Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, Joli Barfield, Cluster Director of Learning at Montage International, shares her insights on managing burnout in the hospitality industry and maintaining personal well-being.Listen now to learn about:The prevalence of burnout in the hospitality industry and its impact on career decisions.Strategies for maintaining mental and physical health in a demanding work environment.The importance of disconnecting from technology and finding personal ways to recharge.Habits that can enhance performance.The role of meditation and stillness in managing stress.Creative ways to find inspiration and stay motivated.The significance of understanding the history and story of the places where you work.If you enjoyed this, listen to our other episode: Behind the Scenes of Montage’s World-Class Training Programs 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, Joli Barfield, founder of New York City Women in Hospitality, shares her inspiring story of starting the organization and offers valuable insights on building genuine relationships in the hospitality industry.Listen now to learn about:The importance of relationships in achieving success in hospitality.How New York City Women in Hospitality was founded - and its evolution.The impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry and how the organization adapted.The activities and events organized by New York City Women in Hospitality.Tips on how to engage and contribute effectively in networking events.Advice for starting a similar organization in other cities. 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, Oral Muir, Vice President of Partnerships, Experiences, and Distribution at Hilton, shares insights into how Hilton leverages creative partnerships to enhance hospitality experiences and stay relevant to evolving traveler trends.How Hilton's 20-year partnership with McLaren Racing delivers unique benefits for both brands and their customers.The importance of long-term partnerships and the value they bring to both parties.How Hilton approaches partnerships with brands outside the hospitality industry.The role of research and insights in driving creative and meaningful hospitality experiences.The significance of rest and high-quality stays for performance, particularly in the context of McLaren Racing.The growing trend of adventure-seeking among younger consumers and how Hilton is addressing this trend.The process of turning research insights into actionable strategies and partnerships.The potential role of AI in enhancing the use of data and insights in hospitality.Also see: The Hilton 2025 Trends Report 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, Greg Früchtenicht, Chief Operating Officer at Saira Hospitality, shares how his team is transforming the hospitality hiring process by turning rejections into referrals through Saira Connect, a new initiative designed to help hotels find hidden talent while supporting candidates in their career journeys.Listeners Will Learn:The key challenges hospitality recruiters face with one-click job portals and overwhelming volumes of applications.How rejection emails can be transformed into referral opportunities to match candidates with better-suited roles.Insights into the Saira Connect model, which combines human-centered screening and workshops to prepare candidates for hospitality careers.How the program benefits both candidates and hotel partners by creating a more inclusive and supportive hiring process.Real-world examples of candidates who found meaningful opportunities through Saira Connect.Why a human touch in recruitment can improve candidate experiences and elevate employer branding in the hospitality industry.How local partnerships and training programs can address systemic hiring challenges and strengthen the talent pipeline.You may also enjoy: Offering Hope Through Hospitality: How We Worked with St. Giles Hotels to Create Opportunities for our Community - Greg Früchtenicht, Saira Hospitality 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, Brian Proctor, Principal at Leeds Hospitality Group and host of Tuesday’s Thanks, shares how gratitude has shaped his life, career, and leadership philosophy. Brian reflects on his journey in the hospitality industry, insights from over 130 episodes of his podcast, and practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your personal and professional life.What You’ll Learn:How Brian’s early life experiences influenced his focus on gratitude.Why gratitude is a powerful leadership tool in hospitality.The story behind Brian’s podcast, Tuesday’s Thanks, and its origins on LinkedIn.The role of gratitude in building and leading successful hospitality teams.Key themes from 130+ conversations with hospitality leaders on saying “yes” to opportunities and recognizing those who believe in you.Practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your leadership and daily operations.How opening doors for others can create lasting impact.Resources Mentioned:Brian Proctor’s podcast: Tuesday’s Thanks Steve Turk and The Hospitality Mentor PodcastGeoff Ballotti, CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (Tuesday's Thanks episode) 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, the team from The Hoxton, Downtown LA, shares what they’ve learned about building high-performing hotel teams, fostering mentorship, and creating a culture of growth and development.Kara Bartelt, the hotel’s General Manager; Michael Lopez, Director of Engineering; and Steven Birl, Engineer, dive into the strategies they’ve used to empower their team members, tackle challenges, and encourage those all-important "light bulb moments."You’ll hear how they:Cultivate critical thinking and initiative within their teams.Use mentorship to develop future leaders in hospitality.Balance technical expertise with emotional intelligence to create memorable guest experiences.Whether you manage a boutique hotel or a large-scale property, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring lessons on developing talent and unlocking your team's potential.Listen to our other episode with Kara: How Buildings Shape Hospitality: Lessons from a Yale-Trained Architect-Turned-Hotel GM - Kara Bartelt, The Hoxton, Downtown LA 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, Derek De Salvia, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Hilton Grand Vacations, shares how HGV is redefining vacation ownership by focusing on flexibility, experiences, and building generational loyalty. From rethinking the traditional timeshare model to delivering unforgettable experiences through the Ultimate Access platform, Derek offers actionable insights into how hospitality leaders can innovate and inspire long-term customer relationships.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Hilton Grand Vacations is reimagining vacation ownership to meet the needs of modern travelers.The evolution of timeshares from rigid offerings to flexible, experience-driven models.How HGV leverages the Ultimate Access platform to create unforgettable vacation experiences.Derek’s approach to "Inspired Hospitality" and its impact on guest satisfaction and team culture.The importance of listening to customers and team members to drive innovation.Strategies for building generational loyalty through exceptional service and personalization.Why the role of Chief Customer Officer is critical in shaping customer journeys.The changing dynamics of family travel and what it means for vacation ownership. 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, Joli Barfield, Cluster Director of Learning at Montage International, shares her journey from education to hospitality training and the unique approaches her company takes to ensure service excellence.Listeners will learn:Joli's career story.The importance of taking leaps of faith.Insights into the ultra-luxury hospitality environment.The significance of company culture and leadership in hospitality.The power of education and continuous learning.The structure and content of Montage and Pendry's new hire orientation program.The role of empowerment and confidence in hospitality training.The importance of listening to guests to create memorable experiences.Different learning modalities and their application in 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, Masho Khabazashvili shares how her Georgian heritage and involvement with the CHLA Hospitality Foundation have shaped her approach to creating exceptional guest experiences and inspired her vision for the future of hospitality.What You’ll LearnGeorgian traditions, such as "every guest is a gift from God," influence Masho’s approach to hospitality.The role her mother’s hospitality career played in inspiring her passion for the industry.How hands-on experiences with events and feasts in her childhood shaped her skills in guest care and anticipation.Why Masho believes meaningful connections are at the heart of exceptional hospitality.How the CHLA Hospitality Foundation provided her with scholarships, professional development, and career-shaping opportunities.What it’s like to blend cultural traditions with luxury service standards at the St. Regis.Masho’s insights into the future of hospitality and how the industry can continue to innovate while staying rooted in connection.Resources MentionedCHLA Hospitality Foundation: Supporting students with scholarships and professional opportunities.Michael Pace: General Manager at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. 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

A few thoughts from my morning commute this week in San Francisco, inspired by "Nobody Knows Anything" from Dror Poleg.For more on this, you may enjoy these other episodes on this show:What I'm Excited About in Hospitality Now - Gilda Perez-Alvarado, AccorCreating "Influence House" - Sébastien Felix, Influence SocietyInvesting in Community: The Power of Education & Programming - Charlie MacGregor, The Social HubHow Our Hotels Become Community Pillars, Delighting Neighbors and Guests Alike - Caitlin Ornitz, Champagne HospitalityRevitalizing Places: How Hospitality Can Be A Catalyst for Community Change - Kara Bartelt, The Hoxton Downtown LASonesta Hotels x Rolling Stone: How Strategic Brand Partnerships Create "Money-Can't-Buy" Guest Experiences - Elizabeth Harlow, Sonesta HotelsWorking With The LeBron James Family Foundation To Empower People Through Hospitality Skills Training - Stephan Bogardus and Tommy Ostrum, Graduate HotelsA 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