In this episode, Simon Mais , CEO of EOS Hospitality , shares insights into the dynamic world of hotel operations and management. Listen now to learn about: Why management and operations matter in the hospitality industry (00:52) The appeal of a career in hotel operations (01:06) The importance of adaptability and excitement in operations roles (01:50) The role of revenue and accounting in successful hotel management (02:33) How operations contributes to guest experience and satisfaction (02:53)...
Jul 22, 2024•7 min
In this episode, Meredith Marin , CEO of Vegan Hospitality , shares insights on how to cater to vegan guests and the importance of plant-based options in the hospitality industry. Why catering to vegan guests matters (01:16) - Understanding the importance of inclusivity and the "veto vote" phenomenon. Common reasons people adopt a plant-based diet (08:22) - Health benefits, sustainability concerns, and animal welfare considerations. Developing a vegan guest strategy (12:14) - Mapping the guest j...
Jul 20, 2024•33 min
In this episode, Simon Mais , CEO of EOS Hospitality , shares how his company has developed a way to give back to the communities it operates in without reducing the profits of the hotels it manages. Introduction to the Community Impact Program (00:59) - Learn about the 1% impact fee charged to hotel guests and how these funds are allocated for community benefits. Local vs. National Impact (01:10) - Understand the decision-making process behind focusing on local community impact rather than nati...
Jul 19, 2024•9 min
In this episode, Nikheel Advani , co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares insights on excellence in hospitality and how to scale it across multiple properties. Guest Experience and Personalization (01:00) - Hear a story about a guest's feedback on the price of Diet Coke and how the team responded to enhance the guest experience. Scaling Operations (02:59) - Discover the operational challenges and strategies involved in scaling from a si...
Jul 18, 2024•14 min
In this episode, Nikheel Advani , co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares insights on leveraging local culture and best practices in hospitality to create remarkable guest experiences. The Power of Local Culture in Hospitality - Learn how embracing the local culture and authentic interactions can enhance guest experiences. The Importance of Emotional Connections - Discover the impact of genuine emotional bonds, such as the "Caribbean hu...
Jul 17, 2024•13 min
In this episode, Nikheel Advani , co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares insights on how wellness and first impressions create an unforgettable guest experience. Listen now to learn about: The importance of first impressions in hospitality How Grace Bay Resorts integrates wellness into the guest experience The therapeutic value of nature and beach walks The role of wellness coaches in enhancing guest relaxation Strategies for encouragi...
Jul 16, 2024•8 min
In this episode, Nikheel Advani , co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares his journey and insights on the power of leadership and mentorship in the hospitality industry. The importance of mentorship in career growth (01:14) - Nikheel discusses how mentorship has been a common theme throughout his career, starting with his father and continuing with various leaders at the Ritz-Carlton. Key advice from mentors (03:18) - Nikheel shares a p...
Jul 16, 2024•13 min
In this episode, Dr. Matthew Olson , professor at the University of North Florida and director of the Taylor Leadership Institute, shares insights on what it takes to excel in leadership and how to empower others effectively. Introduction to Dr. Matt Olson and his role (01:42) - Learn about Dr. Olson's background and his work at the University of North Florida. Defining Leadership and Its Importance (02:26) - Understand Dr. Olson's perspective on leadership as influence rather than a position or...
Jul 15, 2024•25 min
In this episode, Tony Greenberg , co-owner of SingleThread , shares insights into the strategy and unique approach that has helped SingleThread become one of the top hospitality businesses in the world. Tony's perspective on the evolving hospitality economy (01:40) - Learn about the shift from material goods to transformational experiences, and the integration of restaurants and hotels in the hospitality industry. The role of the inn in SingleThread's business model (05:25) - Discover how the in...
Jul 14, 2024•49 min
In this episode, Nathan Woods shares his insights on cultivating a heart of hospitality and how it can transform both personal and professional interactions. The concept of providing hospitality with both home and heart The importance of seeing everyone as beloved and deeply loved How gratitude and recognition of others' needs can open up opportunities for hospitality The intrinsic value of people and its impact on creating beautiful hospitality experiences Listen to our other episode with Natha...
Jul 14, 2024•8 min
In this episode, Scott Roby , founder of Storyteller Hospitality , shares his journey that led him to create a consultancy focused on story-based business strategies and how you can unlock success in your career and business through stories. Founding Storyteller Hospitality (03:36) - Understand the inspiration behind Storyteller Hospitality and how Scott launched the consultancy. The Power of Storytelling (05:28) - Explore how storytelling can build culture, attract talent, and drive business pe...
Jul 13, 2024•23 min
In this episode, Lisa Karvellas , co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate , shares insights on how her business has achieved recognition as one of the Travel & Leisure Best 100 Hotels in the World and the unique ways her team creates memorable experiences for guests. Attentive Service : Discover the importance of personalized service and how small, thoughtful gestures by staff can leave lasting impressions on guests. Maintaining Energy and Inspiration : Understand how Lisa and her team stay inspired ...
Jul 12, 2024•11 min
In this episode, Lisa Karvellas , co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate , shares insights on how she and her sister transformed a former summer camp into a high-end retreat and built a remarkable workplace culture that earned them a spot on the Inc. 500 Best Places to Work list. Approach to hiring and staffing (01:51) - Lisa explains their unique hiring strategies, including the benefits of hiring locally and the importance of giving employees multiple chances to succeed. Interview process and key ques...
Jul 11, 2024•13 min
In this episode, Lisa Karvellas , co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate , shares how she and her sister transformed a 1920s summer camp into a world-class destination for weddings, retreats, and boutique hospitality. Adapting to New Uses : Learn how Lisa and her sister adapted Cedar Lakes Estate to function both as an event venue and a boutique hotel. The Importance of Guest Feedback : Discover the role of guest feedback in shaping strategy and accelerating growth. Creating Exclusive, Immersive Event E...
Jul 10, 2024•18 min
In this episode, Dino Michael , Hilton's Global Category Head of Luxury Brands, shares insights into how Hilton balances technology and human interaction to elevate the guest experience. Listen now to learn about: How Hilton collects and uses guest preferences to personalize stays. Strategies for achieving excellence at scale across multiple luxury brands. The importance of taking team members on a journey to ensure they feel connected and empowered in their roles. The importance of reading gues...
Jul 09, 2024•20 min
In this episode, Dino Michael , Global Category Head of Luxury Brands at Hilton, shares his inspiring journey from being a server at Planet Hollywood to leading iconic luxury brands at Hilton such as Listen now to learn about: The importance of communicating the benefits of a career in hospitality Dino's early life and family influences that shaped his career (02:09) How working at Planet Hollywood instilled a love for the restaurant business (03:43) The diverse career opportunities within the h...
Jul 08, 2024•19 min
In this episode, Reg Smith, part of a family that has defined the hospitality experience in northern Michigan through their hotels and restaurants, shares the story of his family's legacy and the lessons they've learned in stewarding it while staying personally engaged in the work of hospitality. The origins of Stafford's Bay View Inn and the early days of the family business (01:13) What a Chautauqua community is and its significance in northern Michigan (02:45) The story of how Reg's parents m...
Jul 07, 2024•54 min
In this episode, Sean Tribull , Practice Lead for Leisure and Hospitality at Venari Partners , shares his journey in hospitality, insights on leadership, and effective strategies for recruiting and retaining top executive talent. Sean's Career Journey in Hospitality (02:02) - Learn about Sean's international background and his early career experiences, including his apprenticeship at Brenner's Park-Hotel & Spa in Germany and his education at Les Roches in Switzerland. The Importance of Opera...
Jul 06, 2024•56 min
In this episode, Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri , joint CEOs of Dorchester Collection , share insights into what they call their "Golden Profiles" and how it enables their hotels to operate with excellence. Understanding the "Golden Profile" - Learn what this is and how it helps Dorchester Collection cater to each guest's individuality and needs. Technology as an Enabler - Discover how Helen and Eugenio view technology as a tool to enhance the guest experience. Structuring for Seamless Service - ...
Jul 05, 2024•9 min
In this episode, Dorchester Collection joint CEOs Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri share heartwarming stories that illustrate the power of exceptional hospitality and how it can elevate guest experiences. 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 Hospitalit...
Jul 04, 2024•9 min
In this episode, Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri , joint CEOs of Dorchester Collection , share their unique approach to balancing the individuality of legendary properties with building a cohesive family of brands. The concept of the "Golden Thread" : Learn how Dorchester Collection maintains the unique identities of its properties while creating a unified brand experience. Guest-centric approach : Discover the importance of putting the guest at the center of everything they do and how it shapes t...
Jul 03, 2024•20 min
In this episode, Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri, joint CEOs of Dorchester Collection, share their experiences and insights on co-leading a luxury hotel management company. The benefits of joint leadership (01:18) - Helen and Eugenio discuss how sharing the CEO role alleviates pressure and allows for idea exchange and mutual support. Clear division of responsibilities (03:10) - They explain how they divided their roles based on their strengths, with Helen focusing on sales, marketing, and brand vi...
Jul 02, 2024•13 min
In this episode, David Jurcak , President of the iconic Grand Hotel on Michigan's Mackinac Island, shares insights into leadership, hospitality, and creating transformational guest experiences: The unique environment of Mackinac Island and its impact on guest experience (01:28) Creating transformational summertime experiences at the Grand Hotel (01:56) Daily traditions and rituals that enhance the guest experience (04:31) The role of dress codes and timeless hospitality (06:48) The importance of...
Jul 01, 2024•37 min
In this episode, Richard "Ric" Lee, the concierge at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco, shares his career journey in hospitality and what he's learned about providing hospitality with excellence. Early Career and Introduction to Hospitality (01:18) - Learn about Ric's start in the hospitality industry, influenced by his mother, and his early roles at the Fairmont Hotel. Transition to Concierge and Mentorship (03:06) - Discover how Ric transitioned to the role of concierge and th...
Jun 30, 2024•28 min
This is part of our series on SingleThread. Listen to episode 1 here and episode 2 here. In this episode, Katina and Kyle Connaughton , founders, owners, and leaders of SingleThread , share their journey of building a renowned farm, restaurant, and inn, and discuss their philosophy on hospitality, innovation, and community stewardship. Staying motivated and inspired - Discover how Katina and Kyle stay energized and motivated even after achieving the highest levels of success. The importance of c...
Jun 29, 2024•28 min
This is part of our series on SingleThread. Listen to episode 1 here . In this episode, Katina and Kyle Connaughton , founders, owners, and leaders of SingleThread , share their unique perspectives on hospitality, which have led to their recognition as one of the best in the business. The Power of Place : Katina discusses how Healdsburg shapes their work and the importance of human connections in their community. [01:32] Culinary Innovation : Kyle reflects on his experiences in Los Angeles, Japa...
Jun 28, 2024•32 min
In this episode, Katina and Kyle Connaughton , founders, owners, and leaders of SingleThread , share their journey and insights that have shaped them into award-winning hospitality leaders. Listen now to learn about: Early Influences and Background (2:20) - Katina and Kyle discuss their early experiences with hospitality, including family influences and their time in Japan. The Role of Community and Subcultures (6:08) - They explore how the punk rock, skateboarding, and snowboarding scenes have ...
Jun 27, 2024•26 min
In this special sponsored episode, Dax Cross , CEO of Revenue Analytics , shares insights into the evolution of revenue management in hospitality. [00:22] - Dax's background and the origins of Revenue Analytics. [03:21] - Overview of Revenue Analytics. [04:14] - The benefits of cross-pollination of ideas from different industries. [05:57] - The transition from a consulting company to a software as a service (SaaS) company. [07:35] - The size and scope of Revenue Analytics' business in hospitalit...
Jun 27, 2024•34 min
In this episode, Kristie Goshow , Chief Commercial Officer at KSL Resorts , shares insights on the evolving role of the Chief Commercial Officer in the hospitality industry and how a holistic approach can drive innovation, revenue, and guest satisfaction. Listen now to learn about: The rise of the Chief Commercial Officer in hospitality - Understand the importance of a holistic view combining sales, marketing, and revenue. The power of partnerships and collaborations - Learn how collaborations w...
Jun 26, 2024•16 min
In this episode, Ed Skapinok , Chief Commercial Officer at Appellation , shares insights on building a brand new technology infrastructure for a luxury hotel brand from scratch. Listen now to learn about: The importance of starting technology projects with the right questions. The benefits of having a blank slate to work with and how this approach can be applied to any organization. The staggering number of business functions and technology pieces in a typical luxury hotel and how Appellation re...
Jun 25, 2024•21 min