest Accredited Investors Are Going All-In on Hotels.   In this episode of Abundance Mindset, Vinney "Smile" Chopra joins co-host Gualter Amarelo for a raw, real, and revelation-packed conversation about what it truly means to OWN your results — in business, in investing, and in life.   Vinney pulls back the curtain on his personal pivot from 7,500+ multifamily units to a laser focus on hospitality — and why he believes hotel rooms are apartment units on steroids.   Here's why: unlike a 12-month lease, a hotel "lease" is signed every single night — with up to five different price points depending on supply, demand, and local events. When a big concert or conference hits your market, your nightly rate can 4X overnight. That's a level of dynamic cash flow multifamily simply cannot match.   In this episode, you'll discover:  

What does it actually cost to win at work while slowly losing everything that matters most? I've been sitting with that question since this conversation ended. My guest today, Josh Kosnick, was at the absolute peak of his career, leading a firm of 250 people, hitting every metric, checking every box, and in one morning at a Marriott, it was gone. A fabricated lawsuit from someone he mentored. A company he loved that chose the easy way out. And a drive home where he had to pull over and fall apart in a parking lot because his whole world had just collapsed. But here's what got me. It wasn't the betrayal that broke him open. It was going down to his basement months later, opening boxes of trophies and accolades, and realizing, none of it meant anything. His marriage, his kids, his faith, his health, all still intact. Everything else? Just stuff. That moment is where the LQ Blueprint was born. And honestly, this framework might be the most practical, honest roadmap for high-achieving men that I've ever heard laid out in a single conversation. We go deep on why your priorities are probably in the wrong order, what it really means to lead yourself before you lead anyone else, the difference between being kind and being nice, why vulnerability isn't weakness, it's actually your strongest leadership tool, and the question that stopped me cold: are you chasing your wife the way you're chasing your goals? I PROMISE you, you need to hear Josh's story. Listen all the way through. The framework at the end alone is worth it. Connect with Josh Kosnick: Book: The Kairos Code, Amazon & Barnes & Noble Website: https://joshkosnick.com/ Follow Stephen: Website → stephenscoggins.com Instagram → @stephen_scoggins TikTok → @stephen_scoggins Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it. It takes 30 seconds and it genuinely helps us reach more people who are ready to do the work! 

Anna Davlantes, WGN Radio's investigative correspondent, joins Bob Sirott to share what happened this week in Chicago history. Stories include the unveiling of the American Eagle coaster at what was then called Marriott’s Great America, the debut of “The Untouchables,” the “Poperoni Pizza” at Aurelio’s, and more.

It's Ticked Off Tuesday and Jared is complaining with YOU about

Live experiences drive operating success because they create reasons to travel, reasons to spend, and reasons to come back. That's why Marriott Vacations Worldwide is building Inner Circle around them. I talked with Mike Flasky, President and COO of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, about what changes when the offer expands beyond the villa and into the full trip.

Evan and Bryan look at a very interesting scenerio. Should Disney have a Rewards program like Marriott or Hilton? .Join us as we bloesky the concept and look through out whiteboard topics. This becomes a VERY interesting conversation Will this work? What do you think? ======================================   If you'd like to join us and discuss your trip or any of the topics we discuss, please reach out to us on our Facebook page, Spoonie Nation, Instagram, or Twitter. All episodes, show notes, and other podcast-related information are available  here        

A cannes-i gonzó podcastsorozat különkiadásában Nemes Jeles Lászlóval beszélgetek a Moulin című filmjéről, de ez az adás is gonzó abban a tekintetben, hogy a Marriott hotel felé menet elmesélem az összes korábbi interjúmat Nemes Jelessel, és felvázolom ennek a mostaninak a körülményeit. Az adás végén pedig elemzem egy kicsit, hogy szerintem hogyan sikerült a beszélgetés.Az interjúban Nemes Jeles László elárulja, milyen érzés volt visszatérni Cannes-ba az új, Jean Moulinről szóló filmjével úgy, hogy az előző két filmjénél kikosarazta a fesztivál: sem a Napszálltát, sem az Árvát nem válogatták be a versenyprogramba.Szóba kerül a francia és magyar stáb közös munkája, a színészek — például Gilles Lellouche — hozzáállása, meg olyan magyar szereplők is, mint Mácsai Pál vagy Pajor Tamás. Emellett beszél az anyukája cameójáról, a saját pesszimista-optimista világlátásáról, és arról is, hogy a magyar politikai változásokat valamiféle közös ébredésként éli meg.Készítette: Varga FerencZene: Kristóf NorbertJó szórakozást az adáshoz, és ha tetszik, kérlek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠támogasd a Filmklub podcastot a Patreonon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, egy dollár is nagy segítség! Ha a Patreon túl macerás, támogathatod a podcastot a PayPalon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ferencv1976⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) vagy a Revoluton (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ferenc7drh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) keresztül is. Nagyon köszönöm!

Alissa Coram and Ken Shreve walk through Wednesday's market action and discuss key stocks to watch in Stock Market Today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the year 2000, Lance Wallnau picked up the phone to prep for an interview with a U.S. senator who had been clinically dead for nearly 30 minutes. The voice on the other end told him a story about seven islands rising in heaven — a story that would become the Seven Mountains Mandate. Years later, when Lance called the woman back to confirm the details, she said five words that changed everything: "I never told you that." So who — or what — was actually on the other end of that call? Prophetic voice Lance Wallnau opens up about the moment he believes he was speaking not to a human, but to an angel — and the chain of supernatural events that birthed the Seven Mountains revelation now reshaping the global Church. What if the message reshaping the Body of Christ was confirmed by heaven itself? In this episode: * The Acts 12 "Peter's angel" parallel Lance says happened to him personally — and the woman who insists she never made the call * The Senator Mike Crotts resurrection story: dead 25-30 minutes outside a Marriott, commanded back to life by his wife Phyllis * The heaven vision of 7 islands and 1 great mountain — and the words Jesus spoke: "There must be agreement" * The Isaiah 45 / Cyrus prophecy Lance heard audibly about Trump as the 45th president — years before the 2016 election * Kim Clement's prophecy that hospital staff couldn't stop from being fulfilled * The hidden "Diamond" code in the Gladiator arena scene — and why Lance says it's a prophetic parable for end-times unity * The Voice of Apostles 2000 moment in Harrisburg when an entire crowd reported hearing angels echo "AS ONE" * The final phone call from Senator Kratz the day before he died: "Now's the time." This isn't a sermon. This is the origin story Lance has rarely told publicly — the supernatural fingerprints behind every Seven Mountains conversation happening today. Podcast Episode 2124: The 'Angel' Phone Call That Birthed 7 Mountains | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast

Zack Gharib is the President of Red Roof, bringing decades of leadership experience across Marriott, Wyndham, Vacasa, and beyond. From a chance encounter with a hotel GM in Athens to leading one of hospitality's biggest tech transformations, Zack shares what it really takes to succeed in today's lodging landscape. Susan and Zack talk about AI automation, franchisee profitability, and vacation-rental versatility. What You'll Learn: • What vacation rentals taught him about operational chaos  • How AI is reshaping economy and mid-scale hotels  • Why hotel websites suddenly matter way more  • How ChatGPT is changing hotel booking behavior  • What hotels can learn from Airbnb-style personalization  • Why internal communication systems still fail teams  • Learning when to say "no" to shiny new tech  • Why smiles and room inspections still win  • Predictions for the future of non-luxury hotels  • The franchisee-brand relationship problem nobody solves  • What real alignment between brands and owners should look like  *** The Takeaway: Hospitality fundamentals still matter most, but the operators who win will use technology and AI to make those fundamentals faster, cheaper, and more personalized. Zack Gharib on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-gharib/ Red Roof https://www.redroof.com/

Crain's reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about Census data showing how Chicago is eking out population growth while big-city rivals are shrinking. Plus: Former John Hancock Center slated for luxury Marriott hotel, the parking meter deal Chicagoans love to hate is poised for another sale, Gene & Georgetti sues concessions operator over Midway Airport outpost and DraftKings reportedly closing sportsbook at Wrigley Field. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Singapore Home Brew, we explore the return of one of Singapore’s most beloved traditions: the staycation. With airfare soaring and domestic leisure travel booming, Singaporeans are rediscovering the joy of recharging right here at home. MoneyFM 89.3 Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Oriol Montal, Regional Vice President for Luxury APEC & Singapore at Marriott International, and Annette Lee, actor, comedian, and star of Marriott Bonvoy’s new “Never‑Ending Staycation” campaign... a comedic mini‑series featuring three quirky, distinctly local characters brought to life by Annette. We discuss why Marriott launched this campaign now, how domestic travellers have become Singapore’s second‑largest source market, and the trends shaping how families, couples, and solo travellers choose their weekend escapes. Annette shares how she created her characters, her take on Singapore’s staycation culture, and the fun behind the scenes. Annette also talks about her new Singapore movie: "Dream Stall" dropping on 27 May 2026!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a leader, you often spend so much time on the strategies and tactics that keep your brand growing that it's difficult to keep up with what's going on in the background with the platforms and the companies behind them.That's why I'm always glad to talk with our guest today, who is both focused on the business of CX as well as the business behind CX and the SaaS platforms driving so many customer experiences. I'm excited to talk again with our Resident Expert on the CX and MarTech platform landscape. We talked right at the beginning of 2026 as a look back at last year. Now that we've had a quarter behind us in 2026, it's time to talk about how this year is shaping up and what we can expect in the months ahead.To help me discuss these topics, I'd like to welcome, Bill Staikos, Founder at Be Customer Led. About Bill Staikos Bill Staikos is a senior customer experience executive with over 20 years of leadership across financial services, consulting, and technology. He has held senior roles at American Express, Freddie Mac, JP Morgan, and BNY Mellon, where he led global initiatives to transform client and employee experiences. A former SVP at Medallia, Bill helped organizations turn insights into measurable outcomes.Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice and one of the Top 50 Global CX Influencers, Bill is also the founder of the Be Customer-Led podcast and is now preparing to launch The Multimodal Experience. Known for his pragmatic, impact-driven approach, Bill advises leading brands, including Apple, Bank of America, Marriott, and T-Mobile, on connecting customer experience to business growth. Bill Staikos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billstaikos/ Resources Be Customer Led: https://becustomerled.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fDon't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You're invited.Let's talk about leadership… the kind that feels real, grounded, and aligned with who you truly are.In this episode of Overflow with Kimberly Snider let's sit down with Emma Marriott to explore authenticity, intentional communication, and what it actually looks like to lead with clarity and connection—without losing yourself in the process.Together, they open up a conversation around presence, energy, and the small but powerful shifts that can transform how we show up with our teams and in our lives.Along the way, you might find yourself asking:How am I really doing… and do I give myself space to answer honestly?What energy am I bringing into my conversations each day?Am I leading with intention… or reacting in the moment?What would it look like to bring more adventure, creativity, and even “magic” into my leadership?Because leadership isn't just about strategy.It's about how you show up ... moment by moment, ...conversation by conversation.✨ Key InsightsAuthentic leadership starts with self-awareness and honest check-insClear intentions create clearer conversations (and better outcomes)The energy you bring is felt before your words are heardLeadership can hold both pressure and self-compassionWhen we allow space for creativity and “magic,” connection deepensThis is a conversation that reminds you:you don't have to lead louder… just a little more intentionally!Connect with Emma Marriott here:Website: iris-hr.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-marriott-/DOWNLOAD: Bridge Builder Conversation GuideWhat if your next conversation felt clear, calm… and actually moved things forward?It's not about saying it perfectly—it's about how you show up.Download the Bridge Builder Conversation Guide to shift your energy, communicate with clarity, and create solutions with people, not for them. ......

New security measures roll out this month at the airport; CaribDA officially opens today at the Marriott; and government launches a notaries public survey.

Chase Sapphire Reserve 150K Offer!!! (thank you for using our link!)Marriott Homes & Villas Promotion- register and book by 5/14/26!Spirit Airlines disappears, Hyatt pricing shifts again, and we map out how we keep our family travel plans steady when loyalty programs and flight options change. We also share updates on three international trips and the exact points and miles moves we're making right now. • Mother's Day recap and the economics of buffet pricing versus hotel status value • Orlando work trip at the Disney partner Swan and Dolphin and how Marriott free night certificates can help • Why losing Spirit Airlines hurts competition and what it can mean for fares • How points create flexibility when low cost airlines reroute or disrupt trips • London and Scotland itinerary pivot after award availability changes, plus a Paris overnight to make business class work • Switzerland and Italy planning, including Wengen lodging sticker shock and backup hotel strategy for Rome • Marriott Homes and Villas promo basics and using points to offset cash costs • Capital One Shopping versus Capital One Offers and how targeted cashback emails can show up • Hyatt devaluation deadline, booking 13 months out, and dealing with missing standard room availability • Chase Sapphire Reserve 150K offer, new eligibility rules, and how we think about credits versus the annual fee Any questions, as always, DM me on Instagram at travelpartyof5

New Arizona State Basketball head coach Randy Bennett

Episode 171 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks and Cameron Laufer, opens with a practical community highlight: a traveler facing a broken in-flight entertainment system on a United Premium Plus flight. The discussion reinforces that while compensation isn't guaranteed, notifying a flight attendant can often result in goodwill gestures like bonus points. The hosts then run through a packed news segment, including Chase transfer bonuses to Flying Blue and Marriott, an elevated 150,000-point sign-up bonus for the Sapphire Reserve, and new restrictions around Sapphire card eligibility. They also cover new IHG credit card offers, Flying Blue Promo Rewards for discounted domestic routes, and a standout Amex-to-Hilton transfer bonus of 20%, setting the stage for the episode's main focus.Angie and Cameron share personal updates on credit card strategies and upcoming travel, highlighting the constant balancing act of hitting minimum spend, maximizing free night certificates, and navigating issuer rules like Chase's 5/24. Angie details several trips in progress—including Morocco, Ireland, and domestic travel—while optimizing points, credits, and cash savings (like rebooking a rental car for significant savings). Cameron notes upcoming plans to Aruba and possibly Everest Base Camp, alongside ongoing points-earning strategies.The main topic dives into the best Hilton redemptions, with a focus on maximizing value through free night certificates, transfer bonuses, and strategic point usage. Angie highlights outsized value at luxury properties, including SLH hotels charging upwards of $2,000 per night, while Cameron breaks down real-world redemption comparisons showing how transferring Amex points (especially with bonuses) or even buying Hilton points can yield strong value—often 2–3 cents per point equivalent. The episode wraps with a tip of the week encouraging listeners to take advantage of transfer bonuses for programs they regularly use and a simple troubleshooting trick: switching browsers can resolve common issues like errors when transferring Avios between accounts.Episode Links:Chase to Flying Blue Transfer BonusChase to Marriott Transfer BonusNew Sapphire Reserve BonusElevated IHG Card BonusesFlying Blue May Promo AwardsAmex to Hilton Transfer BonusWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

On May 31 – June 2, in NYC, the industry-defining NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference is taking place. In this Suite Spot episode we are pulling back the curtain on what to expect at this year's landmark event. Joining us on the Suite Spot is Alexi Khajavi, President of Hospitality, Travel, and Real Estate at Questex. In this exclusive preview, Alexi breaks down the 2026 NYU IHIF agenda and shares why this year's gathering is more critical than ever for hospitality leaders, hoteliers, and investors.  Tune in now. Ryan Embree: Welcome to Suite Spot, where hoteliers check in, and we check out what’s trending in hotel marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Hello everyone. Welcome to another episode of The Suite Spot. This is your host, as always, Ryan Embree here with another hospitality event preview with a very familiar guest, very excited about this conversation. It’s spring, so right around the corner, we know what’s next, one of the premier events of the hospitality event calendar. Here to talk with me, a frequent guest, Alexi Khajavi, Questex, President, Hospitality and Real Estate. Alexi, thank you so much for joining me again here on the Suite Spot. Alexi Khajavi: Ryan, great to see you. Great to be back. Ryan Embree: Yes, it has been too long since we last spoke. We were out in Denver together at the Hospitality Show there on stage. Alexi, you were talking about everything that happened over the course of an entire year. I feel like from October to where we sit right now, in the middle of spring, it’s felt like a complete change. Whirlwind. I’m not even sure if when this episode’s released how much there could be even more change, but since then, so ground us. Give us a little sense of the state of hospitality and the sentence EE everything that you’re feeling right now. Alexi Khajavi: What we saw each other end of October in Denver, just at the conclusion of the hospitality show. And I guess, yeah, to your point, every day is, like an like a year or or seven years for that matter. So, six months on I mean, some consistencies, and I suppose the consistency is the volatility just in the geopolitics, macroeconomics, local state of affairs. And that does have a knock on effect on, on tourism and hospitality certainly. But some of the themes are consistent and that is that it is a, a continued challenging operational environment. rev pars have which we talked about rev pars, we were starting to see some normalization after they had been really on a only an up into the right performance for the prior three years. We started seeing that slowing down in Q3, Q4 of last year. And that has continued. One of the, the aspects, and a lot of people are talking about it, is a Ks shaped economy. And so you’re still seeing some, some interesting and pretty exciting, RevPAR ADR growth on the luxury side of that upper part of the K, if you will. And in the lower K of the market, you’re, you’re seeing increasing and continued challenges. Right? And I think everyone is sort of asking two questions around that, which is one is how much more runway of growth does the luxury market have? And then in on, on the sort of upper upscale midscale and economy, is the economic conditions going to encourage a trading down of the consumer. Speaking to David Pepper, for example, from Choice yesterday, they are seeing some positive RevPAR growth in that upper upscale, which, they’ve got a lot of hotel stock in. So I think the question is and we’re seeing some data that the customer is still traveling. They still see both on the leisure sh leisure side from the experience economy, travel as not being discretionary and not being something that they’re willing to give up, but something that they may trade down for make it more economical, domestic tourism, and drive to staycations those types of things versus the international travel, which certainly was in demand for the last three years. Corporate travel, I think that’s, that’s directly tied to GDP and the economy. But again, corporate travel has actually been coming back. It lagged leisure tourism recovery. So that’s been, performing quite well. Again, business is done face to face. It’s why we do live events in the, in, in, in the sectors in which we serve. So, continued operational challenge, questions around demand, a lot of impact from AI on demand, and how that demand is coming to your brand.com or to your property website, how they’re searching. SEO is in massive disruption. So, it’s not a typical recovery at this point. It’s, it’s fragmented, it’s bifurcated. It depends what part of the market you are in. There’s divergent recovery that’s sort of replacing that, that high tide lifts all boats. That uneven demand is translating into really kind of diversity of performance. And so it depends what markets you’re in. So the operating side is, is is tough. It is becoming harder and it is becoming more expensive. And yet there are some tools out there, AI and others, and technology generally that’s offering a lot of opportunity for optimization, efficiency, productivity in those areas, which will flow through to the bottom line. And then we’re also seeing, kind of a bifurcation in the capital markets. On, on, on the big side, there is a ton of capital that is chasing hospitality, moving from other asset classes whether it be office or retail or industrial. And they’re moving into hospitality for all the reasons that it’s operational real estate. It’s a tailwind market from the experience economy, despite the fact that we are cyclical, right? It goes up and down, but there’s a ton of liquidity. There’s a, there’s a wall of money that’s chasing, the asset class ranging from your owner operator franchisee, which is looking to grow from three properties to 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, whatever it may be, to institutional capital, which really never looked at a hospitality in general. So that’s creating more diversity in the type of investors which is coming into the market. So again, all of that challenge could unlock the transaction market. And then with those transactions, we see this regeneration of capital CapEx is deployed, and that’s really good for the industry. I mean, nobody likes to see falling net operating incomes, in running hotels. But that being said, it means that people have to be hyper-focused on how to run those hotels more efficiently. Why we run the hospitality show. And at the same time, NYU coming up, a lot of new capital coming into the market, a lot of capital chasing that, trying to figure out where the deals are, where to deploy that capital. And again, that’s why we have events like IHIF EMEA in Berlin, which was a few weeks ago. And to your point, NYU IHIF coming up in five weeks. Ryan Embree: It’s so many storylines in our industry right now that we’re chasing. We’d even touch on the upcoming summer, summer World Cup and events like the Olympics here in a couple years that are also gonna have a massive shift in international travel, which has been down. So again, so many challenges, but also think opportunistic time right now in hospitality and being at a spot like NYU is one of those places to capture those opportunities, to learn more about that from your peers, to have those conversations. Networking, I mean, I’ll, I’ll turn our attention there with some impressive numbers from the event. 2200 delegates, 450 plus C-suite executives, 400 plus investors, and $132 billion in assets under management there. So it’s impressive, like I said, impressive feat and number that you have all gathered in, one of the hospitality meccas of the world, which is New York City. What makes this event different from other hospitality events, and why is it a really a can’t miss for, for hoteliers investors this year? Alexi Khajavi: Yeah, I would say it’s a couple of things. One which you touched upon, which is, New York City financial capital of the world, it is the gateway city for the us it is, a hospitality driven economy. But it’s also one of the most thriving, financial market economies, in the US and certainly the world as well. So, that if you were to think, where do you hold an investment forum in any sector, but for that matter, in hospitality, New York, no better place, right? The money is there, the banks are there, the professional services are there, the brokers are there and many of the, the top brands are on the Eastern Shore board from DC and Maryland, up to the city here. So, it is just simply having it in New York. Second, it’s got a 40 year history associated with the New York University and the School of Hospitality and the John Tisch Center of Hospitality. It’s the only event where a portion of every dollar and revenue spent there goes towards supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals. So, we continue to partner with NYU and the School of Professional Studies. There, it’s an incredible partnership, which we’re just privileged and delighted to continue. And the fact that labor and talent is a massive challenge for the industry that, that you’re, you’re supporting a school which is turning out some of the most talented future hospitality professionals in the world by attending or sponsoring that’s goodwill. And, and we’re just delighted to be able to support that. So, that, again, I think is another anchor for why NYU is just such a special event and is different from a lot of the other good events that are, that are out there. And then lastly, NYU is part of a global portfolio of hospitality investment forums. And so, we have our event in Berlin. We have an event in Manchester, UK. We have an event in Athens, Greece, which is focused on the branded resi and the resort, segment, which is international and frankly, one of the fastest growing segments in hospitality. And then we have our Asia event in Hong Kong. So, we’re able to still bring in that global capital, those global operators that want to do business, want to bring their brands, want to deploy capital, want to invest in the us. So it’s not just a New York show, it’s not just a US focused show, but it’s a North America event where how do operators, how do investors, and how does the ecosystem of professional services come in and facilitate and drive deals to invest in the US and North American hotel market and all those things coming together, make it vibrant, make it diverse, make it one of the most active deal making conferences in the circuit. It really is for the investors to connect, with each other, but also the rest of the segments and the stakeholders, as it’s very diverse and fragmented industry. So deals get done. I mean, it was just on a in a conversation, a few weeks ago talking about a deal that’s been, announced since then. But they met in New York last June and really kicked off those conversations there at New York. And that ultimately consummated in a deal, in the fourth quarter of, of, of last year. We know that that’s what our value proposition is, and we know that’s why people spend their time with us and invest in, in NYU and we expect it to be even more vibrant and active on the deal making side, this June. So it should be should be a good event. Ryan Embree: That’s why I was gonna say, I had the privilege of attending for the first time last year, and I think the biggest difference for me was just the energy and the buzzing, and it just, it felt like what you said, it felt like deals were moving forward, whether that was the first time someone was connecting and networking, or whether it was something where these, these deals are not done in a vacuum or a silo that they take time, they take effort, and they take meetings like this, right? This connection, sometimes it’s, especially in a challenging market, can be the thing that brings a deal across the finish line. So it was palpable in the air when we were at that event last year. And it was a, it was a who’s who in hospitality too. You turned one way as a brand leader over here. Next is a president of asset management company. It really was an an extremely impressive event. I wanna get your thoughts, Alexi. You mentioned the sister events, the IHIF emea, which just wrapped up here at the end of March, obviously completely different markets that we’re talking about, but I still think holistically, there’s probably some lessons, feedback and sentiment that you could probably share that will translate into NYU, right? And some of those themes that are gonna make it there. What was your kind of, I guess, overall sentiment about the event and how just the energy and hotelier’s feeling was around that event? Alexi Khajavi: Yeah, I mean to go back to the start of the podcast, every day, there’s been something else. There’s been a, a ton of volatility in the market, a lot of uncertainty in, in the world. We still have a, a conflict, going on in, in Europe with, Ukraine and Russia. We now have a conflict happening in the Middle East. You’ve got macroeconomic conditions of still tariffs and the inflation that is causing interest rates still remain elevated, albeit they’ve, they’ve come down, over the last sort of 12 months. Elevated however, to historical, all of that creates uncertainty in the market. And as an investor said in, in Berlin, we can, we’re very good at penciling in risk and quantifying, the impact of that risk on both present day valuation. And a 20 year IRR, what is harder to pencil in is volatility and uncertainty. The certainty of risk is fine because you can quantify, the impact that that risk will have on the business. What you can’t is the uncertainty. And so with that, what we saw in Berlin, however, is that really is driving a lot of engagement around the expertise and the speakers and the sessions. We really pride ourselves on not having the same speakers every year saying the same things. We always leave a portion of our programs sort of unfinished, if you will, or, started but un unfinished because, because of that volatility in the market. So we saw a huge amount of engagement with people in the, in the sessions, in the rooms, which is interesting because at the end of the day, it is a deal making conference. And people are in meeting rooms, they’re up in suites they’re in the lobby and they’re, they’re engaging with each other, they’re there to do business. But we saw a lot of engagement, increased engagement with the sessions that we had. We then saw those individuals that were in a session often go out of the session and engage with each other and engage with speakers. And so one of the things that we’re doing is creating content fueled networking. So, a session will then lead to a round table where the speakers will stick around and the delegates or the folks that were in that session as an audience are able to then continue that conversation and go deeper and get into an actual conversation rather than just sort of a q and a that’s, that’s tagged on at the end. So it really created a, I think, a huge amount of engagement and peer-to-peer conversations. And really, I think people seeking a perspective. When, when you’re in a volatile market, really the most important thing you can do is to, to talk to your peers, to talk to your competitors, to talk to your mentors and get different perspectives to try and create some fidelity of what didn’t work or what has working, or what are the things that you’re trying out that’s really exciting. I mean, we really love that because, an open market, a transparent market, and an engaged market on the buy side and the sell side is a more informed market. Everybody needs that, right? It just makes markets more efficient. It make every, makes everybody better operators, and it creates a transparency as to where those opportunities are. And that’s, that is a, a tide that does lift all boats. The other thing I would say, Ryan, is, is that there’s always this question in an, an investment forum, like IHIF, like NYU as to what the sentiment is. And we’ve been tracking investor sentiment for the last five years now, since, January of 2020, which was an interesting time to first sentiment. Yeah. And it’s interesting because it certainly went down during COVID, no news flash there. It quickly rose up from 22 to 21 to 24, and then it’s leveled off since then. And it’s kind of just, a few index points gone, gone up or down depending on all of this volatility Liberation day last year, which was the first day of April, if I’m not mistaken, which was actually right during IHIF was created a lot of pessimism. It, however, was replaced with some optimism as interest rates fell down. So the sentiment to that question was, was actually quite positive. I think maybe through just the density of volatility or the consistency of volatility. People are somewhat getting used to it and separating noise from substance. And, and really there are the, there are more deals coming to market. We are seeing a diversification of capital coming into the market, lot of high net worth, lot of family office, a lot of institutional capital, sovereign wealth pension funds. And what that’s creating is more demand. So you’re starting, when we talk to the brokers, you’re starting to see a number of underbids in terms of a mandate comes to the market. A transaction occurred, but there was 6, 7, 8 under bidders in that transaction that shows interest, it shows appetite and it shows that the bid ask gap to a certain extent is narrowing. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean in all cases that valuations have come down. I think buyers would like them to, but at the end of the day, I think capital, and we’re seeing capital become more confident and have more conviction in the market, but that also there are regeneration opportunities through CapEx deployment, through repositioning and through other levers that they have to pull, that they can take an asset that is performing at x and through CapEx and better operations and better plans, better brand, make it X plus y. And that was really the sentiment coming out of Berlin that the market is opening up, that there is a diversity of capital coming into it that’s creating a lot more demand and through a number of different sort of challenges, or let’s just say realities on the operator side, you are seeing a higher interest in selling. And I think that that will start to, to narrow the bid ask gap and look the unlocking of the market. We’ve been waiting for it for two, three years. It’s been a challenging market, but I think everyone’s seeing some optimism. I think the wishlist is, is that we reduce the amount of volatility in the market, but that’s an uncontrollable from your and and my perspective, we don’t have much control of that. Ryan Embree: Yeah. But I think the industry’s skin is, is thickening to that, right? And we’ve talked about that, how it’s our new normal is the constant state of change. And I also think it’s something, I’m not sure if we’ve talked about or thought about this too much, but we really saw worst case scenario just six years ago of being like, where everything dropped to none. When we’re assessing risk, we’re a lot more battle test. This industry is a lot more battle tested than maybe previous than it had previously. So some of these uncontrollables, like you mentioned, that yes, they are headwinds, yes, they are challenges, but it’s those investors right now that see opportunities that assess that risk and say there could be some really, really great upside at a at a time right now. And one of the places also where there is a lot of uncertainty, but I would, I would almost phrase it in the sense of a, of a positive uncertainty is the impact that AI is gonna have on our business in the future. And the gains and dividends that we can yield from those have really just scratch the surface. And we talked about this, and I wanna bring that into the conversation ’cause it’s hard to not talk about it anymore, right? It, I think we don’t go a, a podcast episode without bringing it up and people filling out their bingo cards on AI and technology. But I want, I wanna take us back to where we were a year ago, and maybe we can do this an exercise. Alexi, what would you grade right now, our industry, which historically has been maybe on the lighter end of the spectrum of a technology adoption, but what would you, what grade would you give it? Because I think we’re at this weird inflection point where hoteliers and brands and management companies and really everybody’s starting to look and saying, alright, we’ve implemented some ai. Where are the dividends? Where are the results? How do I measure these successes? What, what grade would you give and how do you think we can improve there? Alexi Khajavi: You know, that’s a, that’s a great question because it’s not an easy one to answer. Sure and not to cop out of giving you a specific answer, I would give it a a non-applicable, because the reality is, is that technology as a whole, in terms of using technology as a tool to optimize the hospitality market, I would certainly give ourselves a c plus. I think that’s historically been where we have failed for many reasons, which we can we don’t need to go into right , we know, we know that. But I think, I think AI right now is there is an overestimation of its impact on the near term, and there’s an under appreciation for its impact on, on the long term. Love that that’s, that’s quickly, quickly changing. I mean, if you, to your point, if you just look at the last six months, massive wholesale change, and I, so I think that that’s changing very quickly that people are starting to appreciate this. This is enormous, both in its capacity to be a force of good as well as its capacity to be a, a force of bad, to sort of broadly call it as such. But that being said, I think there’s sort of two themes around ai. One is on the, on the sort of operational side, AI has, has largely, I think been distributed as a individual choice through the industry and the departments. And the overall, whether you’re on the brand side or the operator side or the investor side, I know that there are mandates and there are committees and everybody’s sort of got their own playbook to how they’re using ai. But at the end of the day, it’s gonna come down to any individual that’s using it or not using it in their respective role. And that’s all over the map. Some people are using it, some people are not. And, and frankly, I think those that are using it are going to be better off for their r and d and just their effort to try and figure it out. Because the more you use it, the better off you become at using. It’s, it’s a tool like any tool, right? You, you need how to use how to use that tool in order for it to do the job you want it to do. So in that case, I think we’re probably no different than some other industries, which are certainly spending a lot of money on it and trying to figure it out. The other aspect of it though, that I think is really interesting is that it is already changing, particularly those frontline manager roles. A GM, for example, that is using AI will have more time to do the things that a GM should be doing, rather than all of the back office stuff, which AI can do at scale and at pace, and to a high degree of quality with oversight and q and a being done, not just to let AI go do all those things, but that, that frees up your general manager to go do the things that really drives guest satisfaction. Respond to RFPs, take care of guests, drive revenue, be present in the local market so that you’re capturing demand drivers, in your local city or wherever you may be. So, I think if that individual GM is using AI effectively to free them up to do what a GM really should be doing, and probably why that person went into being a GM in the first place, then I think we’re gonna start to see the progress. But we haven’t really started to measure it yet. I also see on the positive side, other industries, IE healthcare are also realizing that AI is doing a lot of back office work at a very high level, or high degree of, of quality. And that’s now freeing up their own people. And what they’re finding is, is that maybe we should be engaging, empowering those roles in a hospital or healthcare broadly to be taking care of patients in a more human hospitable way. And so, in some degree, I think the long-term impact will be that other industries are now going to start looking at hospitality as being a, at the vanguard of driving human powered experiences that will drive back to revenue and premiumization and ultimately profits. So we’ve always looked to other industries for, God, we’re, so, we’re Luddites, how do you do this? What, how do teach us in hospitality? I, I think we’re going to start to see other industries look to us to, how do you actually take care of a guest, a customer for that matter? How do you do that to create loyalty to, to a, to increase average order value or ticket receipts. So I think that’s the opportunity to answer your question in terms of one area that I think is directly and already being deeply impacted is distribution and search. Search is been a, a topic of discussion for the last 30 years. And we’ve largely gone through this used SEO to fine, the white hat, the black hat the right levers to pull your all tags, your meditechs, I mean, the whole thing, right? Brand equity, la la, la. Well, AI replaces all that in one fell swoop, and nobody really knows how that’s going to play out. But on the sort of doomsday perspective, it completely wipes out your brand equity online in a search engine. On the positive side, it reinforces it because AI is simply pulling from algorithms and behaviors on the internet to sort of drive, it’s, it’s results. But again, we don’t know the answer to that. And I think already revenue management, sales and marketing distribution, those are the areas where I think in the next six months, we’re gonna be having a conversation that is gonna be completely different than the conversation we’re having today. And we’re gonna be focusing a lot on that because that is one of the areas that today is being completely upended. Ryan Embree: I one hundred percent agree with you. I think that’s where a lot of the hunger and the appetite and thirst for knowledge right now of why maybe there’s more engagement in those sessions than you’ve seen before, is because I think people are starting to, if they haven’t already started to understand the gravity of where we’re at in this inflection point and the massive disruption that this is going to cause and do not want to be left behind. And I think you’re right. There was a fascinating point you made in there about the GM and their role, and we all, the big fears around AI are, are AI replacing jobs? And I would say when it comes to hospitality, it could really upend what the, the role of a job, right? Your GM might start looking a lot more like the GM of 40 years ago when you first got into hospitality, or where you weren’t having to do those tasks. And we almost have to learn this new job. It might be the same title as general manager, but you’re doing completely different things, which is a fascinating topic to talk about because we’ve been training these young hospitality professionals in the way of what a GM is today. That role could look completely different here in the next three to five based on the, on the speed and acceleration of these, of AI tasks that they’re doing. So it, I could talk about it all the time. We do talk about it all the time, I feel like, but it’ll be very interesting to see that impact that it’s making. I wanna switch back to NYU, and this is one of my favorite questions because there’s so much intention in these, in these shows, and that’s why I love doing these episode, these preview episodes, because you get to, to learn all the work that goes in, you’ve told me before you start on these events, day after, sometimes even now hours after that first one ended. So this year’s theme sharpening the edge. Talk to us a little bit about how the team settled on this and, and the story behind it and how you’ve incorporated it into the programming a little bit. Alexi Khajavi: Yeah, I mean, sharpening the edge is, an ode to the investment, nature of the event. It’s a deal making conference and it’s in New York. And so it’s a very sort of public market Wall Street saying, where do you find your edge or where do you find your alpha compared to another investor? If all you’re doing is chasing, the broad returns of a market or an asset class for that much, or for that matter, then you’re, you’re gonna be, at the whipping end of the overall broader market. It’s not a good place to be in a volatile market like this. And it doesn’t drive the outsized returns that investors are looking for. So it really is a tip of the, the cap to where we are. We’re in New York, we have a lot of Wall Street, public Market, New York Stock Exchange, synergies there, Sarah Eisen from CNBC, comes up and moderates the CEO panel. Most of the CEOs head down for interviews, on Wall Street and CNBC and Squawk Box and so forth. And we have that partnership still with CNBC this year. So, but as you shift it to what’s happening in the capital markets as it relates to real estate and more specifically to hospitality, private equity has been the dominant capital type in hotel investment. And that’s been the case for the last decade. And today that’s really no longer the case. It’s PE is still extremely active, but it’s more diversified in terms of across investor types. So we’re seeing, again, as I said, family offices, high net worth, a lot of sovereign, a lot of institutional capital that is growing materially, that is looking to hospitality to, to deploy capital. And with that, you’re seeing a lot of opportunities around value add. PE is really your value add investor, right? They’re looking for an underperforming asset or an asset that has the ability to perform at a higher level that’s sharpening the edge, that’s driving alpha. And so PE is really looking at this as a great opportunity as institutional capital comes in and is looking for stable, more stable returns, securitized assets, and an annuity like return over a longer hold period. It’s a great opportunity for private equity to exit in a market in which it’s been tough to exit. That being said, global hotel and fund allocations in hospitality and real estate has been tough, but it’s growing and it’s coming back. And so you’ve got a lot more money coming back into the market. And, and that’s really, a positive thing. We having events across Asia, Europe, and the us it allows for us to drive that cross-border capital. US capital has been less active, but despite all the challenges, we still see a lot of, international capital, which wants to invest in the us. So that kind of diversification of capital is a real, real positive for the market. It, it means more liquidity, it means more exit opportunities to get off, on the off ramp for PE or any other investor. As more capital comes in, it offers more opportunities to exit. It provides or, or enables less sort of seasonality, if you will, in the marketplace, right? There’s less of that volatility in the marketplace as all as well. So really the sharpening the edge is about having the education, the networking, and the quality of people in the room that have the money are looking to deploy and know how to create alpha. Getting those individuals together to hear from each other, engage with one another, and ultimately, build relationships with the ecosystem that helps a deal get done, transact that transacts, underwrites that deal, and then drives that alpha from an operating value creation perspective. Those are the folks that are in the room at NYU. Ryan Embree: And you’re right in the middle of it. I mean, I remember waking up at the, the marquee and seeing Chris Nasetta on CNBC and a few hours later seeing him just a couple hundred feet up on stage in front of me. I mean, that’s the possibilities right there. Alexi Khajavi: And talking to people, right? I mean, this is the beauty of the hospitality industry is there’s really good people, right? They’re just, at the end of the day, you may be running a public company, and on TV, you’re sitting there talking to a franchisee of a Hampton that wants to meet the CEO. So it really kind of creates this very magical engagement where the fifth floor, sixth floor, seventh floor, eighth floor of the marquee are just a hive of activity with the best and the brightest from a franchisee to Chris Nasetta, to your point, there’s not many places that create that access and that transparency and cross engagement from such a diverse, but focused, sector, as NYU. So it’s a real, real special place to be. Ryan Embree: A thousand percent. And last year you used this forum to really get us fired up for some of the sessions in educations. And now you’re talking about, especially with your experience here earlier in the year, people being more open to that, being more thirsty and, and hungry for that information, looking up and down the programming. Because we know you spoke to last year the detail and depth that your team goes to create these panels, and sometimes even putting on stage opinions that differ, that go head to head to one another, to try to get that friction to try to get a rise out of that engagement. Looking up and down the agenda this year, which sessions, if you had to pick a few, do you have your eyes on? Alexi Khajavi: Well, there’s some, some obvious ones, but always at NYU, we’ve got some, some exciting ones as well. And the first one, our first session actually Monday morning, Anthony Scaramucci, the Mooch, who is an investor himself actually owns a restaurant as well, but certainly, podcaster and just an expert, on the economy, politics, the Trump administration having worked, I think 10 days, there, if I’m not mistaken. So, he’s gonna kick us off. We always have a marquee name that’s relevant to the industry, but he really has his finger on the pulse as to, one, what are all the geopolitics and the macroeconomics, in the overall state of the economy and the country, what impact is that having on the investment markets on where the opportunities are? Alexi Khajavi: And as he runs a restaurant what is he seeing? What does he think specifically of the hotel space? So I think that’s, again, that’s, that’s just not something that you get at any of the other hotel investment forums, but you get that and you’ll get it right, served with breakfast on Monday morning. So we kick off big and we kick off bold on Monday. Obviously Monday has, is a great day. We have the CEO council on Monday as well. Or sorry, the CEO panel that’s the five top brands, again, interviewed by Sarah Eisen, which they have a great rapport with. And that really does set the tone for what they’re seeing as the opportunities. Clearly they are on top of demand and where RevPAR and ADRs and occupancies are going, how they’re performing and what the differences are by chain scale. There will be a lot of conversation around how much gas in the tank does luxury have I’m sure you’ll hear differing views on that. And then are we gonna see a return to some of the midscale and upper upscale, as potentially people trade down but still travel and where’s economy, where’s extended stay? We’ve also seen these brands make some interesting investments in new concepts, graduate hotels, which is last year, yo hotels glamping and branded resi. That’s a big day. In fact, we’ve got a full day of content on branded resi with active developers developing properties right now that are branded resi mix of hotel, mixed use, retail, hospitality and so forth. And then capital markets. Capital markets our Cap Talks session is probably one of our most popular, and that’ll be a mix of both active US investors as well as foreign capital, international capital investors, sovereign Wealth, as well as private equity, which continue to look to deploy capital in the US. Alexi Khajavi: We then have Danny Meyer, who’s the founder, and CEO of Union Square Hospitality, Shake Shack. And obviously a number of other incredible Union Square restaurants in the city here. But and then you’ve got your breakouts where you will be focusing a lot on the investment development market. Asset management is a key thing, how do you drive Alpha through the operations of these hotels? So there’s a ton of content. We’ve left a lot of time for networking. We know that’s where the deal making is the eighth floor, which is the lobby level. We’ve extended the event to include the Broadway Lounge, which is this beautiful lounge overlooking Times Square. We’ll have, food and beverage in there throughout the days. Great space to network amongst all the delegates, including the ninth floor where we’ve got Marriott and Hilton taking that space. So it’s just a ton going on. And the program’s out, it’s 90% there. We still got a few couple of marquee names that we’re going to announce over the next few weeks. But really, if you’re gonna be, if you’re in hospitality, investment development and operations where you’re driving Alpha, there really is no other place to be on the first and 2nd of June. You’ve gotta be there. Ryan Embree: Yeah. I can attest to it again, first time last year have the privilege of attending officially announcing the Suite Spot will be back at NYU this year. We can’t wait. Our associate producer’s gonna be traveling with me this time. This is her first time. And there is even a first timers meet and greet that you do as well at the event, which I had the privilege of partaking in networking last year. What type of tips for any hoteliers investors that might be considering or even attending the first time, what, what one piece of advice would you drill down for this event as the best piece? Ryan Embree: I would definitely get on the app. I know that the serendipitous meeting, which to your point, you bump into the CEO of Hilton or Marriott for that matter, is great. And that’s, there’s good value in that, but we have about 70, almost 80% of all delegates are on the app. That’s great. And that’s a great place to find people and to be found and it also gives you all the other information as the agenda speaker bios, but it allows for you to reach out to other delegates. So I would definitely do, that’s, something that can be sometimes just overlooked or just not not done. And then I would go to the Sunday evening reception if it’s your first time that’s at the marquee, six o’clock, we get about 500 people there. A good mix of veterans and, and first timers. I would certainly do that. I would try and plan out your days ahead. It’s amazing how with all that, with all everything that’s going on, you can easily kind of get sidetracked. So if there are some sessions that you wanna see, you can bookmark them in the app and make sure that you, you don’t miss those. But, I would, get some sleep, stay hydrated and be prepared to have some full days of education, networking and just a whole lot of fun. Ryan Embree: Yeah. And some of the receptions that are after hours at the end of the day, are absolutely amazing too. And I know you have sponsors that kind of do that, sometimes onsite, sometimes offsite, encourage, those to attend that in full force as well. Hospitality, we definitely know how to, to host a party, that’s for sure. So Alexi, we appreciate you hosting us here on the Suite Spot and previewing this year’s 2026 NYU. We are counting down the days until June. Thank you again to my audience to learn more information. Obviously visit the website, make sure you register. Any final thoughts before we wrap up today, Alexi? Alexi Khajavi: No, just very much looking forward to seeing you there and the other 2400 people that will be joining us. So, looking very much forward to it. And appreciate your time. Ryan Embree: All right, thank you, Alexi. Thank you for listening to The Suite Spot and hope to see you at NYU in June in New York City. To join our loyalty program, be sure to subscribe and give us a five star reading on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Travel Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell, with Cover Art by Bary Gordon. I’m your host Ryan Embree, and we hope you enjoyed your stay.

Think hotel investing is "passive real estate"? Think again. In this episode of Get Diversified, host Jacqueline Landry sits down with industry heavyweights Rikesh "Thunder" Patel and Kevin Kohler to expose the brutal operational realities of the hospitality world.Rikesh, a 20-year veteran with brands like Wyndham and IHG, explains why a single negative guest review is more than just a headache—it can represent a $10,000 loss in revenue. We go deep into the "Brand Trap," where companies like Marriott and Hilton can mandate million-dollar renovations (PIPs) on your dime, and the labor crisis where you must hire eight people just to keep one.Whether you are a seasoned investor or looking to diversify, this episode reveals why you must treat hotels as operating businesses first and real estate second.Timestamps[03:28] – Meet Rikesh "Thunder" Patel: From the family motel business to launching a 2026 fund.[08:26] – The Biggest Misconception: Why hotels are NOT passive real estate.[11:01] – The $10,000 Mistake: How guest reviews directly impact your P&L.[15:42] – The Brand Mandate: How Marriott dictates your renovation budget.[20:19] – AI in Underwriting: Why you can't trust the "hallucinating" machine with big deals.[26:45] – The Labor Crisis: Why you have to hire 6–8 people to find 2 who will show up.[38:58] – The Dark Side: Protecting your property from human trafficking and crime.[41:27] – Deal Structuring: Waterfalls, tax advantages (Cost Segregation), and avoiding capital calls.[47:20] – Thunder's 5 Rules for hotel investing success.

Send us a message!In this episode, we welcome back Mike Flaskey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide.Mike shares what brought him back to the industry, what his new role looks like, and how Marriott Vacations Worldwide is approaching loyalty, customer experience, owner engagement, and long-term value.The conversation looks at the timeshare and vacation club model through a hospitality lens, including how major brands build trust, keep owners engaged, and create value beyond the initial sale or stay.Alex, Annie, and Mike also explore what short-term rental operators can learn from Marriott Vacations Worldwide, especially when it comes to consistency, brand standards, guest experience, and creating reasons for people to stay connected over time.Episode Chapters:02:32 - Why Mike returned to the industry and joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide10:06 - How Marriott Vacations Worldwide thinks about loyalty11:02 - The role of Marriott Bonvoy in brand affinity and direct bookings18:53 - What vacation rental operators can learn from timeshare19:30 - How brand standards help build guest trust28:20 - Why lifetime value matters in the customer journey29:00 - Viewing vacation ownership as a subscription business31:09 - Using experiences to strengthen loyalty and engagement40:11 - How Marriott Vacations Worldwide is using AI in sales training41:41 - How AI is changing digital search and hospitality marketing47:52 - Why prepaid vacations create resilience51:43 - What is ahead for Marriott Vacations WorldwideConnect with Mike:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-flaskey-13496094 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevacationdr/reels/ Connect with Marriott Vacations Worldwide:Marriott Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/marriottvacationclub/ Westin Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/westinvacationclub/ Sheraton Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/sheratonvacationclub/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable.Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.

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In an era when we are more connected yet more distracted than ever, the greatest luxury isn't just a five-star suite — it's quality time. This week on Campaign Chemistry, we sit down with Anna Tomicevic, VP of global brands for Hyatt's Inclusive Collection. With a career spanning from Marriott to overseeing 11 distinct brands at Hyatt, Tomicevic has a front-row seat to the shifting tides of the travel industry.  From the rise of “zero-proof” cocktails for Gen Z to the integration of AI in trip planning, Tomicevic shares how Hyatt is moving beyond “table stakes” hospitality to curate experiences that actually matter — whether that's sound healing, swimming with turtles or leaning into the conversation card trend to facilitate conversation. We also dig into the brand's Time Here Is Worth More campaign, inspired by Hyatt's Time Rich Report, which revealed a staggering 82% of travelers are craving more quality time.  The sound bite "We are in the industry of happiness." The key takeaways AI is transforming the discovery phase across travel. Consumers are increasingly turning to generative AI such as ChatGPT for travel inspiration and initial research. Marketers must monitor how their brands show up in these AI-driven search engines and reshape their top-of-funnel discovery strategies accordingly. Anchor complex portfolios with a master brand. Managing 11 different brands within a single portfolio can dilute messaging. Hyatt used its loyalty program, World of Hyatt, as a powerful master umbrella to connect these diverse offerings and present a clear, unified value proposition to the consumer. Do the research. Hyatt didn't guess what its consumers wanted; the brand partnered with Wakefield Research to uncover hard data points  (i.e., 82% of people crave more quality time and they spend over 17 hours a week mindlessly scrolling on screens) and it directly fueled its Time Rich campaign. A great marketing campaign shouldn't just be an advertisement. It should actively reshape the product experience. Hyatt used the Time Rich campaign as a platform to physically alter on-property guest experiences, focusing on real-world presence and connection. Audit and amplify what you already do well. Sometimes you don't need to invent a new product; you just need to market the existing ones better. Through an internal audit, Hyatt discovered incredible, on-brand experiences already happening at their properties — like swimming with turtles or sound therapy under a sacred tree — that it simply wasn't talking about enough. Use strategic partnerships to enhance the brand mission. To execute its goal of fostering human connection, Hyatt is developing specific partnership pillars. For example, the hospitality brand is partnering with a brand to introduce “connection cards” with conversational prompts at their resorts, actively giving guests a tool to put their phones down and connect. Adapt to generational behavioral shifts. While all-inclusive resorts are famous for free alcohol, younger generations are shifting toward lower alcohol consumption. Forward-thinking marketers track these demographic shifts and adapt their offerings, which is why Hyatt is actively expanding its “zero-proof” beverage space to meet this new consumer demand. Meet the consumer where they are. Recognizing that modern travelers rely heavily on community forums, Hyatt began testing native ad placements on Reddit to insert itself authentically into the travel discovery conversation. With 70% of U.S. households streaming their content, CTV is a vital channel for lifestyle and travel brands. Hyatt leaned heavily into CTV for its recent campaign and saw massive engagement, hitting a 99% video completion rate. Standard search bars can be limiting and frustrating. By upgrading its website with an AI-powered search function, Hyatt allowed users to search by specific desires — such as “lazy river” or “golf course” — reducing friction in the booking process and catering to highly specific traveler intent. campaignlive.com Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop. What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the reason your retreat, or event, isn't creating real transformation… is the way you're framing it? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Bridget James Ling, founder of Freedom Queen and creator of one of the fastest-growing global movements for women building high-impact, high-profit businesses. We go beyond the surface of "retreats" and unpack what actually creates momentum, identity shifts, and real results inside in-person experiences. Bridget shares why she once said "I hate retreats"… and how that perspective led her to design events that generate million-dollar months, deep breakthroughs, and immediate implementation. We talk about: ▪️ Why most retreats fail to create lasting change ▪️ The difference between a retreat, a mastermind, and an expansion experience ▪️ How being "in the room" rewires your identity faster than anything online ▪️ The real reason people leave events inspired… but don't implement ▪️ How to design experiences that create momentum, not just emotions ▪️ Why selling at your event is not optional, it's your responsibility I also share my own journey, from building luxury experiences with brands like Marriott to discovering why 80% of retreat leaders don't profit, and what needs to change. This episode will challenge how you think about retreats, events, and what it really means to create transformation that lasts. If you're building (or thinking about building) a retreat, this is a conversation you need to hear.

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Are low-cost airlines still actually low-cost? This week on Miles To Go, Ed and Richard revisit the evolving situation around Spirit Airlines and what the future may hold for budget carriers as costs continue to rise. Even if Spirit survives, the bigger question remains: can the ultra-low-cost model still work in today's environment? That question becomes even more relevant when looking at Frontier's pricing. Flights that once defined "cheap travel" are creeping closer to legacy airline pricing — raising questions about whether the value gap is disappearing. They also take a closer look at Chase's Points Boost feature for Sapphire Reserve cardholders. While the headline numbers look appealing, the actual footprint is extremely limited — and may not deliver the value many travelers expect. Plus, a deeper discussion on airline loyalty, why perception still matters more than reality for many travelers, and how new partnerships and offer strategies could shape the next phase of points and miles. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Spirit Airlines: still in the game? Ongoing uncertainty around Spirit's future Rising costs and pressure on the low-cost model Why competition still matters for travelers ✈️ Are "cheap flights" disappearing? Frontier pricing trends and rising fares Demand vs cost pressures Why low-cost carriers aren't as cheap as they used to be ✈️ The perception problem for budget airlines Why travelers still avoid Spirit and Frontier How product differences compare to legacy carriers Frequency and reliability concerns ✈️ Chase Points Boost: good idea, limited value 2.5x redemption headline vs reality Only ~11 properties available Why this feels more like a test than a real benefit ✈️ Airline vs OTA hotel booking strategies Loyalty program incentives vs portal bookings Why direct partnerships (like IHG + ANA) matter The future of travel offer ecosystems ✈️ Loyalty programs are changing Shift from points to targeted offers Why "earn more points" isn't enough anymore The role of personalization in travel rewards ✈️ Hyatt vs Marriott: does earning more points matter? Big differences in redemption costs Why point value matters more than point totals Where each program shines ⏱️ Episode 434 Timestamps  0:48 – Intro and recording from the NYC office 3:30 – Travel gear: Ridge battery pack review 6:48 – Spirit Airlines update and uncertainty 8:01 – Chase Points Boost: what you actually get 9:53 – Frontier pricing and the "cheap flight" question 10:44 – Rising costs for low-cost carriers 15:00 – Loyalty programs and why people still choose legacy airlines 17:15 – IHG + ANA partnership and loyalty shifts 20:00 – Offer-based loyalty vs traditional points earning 23:47 – Hyatt vs Marriott value comparison

Most hotel technology investment is stuck in a waiting room called Hilton approval.   Jake Wurzak, founder of DoveHill Capital - 20 hotel properties, 11 managed directly - has spent the past year mapping exactly where AI can and cannot reach inside his own portfolio. Brand lock-in is the actual bottleneck. Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt control the core technology stack at every affiliated hotel. Revenue management, check-in systems, guest data - all locked. Third-party AI platforms cannot be substituted without brand cooperation, which moves slowly. The workaround is agentic AI running on top of legacy systems. Rather than waiting for a brand-sanctioned AI product, DoveHill is testing AI agents that operate within existing platforms the same way a human employee does. No new integration. No vendor approval. The agent replaces the labor, not the system. The back-of-house opportunity is larger than most operators realize. Housekeeping scheduling, purchasing, and data-linking between accounting and BI platforms are all being done manually at most hotels today. One senior employee at DoveHill spent six hours linking data between two competing software systems. That task is automatable now. The sponsors who figure this out early are not the ones waiting for Marriott to ship an AI product. They are the ones putting agents on top of the systems they already have. The gap between what independent and boutique operators can deploy versus what a branded hotel can deploy is already widening. In three years, that gap will be visible in NOI.   Listen to the full conversation, including specific tool applications and how DoveHill is rolling out Claude across its investment team.   ***   At GowerCrowd, we are bringing the most advanced AI tools to our clients for capital formation - and across other operational verticals too (like acquisitions). If you'd like to learn more about how we can assist you too, please reach out.   Subscribe to my newsletter and get access to this transformational intel before anyone else:  https://gowercrowd.com/subscribe Email: adam@gowercrowd.com Call: 213-761-1000

Are your short-term rentals sitting empty while your competitors rake in bookings? You might be targeting the wrong guest without even knowing it. In this tough-love, numbers-driven solo episode, Kenny Bedwell, founder of STR Insights, reveals the six REAL buyer personas that drive every booking decision and why most hosts get it dead wrong.Cut through the industry fluff: This episode breaks down how each persona thinks, what drives their decisions, and how seasonality radically shifts who you're really marketing to. Whether you're struggling to fill high-end properties, want to squeeze more out of the low season, or just avoid attracting guests who tank your reviews, this episode gives you direct, actionable insight you simply won't find on other STR podcasts.Stop the guesswork. Listen right now to protect your cash flow, outsmart your competition, and attract the guests you actually want. These frameworks are exclusive, urgent, and can change your booking game overnight.Timestamped Highlights00:02 – Dad shirts are back… but is your STR guest strategy stuck in winter?00:44 – The secret reason you keep attracting the “wrong” guests (and how to fix it)03:03 – Why budget buyers will ignore your amenities—and the pricing trap most hosts fall into07:32 – Value seekers, Costco logic, and the most common STR buyer (are you missing easy profits here?)10:46 – The convenience persona: Why location, reviews, and guarantees can replace discounts13:17 – Experience seekers exposed: Social media-worthy guests—and the Instagram marketing mistake16:55 – Luxury buyer drama: When high expectations drive guests to cancel… and why “luxury” is more than just a word20:29 – Occasion seekers and the money left on the table when you ignore group dynamicsMentioned ResourcesAirbnb LuxeCostco, Sam's Club, Dollar Tree (buyer mindset examples)Instagram (direct booking for experience stays)Marriott, Sheraton (hotel chains, buyer persona contrasts)Important LinksWant us to find the deals for you? https://strinsights.com Get Top Markers for STRs (2025) - https://rebrand.ly/28b1df Instagram – @kenny_bedwellYouTube – Cash Flow PositiveLinkedIn – Kenneth BedwellCash Flow Positive is an original podcast hosted by Kenny Bedwell. Brought to you by STR Insights. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Ted Gibson and Jason Backe Live at ABS ChicagoSome conversations remind you why you got into this industry in the first place. This is one of them.Recorded live at ABS Chicago with co-host Geno Chapman, Corey sits down with Ted Gibson and Jason Backe for an hour covering three decades of hustle, heartbreak, reinvention, and beauty from the inside out.The Roads That Led HereNeither Ted nor Jason took a straight path in. Jason was a raver kid in Minneapolis who walked into beauty school and for the first time felt seen by a teacher. Ted was a Texas athlete who walked into a salon called Zan and Friends, saw a room full of stylish people in starched Wranglers, and decided that was the life. What followed was barber school, a cross-country move seeking fame, a detour to Atlanta to answer phones while switching his license, and a room with Confederate flags on the wall. He stayed anyway. The sacrifices nobody sees are always the foundation of the success they do.What Fame Actually CostsSaying yes to Angelina Jolie's hair for Tomb Raider changed everything. Vogue. Marie Claire. A PR firm that told them to drop the name Fame and call it Ted Gibson. A Fifth Avenue salon. A DC licensing deal tied to the Real Housewives. A move to LA where they gambled everything and learned more than they earned. Three years in Palm Springs that have brought more inspiration than anywhere else they've lived. Success is not linear. It never was.The Client Relationship... and When It EndsTed's rule: treat every client like it's the first time you've seen her. She is a different person. Jason goes deeper, describing 20 years of New York clients who didn't care what it cost, and how COVID ended it overnight. He had to create a new category... client friends. Losing them felt like grief. It changed how he understood his work entirely.Ted Gibson Beauty Wellness ScienceAfter Ted's mom was diagnosed with dementia, they dove into brain health and found lion's mane mushroom. They felt it. They kept going. A scientist in Oregon with 30 years studying fungi and algae helped them build a superfood powder: lion's mane, chaga, reishi, tremella, and blue-green algae in a coconut milk base with vanilla and coffee. Tremella is shown to be 100 times more effective than hyaluronic acid at moisture retention. Mix it into anything. A book is coming.Convergence: Beauty Wellness Science SummitMay 2-3 in Palm Springs. Professionals and consumers in the same room to collaborate, not compete. Mainstage education in cut, color, and dressing. Panel discussions including Guts, Brains and Beauty and Stars, Shrooms and Psychedelics. Breakout rooms. A cocktail party. The Beauty in Motion Evening Performance headlined by Ted and his artistic team. Day two is all professional education with business coaching from Steve Gomez. Blue Zones leads a purpose workshop for the Palm Springs community. Hotel reservations at the Marriott via the link in bio.@tedgibson... @jasonbacke... @genochapmanSponsored by Serious Business. January 16-18, 2027 in New Orleans. Tickets at seriousbuisness.net

Celebrating 200 episodes of the Suite Spot!

Meet Nation Member Rachel Grabow!!!  #RunTJM Weekly Strava Champions Most Miles: Chris Miles 203.6 Most Time Runing: Chris Miles 78:59:11 Most Vert: Chris MIles 32,799 TRIPLE CROWN WINNER Sign up for theTen Junk Miles races here: https://www.tenjunkmilesracing.com Join the Official Podcast Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1057521258604634

We have the i-Phone to thank for the fast death of literacy & rise of autocracy"What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book because there would be no one who wanted to read one."— Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to DeathThis week, Nick Cohen talks to essayist and Times journalist James Marriott about Marriott's essay on "The dawn of the post-literate society" and his upcoming book "The New Dark Ages." James argued that mass literacy, which emerged in the 18th century, was fundamental to democracy, science, and philosophy, but that modern screen-based technologies like smartphones are replacing reading and leading to mass cognitive decline.James and Nick discuss how television and now social media platforms like TikTok are changing political discourse, making it more emotional and less rational, with examples like Donald Trump's anti-vaxx stance and the rise of populist leaders who thrive on screen.James concludes that democracy may not be sustainable in our current information environment, as it relies on abstract thinking that doesn't translate well to visual media formatsRead all about it!James Marriott is a columnist and film critic on The Times, and has own Substack column, Cultural Capital. James's Substack essay on how the smart phone is helping to usher in a new dark age - The dawn of the post-literate society - And the end of civilisation - went viral and has led to his first book, to be published by Bodley Head - an imprint of Penguin - either next month or in the Autumn, The new Dark Ages: the end of reading and the dawn of a post-literate society. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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   The hotel industry is telling two very different stories right now — and this week, the squad unpacks both. First up: a Skift deep dive exposes the brutal math crushing America's hotel owners. Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt are posting record profits while the people who actually own the buildings are hemorrhaging cash — franchise fees, loyalty fees, F&B fees, spa fees, stack an OTA commission on top and owners could be handing over 40% of revenue before paying a single employee. The panel doesn't hold back. Edwin calls it a deadlock. Ben calls it a hostage situation. Scott says the cracks show up the moment growth slows — and right now, they're everywhere. Then: the man behind Six Senses is back. Bernard Baumgartner's new venture, Discover Collection, ditches OTAs entirely for a membership-based model with 32 villas in Oman and a bombshell incentive — travel advisors earn 12% commission on lifetime guest spend. It won't scale. That's the point. Wyndham makes a surprise appearance with a genuinely clever social campaign — a $20K Route 66 road trip giveaway pairing grandparents with grandkids, comp stays at Days Inn and Super 8, full content documentation required. The most valuable guest isn't the highest spender — it's the best storyteller. And Coachella? Ben drops a reality check. It didn't sell out in 2023. Random April weekends outperformed festival weekends at his Palm Springs hotel. Justin Bieber saved it this year. The takeaway: demand anchors are powerful, but they're lineup-dependent, not brand-dependent. 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 https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 05:12 — Story #1: Hotel Owners Get Crushed While Brands Cash In 26:46 — Story #2: Bernard's Members-Only Hotel Bet 40:13 — Story #3: Wyndham's Grandparent Route 66 Play 48:57 — Story #4: Coachella Became a Hospitality Engine 59:13 — Spice of the Week   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/iambenwolff/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

Dena and Catalina open the episode with some reactions to Coachella Weekend 1, spotlighting videos by @bran__flakezz, @jademali_, and @bentonmcclintock. Dena's FYP includes creators like @danielpantss and @mamamamamamidwest reacting to @thejacobhiggins's experience at the Courtyard Marriott in Westbury, NY, and Catalina's has @planetasyera talking about her tuna in the fridge and content about the Artemis II trip to the moon (@rebmasel, @mayalorinnn, @glover_girls. In the NYC segment @johnnymurtaugh finds oyster shells in lower manhattan, and they wrap up with food and drink on TikTok, which for Catalina is very fiber-forward these days (@plantbased.baby, @sierrareece). Check out all the videos we mention and more on our blog (2old4tiktok.com), Instagram (@2old4tiktokpod), and TikTok (@2old4tiktok_podcast). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

INTRO (00:24): Kathleen opens the show drinking a Peach State Lite Lager from Peach State Brewing in Athens, GA. She reviews her week in Augusta, watching the Monday practice round of the Masters tournament.    TOUR NEWS: See Kathleen live on her “Day Drinking Tour.”   TASTING MENU (2:02): Kathleen samples Ritz Toasted Buffalo chips, Skippy + Girl Scouts mashup PB Bites, and Limited Edition Nashville Hot Cheddar Lance crackers.    QUEEN NEWS (8:29): Kathleen shares an update on Taylor Swift's wedding location.   SPANISH PHRASE OF THE WEEK (35:22): The Spanish phrase to learn this week is “a qué hora cierra la cocina?” or “what time does the kitchen close” in English.   HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS (16:12): HollyBobby provides the latest news in Hollywood.   WHAT ARE WE WATCHING (39:22): Kathleen recommends watching “Trust Me: The False Prophet” on Netflix.    UPDATES (37:44) : Kathleen shares updates on Lindsey Buckingham's stalker, Britney Spears checks into rehab, Waymo's Nashville launch encounters many issues, Prince Harry is being sued by his own charity,    SPORTS NEWS (50:42): Kathleen reviews the 2026 Masters Tournament influencer culture, and Tom Watson calls for a lifetime ban on PGA players who left to join LIV golf.    FRONT PAGE PUB NEWS (1:10:36): Kathleen shares articles on Philly's reaction to Uber Eats delivery robots, Billy Idol makes an appearance at Coachella and Coachella is taken over by influencers, Lynyrd Skynyrd announces a new tour, Marriott swaps their 35-year relationship with Pepsi for Coca Cola, and Detroit offers new residents financial incentives to relocate there.   SAINT OF THE WEEK (1:27:25): Kathleen reads about Saint Vincent of Saragossa, the patron saint of vintners.    FEEL GOOD STORY (1:23:36): Kathleen shares a story about the world's oldest gorilla celebrating her birthday in the Berlin zoo. 

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Newton Fernandes - and this is one of those conversations that reminds you just how non-linear careers in hospitality can be.From starting out as a journalist, to working in airline reservations, to quite literally being invited across the road into a hotel career… Newton's journey spans continents, cultures, and some seriously big roles.We're talking global brand, marketing, and communications at a scale that's hard to get your head around, but always grounded in one thing: understanding people.In this episode, Newton and I get into…Growing up across the Middle East, India, and Europe, and how that shaped his worldviewStarting out in journalism and developing a love for storytellingMoving into American Airlines… and then being recruited into hospitality by a hotel GM across the streetWhy travel, tourism, and hospitality are one industry (and should act like it)The reality of working in different cultures, and why curiosity beats assumption every timeMoving to London and adapting to a completely different way of workingStarting at the “bottom” in PR & marketing, and why that foundation mattersManaging brand and marketing across 450 hotels, 12 brands, and 33 countriesWhy structure, training, and community are essential at scaleMoving to Marriott and navigating the world of franchise vs managed hotelsHelping independent hotels plug into global brands without losing their identitySome cracking quote-ables from Newton“I didn't move into hospitality… I was invited into it”“Travel and hospitality are not separate industries, they're one”“You can't understand a hotel brand unless you've seen it on the ground”“Curiosity is more important than assumption”“The way you work in one country won't work in another, you have to adapt”Why this episode is worth your earsIf you've ever thought your career path is a bit all over the place… good.Newton's story is proof that the most interesting careers are built through curiosity, opportunity, and saying yes to things you didn't plan.There's also a ton in here around leadership at scale, how you manage people, brand, and culture across different countries, different expectations, and different ways of working.And a reminder that in a global industry like ours…Understanding people is everythingShow PartnersA big shout out to the first of 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

Join Steve Carran and David Millili on this month's episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics as we break down the biggest happenings in March for the hospitality industry. This episode features a candid conversation with Bashar Wali, CEO, founder, and one of the world's top social media influencers, as he shares insights from his global travels and perspectives on hospitality trends, hotel design, and industry challenges.Topics covered in this episode include:Government Shutdown & Airport SecurityHilton adds Yotel as First in Select by HiltonDesign Focused HotelsGood-Bye to the Goodtime HotelSize Does MatterBashar also shares his thoughts on creating hotels that inspire, deliver authentic experiences, and stand out in an increasingly copy-paste industry. Whether you're a hotelier, traveler, or hospitality enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lively discussion.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LASK2yVHBU0 Links:Bashar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/265Follow 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.

What does it actually take to win — and keep — placement inside one of the largest hospitality systems in the world?In this episode, we sit down with Gary Gruver, Director of Global Beverage Strategy at Marriott International, who helps shape beverage programs across 30+ brands, 130+ countries, and a system approaching 10,000 hotels.If you've ever thought, “If we could just get into Marriott,” this conversation might change your thinking, because there is no single “Marriott.” There are fundamentally different business models — from luxury properties like Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to high-volume select-service concepts — each with its own economics, velocity expectations, and operational constraints.And, as Gary shares, most brands underestimate what happens after placement.It turns out that getting on the menu is maybe 20% of the work. The rest is execution — distribution, inventory reliability, training, and boots-on-the-ground activation. Without that, even great liquid disappears.Key insights:

Timothy Henry and Raj Sisodia interview the Honorable Mary K. Bush, President of Bush International and a veteran executive, corporate director, and government official who served three U.S. presidents, including as the U.S. representative on the International Monetary Fund Board during the 1980s debt crisis. Known as “Ms. Free Market,” Bush explains her advocacy for reduced regulation, pro-growth tax systems, and policies designed to retain and attract capital, as well as her role in helping create the IMF's Structural Adjustment Facility to address deeper barriers to entrepreneurship beyond fiscal and monetary policy.To see the full video podcast, check out the Conscious Capitalists YouTube channel here.Bush explores real-world examples, including lessons from Ghana, the shareholder-versus-stakeholder debate, and how boards can drive long-term value by investing in customers, employees, and talent development, pointing to Marriott's culture as a case in point. She connects social responsibility to individual freedom, discusses the link between diversity and performance through stronger risk identification and decision-making, and addresses the current backlash surrounding DEI.She also shares the mission behind Spark the Journey, her mentoring initiative supporting low-income youth, and reflects on growing up under Jim Crow in Birmingham. Throughout the conversation, Bush underscores the importance of candid workplace dialogue, principled leadership, and the courage to build institutions that expand both economic opportunity and human dignity.If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us reach a wider audience.This show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Associate Producer & Editor.00:00 Meet Mary K Bush01:28 Why Ms Free Market02:02 IMF Debt Crisis Lessons05:09 Ghana and Price Signals07:03 India's Reform Story09:18 Friedman vs Stakeholders13:19 Stakeholders in Boardrooms16:36 Short Term vs Long Term22:46 Strategy Meets Stakeholders25:11 Freedom and Responsibility25:51 Pollution and Talent Access28:05 Pricing Externalities29:45 Diversity Drives Performance32:22 Meritocracy Versus DEI34:58 Freedom To Access37:00 Spark The Journey Model40:11 Birmingham Origin Story44:07 Hard Conversations At Work48:52 Stories Of Good Capitalism53:32 Rapid Fire Wrap Up54:36 Final Thanks And Sign Off

What if you could own hotels — and NEVER manage them? That's exactly what Vinney "Smile" Chopra has done for 7 years straight.

ABOUT NAOMI CLARE CRELLIN:Naomi Clare's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/naomi-clare-crellin Websites: storycraft.education (Company) belongingplaybook.com (Company) storycraftlab.com (Company) Email: naomi.clare@storycraftlab.com BIO: Naomi Clare Crellin is a visionary leader who excels in transforming intent and insights into actionable, accessible strategies.  As the Founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab, she specializes in refining big ideas and concepts into meaningful and measurable experiences. Naomi is adept at mapping strategic processes that guide both teams and clients from development through delivery, helping to define goals, refine messages, and measure the impact of the stories crafted.  Her expertise lies at the intersection of spatial experience and messaging, having collaborated with a diverse range of organizations including Microsoft, Motorola, Bloomberg, the IFC, the Smithsonian, the Human Rights Campaign, and many more. Beyond her work at Storycraft Lab, Naomi has served as an adjunct faculty member, bringing her passion for education into the classroom. She partners with organizations dedicated to making the world a better place, inspiring students to harness their creativity and curiosity. As an empowering educator and experience strategist, Naomi is committed to helping others succeed.  She finds immense joy in co-creating with teams, generating engagement, and telling stories through interactions. Her dedication to collaboration and innovation is at the heart of her work, and she loves the impact she and her teams create together.  Naomi Clare Crellin is not just a leader but a catalyst for change, fostering an environment where ideas flourish, and meaningful experiences are crafted.' SHOW INTRO: Welcome to Episode 87! of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast… In every episode we follow our catch phrase of having “Dynamic Dialogues About DATA: Design, Architecture, Technology and the Arts.”  And as we continue on this journey, we'll continue to invite guests on our journey that are 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. 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 87… I talk with Naomi Claire Crellin is a visionary leader who excels in transforming intent and insights into actionable, accessible strategies. Her work uses story as a vector towards belonging.  Naomi believes that a well-told story builds trust and genuine peer-to-peer connection in audience advocacy. This in turn bolsters personal growth and psychological safety; encouraging participants to take calculated risks towards innovation. We'll get into all of that in a minute but first a few thoughts...   ABOUT DAVID KEPRON: LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b Websites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website) vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog) Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.com Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/ Bio: David Kepron the Retail Studio Principal for the architecture and design firm Little (https://www.littleonline.com). He 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.

Episode 166 of the Award Travel 101 podcast introduces new team member Laura Kofoid, who joins host Angie Sparks for a casual conversation about her background and entry into the points-and-miles hobby. Laura shares how she discovered travel rewards after retiring from a long IT career and looking for a new hobby, eventually becoming deeply engaged in maximizing loyalty programs. The episode also highlights a fun community post debating airplane seat preferences, where most travelers favored window views but often chose aisle seats for practicality—except for parents, who frequently opt for the middle seat to sit between family members.In the news segment, Angie and Laura discuss several updates in the travel rewards world. These include a new partnership between Marriott and Ethiopian Airlines (though with a less favorable transfer ratio), changes to Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles award chart coming in May 2026, and the addition of Wyndham as a transfer partner for Bilt Rewards, further strengthening Bilt's growing ecosystem. They also critique a newly launched Amex business cash-back card, noting its high annual fee and lack of transferable rewards. Laura shares her recent strategy of picking up United business credit cards due to her Denver hub, while Angie continues searching for valuable new card offers.The episode wraps with a deeper “Meet the Mods” feature on Laura, where she reflects on her biggest wins—like using Hyatt points for a six-night stay in Kauai—and lessons learned, including costly booking mistakes and missed opportunities with sign-up bonuses. She explains her shift from full-price cruising to more strategic travel with upgraded flights and hotel stays. Laura emphasizes her preference for Chase and Amex ecosystems and offers a simple but valuable tip of the week: “HUCA” (Hang Up, Call Again), encouraging persistence when dealing with customer service in travel bookings.Episode Links:Marriott-Ethiopian PartnershipCathay DevaluationAmex Graphite BizBilt Adds WyndhamWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

On Sunday 28th of March 2004 at 8.20pm, Police were called to either Room 701 or 703 at The Marriott Hotel at 134 George Street near Marble Arch, London, W1. Concerned for the guest, he was found naked, in the bath, in what looked like it could have been an accident or a suicide. It had all the hallmarks of a professional hit by experienced assassins of the Russian Mafia who were hired to whack-out a rival for the sake of money, revenge or respect. Yet it ended with a cataclysmic cock-up which showed these hitmen to be truly incompetent.Locations: Room 701 or 703, The Marriott Hotel, 134 George Street, Marble Arch, London, W1Date: Sunday 28th of March 2004 at 8.20pmVictims: Simion Turkov (aka Yermia Yunataev)Culprit: Andrei Melnikov & Michael AntoneliSeven time nominated at the True Crime Awards, Independent Podcast Awards and the British Podcast Awards, Murder Mile is one of the best UK / British true crime podcasts covering only 20 square miles of West London. It is researched, written and performed by Michael of Murder Mile UK True Crime Podcast with the main musical themes written and performed by Erik Stein and Jon Boux of Cult With No Name and additional music, as used under the Creative Commons License 4.0. A full listing of tracks used and a full transcript for each episode is listed here and a legal disclaimer.Follow me on SOCIAL MEDIA · Instagram· FaceBook· Threads SUBSCRIBE via PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/murdermile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when customer experience stops being a soft metric and starts becoming a direct driver of revenue, retention, and real-time action? In this episode, I sat down with Jeff Gelfuso, SVP and Chief Product and Experience Officer at Qualtrics, during X4 Summit in Seattle to talk about how AI is changing the way businesses understand and improve customer relationships. Jeff shared how his role sits at the point where product, experience, and business outcomes meet, helping customers use Qualtrics in ways that are both practical and measurable. One of the biggest themes in our conversation was the shift from simply listening to customers to actually doing something in the moment. For years, many companies have relied on surveys, dashboards, and reports that told them what had already gone wrong. Jeff explained how that model is changing fast. With AI, organizations can now understand signals as they happen and trigger action before a poor experience turns into churn, frustration, or lost revenue. We talked about examples from brands like Marriott and TruGreen, and this is where the conversation became especially interesting. In TruGreen's case, AI-powered analysis helped reveal that service quality, not price, was the real reason customers were leaving. That kind of insight changed the conversation from guesswork to financial impact. When one point of retention can mean $10 million in annual revenue, experience suddenly becomes a boardroom issue, not just a customer service metric. Jeff also offered a refreshingly clear view on agentic AI. Instead of treating it as another layer of hype, he described it as a way to turn experience data into action, using context to help businesses close the loop faster and with greater precision. That means moving beyond smarter dashboards and toward systems that can surface priorities, recommend next steps, and help teams act without getting buried in complexity. Another standout part of the discussion was how Qualtrics is helping customers move beyond pilot purgatory. Jeff was candid that meaningful AI progress still takes work, focus, and the discipline to solve the right problems first. The companies seeing real value are not trying to do everything at once. They are identifying specific use cases, tying them to real business outcomes, and building from there. What I enjoyed most about this conversation was how clearly Jeff connected technology to human experience. Yes, there was plenty of discussion around AI, automation, and context, but at the heart of it all was something much simpler. Better experiences build stronger relationships, and stronger relationships drive loyalty, trust, and growth. So if your business is still treating experience as a nice-to-have instead of a measurable driver of performance, what might you be missing right in front of you? I would love to hear your thoughts after listening.

I'm joined by Johnny Marriott from PET NEEDS for a very special NonComPod. The Colchester punk-fuelled melodic rock four-piece who've supported The Hives, Frank Turner and Flogging Molly are back with their fourth studio album, ELBOWS OUT! THIS IS CAPITALISM, which is out today. We discuss:how the band survived through playing in strangers' living roomsthe real economics on being in a band in 2026how becoming a parent shapes a creative careerwhy punk isn't dead… it's just complicated nowthe complex nature of parasocial relationshipsmanaging anxiety in creative workand we find out if Johnny is happy...Join the Insiders Club at Patreon.com/ComComPod where you can instantly WATCH the full episode and get access to 15 minutes of exclusive extras including:the parallels between song writing and stand-upthe strange pressure of releasing new musicand how lifestyle changes have shaped the band

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   Hilton just rewrote the rules on growth—without buying brands. Marriott keeps flooding the market with more flags. And underneath it all, a bigger question is emerging: who actually owns demand in hospitality? This week, we break down Hilton's Yotel deal and what it signals about the future of “platformized” hotel brands, Marriott's relentless expansion strategy (and whether guests even care anymore), and why distribution—not differentiation—is becoming the real battleground. We also get into Four Seasons' move into luxury yachts, Thailand's push to own wellness travel, and how Netflix is quietly reshaping restaurant demand. If you're building, investing in, or operating hospitality, this episode is about one thing: control the guest—or rent them from someone who does.   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 https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 02:06 — Story #1: Hilton's Yotel Deal Turns Brand Into Distribution 27:18 — Story #2: Four Seasons Bets That Luxury Belongs at Sea 40:31 — Story #3: Thailand Makes Wellness a National Strategy 51:11 — Story #4: Netflix Is Now a Travel Demand Engine 01:04:37 — Spice of the Week   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/iambenwolff/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

Hyatt may be ending free parking and resort fee waivers for Globalists — and there's a new elite tier above Globalist potentially on the way. Meanwhile, Citi is cutting the ThankYou to Choice Hotels transfer rate by 25% on April 19th. And Mark is trying to figure out if he's even making it to Bermuda with JFK TSA chaos threatening the whole spring break trip. What we cover: Hyatt survey: new elite tier above Globalist — plus possible end to free parking and resort fee waivers Is Hyatt becoming the next Marriott? Shawn weighs in Citi ThankYou to Choice Hotels: 25% devaluation hitting April 19 Bilt Red Day (April 1): Wyndham added as transfer partner with a 100–125% bonus Wyndham program: all-inclusives, Choice Hotels overlap and real value Wells Fargo Autograph still transfers 1:2 to Choice Points currency rankings: Bilt #1, Chase falling to #4 Mark's Bermuda spring break and the stress of TSA chaos at JFK Updated: complete guide to credit card application rules by bank Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 0:20 - Mark's Bermuda Spring Break + TSA Chaos at JFK 5:42 - Hyatt Survey: New Elite Tier Above Globalist? 7:00 - Could Hyatt End Free Parking & Resort Fee Waivers? 12:17 - Bilt Rent Day: Wyndham Added as Transfer Partner 15:07 - Wyndham, Choice Hotels & Citi ThankYou 25% Devaluation 18:54 - Wells Fargo Autograph & Points Currency Rankings 22:37 - Complete Credit Card Application Rules Guide ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free with Travel Freely

In today's podcast episode, we'll share 3 ways to improve your Google Wallet, we'll see how Marriott Bonvoyed us again, and Nick will explain how he would spend $115K.Giant Mailbag(01:24) - Mark shares how to arrange the card order in Google Wallet(03:30) - Rick & Heather share another way to arrange cards in Google Wallet(03:55) - Raj shares a way to set a card as default, and customize the nickname of a card on Google Wallet (which Raj uses to specify the rotating category for a card)Card News(05:46) - IHG Biz 200K OfferLearn more about the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card here(12:25) - New/updated resource: Best credit card purchase protectionsSee our Best credit card purchase protections resource here(19:44) - Citi ThankYou Points about to end points-sharing between cardholders?Read more about this hereBonvoyed by Bonvoy(25:04) - Read more about Marriott card eligibility hereLearn more about the Marriott Bonvoy® Brilliant® American Express® Card hereLearn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card hereAwards, Points, and More(28:39) - Rove Miles: Redeem Rove Miles for a paid stay at a loyalty-eligible rate and earn hotel pointsRead more about redeeming Rove miles here(31:43) - Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card / Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ Card Price Match GuaranteeLearn more about this here: https://frequentmiler.com/chase-travel-offering-price-match-guarantee-for-hotel-bookings/(36:52) - Delta's 20-minute baggage guarantee[40:14:26]Main Event: How to best spend $115K....asking for a friend(40:16) - A large capacity for spend could mean many welcome bonuses(43:20) - The contenders(43:34) - Learn more about The Business American Express Platinum Card® card here: https://frequentmiler.com/AmxPlatBiz/#Goto(46:19) - Learn more about the Chase World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: https://frequentmiler.com/WOHBiz/#GotoLearn more about the Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card: https://frequentmiler.com/WOH/#Goto(48:27) - Learn more about the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card here: https://frequentmiler.com/hilton-honors-american-express-surpass-card/#Goto(49:49) - Learn more about the Caesars Rewards® Prestige Visa Signature® Card here: https://frequentmiler.com/CaesarsRewardsPrestigeCard/#GotoLearn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card here: https://frequentmiler.com/VentureX/#Goto(51:43) - Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card here: https://frequentmiler.com/CSR/#Goto(53:02) - Our thoughtsQuestion of the Week(1:10:57) - How might investments enhance the points and miles game?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 YoderMentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkVisit FrequentMiler.com Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free. https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/

Bill Marriott built the largest hotel company in the world. But he didn't open his first hotel until he was 55 and he fought against it the whole way. In fact, the man that would go on to build the world's largest hotel chain started with a nine-seat root beer stand in Washington, DC and a simple goal: serve people well and build something that lasts. In this episode of Outliers, we explore how Marriott turned that single stand into huge hotel empire without a master plan. In fact, before hotels, he even made a detour to start the airline catering industry. We break down his obsession with downside risk, how he isolated variables like location, and why his refusal to rely on forces he couldn't control allowed him to expand during the Great Depression while his competitors folded. ----- Approximate Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:58) Ice Cold Root Beer (10:35) The Hot Shoppe Expansion (12:07) Building the Machine (20:07) The Airport Expansion (24:20) The Marriott Lessons (26:22) The Hotel Empire (30:53) Handing Over the Presidency (35:01) The End of an Era ----- Upgrade: Get a hand edited transcripts and ad free experiences along with my thoughts and reflections at the end of every conversation. Learn more @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership ------ Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it's completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------ Follow Shane Parrish: X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/shaneparrish⁠ Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices