The Modern Hotelier

What if hotels could turn every delivery into a revenue stream instead of a cost? What if the “last mile” wasn’t a problem—but the biggest untapped opportunity in hospitality?  In this episode, host David Millili sits down with entrepreneur and innovator Robert DeDomenico to explore a bold vision for the future of hospitality logistics and last-mile delivery. Robert shares the origin story behind...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , host David Millili sits down with Hospitality Creators Summit co-founders Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri to unpack one of the most exciting new movements in the industry. They dive into the mission behind the Hospitality Creators Summit , an invite-only (but free) event designed to bring together creators, storytellers, and community builders across hospi...

Join Steve Carran and David Millili on this month’s episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics as we break down the biggest happenings in March for the hospitality industry. This episode features a candid conversation with Bashar Wali, CEO, founder, and one of the world’s top social media influencers, as he shares insights from his global travels and perspectives on hospitality trends,...

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dr. Sharmin Dharas, Chief Experience Officer at Hotel ZAZZ and Chief Storyteller at HERstory Hospitality. Sharmin’s journey is anything but traditional. From growing up in a 13-room Route 66 motor lodge to becoming a physician, entrepreneur, author, and boutique hotel visionary, she shares how her diverse background shaped one of...

How can hotels, especially independent and boutique properties, build effective marketing strategies that drive bookings, maximize revenue, and stand out in a competitive market?  In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jody Merl, Founder and President of Innovative Travel Marketing, to dive into her incredible journey from aspiring actress to hospitality marketing powe...

In this special episode, recorded live at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta, host David Millili sits down with Peter Wenzell, CEO of Wenzell and Fisher Hospitality Group. Peter shares his journey into hospitality, inspired by his father’s work in airport concessions, and how that early exposure to travel and hotels shaped his career path. The conversation dives into one of the hospitality industry’...

David Millili sits down with Brian Popelmayer of Lockton Companies at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry today: rising hotel insurance costs. In this episode, Brian shares insights from more than 23 years in the insurance industry, including how the hotel insurance marketplace has evolved, why liability insurance costs are risi...

Recorded live at the 2026 Hunter Conference in Atlanta, this special episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality’s Most Engaged Podcast brings together key voices from the Hunter team to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s hotel investment market. In this episode, Host David Millili sits down with Mayank Patel, Sophia Pittaluga, and Kami Burnette to discuss the forces shapi...

Ever wondered how hotels set the “perfect” price, why AI is changing the game, and what the future of travel really looks like? In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chris Anderson, Professor at Cornell University and former Director of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, to unpack the evolving world of hotel revenue management, pricing...

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...