The Modern Hotelier

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Scott Eddy, one of the world's top social media influencers in hospitality, boasting over a million followers on X and Instagram. Scott’s journey is anything but conventional—he transitioned from investment banking to launching the first digital agency in Southeast Asia, and now he’s a full-time traveler, speaker, and industry leader. We dive into: Ho...

What if independent hotels could outsmart OTAs at their own game? In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we sit down with Tarun Goyal , the founder & CEO of Simplotel , to uncover how hotels can increase direct bookings by leveraging the same digital strategies as major OTAs. Tarun shares his journey from Amazon and Expedia to building a tech-driven hospitality powerhouse , helping independe...

This is our 2025 guide to the conference and events season in the Hospitality Industry. In the episode, Brent Hayhurst, the VP of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection joins us to take a look at some of the upcoming events and conferences in the Hospitality Industry. We breakdown upcoming events so you can see what events you should put on your calendar in 2025.  We talk about the benefits of atte...

Join hosts David Millili and Steve Carran on this engaging episode of The Modern Hotelier as they sit down with Jacob Messina, CEO of Stayntouch. Jacob shares his unique journey from front desk operations in New York City to spearheading innovations in hospitality technology. In an in-depth conversation, he reveals how his hands-on experience in hotels shaped his vision for a cloud-based property...

In this episode, we’re joined by Christian Lee, CEO of Mint House, a pioneer in flexible living that’s revolutionizing the way we experience travel. Christian’s journey is anything but conventional, from growing up in Fargo, North Dakota, to living in Lahore, Pakistan, and climbing the corporate ladder from Citigroup to WeWork before landing at Mint House. We dive into how Mint House bridges the g...

How do you build a hospitality brand that combines the best of Airbnb and traditional hotels?   In this episode, we sit down with Sky McLean , CEO and Founder of Basecamp Resorts , the fastest-growing hospitality brand in Western Canada. Sky shares her journey from real estate development to creating a hotel brand that blends the best of Airbnb and traditional hospitality—offering the flexibility...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we welcome Caroline Tissot, Chief Procurement Officer at Accor, for an eye-opening conversation on procurement, sustainability, and the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. Caroline shares her journey from consulting to leading procurement at one of the world’s largest hotel groups, giving insights into how Accor is driving sustainable practices,...

Did you know that there are highly effective strategies for maximizing travel rewards through loyalty programs?  In this episode, we sit down with Brian Kelly, the founder and CEO of The Points Guy, to talk about travel hacking, loyalty programs, and making the most out of points and miles. Brian shares his personal journey, from booking his first family vacation with points at age 12 to building...

What does it really mean to be a sustainable hotel? In this episode, Ben Webster , General Manager of Hotel Marcel , joins us to break down how his property became the first and only all-electric, solar-powered, LEED Platinum-certified, fossil-fuel-free hotel in the U.S.. From historic preservation to cutting-edge energy solutions, Ben shares insights for hoteliers looking to embrace sustainabilit...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we sit down with Monty Bennett, Chairman & CEO of Ashford Group of Companies, one of the leading real estate firms in hospitality. With over 30 years of experience, Monty has built an empire of over 100 hotels and advises two publicly traded REITs. From his Cornell beginnings to navigating economic downturns, industry trends, and the evolving future of...

In this special edition of The Modern Hotelier , we focus on one of the most significant events impacting the hospitality industry this month—the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Joining us is Sarah Dandashy , an industry expert and longtime LA resident, who shares her firsthand experience of the fires, the resilience of the community, and how hospitality businesses stepped up in a time of cr...

Did you know how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of the hospitality industry?  In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we sit down with Harriet Brown, VP of Product at Mobi. AI , to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the hospitality industry. Harriet shares insights from her impressive career, spanning AI, machine learning, and travel technology, including her ti...

How can authenticity, kindness, and a focus on guest satisfaction drive success in the hospitality industry? In this inspiring episode of The Modern Hotelier , hosts David and Steve sit down with Bart Berkey—founder and CEO of Most People Don't , international keynote speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author. Bart shares his unique journey from growing up in Pittsburgh to becoming a global ex...

In this episode, hosts David and Steve, welcome Ryan Daniel, the founder of EHVA. They explore the capabilities of EHVA, an AI platform designed to handle customer service inquiries, make reservations, and conduct interviews with a natural human-like interaction. Ryan shares his entrepreneurial journey from growing up in West L.A. and starting his first internet company to working in restaurant de...

We're launching something new. This is the first episode of our new "Hotel Experience" series where we give you a behind the scenes look with some amazing hoteliers and beautiful properties.  On this episode, we bring you inside San Antonio's beautiful riverwalk hotel, Hotel Contessa. Miguel David, the Director of Sales, shows us around the property and shares what make it special.  To watch of th...

In the inaugural 2025 episode of The Modern Hotelier, the hosts introduce exciting changes and new initiatives, including the launch of Modern Hotelier Media. This new venture will encompass video production, event marketing, social media management, and more. A new episode format called 'The Hotel Experience' will offer behind-the-scenes looks at innovative hotels, starting with Hotel Contessa in...

In this episode, the team reflects on an exceptional year for the Modern Hotelier podcast, which gained recognition as a top hospitality podcast and more than doubled its follower base across LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. The hosts reminisce about attending key industry events like HITEC, ILC in Sausalito, and the Hospitality Show, sharing their favorite moments and interviews. They also discu...

Welcome to The Modern Hotelier , where hospitality meets innovation! In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Alissa Partee, Chief People Officer at Restaurant Technologies. Alissa brings over 15 years of HR expertise, sharing her journey from small-town Minnesota to leading people-first initiatives at an award-winning company. Discover how flexibility, empowerment, and a pass...

How is technology transforming the guest experience in hospitality today?  In today's episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with visionary entrepreneur and founder of Mews, Richard Valtr. Dive into an inspiring conversation about transforming the guest experience, leveraging technology, and reimagining what it means to create memorable stays in the modern era. From Richard’s early...

In this episode, hosts David Mililli, Steve Carran, and guest host Jacqueline Nunley discuss key hospitality industry trends and events from November. They explore the growing popularity of dark tourism and skillcations expected by 2025, Spirit Airlines filing for bankruptcy, and record-setting Thanksgiving travel numbers. Additionally, they delve into the emerging trend of Travel Tuesday and the...

What can a 440-year-old company teach us about sustainable innovation in the modern world?  In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Andrea Piana, CEO of Piana Technology, to explore the fascinating journey of a 440-year-old company at the forefront of sustainable innovation. Discover how Piana's groundbreaking Renovo Mattress is reshaping the hospitality industry with i...

In a world where traditional hotel experiences are becoming obsolete, how can the hospitality industry transform from merely providing a place to stay into a platform for genuine human connection and personal transformation?  In this episode, Steve Carran speaks with Bashar Wali and Eric Jafari as they challenge the status quo of hotel innovation. Moving far beyond traditional wellness concepts, t...

In this episode, Steve and David speak with Brad Steward from Caravan Outpost and JC Curleigh, CEO of Pelican Products, as they share their insights on building momentum through impactful moments in their respective industries. Brad Steward discusses his transition from the action sports business to hospitality, highlighting the creation and unique selling points of Caravan Outpost. He emphasizes...

 In this episode, David and Steve interview Jeff Kessinger, Vice President of Sales at Jonas Hospitality, who shares his journey from being a night auditor to becoming a 20-year veteran in hotel technology sales.  Jeff dives into pressing industry challenges like labor shortages, technology overload, and fragmented systems, while exploring solutions to enhance guest experiences and loyalty. He she...

This episode features an engaging conversation with Katherine Grass, CEO of Optii. Discover how technology, AI, and data-driven solutions are revolutionizing hotel operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing the guest experience.   Katherine discusses her journey into hospitality technology and how AI is transforming hotel operations, particularly through Optii's innovative approach to houseke...