The Modern Hotelier

What do tequila, ghost peppers, and hotel pricing have in common? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Bobby Marhamat, the CEO of TakeUp.ai. The conversation covers Bobby's background, including his upbringing in Nebraska and California, his education at San Jose State, and his career progression in sales and tech. Bobby shares insights about his passion for hot pepp...

In this episode, we’re coming to you from the floor of the HITEC Trade Show to celebrate a decade of innovation, grit, and startup brilliance with the Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) competition.  Hosts David Millili and Steve Carran are joined by:  Lyle Worthington – Founder of E20X & tech visionary Jonathan Rojas – First-ever E20X winner & Co-Founder of Whistle Al Lagunas – 2025 E20X People’s Ch...

On this episode, we head to HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis. We sat down with Members of HFTP to talk about HITEC's growth, vision for the future, and what makes HITEC truly special.  Thanks to Justin Taillon, the Global President of HFTP, Arlene Ramirez, the Senior Vice President of Learning for HFTP, and Scot Campbell, Principle at Integrated Resort Advisors, for sitting down with us and talking abou...

On this episode, we sit down with Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. From her family’s bold acquisition of the brand to her leadership in shaping global luxury travel trends, Lindsey shares a candid look into what it takes to lead with purpose, evolve with the market, and inspire a new era of independent hospitality. With over 100 countries under her belt and a passion for c...

How do you maintain a deep understanding of the evolving needs of hotel owners and operators? In this episode, we sit down with Jill Wilder, President of Aptech, for an honest, insightful, and inspiring conversation on leadership, longevity, and what it really takes to serve the hospitality industry at the highest level. With over 38 years at Aptech, Jill shares her journey from pencil-and-paper a...

In this episode, we sit down with Summer Shoemaker, General Manager of the stunning San Diego Mission Bay Resort, to talk all things independent hotels. Summer shares how growing up across California, Colorado, and Hawaii sparked her love for travel and hospitality. She opens up about what makes independent properties so powerful, the creative freedom they offer, and how tools like Curator Hotel &...

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili are once again joined by Josiah Mackenzie, Head of Marketing at Actabl, to break down the biggest stories in hospitality from May 2025. From Marriott’s bold acquisition of CitizenM to Airbnb’s major relaunch of Experiences, Josiah shares sharp insights into how innovation, scale, and branding are reshaping the industry. They...

Get ready to set sail with one of the most innovative minds in hospitality. In this episode, we're joined by Colin Hughes, Director of Operations & Experience at Virgin Voyages. From spa decks to tattoo studios, Colin walks us through how Virgin is redefining the cruise experience, making it simpler, sexier, and more sustainable. We dive into: How Virgin Voyages creates stress-free, all-inclus...

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Eric Jenkins, General Manager of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. From his roots in Savannah, Georgia, to his hands-in-the-soil leadership style in La Jolla, Eric shares his unconventional path through hospitality, starting as a fry cook and rising through the ranks to manage one of Southern California’s most unique independent hotels. In this episo...

What makes Chick-fil-A’s hospitality more than just good service? In this episode, we're joined by Nicholas Lawrence, Executive Director of People & Culture, Chick-fil-A Local Franchise - Indianapolis and the founder of Lawrence Leadership. Nick takes us behind the scenes of Chick-fil-A’s legendary hospitality culture—where “my pleasure” isn’t just a catchphrase, it’s a moral obligation. From...

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Davis Howatt-Lambert, VP of Marketing at Jonas Hospitality, to unpack how technology and human connection can co-exist in the future of hospitality. Davis shares his career journey from political science to hospitality tech, his love of golf and rock climbing, and how growing up in Edmonton shaped his leadership style. They explore Jonas Hospitality’s...

In this episode, we sit down with Jose Cepeda, Executive Chef at Quixote in the LaFayette Hotel, San Diego. Jose shares how his culinary journey began in the kitchens of his grandmother and the streets of Mexico, selling rice pudding to support his family. He opens up about transforming personal hardship into artistic expression on every plate. From perfecting his grandmother’s flan to adding bold...

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Slack, General Manager of the iconic LaFayette Hotel in San Diego. From humble beginnings picking golf balls at a driving range to leading a $31 million hotel transformation, Steve shares his journey through the hospitality industry. We dive into the rich history of the LaFayette Hotel—from its golden age hosting Hollywood legends to its modern revival. Stev...

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Gabriel Perez from Indigo Road to unpack April’s biggest shifts in hospitality. They dive into why boutique hotels are leading in RevPAR despite growing consumer caution, the booming popularity of camping and outdoor experiences, and how sports tourism is becoming a massive economic driver—from the NFL Dr...

In this episode, we’re joined by Elizabeth Bakhash , co-owner of Three Ducks Hotel —a new 12-room boutique hotel in Westhampton that's redefining the luxury Hamptons experience. With a rich background in branding and real estate, Elizabeth shares how she’s building more than just a hotel—she’s curating a guest experience rooted in nature, local partnerships, and a little bit of whimsy (yes, the du...

In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier , David Millili and Steve Carran take you behind the scenes at BITAC’s Sales, Marketing & Revenue Management Summit at the Hotel Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, CA. This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and moments that define what makes BITAC unlike any other event in hospitality. Featuring exclusive interviews with: Lucy Eason (Plus...

In this episode, we sit down with powerhouse changemaker Anna Blue , whose journey from politics to hospitality is anything but ordinary. With roots in education policy, social impact, and gender equity, Anna brings a fresh and fearless perspective to an industry craving innovation and inclusivity. We talk about: Lessons from leading DEI, advocacy, and workforce transformation initiatives How the...

In this episode, Steve and David sit down with Andrew Rubinacci, Chief Advisory Officer at FLYR, to unpack how AI and next-gen data systems are reshaping the hospitality industry. With a background spanning 35 years in commercial strategy, Andrew brings deep insight into why pulling reports for five hours a day is a thing of the past—and how hotels can now optimize rates, personalize experiences,...

In this episode, we're joined by Heather Knutson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ascent360, live from her very first BITAC Conference! Heather shares her candid journey from googling “what is a CDP?” to leading one of the most advanced customer data platforms in hospitality. We dive into the real difference between a CRM and a CDP, how hotels can leverage guest data to deliver dee...

In this special episode, Steve and David sit down with Rich Viola, the visionary behind BITAC, for a heartwarming and eye-opening conversation about what makes business relationships actually meaningful. Rich shares the 21-year journey of creating BITAC—from its accidental beginnings as an online news platform to becoming a culture-shifting conference experience that’s anything but traditional. He...

What do luxury kitchens, global events, and linen-less tables have in common? In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Andrew Moffett, Chief Brand Officer at Southern Aluminum, for a conversation full of passion, innovation, and a few surprises—like a deep dive into linen-less tables. Andrew takes us on his unique journey from the kitchens of the Four Seasons to the boardrooms...

In this episode hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Charlie Osmond, the passionate and pioneering co-founder of Triptease. From leading a regiment in the British Army to founding multiple companies straight out of Oxford, Charlie’s journey is anything but ordinary. We dive into: Charlie’s early days in the British Army and Oxford Yacht Club 🛥️ His obsession with solving the frustrat...

In this episode, we're looking back at the biggest hospitality headlines from March—joined by none other than Grey Raines, Managing Partner at Raines Company. Fresh off the Hunter Conference, Grey dives into everything from staffing shortages to hotel design trends and cruise-ship inspired stays. We chat about: The ongoing labour crunch in hotels—and how flexibility and culture are key Airlines sw...

In this episode, David and Steve chat with Ilir Sela, the visionary Founder and CEO of Slice, a platform that empowers over 20,000 independent pizzerias and generates nearly $2 billion in sales. Ilir shares his incredible journey—from growing up in a small town in Macedonia to moving to New York City and embracing the entrepreneurial spirit that built his career. He talks about his early ventures,...

In this episode, we sit down with Samuel Zats, co-founder and CEO of Craftable, a game-changing hospitality management platform. Sam shares his journey from working in his family’s café to founding a company that’s revolutionizing hotel and restaurant operations. We dive into: The power of AI in streamlining hotel and restaurant management How automation is shaping the future of hospitality operat...