Captive Conversations, The Hospitality Podcast

Ben O'Brien, the innovative mind behind We Are Food, joins us to uncover the dynamic relationship between hospitality, sustainability, and the future impact of AI on businesses. Journey with us through Ben’s fascinating career from the bustling café scenes to an unexpected foray into the music industry. His living experience near London’s Borough Market ignited a passion for connecting small produ...

Ready to uncover the secrets of the hospitality tech world? Join us as we chat with Darren from Yumpingo, fresh from the Australia Tech Show, as he shares insights into how technology is reshaping guest experiences in the hospitality industry. Darren reveals his journey from enterprise sales to his pivotal role as Commercial Director at Yumpingo. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the evoluti...

Jo Lynch from KAM captivates us with her wealth of knowledge in the hospitality sector, shedding light on the pivotal role of loyalty and frequency in driving customer engagement. With her background as both an operator and marketeer, Joe offers a unique perspective, comparing emerging hospitality technologies to renowned loyalty programs like Tesco Clubcard and Nectar. Her stories, including a re...

Meet Dan Brookman from Airship, who shares his insights into the transformative power of community-driven projects and innovative technology in hospitality. We'll take you on a remarkable journey from a derelict swimming pool to a vibrant Sheffield venue that became a cornerstone for music, community, and creativity. Discover how turning chaos into opportunity is not just a mantra but a thriving p...

Gemma from Honest Burgers joins us for a captivating conversation on the intersection of food and digital marketing. We explore the power of email marketing as a dynamic platform for storytelling, fostering customer loyalty, and the anticipated launch of Honest Burgers' new loyalty program. Gemma shares her insights on the unique challenges of gathering customer data in a predominantly walk-in set...

It's episode 25 🙌 I was a little nervous for this one, having the amazing Shawn P Walchef on the podcast, the man, the GOAT, the legend. Shawn was one of the main drivers for myself and many others making content, story telling aswell and giving great advice on how to "be the show, not the commercial". I've been attending the Digital Hospitality community group for about a year, starting on Clubh...

Dan Hawkey, Chief Commercial Officer at Tip Jar, joins us for a personal and engaging chat about the untapped potential in the hospitality industry. From his start at Hilton Hotels as a conference host to his journey through Jarvis and Village Hotels, Dan shares how hospitality has been a passion for him for over 20 years. He discusses the industry’s different perceptions across countries like Aus...

What a week it's been! Well done to everyone who exhibited at the Hospitality Tech Expo and stayed on their feet chatting with suppliers, partners, and customers. For me, day 2 Highlights included Dan Brookman's talk about AI in Hospitality Marketing and Jon Horsfield's talk about the Single Pane of Glass. I also managed to get some fantastic chats with: 🌟 Amy Monaghan at TiPJAR® 🌟 Christian Mou...

What an amazing day 1 at Hospitality Tech Expo. Highlights for me, Tommy Giraux's amazing tech talk, followed by another fantastic talk from William Connors. I managed to get some fantastic chats with: 🌟 Eli Nadel and David Hume from MarketMan. 🌟 Amy at Airship learning about their new AI bits (don't miss Dan Brookman's talk tomorrow on stage). 🌟Paisley S. at at Pepper learning all about their...

This week, join Mo Reshard, the visionary founder of Preshift, as he shares his journey from starting at Slug and Lettuce to becoming a pivotal figure in hospitality tech. Our conversation also ventures into the secrets of fine dining and stories from Michelin-starred kitchens, including challenges restaurants face with Michelin inspectors. Mo discusses the impact of AI on content creation on plat...

Join us for an enlightening episode as we tackle the unexpected challenges and lessons learned while building a platform. We share their frustration of being promised a one-month project completion only to face an eight-month delay before launch. This leads us into a discussion on the importance of realistic planning and expectations in project development. Next, we take a closer look at the journ...

Unlock the secrets to mastering hospitality tech and hear firsthand from Josh of me&u, formerly Mr Yum, as he takes us on his passionate journey in the industry. From the exhilarating moment of landing his first customer to seeing his innovative technology thrive in a local wine bar, Josh's story is one of relentless drive and tangible success. Listen in as we also recount a memorable team outing...

We were beyond excited to participate in the Tech Tastings event: Emerging Trends in Hospitality Which was a networking event presented by TISSL EPOS, hosted by Tech on Toast, and featured special guests from Krowd, Piggy, Sevenrooms, and GiftPro. If you’re in the London hospitality scene – whether you’re a restaurateur, pub and bar operator, or any other awesome sector in between – this event was...

The future of hospitality is here, and it’s powered by technology. Join us as we celebrate our 21st episode with the inimitable Eli Nadell from Twice Baked, who brings over a decade of experience to our conversation. We'll explore how restaurant operations are being transformed by cutting-edge systems like Trail and Flint, which streamline team management and optimize delivery promotions. Eli's jo...

🎉 Wrapped up an incredible day at the Casual Dining event! Met amazing tech innovators like Hannah from TiPJAR®, discussing the imminent Fair Tips Act and how crucial it is for transparency in tipping. 🍽️💡 Caught up with Hans from Dojo, chatting about their all-in-one payment solutions and how they're revolutionising transactions in hospitality. 🚀 And yes, couldn't leave without mentioning the...

Join us on a captivating journey we chat with Ruben from Como about his journey from Spain to the UK as we explore the unexpected paths that led to a rewarding career in hospitality tech. Our discussion starts with the personal story of moving to the UK to improve his English skills, which unexpectedly turned into a long-term stay due to new job opportunities and personal connections. From selling...

What if the key to revolutionising your hospitality business lies in real-time data and technology integration? Join us as we sit down with Tommy from Honest Burgers, a hospitality veteran with over a decade of experience, to uncover the secrets behind this transformation. From the shift away from end-of-month reports to leveraging live data for enhanced decision-making, Tommy shares invaluable in...

Unlock the secrets of the future of hospitality tech with David from 16, Buddy, and Illglu as he shares transformative insights into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing guest experiences. Discover how AI and machine learning can make every guest interaction personalized and memorable, elevating satisfaction to new heights. Learn about the state of customer feedback in Malta and how enha...

Can artificial intelligence revolutionise the hospitality industry and redefine guest experiences? Imagine a world where digital service and human touch coexist seamlessly. We investigate AI's transformative potential, from automating guest replies to integrating AI in restaurant environments for a more personalized touch. We also forecast how upcoming generations might embrace these innovatio...

Uncover the secrets behind building a successful sales team from the ground up with David Bird from Impact Data. You'll hear firsthand how David went from collecting customer data on the streets of Manchester to managing UK operations and achieving unexpected success. We'll also reveal his culinary prowess, including his unique take on spaghetti bolognese, featuring surprising ingredients...

Episode 15, we learn about Luci's introduction in to Hospitality, from working at private events and managing an apple concession store at 19 (this is a great one) Lucy provides an insider’s view of her role as the head of commercial, shedding light on the company's data-driven approach to customer engagement and loyalty. We discuss how Airship’s integration of AI and automation is pushing...

This episode, we sit down with the exceptional Mark McCulloch. We delve into the importance of appreciating every team member's contribution and discuss how such internships can inspire a genuine, long-lasting passion for the industry. As we navigate through the latest trends and technologies reshaping the hospitality landscape, Mark and I discuss everything from the skyrocketing demand for un...

Join us in this riveting episode as we sit down with William Connors, head of global IT at Noble Group, to explore how technology is transforming the hospitality industry. From his childhood dreams of becoming a sports athlete to his rise as a tech leader, William's journey is both inspiring and insightful. Discover how innovations like kitchen display systems, mobile ordering, and advanced POS sy...

Ready to revolutionize your understanding of hospitality technology? Join us for an insightful chat with Christian, Tenzo's dynamic co-founder and CEO. This episode is a treasure trove of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom. You won't want to miss Christian’s expertise on the importance of integrative solutions tailored specifically for the hospitality industry. Travel back with us to the e...

Join us for a fascinating episode where Laurens and Adam the unique qualities of Piggy, a loyalty CRM gift card platform. We answer a fun question from a previous guest about which animal we'd choose to be, and share personal stories, such as our fondness for the traditional Dutch dish, hutspot. The chapter is a mix of humor, personal reflections, and cultural tidbits, offering listeners a ric...