Hospitality Daily Podcast How We Bring Independent Ideas to Life in Hospitality - Ryan Magnon & Scott Rohm, Ithaka Hospitality Partners
Sep 3, 2025
Scott Rohm, Chief Development Officer at Ithaka Hospitality Partners, and Ryan Magnon, Chief Operating Officer, delve into the vibrant world of independent hospitality. They share insights on how their roots at Auburn University shaped their innovative projects, including teaching hotels and culinary initiatives. The duo emphasizes the power of collaboration with owners to create unique experiences. They also explore the intricate balance between visionary ideas and operational expertise, revealing how this synergy fosters community-connected hospitality brands.
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University As An Incubator
- Scott Rohm describes how Auburn University served as an incubator for their hospitality experiments and the Capella brand launch.
- Ithaka's teaching hotel let students learn operational excellence while the team tested service and quality management in real time.
Culinary Center Became A Flagship Project
- Scott Rohm recounts the $125M Reign Culinary Arts Center and its mix of teaching hotel, restaurants, spa, and food market.
- The Hay Day food market and 26-room luxury teaching hotel became flagships for Ithaka's independent hospitality approach.
Independent Hotels Need An Operator
- Ithaka focuses on fiercely independent full-service hotels created by owners with a clear point of view.
- They position themselves as the operating partner that brings owners' unique visions to life outside standard brand templates.