NXTLVL Experience Design

ABOUT MARTINA OLBERTOVA:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MartinaOlbertova   The Luxury Renaissance Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAybA0SjexNmAT_48S_0jUA/videosThe Luxury Report:https://www.meaning.global/the-luxury-reportWebsite: https://www.meaning.globalLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinaolbertova/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinaOlbMedium: https://martinaolbertova.medium.com/ Bio:Dr Martina Olbertova is the world's leading expert on creating meaning and cultural relevance in business. She is a social scientist, brand advisor, cultural strategist and a semiotician on a mission to redefine the role of meaning in business. As a writer, speaker and cultural consultant, she educates brand and business leaders on how to be more culturally savvy and lead brands with meaning at the core.​Martina is most interested in social and cultural change. She focuses on how the shifts in society redefine the perception of meaning in our culture today. In her work, she helps brands navigate the quickly evolving symbolic meanings in the world around us to help her clients understand how to capitalize on culture change. She works with brands from across all sectors to restore or redefine their meaning, reconnect to their essence and create real value that resonates with people in the context of culture and their needs. Her goal is to bridge the gap of meaning between brands and society to restore real value, trust, integrity and long-term growth and offset the ongoing crisis of meaning.​With 15 years of international experience from the UK, Ireland, USA and Czechia, Martina has had a chance to work on diverse strategy, insight and innovation briefs for global brands, such as Kantar, Unilever, Vodafone, IBM, ICAEW, London Gatwick, British Land, KBC, Visa, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Ireland, Heineken or Pernod Ricard among many others.​She holds a doctorate in Media Studies from the Charles University in Prague and also studied at Georgetown University (USA) and University of Glamorgan (UK). As a visiting lecturer, she taught Semiotics and Cultural Branding at universities in Czechia, Trinity College Dublin and spoke at conferences in London, Paris, Toronto, Istanbul, Manila, Shanghai, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, Slovenia & Morocco.​Martina is a contributor to Branding Strategy Insider, a commentator for Forbes, WARC AdMap, Luxury Daily, Luxury Society, the author of The Luxury Report on Redefining The Future Meaning Of Luxury, and a fellow of the RSA.​She is passionate about seeing the invisible layers of reality and tapping into unseen opportunities to unlock new value and meaningful growth, about humanising business, social change, semiotics, anthropology, behavioural science and all things culture. She is based in Europe and available for strategy, consulting, speaking and workshops worldwide. SHOW INTRO:"I have often said that a $5 paper bag from Bloomingdale's and a $5000 bag from Louis Vuitton do the same thing. They carry stuff. And you could be pretty much guaranteed that at the bottom of each of those bags there's going be some loose change, an eyebrow pencil, maybe some folded Kleenexes and maybe even a breath mint, with the wrapper taken off, that’s stuck in the corner. There’ll be keys, a wallet, and a number of other personal effects. But when it comes to what these bags do in terms of providing meaning and assigning values, they are entirely different. The goods and services that we buy should do the things that they’re purported to do - get your teeth whiter, get you from point A to point B in a comfortable and safe car, they should make you feel better, stronger, happier, safer. But beyond all those functional things – these functions or qualities that are the baseline that these products or services should deliver on – they deliver much more than that.They deliver meaning and context and they establish values and relationships with the cohort of like-minded consumers. In the end. meaningis what is ultimately driving purchases and brand affiliation. I buy the products or services of one brand over the other and not just because of what it does, but because of how I feelwhen I know that I’m connected to the ideologies of that brand. What brand relationships give me is much deeper. It’s emotional and adds to our understanding of the world we live in in a way that cultural institutions, religion, political parties, or in the way that Shaman and dancing around fires for thousands of years in song told stories about us and the world and what it meant to be in it.It’s something that is foundational and that establishes who we are in the greater context of our family, our culture, our nation and maybe even some cosmological relationship to the universe.The work of my guest on today’s episode of NXTLVL Experience Design has spent years focusing on this very idea. Meaning in the relationships that people have to brands and what value is in a quickly moving and dynamically shifting consumer-buying-ecosystem.Dr. Martina Olbertova, and her company Meaning.Global, helps brands and businesses adapt to the shifting cultural context of the 21st century to create meaning, cultural relevance and real value for people in these rapidly changing times.Martina Olbertova advises brands and organizations on how to maximize value creation and meaningful growth from the point of view of where the businesses, culture and society are going today. And…where we’re going today is different than the place we were going six months ago before COVID -19 gripped the globe and it’s probably hard to fully envision where we will end up in the future.She partners with brand and business leaders to restore their true meaning and core essence and deliver real value in people's lives.Martina holds a Ph.D in Social Sciences and is th eFounder and CEO of Meaning.Global a consultancy that provides strategic intelligence for Meaning brands and businesses.She ias a 'Meaning' expert,A Cultural Strategist.She is frequently published on Media, and other platforms as well as the author of the Luxury Report.And now she is also the host of her own podcast "the Luxury Renaissance Show."I think this is a fasten -your-seatbelt interview that'll challenge much of what we think we know both meaning, value, consumerism and the concept of luxury."ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron The next level 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 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.

INFO ON PETER COLE & DESIGN HOTELS:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=design+hotels+original+experiences Website: https://design-hotels.marriott.com/ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-cole-2877b76/ Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/design_hotels/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/designhotelsBio:Peter Cole joined Design Hotels™ as CEO in December 2018 with a commitment to future growth and the creation of long-term value for hoteliers and stakeholders.In his previous role as Managing Director of Business Integration at Marriott International, Peter lead the company’s integration of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, overseeing a wide array of activities including hotel operations, organizational design, talent management, loyalty programs, system integration, financial management, and unit growth.Peter was also Chief Financial Officer for the Americas for Marriott, as well as global CFO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC; both positions that attest to his erudition when it comes to steering the financial rudder of a large multinational.Peter is also an ardent runner and swimmer and likes to ride his Peloton bike.He holds a BBA in Real Estate Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Maryland.Peter carries out duties that matter to his heart and mind and  sits on the Advisory Board of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and the National Board of Directors for Back on My Feet, an organization dedicated to helping change the lives of those experiencing homelessness.EPISODE INTRO:How do you define “Original”? Is it the ‘first’? – maybe.Is if the most ‘unique’ or ‘eccentric’? – perhaps that too.Is it something to that serves as a model or basis for imitations or copies? Well, it could be that, except for the fact that every one of the over 300 properties in the Design Hotels brand are completely different. How do you copy ‘different?’Since different could be a monastery in Eremito, Italy,a revived printing factory in Tiblisi Georgia, or a modern outcrop in Selfoss, Iceland.Design Hotels are all of these things that you would define as “original” and their CEO Peter Cole has the extraordinary task of helping to provide leadership to a band of brothers, and sisters, who march to the beat of a different drum but hold a couple of traits in common…Compulsive curiosity and a willingness to find comfort in change. In fact they are challenged and expect to be presented with things they don’t expect or reference what they already know.Peter Cole’s trajectory through the leadership of Marriott International includes holding positions as:Chief Financial Officer for the Americas for Marriott, as well as global CFO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC; Managing Director of Business Integration at Marriott International, Peter lead the company’s integration of Starwood Hotels & Resorts,And in 2018 Peter joined Design Hotels™ as CEO with a commitment to future growth and the creation of long-term value for hoteliers and stakeholders. He is a business minded leader who finds it equally engaging to be amongst some of the most creative hoteliers in the industry. Welcome Peter…. Did you run this morning?INFO ON DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron The next level 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 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.

ABOUT STACY GARCIA:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwuGSwfSFoMoc4iM6WWnu7AWebsite: https://stacygarcia.com LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacygarcia/Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacygarciaincInstgram: https://www.instagram.com/stacygarciainc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacygarciainc/ Bio:THE WOMANAn established leader in the world of design, Stacy Garcia is a successful creative entrepreneur and founder of multiple business enterprises: LebaTex, Inc., a distinctive textile supplier and Stacy Garcia, Inc., a licensing firm and design house.Stacy is an internationally renowned designer and forecasting expert has partnered with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to create products that span from floor to ceiling for resorts and homes all over the world.She was voted one of the 10 leading voices in the hospitality industry and honored by the American Society of Interior Designers - ASID for Design Excellence.Her work has been featured in Interior Design, Boutique Design, New York Spaces, LUXE, Rue Daily and Architectural Digest.Stacy has an established reputation as a preeminent forecaster of color and design trends, and is a Chair-holder of Color Marketing Group, the premiere international color forecasting association.Stacy is also a dynamic public speaker with experience hosting panels, workshops and keynotes.Renowned for her distinct, lively and fashion-centric patterns and product designs, Stacy is the founder and creative forceTHE COMPANYStacy Garcia is a leading licensing and design company with a collection of global lifestyle brands that add a well-traveled and sophisticated edge to the ever-evolving world of fashion and interiors.With roots in hospitality design, they offer inspired product lines across a number of markets and in categories including textiles, carpet, wall-covering, furniture and lighting.Our brands include:Stacy Garcia Commercial,Stacy Garcia | New York,Stacy Garcia HomeStay by Stacy Garcia.Founded in 2004 and headquartered in New York, the privately held company is led by Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer, Stacy GarciaEp.9 INTRODUCTION:I'm an architect and of course I am always tuned into my physical environment. My home however has somehow never been the focus of my creative output at least until recently. Being more involved in the hospitality space, I've turned my bedroom into a nest that I would be delighted to spend any night number of nights in if it were a hotel and I’ve begun to focus more on the use of color and textures and furniture as a way to express myself.I’m moving beyond my mid century modern black Mies Van der Rohe Barcelona chairs, le Corbusier chaise and Noguchi tables to considering textures and that are drawn from different cultures and geographies.My guest today finds the world of travel  a never-ending experience of inspiration from which she draws colors, patterns, and textures and turns them into textiles, furniture and home Décor. She describes her aesthetic as “global eclectic with a refinement to it.”She is “…an authoritative, informational and entertaining speaker. She does her research, backing up her contentions with facts and figures. But she also knows how to connect the dots to give her audience the big picture. She’s organized, thorough and responsive—a pleasure to work with throughout the process.”Mary Scoviak, Executive Editor Boutique DesignStacy Garcia is a successful creative entrepreneur and founder of multiple business enterprises: LebaTex, Inc., a distinctive textile supplier and Stacy Garcia, Inc., a licensing firm and design house.Stacy is an internationally renowned designer and forecasting expert has partnered with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to create products that span from floor to ceiling for resorts and homes all over the world.She was voted one of the 10 leading voices in the hospitality industry and honored by the American Society of Interior Designers - ASID for Design Excellence and she is the Chairperson for the Color Marketing Group.INFO ON DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron  The next level 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 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.

INFO ON EUGENE ROMAN:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-roman-45274410/ BIO:Served on the board of the Ukrainian Credit Union limited for 20 years.Canadian CIO of the year in 2015.Helped Ukrainian credit union significantly grow base and adopt a new technologyScholarship named after him “Ukrainian Credit Union Limited Eugene Roman Scholarship”EVP Digital Excellence at Canadian Tire CanadaCurrently the principle of “Design.ai, Ltd. focused on applying design intelligence to business opportunitiesFrom 2012 to 2018 Eugene was the EVP of digital excellence and tech advisor for the Canadian Tire CorporationCurrently serves on the board of the The Stars Group Inc.Currently serves on the board of EPM Systems Inc.Owns Rosewood Estate Winery – a family winery with wife Renata and children Krystina (marketing) and William (production), a boutique production vineyard producing 5000 cases of wine and 1500 cases of meade a year.Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the products of the vineyard.2015 Canadian CIO of the year for creating a strategic plan to transform Canadian Tire into an innovator in digital marketing and overseeing the development of three digital centers including “Cloud 9 Digital Innovation Center” in Winnipeg and the “Digital Garage” in Kitchener Waterloo Ontario.Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Monk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.Responsible for integrating critical technology and business processes to better deliver innovative programs.Has led efforts to increase productivity and improve performance in order to deliver current “next GEN” services more efficiently in large organizations.Started career and telecom working for the Nortel Networks corporation and then went onto work with Bell Canada Enterprises Inc.Eugene is a frequent speaker on the “hyper connected digital world.”He is also on the board of governors at York University.Today Eugene is the Executive in Residence for AI at the Schulich Business School.SHOW INTRO:When I grow up in Montreal there was Expo 67,I still remember Moshe Safdia and his McGill architecture thesis project that became the incredible housing development called Habitat and the Yugoslavian pavilion which was a pyramid upended and standing on his point.Ken Dryden, Guy La Fleur and Rocket Richard we’re all part of the Canadiens hockey team as they won the Stanley Cup after Stanley cup every year. We even got the day off school when the first Canada Russia hockey series was played.There was the Olympics in 76 and I watched as Nadia Comaneci get the first ever perfect 10 in gymnastics.And every weekend throughout the winter my four brothers and I along with my parents we drive north to Mont Tremblant and ski. And it seemed like every Friday night there was a stop at Canadian tire. No if you don’t know Canadian tire it was a kind of a mix between REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods and AutoZone. I remember it had a very specific smell something like a mix between tires and travel. Canadian tire, next to Pascal’s the hardware store, was one of our favorite places.My guest on today’s podcast grew up during the same time and went on to become the Canadian CIO of the year in 2015.The Ukrainian credit union has a scholarship named after him and he sits on a number of boards of tech-based companies. He’s also the owner of a vineyard and, by consequence of making meade,  a beekeeper producing thousands of gallons of honey every year and is Executive in residence for AI at the Schulich business school.And that CIO of the year award that Eugene Roman won in 2015 well, it was for creating a strategic plan to transform Canadian Tire into an innovator in digital marketing and overseeing the development of three digital centers including “Cloud 9 Digital Innovation Center” in Winnipeg and the “Digital Garage” in Kitchener Waterloo Ontario.INFO ON DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram:davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter:@davidkepron The next level 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 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.

INFO ON TOM MIDDLETON:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_MiddletonWebsite: http://www.tommiddleton.com LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommiddletonmusic/Twitter: @djtommiddleton Instgram: tommiddletonmusicFacebook: tommiddletonmusicBIO:Tom Middleton is an award winning sound designer, creator of science-based functional music and soundscapes for wellbeing and wellness. To mitigate anxiety, aid relaxation and improve sleep, boost productivity, motivation and focus. Tracks featured in Calm the #1 meditation and sleep app.Tom is a Co-Chair on the AFEM Health Group.A pioneering Electronic musician (Global Communication / Cosmos) and former DJ, he has toured the world and performed to millions over 3 decades observing the positive affects of sound, and has shared the stage with Mark Ronson, Lady Gaga and Kanye West.After a radical reassessment of his creative motivations he has embarked on a new mission to help rescore the soundtrack to life and positively benefit our wellbeing in a world of increasing anxiety, stress and burnout.Applying principles of the neuroscience and psychology of sound, listening, breathwork and nature sounds to create impactful, transformational soundscapes, music and immersive experiences to help with focus, stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation.Tom believes the science of sound can help us to be more happy, healthy and productive.Certified in Mental Health First Aid sleep science coaching.Delivers Sleep Better workshops on sleep science, health and hygiene best practices.INFO ON DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram:davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter:@davidkepron The next level 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 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.

INFO ON BRUCE BARTELDT:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-barteldt-b625b410/Website: https://littleonline.comTwitter: @BruceBarteldtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbarteldt/ Bruce Bartlett Bio:Chief Innovation Officer – Little: An experienced design thinker and senior leader for over 30 years, Bruce’s role as Chief Innovation Officer is aimed at maximizing the impact of Little’s diverse, multi-disciplined resources applied to their client’s deepest challenges. While his role is to provide guidance and strategic input for the company’s centralized consulting specialties, Bruce will also impact all practices nationwide (Community, Healthcare, Retail & Workplace) with strategy, experience design, problem definition, brand strategy and business consulting services.Senior Partner, Global Practice Leader - RetailBruce's leadership of Little’s retail management team results in lasting relationships with clients such as Capital One, Nautica, The Home Depot, CVS/Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Von’s (a Safeway Company), Lucky Brand Jeans., Concentra, Majestic Athletic (a VF Company), Publix, JC Penney, BB&T, Wells Fargo, Comerica, and Bank of America. Recent speaking experience includes Retail Asia Expo & Omni-Channel Retail Conference/Hong Kong, the international Perakende Tasarim Konferansi retail conference/Istanbul, BrazilShop/Sao Paulo, NASFM’s GlobalShop, the EPA’s national Smart Growth conference, TREX Total Retail Experience, ICSC CenterBuild, the National Retail Federation Conference and the Retail Construction Expo. He has also presented for the American Institute of Architects on facilities management strategies and served as a judge for Retail Traffic’s SADI awards and the Association for Retail Environments awards. Bruce is currently a member of the DDI editorial board, the Association for Retail Environments Board of Directors. He has authored numerous expert articles for Retail Environments Magazine, Retail Traffic, Expanded Retail Solutions, ABA Banking Journal, Shopping Center World, Healthcare Design and many other national and international publications.SHOW INTRO:As an experienced architect, musician, documentary short-film maker, design thinker and retail industry leader for over 30 years, my guest’s role as Chief Innovation Officer is aimed at maximizing the impact of diverse, multi-disciplined resources applied to his client’s deepest challenges. While his role is to provide guidance and strategic input for the company’s centralized consulting specialties, he also impacts all practices nationwide (Community, Healthcare, Retail & Workplace) with strategy, experience design, problem definition, brand strategy and business consulting services.His leadership has resulted in lasting relationships with clients such as Capital One, Nautica, The Home Depot, CVS/Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Von’s (a Safeway Company), Lucky Brand Jeans., Concentra, Majestic Athletic (a VF Company), Publix, JC Penney, BB&T, Wells Fargo, Comerica, and Bank of America. He has spoken all over the world at international retail conferences. He is on a number of retail industry trade and magazine boards and has authored numerous expert articles focused on retail design and customer experience in general and there has never been a time where we have spoken and I have not been challenged and learned something new.Bruce Barteldt inhabits three worlds he is a ‘futurist/future thinker’ - He’s a ‘pragmatist realist’ who lives in the present moment and understands the functionality of design in the current era as it’s always changing. And... his thinking is ‘rooted in old Socratic ancient Greek teachings - The School of Athens.’When I talk with him he’s always operating from these 3 worlds - They are less three distinct worlds than functional parallel universes that are intertwined. Think Tesseract from Interstellar.Because he is this kind of thinker who operates at the intersections of these temporal worlds of past present and future, He’s the ideal person to talk about where we stand right now and where he thinks we’re going and what we’re going to need as we navigate this journey.INFO ON DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron The next level 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 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.

INFO ON JILL DVORAK:Website: https://nrf.comLinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillsalomon/Twitter: @JillDvorakJILL'S BIO:Jill Dvorak is Vice President of Content and Retail Strategy at the National Retail Federation.In this role, she manages the strategic development and delivery of relevant content for all NRF platforms.She oversees the team responsible for bringing the retail content to life.She also leads the executive level NRF Digital and NRF Marketing Executives Councils.Before joining NRF, Dvorak helped lead e-commerce at National Geographic where she consistently achieved revenue growth.She was also responsible for partner relations with Fox TV Network and other groups to increase product sales.Prior to that, Dvorak worked as a senior retail consultant at the consulting firm FitForCommerce.Dvorak’s previous roles include leading North American consumer e-commerce for Encyclopedia Britannica.Before joining Britannica, she worked at Discovery Channel in the commerce department.In addition to merchandising for Discovery Channel online and retail stores, she also led the branded merchandise department.She has significant expertise in e-commerce, mobile, merchandising, UX and marketing.Dvorak holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland with specializations in strategy and marketing, and a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.INTRO TO THE SHOW:The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the shut down of industries like the hotel and hospitality business including food and beverage - restaurants bars, entertainment – movie theaters – and sports venues, and of course one of Americas past-times – shopping at retail stores.Mom and pop shops or international mega brands it doesn’t matter, they all closed their doors. They may now be slowly beginning to reopen depending on geography or the company’s position on how to maintain a safe shopping environment. In some cases only to shut down again as COVID cases surge.With occupancy rates in the hotel industry still hovering around to 40% is equally true that shoppers are choosing to stay home and buy more online and limit, or simply forgo, trips to Main Street or the mall.Some retailers like those whose businesses were fundamentally online have thrived some retailers have barely survived another large name brands have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.None of this is particularly good news if you are an organization like the National Retail Federation whose mission is: “to advance the interests of the retail industry through advocacy, communications, and education. “ For over a century the National Retail Federation has represented the retail sector ‘standing up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail thrive.”And within those more than 100 years, there has probably never been a time when standing up for retail in the face of an invisible foe - the COVID-19 virus - has been so difficult. So for someone like Jill Dvorak - the Vice President ofContent and Retail Strategy at the National Retail Federation, “managing the strategic development and delivery of relevantcontent for all NRF platforms” has undoubtedly beenthe challenge of a career. Jill oversees the team responsible for bringing the retail content to life – but in the current crisis it may just be keeping retail alive is a key focus.She probably has had to develop some Wonder Women-like powers of the past few months. And so I have invited Jill to talk with us about retail – the COVID crisis and leading into a changed retail future... welcome Jill Dvorak…INFO ON DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron The next level 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 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.

INFO ON DAMON LAWRENCE:Website: https://www.anewkindofhospitality.com LinkedIn profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hauspitality/ Instagram: @hauspitalityTwitter: @hauspitality, @stayhomageMartin Luther King, Jr. said:“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”Well, the dream of Damon Lawrence is one of perseverance in the face of recurring challenges that would have made most simply decided to choose a simpler path. It is one of where  the content of one’s character is evident. Originally from Pasadena, CA, Damon has always had a passion for entrepreneurship. In high school Damon was voted most likely to become a CEO and his classmates proved to be prophetic as the currently helms as Chief Executive Officer of Homage Hospitality.Like many hoteliers, he grew to love hospitality as he rose through the ranks. Damon began his hospitality journey as a front desk agent at the Donovan House Hotel in Washington, DC while attending Howard University. He then moved into management at companies such as The Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Dusit International. After noticing a lack of African American brand ownership and leadership in higher management ranks, Damon created the Homage Hospitality brand in 2014 and currently oversees operations and creative direction.In July of 2018 Homage Hospitality opened their first property “The Moor” in New Orleans, LA. The small property stands out with an emphasis on the culture of New Orleans and its relation to multicultural heritage of the North African Moors in its design and architecture. The nearly 100-year-old facade sports Spanish Colonial features, while inside, the four suites have rustic elements of exposed brick and hardwood floors softened with Moroccan patterned textiles. Damon Lawrence's dream is impassioned, authentic and genuinely focused on providing a hotel experience that is geared towards creating like something you’ve never seen before. It will feel like a new kind of experience - a new kind of hospitality. FINALLY. INFO ON DAVID KEPRON:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron The next level 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 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.

INFO ON GEORGE GOTTL:Website: https://uxus.com LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uxusdesign/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/george_gottl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/uxusbv Video:George Gottl was born in Los Angeles, California.He is the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of UXUS, a leading global strategic design consultancy that re-imagines consumer experiences for the 21st century.UXUS creates innovative consumer experience solutions for clients such as McDonald’s, NIKE, InterContinental Hotels Group, Tate Modern and Bloomingdale’s Dubai.Prior to UXUS, George was the Creative Director of Apparel at Nike and the Global Creative Director at Mandarina Duck.George is a Graduate of Parsons School of Design, winning the Silver Thimble Award for design excellence.He has spoken at various prestigious locations including Harvard-sponsored DMI Conference in New York, Microsoft-sponsored DMI Conference in Helsinki, Amsterdam Fashion Institute and Willem de Kooning Academy.at UXUS they design with a psychological and emotive approach, for example, looking at the role of social media as it affects brand experience. The creative market is driven by “shareable moments”, which UXUS nurtures in order to drive engagement and interaction from services to interiors.INFO on David Kepron:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron The next level 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 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.

INFO on Ari Peralta:Peralta launched Arigami ( https://www.arigami.co.uk ) in 2019 an independent innovation consultancy dedicated to helping organizations design healthier and happier environments.Today Peralta and his company is a Forbes recognized provider for wellness and sensory-based strategies within hospitality, mobility retail and healthcare.Arigami powers holistic innovation programs for start ups, corporate and academic labs seeking to mitigate anxiety by developing transformative immersive and service design solutions for complex human problems within the wellness, sleep and human performance.Peralta is a guest lecturer at universities, international conferences and volunteering for organizations that promote "STEAM" education for childrenPeralta was involved in the explore Mars summit and a speaker at the 2020 human to Mars summit.Multi sensory research and experimental design is one of Ari Peralta's core skills.Peralta began his career at Nielsen media research leading the way in measuring millennial media consumption from TV to mobileHe now focuses on building the connection between multi sensory cues, emotions and memory.Peralta’s niche agency works in the area of wellness with a focus on:Intelligence – case studies, design, tech, scienceAgency – design and architecture firms, IOT connections, evidence-based designVentures – research teams prototypingINFO on David Kepron:Website: https://www.davidkepron.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b/Instagram: davidkepron and NXTLVL_experience_designTwitter: @davidkepron  The next level 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 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.