Future Hospitality

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Ben Rafter, President, and CEO of Springboard Hospitality — one of the largest boutique hotel management companies on the west coast, with 36 hotels and resorts in 11 states. During our chat, we get to hear the interesting story about Ben's journey in hospitality and what led him to where he is now, how he and his team are creating more custom-tailored l...

In this episode, we chat with Patrick Thompson — Principal at Patrick Thompson Design – an award-winning, Detroit-based design studio specializing in hospitality, retail, residential, higher education, and workplace environments. During our chat, we’ll see what Patrick’s formative years were like as a young designer, find out how he and his team are impacting people’s lives through well-designed s...

In this episode, we chat with Dury Kim — Regional Director Of Revenue Management at Real Hospitality Group – one of the fastest-growing hotel management companies in the United States. During our discussion, we find out about Dury’s career and what led her to her current position at Real Hospitality, talk about the lessons and insights her team has learned over the last year, and discuss how techn...

In this episode, we’re joined by Colin and Ronan Hannan. Brothers and Principles at Proven Partners. PROVEN is an international real estate and hotel consultancy that specializes in independent hotels, resorts, and resort real estate. Together, they bring over 35 years of experience and insights as developers and owners. In our conversation, we’ll discuss their background and how Proven Partners c...

In today’s episode, we chat with Zach Kupperman, founder of Kupperman Companies, the development and investment team behind the award-winning boutique hotel, “The Drifter Hotel" in New Orleans, LA. We’ll learn about Zach’s journey in hospitality and real estate, the vision that led to the opening of The Drifter hotel, his commitment to community, and what excites him about the future of hospitalit...

Lead designer and founder of PDG Studios, Lisa Haude is an expert in livable luxury. She has built PDG Studios into a hospitality design powerhouse. With projects ranging from The Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria in New Orleans to the award-winning the Portland Marriott Downtown. We’ll talk with Lisa about the values that shape her team’s work, ideas for finding new ways to tell old stories, and her plan...

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Jason Cutinella, Founder and CEO of NMG Network. NMG Network helps hospitality and travel brands elevate their brand and engage their guests by creating and curating high-end content such as shows, films, music, and more — then distributing it through online and in-room programming. During our time with Jason, we’ll talk about how NMG came to be and the...

In today’s episode, we speak with Kathleen Bunnage, General Manager of The Coachman Hotel, part of Tallac Hospitality’s portfolio, and located in South Lake Tahoe, California. We’ll speak with Kathleen about how she got her start in hospitality, some challenges she’s had to overcome in past years, and how the team at Tallac Hospitality is able to create a narrative and story that guests can insert...

Today we’re joined by Jay Patel, President of Wintergreen Hospitality based in Chapel Hill, NC. With an entire lifetime of experience and lessons learned, Jay and his team aim to redefine the notion of hospitality, and what it means for the future of the industry. In our conversation, we’ll find out how Wintergreen is challenging the status quo and breaking the script when it comes to hotel develo...

In today’s episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Chris Frampton - CEO at East West Partners, located in Denver Colorado. East West Partners exists to create terrific places that bring people together, sharing meaningful experiences. Over the last 30 years, they have developed some of the world’s top resort and urban communities, hotels, and office buildings. Today we speak with Chris abou...

Today we’re joined by Nina Kinoti-Metz, principal at Studio Parallel. A full-service architecture and interior design firm based in Brooklyn, NY. We’ll get to learn more about her firm, challenges she’s overcome, and the processes behind her studio’s thoughtful and timeless designs. She’ll also share with us how her company and her clients have benefitted from flexible workspaces - especially duri...

Today we get to speak with Colin Finnegan, Founder, and Owner of FG Stijl in Amsterdam. His team has over 25 years of experience and involvement working internationally with the world’s top hotels, restaurants, and private residences. During our time with him, we’ll talk about projects he’s been involved with in the past, the responsibility that designers bear within the greater community, and how...

In Episode 9, we’re excited to chat with Scott Kubly, CEO, and Founder of Cabana. Cabana is changing how people travel by packing the best amenities of a boutique hotel experience into transit vans with modern form factors. Launched just this year, Caban is hoping to make waves in the luxury “van life” movement. Scott will share challenges his team has faced since their launch, as well as the exci...

In Episode 08 we’re joined by Bruce Percelay, Chairman and Founder at Mount Vernon Company. A real estate firm founded over 30 years ago, Mount Vernon Company has grown to 1,600 apartments, 5 hotels, and a variety of commercial and vacation properties. In our discussion, we’ll dive deep into one of his newest properties, The Revolution Hotel. Bruce will share how this wonderful project came to be,...

In Episode 07, we’re joined by Rob Blood, Founder & President at Lark Hotels, a collection of boutique hotels planted in iconic destinations all throughout the United States. We’ll get to take a peek behind the curtain at Lark Hotels, learning about the history, values, and innovations that have helped them become one of the most well-known hotel management companies in the nation. https://www...

In today’s episode, we chat with John Grossman, President of Classic Hotels & Resorts… known for notable properties such as The Scott Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ, and the 75-room historic luxury boutique hotel, La Playa Carmel … located in California. We'll speak with John about his role at Classic Hotels, his interesting past that led him to his current role, and how he and his team ap...

In this episode, we are joined by Jon Staff, Founder, and CEO of Getaway – a network of tiny cabins surrounded by beautiful places scattered all over the United States. A Getaway retreat provides you the time, space, and permission to disconnect so that you can recharge and reconnect to who and what matters most. Jon will share a brief history of how Getaway came to be and the philosophy that guid...

In this episode, we chat about hotel investments. We'll discuss how hoteliers are making more informed investment decisions with Kim Bardoul of The Highland Group Hotel Investment Advisors Inc. We also talk about their annual "Boutique Hotel Report" with tons of great information, data, and insights from thousands of hotels around the USA.

In this episode, we speak with Bashar Wali regarding the recent announcement of his departure from Provenance Hotels, how the hospitality industry has been impacted by COVID-19, and how he believes our industry must evolve moving forward. You won't want to miss this episode!

In this episode, we talk about the importance of rebranding and repositioning an underperforming hotel property. Annie Quisenberry shares the methodology and mission behind the team at Columbia Hospitality, as well as her invaluable stories of lessons learned over the years.

In our first episode of Future Hospitality, we discuss the important role of F&B within the hotel industry and how it can shape the guest experience. Anthony Langan is our guest. He is the Corporate Director of Food and Beverage at Charlestowne Hotels in Charlestown, SC.