Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, Dylan Barahona shares his journey from building Lego hotels as a child to creating immersive VIP experiences at high-profile events like Coachella and Gary Vaynerchuk's VeeCon. He discusses his recent 50-day experiential hospitality challenge, where he used generative AI to visualize bold hospitality concepts, and offers insights into why brands should invest in experiential environments.View Dylan's Experiential Hospitality Challenge on LinkedIn. 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, Ben Rafter, President and CEO of Springboard Hospitality, shares insights on how innovation and technology can empower hospitality providers and elevate the guest experience.We cover:Springboard's dedicated department for innovationThe importance of beta-testing technologyWhat frustrates Ben about technology companiesWhat it takes to successfully implement technologyEnhancing guest interactions with technologySupporting emotional intelligence in hospitalityWhy Ben loves behind-the-scenes technology for operationsIf you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy: What Happens When a Tech CEO Leads a Hotel Company - Ben Rafter, Springboard HospitalityChatGPT for Hotel Reviews: AI Lessons From Our 1 Hour, $20 Live Experiment - Josiah MackenzieHard Truths on Hotel Tech: Unfiltered Insider Advice - Josiah Mackenzie 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, Ben Rafter, President and CEO of Springboard Hospitality, shares his career journey from the tech industry to hospitality and his innovative approach to blending technology, transparency, and a guest-first mindset to turn challenges into opportunities.We cover:(01:08) Ben's start in hospitality(04:09) Lessons from growing Aqua Hotels during the 2008 financial crisis(06:01) Data and reports Ben focuses on(08:16) Personal development and learning(10:19) What's on Ben's mind these days 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, Rachel Roginski, Principal at Pinnacle Advisory Group, shares her take on our State of the Hotel Industry research.You may also enjoy:The State of the Hotel Industry: 5 Things To Know for 2025 - Josiah MackenzieBeyond Efficiency: How AI Can Help Hospitality Thrive in 2025 - Lou Zameryka 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, Lou Zameryka shares his take on the State of the Hotel Industry research discussed yesterday.Article referenced: The AI Revolution in Hospitality: Transforming the Hotel Industry through Innovation and Employee EmpowermentYou may also enjoy this from Lou: Creative but Practical Uses for AI Today in Hotel Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Management (Takeaways From HSMAI's Latest Event) 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 shares key insights about the state of the hotel industry for 2025, based on a comprehensive survey conducted on this topic.View the research charts here on HotelOperations.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

In this episode, Katina and Kyle Connaughton, the visionary founders of SingleThread, share the story behind ThroughLine, an innovative dining experience blending storytelling, film, and exquisite cuisine. Learn how their collaborations with artisans, farmers, and partners such as Auberge Resorts, Audi, and OpenTable bring deeper connections to food and its origins while inspiring sustainability and community.If you liked this, you may also like these other episodes with Kyle and Katina: A Hospitality Love Story: How the Industry's Most Successful Couple Fell in Love with Hospitality (and Each Other)The SingleThread StoryHow We’re Finding Meaning In Hospitality Beyond The Accolades 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

Take our Artificial Intelligence in Hospitality survey In this episode, Janette Roush, the SVP of Innovation and Chief AI Officer at Brand USA, shares her insights on embracing AI in the workplace and how it can drive innovation in the tourism industry.Watch this conversation on YouTubeMentions:Brand USA & AI (including framework for use)Listen to Janette Live From Travel Week: Leadership Alignment with Generative AIConor Grennan, Chief AI Architect at the Stern School of BusinessEthan Mollick, Professor at the Wharton School of BusinessOne Useful Thing (Newsletter by Ethan Mollick)Every (Media company)Udemy (Online learning platform) 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, Martin Soler, a former hotel general manager turned marketing strategist, shares insights on how AI is reshaping hotel operations and how it can be used to streamline work, improve communication, and stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.(01:33) The two "camps" of AI adoption(02:36) The importance of experimenting with AI(03:14) Specificity in AI applications(03:34) Josiah's experience with ChatGPT(04:08) Martin's use of AI in daily work(05:12) Benefits of dictating to AI(06:46) AI for hotel general managers(07:36) AI in marketing and documentation(08:47) Addressing the stigma of using AI(09:31) Importance of confidentiality and security(10:23) Caution with AI tools in corporate settings(11:05) Supercharging communication with AI(11:32) AI in RFP processes for meetings and eventsRead Martin's article: What is AI going to bring hotels in 2025?Subscribe to Martin's newsletter, Tell 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, Matthias Huettebraeuker, an independent hospitality strategist with experience at citizenM and Design Hotels, shares how we can break free from outdated thinking, embrace innovation, and create hotels and hospitality businesses that people love.(01:27) The shift in the hospitality industry 20 years ago(02:09) Importance of community (03:13) The need to rethink and innovate(03:42) Knowing your "why" (05:08) Developing a niche and "personality"(06:06) Bold hospitality(08:46) Importance of storytelling in hospitality(09:38) Claus Sendlinger's new development(10:00) Cultural relevance and resonance(11:04) Physical and social aspects of hotel experiences(12:08) Asking the right questions(12:39) User stories and use cases(13:00) Serving local communities(13:43) Expanding beyond traditional hotel services(14:52) Iterative development in hospitality(15:09) Pop-up hotel example in Munich(17:08) Structuring real estate for flexibility(18:09) "Stage for life" concept(18:51) Learning from citizemM(20:32) Power of asking the right questions(21:03) Cross-fertilization concept(21:55) Learning from the automotive industry(23:12) Rethinking hospitality and real estate(25:08) Growth potential for big hotel groups(26:11) Being an "everyday brand"(27:55) Recognition vs. reward in hospitality(28:05) Conclusion and where to learn more about Matthias 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