Ever wondered how a space can make you feel genuinely cared for? Bruno Viterbo, Vice President of Design at Irvine Company, shares his profound insights into 'the sense of being known' and how it transforms hospitality design at every scale. Bruno shares his extensive experience in the design and real estate industries, including insights from his previous roles at Champalimaud Design and Las Vegas Sands Corp. He reflects on the unique lessons learned from industry legends and how these insights...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 209
“We love the one-off projects, but our real passion and what we're really looking for are ownership groups where we can do a project with them, forge a relationship, build that trust, and then we grow alongside them.” Joining Dan is Aggie Zamir, Vice President of National Hospitality and Gaming at Cumming Group. They discuss Aggie's insights into the luxury hospitality industry, the importance of building trust and relationships, and how Cumming Group works as a project management office (PMO) a...
Jul 18, 2025•58 min•Ep. 208
“ It's a core tenant of who we are, and it's called put people first. We take care of our people.” Derek De Salvia, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Hilton Grand Vacations, joins Dan today to dive into the world of vacation ownership. The discussion covers the personal and professional aspects of hospitality, the evolution and benefits of the vacation ownership model, and how Hilton Grand Vacations differentiates itself in the industry, especially as one of Newsweek’s Top M...
Jul 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 207
“We are a hospitality company first and foremost.” Joining Dan this week is Alissa Klees, the Brand Leader of Spark by Hilton, the trailblazing brand that earned Hilton recognition as one of Fast Company's 2024 Most Innovative Companies. Alissa delves into what hospitality means to her, encompassing both personal and professional interactions. She shares the incredible journey of Spark, from its secretive "Skunkworks-type room" origins to its rapid global expansion. Highlights include the brand'...
Jun 25, 2025•58 min•Ep. 206
It takes determination to dive into hospitality and come out with a boutique hotel that is successful, and that is what Chris Lenz, Founder and CEO of La Compania Hotels and Resorts. Chris shares his journey from opening 37 restaurants to creating extraordinary hotels in Panama. They explore his passion for hospitality, his uncompromising vision, and the meticulous planning that goes into building unique hospitality experiences. Learn about Chris's journey from restaurateur to hotelier, his inno...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 205
How can embracing the Japanese concept of omotenashi create better connections? Dr. Eric Brey, a Professor of Hospitality in the School of Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, joins Dan on the show today. Eric brings a wealth of experience from his time in the US Army to earning a PhD in hospitality administration and management. They discuss the significance of hospitality in various contexts, the launch of the nation's first Luxury Management Program at UW Stout, and how luxury isn...
Jun 11, 2025•56 min•Ep. 204
How do you truly make people feel cared for? Dan welcomes Dr. Carmen Vlasceanu, an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in the hotel, aviation, catering, and cruise industries. They discuss the essence of hospitality, Dr. Carmen's career journey from Romania to Carnival Cruises, and her current roles, including Founder and CEO of Global Hospitality and Maritime Leaders. They touch on Dr. Carmen's book “Dare to C.A.R.E”, her contributions to improving customer experience during the C...
Jun 04, 2025•44 min•Ep. 203
What is the balance between hospitality’s business efforts and sustainability efforts? That’s what Andrea Foster, EVP of Hospitality Development at MindClick, is here to talk about on the podcast. The conversation covers how sustainability initiatives can improve guest experiences and align with corporate values. Andrea discusses the importance of measuring sustainability, the impact of intentional design, and the benefits of MindClick's data-driven platform. With anecdotes from their own experi...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 202
How is hospitality education evolving? Nicolas Graf, chaired professor and Associate Dean at New York University’s Jonathan M Tisch Center of Hospitality, joins Dan today to discuss the realm of hospitality education. Their discussion spans Nicolas's unique career path that started from being a high school dropout and chef apprentice in Switzerland, to becoming a chaired professor of hospitality. They explore the essential role of hospitality in everyday life and its potential for significantly ...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 201
There’s a lot that goes on pre-opening in hospitality, whether it be a hotel, a club, or a restaurant. That’s where Jensen Moonien comes in. He is the Founder and Managing Director of La Rencontre, a consulting firm specializing in the F&B space of hospitality. Jensen discusses the importance of hospitality, sharing enduring memories without expecting anything in return, and highlights his entrepreneurial journey, including his move from Mauritius to Dubai. The conversation covers the comple...
May 14, 2025•44 min•Ep. 200
Today’s episode pivots into restaurant investing. Joining Dan is two experts of hospitality financing and investments, Nate Edgerly and Tom Donaldson, the CEO and Chairman of Enzo Group Inc. The discussion goes into the motivations behind investing in hospitality, the critical role of strong management teams, and the unique challenges and opportunities in scaling restaurant businesses. They explore the financial metrics used to evaluate investments, the impact of macroeconomic factors on the ind...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 199
What role does media play in hospitality? This episode welcomes media expert and Owner of Cali BBQ, Shawn Walchef. Shawn discusses his journey from creating award-winning barbecue restaurants in San Diego to building a successful media platform. He shares insights on the importance of hospitality, storytelling, and the role of time in perfecting one's craft. Shawn also offers practical advice on leveraging digital media to build and grow a business, emphasizing the need to create consistent cont...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 198
Sometimes you find yourself born into a business. That’s exactly what landed Xavier Lividini, Managing Partner at Hospitality Advance International, in the hospitality industry as he comes from a family of hoteliers! Xavier shares insights from his extensive career in operations, marketing strategy, and hospitality management and development. The episode covers stories from his time at iconic hotels like the Waldorf Astoria and the InterContinental and highlights valuable lessons from his family...
Apr 23, 2025•49 min•Ep. 197
“ Our hospitality starts with education, but it's also having a welcoming point of view.” Scott Young, Founder of SSWING, an innovative indoor golf training facility in New York City, and an expert golfer joins the podcast today to hash out the meaning of hospitality and dive into his business. They discuss the broader meaning of hospitality in various environments, focusing on creating a welcoming yet challenging space to help people improve. The conversation dives into Scott’s analytical appro...
Apr 16, 2025•55 min•Ep. 196
What does it take to be the number one small hostile in North America? Today we welcome Nathan St. Cyr, Co-Founder of Malama Capital and Owner of Howzit Hostels, to tell us just that. Dan and Nathan dive into Nathan's journey within the hospitality industry, including his foundational experiences in sales, his profound motivation rooted in personal history, and the creation of successful hospitality ventures in Maui. They talk about the six human emotional needs, their own podcast experiences, a...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 195
Mentorship is important in encouraging students to enter artistic and creative career paths. Mark Page, Vice President of Design at Mohawk Industries, touches on the importance of fostering connections with colleges and universities to inspire the youth of today to continue their creative paths. Mark also shares insights on the challenges and innovations in flooring, such as the use of sustainable materials and advanced fiber technologies. He discusses the evolving demands of the hospitality ind...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 194
Today we discuss the intersection of architecture and interior design, finding a common ground for both aspects to complement each other. Ian Mills and Becca Roderick, Executive Directors of Architecture and Interiors, respectively, at Morris Adjmi Architects. They delve into the concept of hospitality, the collaborative process within their firm, and how they align their visions to create contextually relevant and impactful projects. The conversation covers notable projects like the Wythe Hotel...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 193
We’re going all in on branding and strategy for hospitality companies this week! David Carofano, Strategy and Commercial Director at Crown Creative joins as Dan’s guest to discuss the importance of branding in the hospitality industry, from conceptualizing a new project to breathing life into an established brand. David shares his journey, starting from a teenager working in restaurants to becoming a thought leader in hospitality branding. He highlights successful case studies such as the rebran...
Mar 20, 2025•54 min•Ep. 192
What’s more important than making guests feel cared for? Today, Thomas Healy joins to discuss the core values of hospitality, the importance of a diverse and inclusive team, and his definition of leadership. He also reflects on how his upbringing in his family's New Jersey restaurant informed his hospitality ethos. The interview touches on significant topics such as the financial aspects of investing in independent hotels, the role of management companies in fostering employee culture, and the i...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 191
Mentorship is so valuable, especially in hospitality. Today Dan interviews Kellie Sirna, Owner and Principal of Studio 11 Design. Kellie shares her journey through 20 years in the hospitality design industry, highlighting key milestones such as the purchase and renovation of a historic building, the expansion of her business with sister companies specializing in branding and art, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They explore the importance of mentorship, the evolving landscape of hospital...
Feb 26, 2025•53 min•Ep. 190
Is there power behind organized chaos? Today, Dan Ryan engages with Meg Gutowski, Vice President of the Independent Lodging Congress (ILC). They discuss the essence of hospitality, the role of ILC in fostering connections among industry professionals, and the unique blend of events hosted by ILC that emphasize genuine human interactions over transactional relationships. Meg shares insights from her extensive experience in the hospitality industry, including planning initiatives, organizing event...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 189
What is soul-making hospitality? Today, Rob Blood, Founder and Chairman of Lark Hotels and Principal at Elder and Ash, joins Dan to talk about the importance of creating genuine hospitality experiences. Rob shares his journey from an innkeeper to managing nearly one hundred hotels and over thirty restaurants. They discuss the core principles of hospitality, the significance of soul-making in hotel design, and the innovative approaches Lark Hotels brings to the industry. The conversation includes...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 188
Implementing art and music, seeing potential, and giving back are the key pillars that Mr. Richard Kessler brings to his business. As the Chairman and CEO of The Kessler Collection, and over 50 years of experience in the field of hospitality, Mr. Kessler shares in his unique story. Mr. Kessler discusses his transition from helping found Days Inn to pioneering boutique hotels before they were even a recognized category. He reflects on the resilience needed to navigate economic crises, his passion...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 187
Hospitality is key, especially under hardships and destruction, something Joe Balcken and Shelton Steele, Co-Owners of the Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins in Asheville, North Carolina are passionate about. They discuss their unique urban campground hotel and the challenges they've faced. The conversation explores the definition of hospitality, the building of their flood-resilient property, and the impact of a recent historic flood on their business and the local community. The duo share their ...
Jan 29, 2025•53 min•Ep. 186
In this episode, Dan Ryan interviews Robyn Pratt, the General Manager of the Phoenicia Hotel in Malta and Principal of Impact Consulting Limited. Robyn shares her journey from her upbringing in Australia to becoming a leader in the hospitality industry. She elaborates on the importance of genuine employee engagement and shares her approach to creating a strong service culture that results in both happy employees and loyal guests. Robyn also discusses the unique aspects of Malta and how the islan...
Jan 22, 2025•55 min•Ep. 185
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ In this episode, Dan Ryan explores the deeper significance of hospitality with guest Casey Lavin, President of Beemok Hospitality Collection (BHC). They discuss the importance of culture, values, and intentionality in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the need for genuine care and empathy. Casey shares insights from his extensive career, incl...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 184
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ In this episode of Defining Hospitality, host Dan Ryan talks with Oscar Mejia, Co-Founder of Asociacion de Casas a Hogares (Houses to Homes) based in Antigua, Guatemala. The discussion delves into Oscar's background, his passion for improving housing, education, and healthcare for underprivileged communities, and the impactful work of his organiz...
Jan 08, 2025•56 min•Ep. 183
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ In this episode of Defining Hospitality, host Dan Ryan chats with Marc Bromley, Regional VP and General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C. The discussion delves into the essence of hospitality, nurturing a culture of care, and powerful leadership lessons from Marc's father, Stan Bromley, a legendary figure in the industry. Marc share...
Jan 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 182
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Today, Dan Ryan hosts Dwayne MacEwen, a renowned architecture and design professional, and Founder and Principal of DMAC Architecture and Interiors. The conversation delves into Dwayne's journey from working at Jordan Moser to starting his own company. They discuss his innovative approach in the hospitality industry and explore his projects like ...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 181
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ In today’s episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Ashley Ewing Parrott, Founder and Principal Creative Director at AEP Hospitality Consulting and Co-Founder of The Saturday Crowd. The discussion delves into how Ashley's creative direction and strategic insights have helped transform the hospitality industry. They explore what hospitality truly means, t...
Dec 11, 2024•56 min•Ep. 180
