Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, we're learning from Daniel Lauber, founder of CERVO Mountain Resort, in a conversation with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker about reimagining what hospitality can be today. Daniel shares how CERVO evolved from a modern hunting lodge concept into a holistic “way of living” rooted in community, culture, and connection. He explains why mindfulness and enjoying life can naturally coexist, what authenticity really means beyond alpine clichés, and how design, rituals, and programming can create meaningful spaces for guests, staff, and locals. For hospitality leaders, this episode offers a deeply thoughtful look at innovation, guest expectations, and the human side of building a resort that feels alive. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this discussion, Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's and former Chief Hotel Operations Officer at citizenM, shares insights on hospitality technology. He highlights why many digital initiatives fall short due to misaligned goals and overly complex projects. Matthew advocates for a guest-centered, incremental approach to tech, emphasizing the importance of personal devices and identity verification in enhancing the guest experience. He offers a framework for hospitality leaders to effectively evaluate their tech strategies and focus on what truly delivers results.

In a heartfelt Thanksgiving reflection, Josiah Mackenzie shines a light on the bright spots in the hospitality industry this year. He discusses how operators prioritized profit amid challenges and highlights a newfound respect for on-property teams. The conversation pivoted to the smart use of technology that has helped companies excel. Josiah emphasizes empathetic leadership and a return to core hospitality values, while expressing gratitude to the contributors and listeners who have supported the journey.

In this engaging discussion, Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's and former Chief Hotel Operations Officer at citizenM, shares insights on scaling hospitality brands while maintaining their essence. He introduces the 'starfish principle,' advocating for self-contained, cross-functional teams that enhance guest experience and decision-making speed. Matthew emphasizes the importance of a clear vision and strategic frameworks, enabling creative autonomy while breaking down silos. Tune in to explore how to balance freedom and structure in hospitality operations!

In this engaging discussion, Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's, shares his journey from roadside motels to urban, design-led hotels. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and an inverted-pyramid culture that empowers teams. Matthew highlights how failure is seen as a learning opportunity and how product clarity and guest-centric design drive success. He offers insights into Mollie's expansion plans and how technology can enhance service while keeping the brand's authentic identity intact.

Join Jannes Sörensen, founder of Kepler Hotel Group and educator in hospitality leadership, as he shares insights on the art of Japanese service. He contrasts Japan's omotenashi, which emphasizes preparation and human connection, with Western transactional models. Jannes highlights the significance of the tea ceremony in fostering relationships and shares techniques for making guests emotionally present. He advocates for shared responsibility between hosts and guests, underscoring the importance of setting expectations and treating staff as professionals.

Josiah reveals why 2025 is being hailed as the “Year of the Operator.” He discusses how top operators are successfully protecting profits despite disappointing revenue figures. The conversation touches on the vital role of operational excellence in driving success. Josiah emphasizes a broad understanding of operations, connecting team dynamics, guest experiences, and financial outcomes. He also encourages hospitality leaders to share their strategies and insights as they look toward a future where operations will be the key differentiator.

In this episode, Ryan Magnon, Chief Operating Officer at Ithaka Hospitality Partners, shares how his team is reimagining food halls as vibrant “third places” that bring communities together. He explains why chef-driven concepts, flexible gathering spaces, and thoughtful experience design are fueling the rise of modern food halls, and what they reveal about how people want to connect today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Ryan Magnon, Chief Operating Officer at Ithaka Hospitality Partners, explains why strong operations are defining hospitality performance today. Drawing on experience shaped by quality management at Capella, operational leadership at Chick-fil-A, and his early career as a U.S. Air Force officer, Ryan outlines what great operators do differently: study their business as intentionally as they run it, develop their people with purpose, and commit to constant improvement.He also breaks down the metrics, dashboards, and “listening posts” that reveal what’s really happening inside an operation — and why understanding the guest journey is essential to staying competitive.Read the research:Q3 2025 Hotel Results: The Profit Story Behind the Numbers (Actabl)Q3 2025: How Hotels Pivoted to Protect Profitability (HotelData.com) A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Ryan Magnon, Chief Operating Officer at Ithaka Hospitality Partners, shares insights from his 14 years at Chick-fil-A. He discusses the importance of a clear cultural purpose that aligns teams and maintains high standards of excellence. Ryan emphasizes how effective leadership can inspire employees and align individual goals with the company's mission. He also highlights the significance of studying performance to enhance operations and shares the innovative drive-thru consulting methods that turned challenges into opportunities during COVID.