The Modern Hotelier

Today, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Tony Ross, Director of Sales at Craftable, to talk about how technology is helping operators tackle today’s biggest hospitality challenges — especially rising costs and profit pressure. Tony brings decades of industry experience and shares how Craftable is streamlining operations, cutting down bloated tech stacks, and helping hotels make smarter,...

In this live episode of The Modern Hotelier , Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Jason Jenkins, Vice President & Managing Director of the Americas, HRS, to talk all things hotel tech—from AI-powered upselling to seamless system integration. Whether you’re a HITEC veteran or a tech-curious hotelier, this episode gives you a front-row seat to how HRS is streamlining operations and enha...

In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier , we’re live from the Dallara IndyCar Factory at HITEC—and yes, the cars are as fast as the tech talk. We’re joined by Phil Crawford, Head of Hospitality at Adyen, who dives into how they're reshaping the future of payments for the hotel industry. From solving the chaos of fragmented systems to leveraging true AI (not just buzzword fluff), Phil breaks...

In this episode, we’re joined by a hospitality tech powerhouse: Robert Dawson, Chief Strategist and Product Officer at IRECKONU. Robert shares his journey from front desk college job to C-suite, how he fell in love with the hotel industry, and why solving fragmented data problems became his mission. We talk all things AI, automation, data management, and CRM evolution — and what’s making waves at...

Today’s episode features hosts Steve Carran and David M., broadcasting from the iconic Dallara IndyCar Factory in Indianapolis with special guest Jason Craparo, CEO of Hovr—the company revolutionizing hotel websites with video storytelling. We dive into: How Hovr helps guests' book with confidence through seamless video integration The power of generative AI to supercharge marketing decisions How...

In this special HITEC 2025 edition of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality's Most Engaged Podcast, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dan Bell, VP of Hotels and Resorts at Agilysys, for an energized and insightful conversation straight from the show floor. Dan shares his journey from his blue-collar roots in Easton, Pennsylvania, to leading hospitality tech innovation at Agilysys. He o...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we’re live from the iconic Dallara IndyCar Factory in Indianapolis, joined by Tristan Gadsby, CEO of Alliants, and Alberto Santana, CRO of Alliants. Together, we explore how hospitality is shifting gears from clunky, fragmented tech to seamless, guest-first experiences. From reinventing contactless solutions post-COVID to ditching plastic key cards in favor...

Today, we sit down with Will Gilbert, co-founder of Bodhi, a groundbreaking platform transforming hotel operations through AI, automation, and integration. With over 25 years of system integration experience, Will shares how Bodhi acts like a virtual technician , working 24/7 to ensure every device in a hotel—regardless of brand—is functioning flawlessly. From a universal guest app that requires n...

In this episode recorded live at HITEC, we sit down with Estella Hale from Zucchetti North America to talk all things innovation, automation, and integration in hotel tech. With more than 15 years of HITEC experience under her belt, Estella shares insider insights into how Zucchetti is reshaping the hospitality tech landscape in North America. In this episode, we cover: How Zucchetti brings Europe...

Hosts Steve Carran and David M. sit down with the powerhouse women behind the movement, including Mercedes Blanco and Silvia Camarota, the co-founders of Women in Travel Thrive. They share the inspiring story of how a grassroots idea born during the pandemic became a global nonprofit that’s transforming the travel and hospitality industry — one Day of Impact at a time. You'll also hear from partic...

Hosts Steve Carran and David M. sit down with Noelani Schroy, VP of Global Territory Sales at Onyx CenterSource. Broadcasting from the bustling trade show floor in Indianapolis, Noe shares how Onyx is transforming the often-complicated world of hotel commission payments into a seamless experience for both hotels and travel agencies.  They dive into: Why HITEC feels like a “dysfunctional family reu...

In this episode, we’re coming to you from the floor of HITEC in Indianapolis, where Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Kevin Bidner, CEO of Hotel Communication Network (HCN). Kevin shares the incredible journey from being a serial tech entrepreneur to disrupting the hospitality industry with an innovative, guest-centric solution: in-room tablets that redefine hotel communication. Discove...

In this HITEC Trade Show edition, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down at the MeetingPackage booth with Tania Sidokpohou, Partnerships Director at MeetingPackage. With a rich background in digital marketing and hospitality tech—from Cloudbeds to APO—Tania shares how she’s helping redefine the group booking space. We unpack: The power of partnership ecosystems: How tech and distribution partners...

Live from the buzzing HITEC trade show floor, The Modern Hotelier sits down with Darien Long, SVP of Specialty Access Control at dormakaba — and trust us, this isn’t your average corporate interview. From growing up in small-town Texas with a love for sunsets and strong coffee to running a 250-person team in a global powerhouse, Darien’s journey is packed with grit, charm, and game-changing insigh...

We’re live from the Stayntouch booth at HITEC with a powerhouse guest — Bill Fanning, Chief Revenue Officer of Stayntouch. From rolling out 139 properties in 90 days to launching new grab-and-go kiosk tech, Bill shares how Stayntouch is redefining PMS innovation in the hospitality industry. Tune in as we cover the latest innovations, guest experience enhancements, and the real impact of customer-l...

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dino Pietropaolo, the dynamic Chief Technology Officer at Optii. From global tech ventures to co-founding a cybersecurity firm, Dino’s journey into hospitality tech is anything but ordinary. We dive into how AI can truly revolutionize hotel operations—not just through automation but by enhancing the human connection. With practical insi...

What do tequila, ghost peppers, and hotel pricing have in common? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Bobby Marhamat, the CEO of TakeUp.ai. The conversation covers Bobby's background, including his upbringing in Nebraska and California, his education at San Jose State, and his career progression in sales and tech. Bobby shares insights about his passion for hot pepp...

In this episode, we’re coming to you from the floor of the HITEC Trade Show to celebrate a decade of innovation, grit, and startup brilliance with the Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) competition.  Hosts David Millili and Steve Carran are joined by:  Lyle Worthington – Founder of E20X & tech visionary Jonathan Rojas – First-ever E20X winner & Co-Founder of Whistle Al Lagunas – 2025 E20X People’s Ch...

On this episode, we head to HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis. We sat down with Members of HFTP to talk about HITEC's growth, vision for the future, and what makes HITEC truly special.  Thanks to Justin Taillon, the Global President of HFTP, Arlene Ramirez, the Senior Vice President of Learning for HFTP, and Scot Campbell, Principle at Integrated Resort Advisors, for sitting down with us and talking abou...

On this episode, we sit down with Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. From her family’s bold acquisition of the brand to her leadership in shaping global luxury travel trends, Lindsey shares a candid look into what it takes to lead with purpose, evolve with the market, and inspire a new era of independent hospitality. With over 100 countries under her belt and a passion for c...

How do you maintain a deep understanding of the evolving needs of hotel owners and operators? In this episode, we sit down with Jill Wilder, President of Aptech, for an honest, insightful, and inspiring conversation on leadership, longevity, and what it really takes to serve the hospitality industry at the highest level. With over 38 years at Aptech, Jill shares her journey from pencil-and-paper a...

In this episode, we sit down with Summer Shoemaker, General Manager of the stunning San Diego Mission Bay Resort, to talk all things independent hotels. Summer shares how growing up across California, Colorado, and Hawaii sparked her love for travel and hospitality. She opens up about what makes independent properties so powerful, the creative freedom they offer, and how tools like Curator Hotel &...

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili are once again joined by Josiah Mackenzie, Head of Marketing at Actabl, to break down the biggest stories in hospitality from May 2025. From Marriott’s bold acquisition of CitizenM to Airbnb’s major relaunch of Experiences, Josiah shares sharp insights into how innovation, scale, and branding are reshaping the industry. They...

Get ready to set sail with one of the most innovative minds in hospitality. In this episode, we're joined by Colin Hughes, Director of Operations & Experience at Virgin Voyages. From spa decks to tattoo studios, Colin walks us through how Virgin is redefining the cruise experience, making it simpler, sexier, and more sustainable. We dive into: How Virgin Voyages creates stress-free, all-inclus...

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Eric Jenkins, General Manager of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. From his roots in Savannah, Georgia, to his hands-in-the-soil leadership style in La Jolla, Eric shares his unconventional path through hospitality, starting as a fry cook and rising through the ranks to manage one of Southern California’s most unique independent hotels. In this episo...