The Modern Hotelier

In this episode, Join David Millili and Steve Carran for another engaging episode of The Modern Hotelier , the most engaged podcast in hospitality. Today, we sit down with Kristie Goshow, CCO of Loews Hotels & Co., to explore her journey in travel, hospitality, and leadership. We dive into Kristie’s early experiences in travel and aviation, lessons learned from Virgin Atlantic and Scandinavian...

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics , Steve Carran, David Millili, and Jon Bumhoffer break down the latest trends and insights from February in the hospitality industry. From rising midscale hotel rates to the booming luxury market, they explore what’s shaping travel in 2026 and beyond.  What we cover in this episode: Why the $150 midscale hotel room is disappearing and what travelers are pa...

What does the future of hospitality look like in an AI-driven world?  Join David Millili at ITB Berlin for a deep dive into the future of hospitality technology with Darko Bosancic, Senior Vice President of Travel & Hospitality at Sirma.  In this episode, we explore how hotels can move beyond fragmented tech stacks, leverage AI agents, and build connected ecosystems that enhance operations, gu...

What’s Next for the Hospitality Industry? Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Rosanna Maietta, CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), to discuss the state of the hospitality industry, labor challenges, AI in hotels, and the incredible ways hotels give back to their communities. In this episode, you'll learn about: The hospitality trends for 2026 and guest...

How did Larry Korman go from growing up outside Philadelphia to leading one of the most innovative hospitality brands in the world? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Larry Korman , President of AKA Hotels & Residences and Co‑CEO of Korman Communities. Larry shares his journey from growing up outside Philadelphia to leading one of the most innovative hospitalit...

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Greg Sukornyk, CEO and co-founder of Oli Labs, to explore how AI is transforming hotel sales, customer service, and revenue management. Greg shares his journey from law to entrepreneurship, building startups like Extreme Network, and now leading Oli Labs to innovate AI-driven sales solutions for hotels. Learn how AI sales agents like Ol...

Which hospitality events should YOU be attending in 2026? In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with John Burns, President of Hospitality Technology Consulting, to review the top hospitality events of 2026. From tech expos to independent hotel shows, cruise industry summits, and AI-focused conferences, we cover what’s happening, who should attend, and why these events are game-c...

Can AI stop your next big hotel claim before it happens? In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Sriram Nalla, Hospitality Vertical Lead at WithCoverage, to discuss his unique journey from music management and entrepreneurship to transforming the insurance industry for hotels. Topics Covered: How WithCoverage is disrupting traditional hotel insurance with AI-powered solutions...

Steve Carran & David Millili sit down with Mark Harmon, Founder of Auberge Resorts Collection, on this episode of The Modern Hotelier. From studying law at Princeton and UC Law to becoming one of the most influential leaders in luxury hospitality, Mark shares how he transitioned from Silicon Valley attorney to visionary hotel developer behind some of the most iconic boutique resorts in the wor...

In today’s episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ashley NeQuent, Director of Product Strategy at Jonas Hospitality, for an in-depth conversation about hotel tech, operations, and creating unforgettable guest experiences.  We kick things off with a lightning round to get to know Ashley, then dive into her journey from working at a small resort in upstate New York to leading product...

How does a pro snowboarder become a hospitality innovator? Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Bradley Steward, Co-founder and President of Caravan Outpost, to explore an extraordinary journey from professional snowboarding to creating one of America’s most unique boutique hospitality experiences. In this episode, you'll discover: The transition from sports to media, directin...

What if your hotel could know exactly what your guests want before they even check in — and deliver it automatically?  In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Scott Buelter, CEO of Ascent 360, to dive into the transformative power of AI, data, and personalization in the hospitality industry. In this episode you'll learn about: How hotels are using Customer Data Platforms (CDP...

Join Steve Carran and David Millili as he welcomes Jon Bumhoffer, producer of The Modern Hotelier , for a deep dive into hospitality trends and industry forecasts for 2026.  In this episode, we break down everything hotel owners, operators, and travelers need to know—from group business rebounds, rising labor costs, and food & beverage innovations, to AI-driven bookings, lifestyle brands, and...

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kunal Shah, Managing Partner of Travel & Hospitality at ZS, to explore the future of the hotel industry in 2026, key revenue strategies, and how technology is reshaping guest experiences. Kunal shares insights from his global career—starting at United Airlines, earning an MBA at London Business School, and now leading ZS’s travel an...

How do you lead a hotel through a major renovation and emerge stronger than ever? Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Alpha Barry, General Manager of the newly renovated Courtyard San Diego Downtown Little Italy. Alpha shares his 25+ year hospitality journey—from front desk to finance leadership to GM—and the transformational renovation that reshaped the hotel into a modern d...

What do hoteliers need to know about PMS implementations, hospitality tech, and leadership today?  In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Americas at Shiji, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about hospitality, technology, leadership, and the future of guest experience. Ryan shares his journey from working on-property in Wash...

Ever wondered what it takes to run luxury and international hotel brands ?  On this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ron Pohl, President of World Hotels and Head of International Operations for Best Western, to talk all things hospitality. Ron shares his journey from growing up in Ohio to leading hotels across the globe, and gives a behind-the-scenes loo...

David Millili & Steve Carran sit down with Steve Slack, General Manager of the iconic Lafayette Hotel & Club in San Diego, for a deep dive into hospitality leadership, community-driven hotels, and what it takes to run a Michelin-recognized property. In this episode, Steve Slack shares his journey from growing up in Oceanside, California, to leading one of the most talked-about boutique hot...

In this special 2025 Year-End Recap, hosts David Millili, Steve Carran, and Jon Bumhoffer reflect on a massive year for The Modern Hotelier , filmed on location at the Lafayette Hotel & Club in San Diego, California. From nearly doubling episode output and becoming hospitality’s most engaged podcast, to launching Modern Hotelier Media, producing high-impact hotel experience tours, and covering...

Steve Carran and David Millili join a special holiday roundtable led by Katie Cline (Suite Success), alongside Glenn Hausmann (No Vacancy), Josiah Mackenzie (Hospitality Daily), and Zach Busekrus (Behind the Stays), to unpack the biggest hospitality moments of 2025 and what’s likely coming in 2026. From the long-awaited Waldorf Astoria New York revival and the acceleration of “ultra-luxury,” to lo...

What does it really take for a boutique hotel to stand out in the crowded world of social media?  In this episode, host David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dino Jevric, Social Media Marketing Manager at Arlo Hotels, to explore how hotels can thrive in today’s digital world. From Dino’s early days in social media to running creative campaigns for Arlo Hotels, we dive deep into strategies t...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , Steve Carran and David Millili is joined by Luis Segredo, CEO of Hapi, to discuss the biggest hospitality news and trends from November. They dive into the recent dissolution of the Marriott–Sonder partnership, exploring why integrations and siloed technology can make or break hotel collaborations. Steve and Luis also examine the rise of direct bookings, th...

Join Steve Carran and David Millili on The Modern Hotelier as they sit down with Brittney Jones, Chief Development Officer at Brittain Resorts & Hotels, to explore her inspiring journey from working on-property at a hotel to becoming a C-level executive. In this episode, Brittney shares insights on: The career lessons that shaped her path in hospitality How curiosity, humility, and adaptabilit...

How can video content and influencer partnerships actually drive bookings and engagement? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Eileen Santiago, social media strategist at The Modern Hotelier, to explore how hotels can elevate their digital presence, drive engagement, and boost bookings through social media. Topics Covered: Why video content is king for showcasing hot...

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Sarah Jarnicki, the Creator of BrandClave, the AI-powered platform redefining how hotel brands are created, validated, and brought to life. Sarah shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Cincinnati to working in global commodities, traveling the world, and ultimately building a revolutionary system that predicts traveler desires before they hit...