Digital Hospitality

Shawn Walchef , owner of Cali BBQ , and Steven Swiderski , Director of Events and Hospitality , showcased the behind-the-scenes magic of their catering operations during a lively Saturday livestream. From delivering barbecue to Snapdragon Stadium for Monster Jam to highlighting technology like Toast, they shared lessons on preparation, teamwork, and digital hospitality. Steven emphasized, “Bring e...

In this special episode of Rising Tides Live , Shawn Walchef is joined by Matt Plapp , Chief Energy Officer of America’s Best Restaurants , for a deep dive into the power of email marketing and its vital role in building customer relationships. Matt shares his expertise on leveraging email to attract, engage, and retain customers, highlighting actionable strategies for restaurant owners and market...

Lee Hammond , owner of Towpath Inn and founder of Magnetic Hospitality, is revolutionizing how restaurants connect with customers. Drawing from his sales background and expertise in digital marketing, Lee tackles industry challenges with storytelling, innovative strategies, and vulnerability. His daily email campaigns grew a subscriber base of over 6,500, sharing personal stories and building last...

In this special episode of Rising Tides Live , host Shawn Walchef explores the creative and strategic impact of branded GIFs with Elizabeth Doss , a motion graphic designer and verified GIPHY artist. Together, they dive into how businesses can use GIFs to boost engagement, build community, and establish brand identity across digital platforms. Elizabeth shares her expertise in creating custom GIFs...

In this latest Coaching Call with entrepreneur, podcast host, and mentor David Meltzer , host Shawn Walchef dive into the transformative power of repetition and its role in personal and professional success. David emphasizes that true growth comes from consistent practice and refining your craft over time. From content creation to leadership, being “annoyingly repetitive” ensures alignment and mas...

In this special Producers Takeover episode of Rising Tides Live , the team dives deep into the evolving role of producers in today’s content-driven world. Mike Bisceglia, Gavin Kinsel, and Stover Harger share their experiences managing the creative and technical aspects of production, offering practical advice for creators looking to improve their process. The conversation highlights the importanc...

Sarah Diehl , Founder Empowered Hospitality , is revolutionizing HR in the hospitality industry by focusing on creating supportive and thriving workplace cultures. Drawing from her own experience managing teams without dedicated HR support, Sarah built Empowered Hospitality to bridge the gap for small businesses. “HR is about maximizing your team’s performance and creating a positive environment,”...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live , the conversation dives into the transformative potential of dynamic pricing in the restaurant industry and beyond. Featured guest Ashwin Kamlani , a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in travel, hospitality, and revenue management, shares his journey of applying innovative pricing strategies to new industries. Ashwin joins host Shawn Walchef...

In this unique episode of Digital Hospitality , we feature an interview from Hospitality Huddles , where Scot Turner sits down with Shawn Walchef. Shawn shares his powerful philosophy: no one is coming to tell your story, so you must embrace the tools at your disposal to share it yourself. From building authentic connections to leveraging digital platforms, Shawn emphasizes how storytelling can tr...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live delves into the power of free samples as a transformative tool for growth and engagement across industries. Joining the conversation is special guest Kyle Inserra , who has more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry and is the host of the Closed Monday Podcast . Kyle brought his expertise and humor to the table, sharing practical insights from...

In a world grappling with the challenges of sustainability, health, and food security, CUBIQ FOODS is emerging as a trailblazer in food technology. Co-founded by Andres Montefeltro , this innovative company is reshaping how we think about fats and their role in our diets. Montefeltro, with a robust background in biotech and a passion for creating impactful solutions, leads CUBIQ FOODS with a visio...

In this Coaching Call with David Meltzer , Shawn Walchef dives into the power of consistency, content capture, and leveraging technology for meaningful connection. David shares insights from his 25+ years of uninterrupted weekly trainings, emphasizing the importance of capturing authentic moments that resonate. They discuss the evolution of live streaming, the role of platforms like YouTube TV and...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live , the community gathers to reflect on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons of 2024 while setting the stage for a transformative 2025. Hosted by Shawn Walchef and Stover Harger , this live discussion features heartfelt personal stories, professional milestones, and practical tips from a diverse group of business leaders and creatives. From scaling businesses an...

We explore the future of websites, how they serve as dynamic hubs for businesses, and why they’re more essential than ever for storytelling, community building, and commerce. Featuring special guest speakers Kyle Pflueger , Owner at Mithril Media and Digital Strategy Director at Cali BBQ Media, and Michael Beck , CEO, Inc Tank GTM. This episode dives into best practices for website design, accessi...

Jesse & Ben’s  redefines frozen fries by blending nostalgia with quality. Co-founded by Jesse Konig and Ben Johnson , the company began with curiosity and a commitment to doing things differently. From a food truck to Whole Foods shelves, their journey centers on crafting fries with simple, non-GMO ingredients like avocado oil and grass-fed beef tallow. Unlike big brands prioritizing profits,...

Shawn Walchef and David Meltzer discuss Meltzer’s transformative partnership with the Napoleon Hill Institute , where he aims to modernize Hill’s teachings through a "capture, modify, amplify, perpetuate" strategy. Meltzer shares his philosophy of abundance, emphasizing the power of taglines like “Make a lot of money, help a lot of people, have a lot of fun.” He reflects on Hill’s legacy...

In this festive session, we dive into the joy, nostalgia, and spirited debates that come with holiday movies and traditions. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the group explores what makes a great holiday movie, shares personal favorites, and even tackles the age-old question: Is Die Hard really a Christmas movie? The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling, family traditions, a...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live , the group explores actionable LinkedIn strategies, including the power of personal storytelling, testing new content formats, and leveraging tools like newsletters and video posts. The conversation emphasizes authenticity, community building, and creating value-driven content to maximize your reach and impact. Interview Takeaways: Authenticity Drives Engageme...

Michael Diego , co-founder and CEO of Wise Assistant , is revolutionizing restaurant marketing by connecting businesses with local influencers. With a background in journalism, global travel, and tech, Michael combines storytelling and technology to help restaurants thrive in today’s competitive market. Wise Assistant streamlines influencer marketing, matching restaurants with creators who resonat...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live , we are joined by Cam Hardy, a YouTube expert and member of the Cali BBQ Media team, to discuss the transformative potential of YouTube for businesses. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating engaging, consistent video content that connects with audiences. From short-form clips to long-form storytelling, Cam shares actionable strategies for leve...

In this session, we explore the future of podcasting and what it means for creators, businesses, and brands as we move into 2025. In this episode of Rising Tides Live , the group discusses the power of digital storytelling —beyond just audio—and emphasizes the importance of leveraging video, short-form clips, and multi-platform distribution to grow your reach. Whether you're just starting or level...

We kick off our livestream in style by diving into, you guessed it, livestreaming! As 2024 winds down, one thing is clear: whether you’re building a business, personal brand, or podcast, livestreaming is a must for growth. In this episode of Rising Tides Live ,  the group discusses the importance of letting go of fears—whether it’s worrying about how you look or how many people are watching—and ju...

Aaron David Roberts , is spearheading the Chula Vista Entertainment Complex , to transform San Diego into a hub for cutting-edge media production. The CEO & Founder of CVEC believes this visionary project addresses the shortage of advanced studio spaces by incorporating next-generation virtual production technology and fostering collaboration through coworking spaces, podcast studios, and even...

The world has undeniably gone digital, but have we paused to consider the power of Printed Hospitality ? In an age dominated by screens, there's still a unique value in physical experiences like printed menus, direct mail flyers, and other tangible touchpoints. In this episode of Rising Tide , the group dives deep into the enduring significance of printed hospitality. They explore why, even in a d...

Eat, drink, and cherish time with loved ones! Thanksgiving is a special time to reflect on what we're thankful for and enjoy the company of those around us. At the heart of this celebration is hospitality in all its forms. Whether it’s dining at a restaurant, preparing a home-cooked feast for a crowd, or being a guest in someone’s home, hospitality and Thanksgiving go hand in hand. In today’s Risi...