
Hospitality Daily Podcast
Stay informed and inspired to delight people and grow your business with daily conversations with interesting people doing interesting things. Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie.
Latest episodes

Jun 5, 2024 • 10min
The Danger of Private Equity in Hospitality Now - Sloan Dean, Remington Hospitality
In this episode, we're joined by Remington Hospitality CEO Sloan Dean, who shares what he sees as the danger of private equity in the hospitality business today.You'll learn about:The Role of Private Equity (PE) in Hospitality: Understand the dynamics of PE ownership in hospitality operating platforms and why it often leads to overvaluation - and undervaluation - in critical areas.Challenges of Scaling: Discover why scaling beyond a certain number of hotels can lead to diminishing returns and how the relationship-oriented nature of the business complicates large-scale operations.Public vs. Private Valuation: Learn about the pitfalls of attempting to arbitrage between private and public valuations, and why the dream of going public often remains unfulfilled.Impact of High Interest Rates: Explore how high interest rates and leveraged buyouts are affecting operating platforms, leading to cost-cutting measures that can degrade service quality.The Importance of "Smart Growth": Hear why organic, steady growth is more sustainable than rapid expansion, and how PE's aggressive strategies have led to value destruction in many cases. 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

Jun 4, 2024 • 8min
How To Take Over Management Of A Property Well - Sloan Dean, Remington Hospitality
In this episode, we're joined by Remington Hospitality CEO Sloan Dean, who shares his experience and insights on what it takes to successfully transition into managing a new hotel, and ensure both the staff and the property thrive under new leadership.Listen now to learn about:The Importance of Associates: Discover why the associates are the first priority in any hotel takeover and how to manage their fears and expectations during the transition.Effective Communication: Learn about the significance of town halls, rallies, and direct communication from leadership to calm fears and build excitement among the teams.Leadership Selection: Understand the process of evaluating and selecting the right general manager who aligns with the needs of both your organization and the owner.Iterative Training Approach: Hear about Remington's unique approach to training and integrating new team members.Recruitment Strategies: Gain insights into how being a high-energy, pro-associate employer helps in recruiting the best talent in the industry.If you liked this episode, you may like this other one with Sloan: Being The "Chief Recruiting Officer" 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

Jun 3, 2024 • 19min
This "Quiet" Role Manages Hotel Managers, And Here's What They're Seeing Now - Sarah Gulla and Justin Epps, Hospitality Asset Managers Association
In this episode, Sarah Gulla and Justin Epps from the Hospitality Asset Managers Association join us to discuss into the role of hotel asset managers in the hospitality ecosystem - and the results of a recent industry outlook survey they conducted.What You'll Learn:Role of Hotel Asset Managers: Understand the pivotal role hotel asset managers play in influencing behaviors, managing managers, and setting strategic directions for hotel investments.Hospitality Asset Managers Association: Discover the Hospitality Asset Managers Association's mission and activities, including its membership criteria, educational resources, and networking opportunities.Industry Outlook: Get insights from the association's latest industry outlook report, including current trends, economic conditions, and performance metrics within the hospitality sector.Challenges and Solutions: Learn about the challenges hotel asset managers face, such as rising expenses and labor costs, and explore potential solutions including technology adoption and best practices sharing.Networking and Collaboration: Hear about the importance of networking and collaboration within the industry to share best practices and find innovative solutions to common problems. 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

Jun 2, 2024 • 18min
What We're Seeing in the Market Now - Sloan Dean, Remington Hospitality
In this episode, we're joined by Remington Hospitality CEO Sloan Dean, who shares his observations on trends in the market today. You'll learn about:What's Happening in Hospitality Today: Understand the current state of the hospitality market, including domestic and international travel trends.Consumer Behavior: Learn how the pandemic has fundamentally changed consumer behavior, drawing parallels to the Great Depression's impact on spending habits.Group and Business Travel: Discover why group demand is outperforming and how business transient travel is recovering.Labor Market: Get insights into the labor market, including wage growth trends and the impact of automation on hospitality jobs.Future Outlook: Hear Sloan's outlook for the industry, including the potential for AI and automation to improve productivity. 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

Jun 1, 2024 • 10min
How I Stay Energized & Motivated As A Hospitality Leader - Sloan Dean, Remington Hospitality
In this episode, Sloan Dean, CEO of Remington Hospitality, joins us to share his insights on staying energized and motivated as a leader. Sloan discusses the importance of self-care and how it impacts leadership effectiveness in hospitality.Listen now to learn about:Self-Care for Leaders: Learn why you can't give what you don't have and how taking care of yourself is crucial for taking care of your team and guests.Personality Insights: Discover how Sloan's ENTJ personality type and being a double extrovert help him thrive in his role.Balancing Personal and Professional Life: Hear about Sloan's personal life setup, including shared custody of his kids and a supportive spouse, which allows him to manage his demanding job.Healthspan Focus: Understand the concept of healthspan and how Sloan incorporates practices like sleep tracking, regular workouts, and contrast therapy to maintain his energy levels.Stress Management: Gain insights into how Sloan manages stress by being internally driven and not comparing himself to others.Criticism and Feedback: Learn why it's important to consider the source of criticism and focus on being better than you were yesterday.Whether you're a CEO or a bellman, this episode offers valuable lessons on self-care, leadership, and personal growth. 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

May 31, 2024 • 13min
Lessons From The Caribbean: How To Thrive Through Expansion - Sloan Dean, Remington Hospitality
What does it take to not only spot an opportunity but to act on it so your hospitality business thrives? In this episode, we learn how that's done by exploring the expansion of Remington Hospitality under the leadership of CEO Sloan Dean. Discover how Sloan and his team identified a significant opportunity in the Caribbean and Latin American markets and executed a successful expansion there in record time.Listen now to learn about:Identifying Market Gaps: Learn how Remington Hospitality spotted a unique opportunity in the Caribbean and Latin American markets by recognizing the limited options for hotel owners.Strategic Resource Allocation: Understand the importance of dedicating full-time resources and leveraging local expertise to ensure successful market entry.Cultural and Linguistic Adaptation: Discover why having team members fluent in Spanish and familiar with local customs was crucial for Remington's success.Establishing a Local Presence: Find out why Remington chose to set up an office in Miami.Building Strong Partnerships: Hear about the importance of forming local partnerships, including legal and taxation counsel, and collaborating with equity partners.Employee Engagement and Morale: Explore how expanding into new markets can create exciting career opportunities and boost morale within an organization.Long-Term Vision: Understand the willingness to invest and potentially incur short-term losses for long-term gains, drawing parallels with Amazon's strategy. 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

May 30, 2024 • 16min
The Experience That Earned Us Michelin's Three Key Distinction - Jeff Wielgopolan, Meadowood Napa Valley
In this episode, we are joined by Jeff Wielgopolan, Service Director at Meadowood Napa Valley. Discover how this extraordinary property became one of only 11 hotels in the United States to receive Michelin's Three Key distinction for exceptional hospitality.What You'll Learn:First Impressions Matter: Learn how Meadowood designs its arrival experience to set the stage for an unforgettable stay.Feedback is Gold: Understand the importance of collecting and responding to guest feedback to constantly improve the guest experience.Long-Term Vision: Gain insights into the long-term thinking that goes into creating a timeless and elegant hospitality experience.Personalized Service: Hear about the meticulous attention to detail that makes guests feel uniquely valued and remembered.Operational Excellence: Discover the behind-the-scenes efforts that make seamless and magical guest experiences possible.Join us as we explore the elements that make Meadowood Napa Valley a standout in the hospitality industry and get inspired by what excellence looks like. 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

May 29, 2024 • 25min
McKinsey Research: The State of Tourism & Hospitality - Jasperina de Vries, McKinsey & Company
Today, McKinsey & Company published an insightful, research-driven report on the state of tourism and hospitality. In this episode, we'll learn about the trends, market changes, and opportunities you need to know as a hospitality provider from Jasperina de Vries, one of the authors of this report.To learn more, join the McKinsey Live event on this June 13th: Faces, places, and trends: The state of tourism & 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

May 29, 2024 • 32min
The Fundamentals of Service in Luxury Hospitality (From Someone Who Trained The Teams Behind The World's Best Hotels) - Jeff Wielgopolan, Meadowood Napa Valley
In this episode, we're learning from Jeff Wielgopolan, a hospitality expert who has led learning and training for Forbes Travel Guide and is currently responsible for creating and maintaining the guest experience at Meadowood Napa Valley. Jeff shares his insights on what it takes to provide world-class hospitality and the importance of attention to detail.Listeners will learn about:World-Class Hospitality: Learn the secrets behind providing exceptional service that makes guests feel special and valued.Training and Development: Discover how to train staff to think and act like luxury guests, even if they have never experienced luxury themselves.The Power of Language: Understand the impact of using the right words and greetings to create a positive guest experience.Anticipatory Service: Find out how to anticipate guest needs and make their experience effortless and memorable.Attention to Detail: Hear a humbling story that underscores the importance of paying attention to every detail, no matter how small."Plus One" Philosophy: Learn how adding one extra element to your service can make a significant difference.Growth That Affects All Areas of Life: Explore how skills learned in hospitality can be applied to your personal life, making you a better friend, partner, and neighbor.Join us as we delve into the nuances of luxury hospitality and discover actionable tips that you can implement in your own work and life. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this episode offers valuable insights that will elevate your approach to 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

May 28, 2024 • 52min
This Hotelier is Next to Google, Sees The Future, and Shares What He’s Doing About It - Dipesh Gupta, Shashi Group
In this episode, we are joined by Dipesh Gupta, a hotel owner and operator at Shashi Group who has integrated cutting-edge technology into the guest experience, creating a truly personalized and innovative stay. (Which was profiled in a recent article from the Wall Street Journal, "Make Yourself at Home in the Hotel of the Future.")What You'll Learn:Lessons from His Career Journey: Discover how Dipesh went from an engineer in financial services and AI to a successful hotel investor and operator in Silicon Valley.Technology and Disruption: Understand why the hospitality industry is ripe for disruption and how technology can bridge the gap between current offerings and customer expectations.Customer-Centric Innovation: Explore how focusing on the customer can lead to significant innovations, from digital keys to hyper-personalized guest experiences.AI in Hospitality: Get insights into how AI can empower hotel staff to offer meaningful, personalized interactions with guests."Living Room in a Box" Concept: Hear Dipesh's vision of bringing your living room to your hotel room, complete with personalized settings for temperature, lighting, and entertainment.Future Trends: Hear predictions about the future of the hospitality industry, including the role of technology, sustainability, and multi-dimensional lifestyle offerings. 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