The dojo.live show / Interviews with Visionaries Shaping Travel Tech

User adoption isn’t the finish line. What vendors and hoteliers need to stop doing—and start doing—to create true business value and solve real problems. In this episode of dojo.live, we sit down with Melissa Jurkoic, Chief Operations Officer at  Benson Consulting, Inc. , for a candid conversation about why user adoption is no longer enough—and how both vendors and hoteliers are falling short when...

How does early-stage positioning help hospitality tech vendors stand out, scale faster, and stop guessing? And what can you do when your messaging sounds just like everyone else’s? In this episode of dojo.live, we welcome Jacki Brown, strategic product marketing leader and founder of  Jacki Brown Marketing . This conversation dives deep into the power of early-stage positioning—and why product mar...

How do visibility, support, and self-advocacy shape stronger leaders, smarter strategies, and better business outcomes? In this episode of dojo.live, we’re joined by Rachel Lehman, Director of Innovation & Integration at  Hyatt  and Chairwoman of Women@Hyatt, for a candid conversation about women’s leadership in hospitality. From the power of mentorship to the persistent gaps in executive repr...

¿Cómo pueden los hoteles independientes aumentar sus ingresos sin sacrificar ocupación? En este episodio de dojo.live, Alfredo Rodríguez Flores, Regional Sales Manager en  SiteMinder , comparte cómo los hoteles independientes pueden aumentar sus ingresos sin sacrificar ocupación. Hablamos de la evolución del channel management, el impacto de los errores comunes en la distribución y cómo un RMS lig...

Why are instant rewards—not points— becoming the new loyalty currency for driving direct hotel bookings? In this episode of dojo.live, we explore how modern loyalty strategies are reshaping the hotel booking experience with  Ellis Connolly , Chief Revenue Officer at  Laasie . Ellis breaks down why the shift from traditional points programs to instant, personalized rewards is unlocking new levels o...

How can harnessing data—the ‘new oil’—fuel better bookings, pricing, and operational excellence in hospitality? In this episode of dojo.live, we dive into the power of data-driven hospitality with Binu Mathews, CEO of IDS Next. Binu unpacks why unified data layers are essential to modern hotel operations—fueling everything from smarter pricing and upselling to more impactful AI adoption and direct...

How can embedding the booking engine and reintroducing voice finally tip the scales for direct bookings? In this episode of dojo.live, we welcome back  Josh Graham , Head of Marketing Development for North America at  Cloudbeds . This conversation explores the future of direct bookings and digital storefront innovation, with a spotlight on Cloudbeds’ embedded booking engine and their AI concierge...

As business and bleisure travel rise, how can extended stay brands capture more direct bookings? In this episode of dojo.live, we explore how business travel is evolving and what that means for the future of extended stay.  J.R. Dembiec , Brand President at  Reside , shares his journey in hospitality and unpacks how Reside is redefining the space through innovation, flexibility, and partnerships l...

The Power Behind the Page: How Booking Engines Are Shaping the Future of Hotel Revenue May 6th, 2025, 10:00 am PT  / Category:  Interviews From GenAI to GDS, how can hotels use technology to control their storefront, optimize distribution, and boost direct bookings? In this episode of dojo.live, we explore the future of hotel booking with  Mark Lewis-Brown , CEO & President of  Zucchetti North...

What do short-term rental owners need to know about direct booking and how is it shaping the future of travel tech? Eric Goldreyer  is an established 25+ year leader in travel and hospitality. He is the CEO and owner of  Savvy  (previously bnbfinder) – the book direct marketplace for professionally run vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, inns, and boutique hotels – without service fees. Previous...

What does it take to deliver guest-obsessed hospitality in a digital-first world?  In this episode of dojo.live, we explore the future of hospitality with  Eric Lutz , CEO and Co-Founder of  olive . Eric shares what it truly means to be guest-obsessed in today’s digital-first world. From actionable insights to smart automation, we unpack how AI is transforming the guest journey, increasing direct...

The direct booking equation: How do personalization and loyalty combine to maximize hotel profitability? Phelim Pekaar  is the founder and CEO of  P3 Hotel Software , a leading provider of online booking engines and guest-facing technology solutions for the hospitality industry. Since founding P3 in 2000, Phelim has grown the company into a global enterprise employing over 40 people and serving ho...

What does the next generation of business booking engines look like, and how are they solving for speed, spend, and personalization in Asia’s travel market? Varun Sarda  brings over a decade of experience in the travel industry, having navigated its many highs and lows. From co-founding an OTA and staying profitable through turbulent times, to launching India’s first free flight cancellation platf...

¿Qué estrategias implementa tu hotel para aumentar los ingresos y mejorar la experiencia del huésped? Areli Moran  se unió a  Sabre Hospitality  en 2017 y actualmente lidera el equipo de ventas para América Latina y el Caribe como Head of Sales. Con una pasión por desarrollar y mantener relaciones sólidas basadas en la confianza, Areli supervisa las operaciones de ventas en múltiples ubicaciones g...

Is the all-in-one vs. hub-and-spoke debate holding hospitality back? Exploring a new way forward for PMS technology. After 10 years in hotel operations at branded and independent hotels in Washington, D.C.,  Josh Graham  transitioned to technology at TravelClick. Over 13 years, he held a number of senior sales, marketing, and go-to-market roles, working with CRS, Business Intelligence, and e-comme...

How can holiday parks and hotels learn from each other’s operational strategies to boost efficiency, guest satisfaction, and revenue performance? Siggi Schrot  is the Vice President of Sales for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region at  RMS . With extensive experience in hospitality software and a passion for the industry, he collaborates closely with partners across EMEA to drive adop...

How can hospitality businesses bridge the 'Aspiration-Reality Gap' to unlock Revenue per Available Guest (RevPAG) and drive profitability beyond room revenue? Terrie O’Hanlon  serves as Chief Marketing Officer and is responsible for strategies and programs to support global revenue growth, brand awareness and market leadership for  Agilysys . Terrie is a technology marketing veteran having...

While the PMS is the heart of your tech, it works even better when connected to the rest of the ecosystem, enabling experiences with data. Jeff Bzdawka , a C-Suite Executive with 30+ years in hospitality technology, excels in innovation, team scaling, and organizational transformation. His leadership roles include President of  Hapi , CEO at Knowland, SVP at Hyatt Hotels, and COO of TravelClick, w...

How can the right PMS technology reduce training time, improve efficiency, and ease hotel operations? Charlie Green  was a founding member of the leadership team at  SkyTouch Technology . He recently celebrated his 35th year in hospitality with 25 of those in the hotel technology arena. He is focused on understanding the needs and challenges that hotel operators experience and bringing innovative...

¿Cómo puede la tecnología transformar la experiencia del huésped y convertirla en el motor del éxito para los hoteles? Irving  es un experto en tecnología con más de 12 años de experiencia en el desarrollo de sistemas turísticos. Egresado de Ingeniería en Telemática por la Universidad del Caribe, ha dedicado su carrera a transformar la industria hotelera a través de soluciones innovadoras y eficie...

¿Cómo puede la tecnología transformar la experiencia del huésped y convertirla en el motor del éxito para los hoteles? Con Irving Sulub, CTO @ Zavia ERP

How will AI and data-driven strategies shape the future of revenue management in hospitality? Alex Barros  is a seasoned expert in revenue management and hospitality technology, with a strong focus on AI-driven decision-making and sustainable profitability. Alex has been working in travel tech playing a key role in shaping innovative solutions that help hotels maximize profits and revenue while en...

How can analyzing data at different levels - comp set, country, or class - help revenue managers uncover the full story behind hotel numbers and drive collaboration across departments? Claudia Alvarado  is a leading data analytics expert in the hospitality industry, with nearly a decade of experience driving business growth through data-driven insights at  STR . As a Senior Analytics Manager for t...

From late check-outs to daytime cabanas - how can hotels turn every touchpoint into a revenue opportunity? Matt Benn is a seasoned expert in digital marketing and hospitality retailing, with a strong background in media and advertising. He has helped numerous hotels optimize their digital strategies to attract more guests, increase conversions, and drive direct bookings. His expertise now centers...

How can Causal AI help hotels optimize pricing and promotions? Nikhil Shah Head of Data Science /  LinkedIn Nikhil is a mathematician, AI researcher, and entrepreneur who heads Data Science at Cloudbeds. He studied Mathematics at Cambridge and Computational Optimization for his doctorate at Imperial College, spinning out Hotel Cloud (hospitality tech for revenue management) and S-Cube (energy tech...