Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, Steven Marais, Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, shares insights on challenges and strategies for recruiting and retaining talent in the hospitality industry, including the importance of creating career paths and a fun work environment. 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, Steven Marais, Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, shares the most valuable lesson he's learned in his career: that execution is everything. He discusses the importance of follow-through in hospitality, the role of training and preparation, and how to handle high-pressure events. 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, Steven Marais, Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, shares his journey from bellman to VP, the importance of culture and opportunity in career growth, and insights into leading through change in the hospitality industry.(00:00) Introduction (00:32) Steven's career journey from Bellman to VP(01:47) How Steven got started in hospitality(02:33) Career opportunities in the hospitality industry(03:09) Steven's current role as VP of Rooms(04:04) The intersection of technology and hospitality(04:28) The power of longevity in building a career(05:09) Transition from Kimpton to Noble House(06:40) Importance of culture and team strength 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, Anna Blue shares insights on the current state of the hospitality industry, including DEI, women's empowerment programs, and practical steps leaders can take to drive positive change.We cover:(01:16) Current chaos and volatility in the industry(02:07) Industry's silence and its impact(03:11) Importance of transparency (05:06) DEI discussions behind closed doors(07:08) Disconnect between C-suite and staff(08:25) Effectiveness of DEI programs(09:09) Programs for women in hospitality(10:56) Shaping the narrative as a leader(13:01) Learning and development for all employees(15:44) Creating real opportunities for underrepresented groups(17:22) Immigration(23:53) Opportunities for hourly wage workers(24:49) Personal story: Anna's son See our previous conversation: Supporting A Stronger Hotel Workforce 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, Samantha Hardcastle, Founder & Creative Director at The Storied Experience, shares lessons every hospitality provider can learn from White Lotus.Also see:Official White Lotus Podcast on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyStory-Driven Hospitality - Samantha HardcastleThese Slovenian River Guides Showed Me "Experience" Doesn't Have to Cost Anything - Samantha HardcastleThe Two Chemicals Behind The Best Hospitality Experiences - Samantha Hardcastle 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, Vance Morris, a former Disney leader and founder of Deliver Service Now, shares how hospitality businesses can create extraordinary guest experiences—and significantly increase revenue—by implementing the proven systems behind Disney’s magic. 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, Kathy Sue McGuire, President and CEO of Sustainable Hospitality Solutions, shares how sustainability initiatives can create cost savings, engage teams, and drive revenue growth through a story of her work with Soul Community Planet Hotels.Also check out: Soul Community Planet: Creating a Healthier, Happier Future for Hospitality - Pam & Ken Cruse, SCP HotelsSustainability That Pays: How One Hotel Saved Tens of Thousands on Trash Bags - Kathy Sue McGuire 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, Kathy Sue McGuire, President and CEO of Sustainable Hospitality Solutions, shares insights on how sustainability can be a smart business strategy for hotels, helping them cut costs, grow revenue, and engage their teams.(00:00) Introduction to Kathy Sue McGuire(01:18) Kathy's journey into sustainability(03:21) Current challenges in the hotel industry(04:31) Case study: Saving on trash bags(05:44) Case study: Switching to toiletries dispensers(07:10) Kathy's early experiences with sustainability(10:17) Sustainability as good business practice(13:25) Case study: Reducing plastic disposables(14:55) Increasing revenue through sustainability(17:30) Employee engagement through sustainability(21:07) Getting started with sustainability in hotels(24:03) Creating a green team and assessment(26:15) Green Key certification processMore mentions:American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA)Green Key Global ProgramSustainable Hospitality SolutionsSustainable Hospitality Training 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, Josiah Mackenzie, founder of Hospitality Daily and Head of Marketing at Actabl, shares more takeaways from the recent Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, highlighting the opportunity in hotel operations today.Also check out: Control What You Can: How Top Hoteliers Are Navigating Chaos in 2025 (Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Insights) 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, Josiah Mackenzie, founder of Hospitality Daily and Head of Marketing at Actabl, shares takeaways from the recent Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, with insights on the economic environment in 2025 and strategies for hotel owners and operators to thrive:(00:00) Introduction and conference overview(00:21) Changes in hotel investment conversations over the years(00:42) Economic uncertainty in 2025(01:04) Chaos and volatility in the market(01:47) Key takeaways from the opening panel of Hunter(02:09) Importance of understanding the economy for hospitality professionals(02:52) Focus on controllable factors for success(03:12) Long-term opportunities in hospitality(03:44) Expense growth vs. revenue growth(04:15) Maximizing revenue and profits(04:46) Importance of profits in hospitality(05:08) Persistent inflation and its impactAlso see:Why Real-Time Operations Will Define Success in Hospitality - Josiah Mackenzie & Wil SlickersThe Money Behind the Magic: A Different Take on Hospitality - Josiah MackenziePersonal News + Changes Coming to Hospitality Daily - Josiah MackenzieHow Focusing on Operations Drove Demand and Revenue for Me as a Hotel Group Commercial Leader - Adele GutmanThe Secret to Profit and Guest Satisfaction? Clarity in Leadership - Leanne Harwood, IHGWhy The Hotel Industry is at a Pivotal Moment - Zach Demuth, JLL 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