The Modern Hotelier

What makes Chick-fil-A’s hospitality more than just good service? In this episode, we're joined by Nicholas Lawrence, Executive Director of People & Culture, Chick-fil-A Local Franchise - Indianapolis and the founder of Lawrence Leadership. Nick takes us behind the scenes of Chick-fil-A’s legendary hospitality culture—where “my pleasure” isn’t just a catchphrase, it’s a moral obligation. From...

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Davis Howatt-Lambert, VP of Marketing at Jonas Hospitality, to unpack how technology and human connection can co-exist in the future of hospitality. Davis shares his career journey from political science to hospitality tech, his love of golf and rock climbing, and how growing up in Edmonton shaped his leadership style. They explore Jonas Hospitality’s...

In this episode, we sit down with Jose Cepeda, Executive Chef at Quixote in the LaFayette Hotel, San Diego. Jose shares how his culinary journey began in the kitchens of his grandmother and the streets of Mexico, selling rice pudding to support his family. He opens up about transforming personal hardship into artistic expression on every plate. From perfecting his grandmother’s flan to adding bold...

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Slack, General Manager of the iconic LaFayette Hotel in San Diego. From humble beginnings picking golf balls at a driving range to leading a $31 million hotel transformation, Steve shares his journey through the hospitality industry. We dive into the rich history of the LaFayette Hotel—from its golden age hosting Hollywood legends to its modern revival. Stev...

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Gabriel Perez from Indigo Road to unpack April’s biggest shifts in hospitality. They dive into why boutique hotels are leading in RevPAR despite growing consumer caution, the booming popularity of camping and outdoor experiences, and how sports tourism is becoming a massive economic driver—from the NFL Dr...

In this episode, we’re joined by Elizabeth Bakhash , co-owner of Three Ducks Hotel —a new 12-room boutique hotel in Westhampton that's redefining the luxury Hamptons experience. With a rich background in branding and real estate, Elizabeth shares how she’s building more than just a hotel—she’s curating a guest experience rooted in nature, local partnerships, and a little bit of whimsy (yes, the du...

In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier , David Millili and Steve Carran take you behind the scenes at BITAC’s Sales, Marketing & Revenue Management Summit at the Hotel Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, CA. This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and moments that define what makes BITAC unlike any other event in hospitality. Featuring exclusive interviews with: Lucy Eason (Plus...

In this episode, we sit down with powerhouse changemaker Anna Blue , whose journey from politics to hospitality is anything but ordinary. With roots in education policy, social impact, and gender equity, Anna brings a fresh and fearless perspective to an industry craving innovation and inclusivity. We talk about: Lessons from leading DEI, advocacy, and workforce transformation initiatives How the...

In this episode, Steve and David sit down with Andrew Rubinacci, Chief Advisory Officer at FLYR, to unpack how AI and next-gen data systems are reshaping the hospitality industry. With a background spanning 35 years in commercial strategy, Andrew brings deep insight into why pulling reports for five hours a day is a thing of the past—and how hotels can now optimize rates, personalize experiences,...

In this episode, we're joined by Heather Knutson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ascent360, live from her very first BITAC Conference! Heather shares her candid journey from googling “what is a CDP?” to leading one of the most advanced customer data platforms in hospitality. We dive into the real difference between a CRM and a CDP, how hotels can leverage guest data to deliver dee...

In this special episode, Steve and David sit down with Rich Viola, the visionary behind BITAC, for a heartwarming and eye-opening conversation about what makes business relationships actually meaningful. Rich shares the 21-year journey of creating BITAC—from its accidental beginnings as an online news platform to becoming a culture-shifting conference experience that’s anything but traditional. He...

What do luxury kitchens, global events, and linen-less tables have in common? In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Andrew Moffett, Chief Brand Officer at Southern Aluminum, for a conversation full of passion, innovation, and a few surprises—like a deep dive into linen-less tables. Andrew takes us on his unique journey from the kitchens of the Four Seasons to the boardrooms...

In this episode hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Charlie Osmond, the passionate and pioneering co-founder of Triptease. From leading a regiment in the British Army to founding multiple companies straight out of Oxford, Charlie’s journey is anything but ordinary. We dive into: Charlie’s early days in the British Army and Oxford Yacht Club 🛥️ His obsession with solving the frustrat...

In this episode, we're looking back at the biggest hospitality headlines from March—joined by none other than Grey Raines, Managing Partner at Raines Company. Fresh off the Hunter Conference, Grey dives into everything from staffing shortages to hotel design trends and cruise-ship inspired stays. We chat about: The ongoing labour crunch in hotels—and how flexibility and culture are key Airlines sw...

In this episode, David and Steve chat with Ilir Sela, the visionary Founder and CEO of Slice, a platform that empowers over 20,000 independent pizzerias and generates nearly $2 billion in sales. Ilir shares his incredible journey—from growing up in a small town in Macedonia to moving to New York City and embracing the entrepreneurial spirit that built his career. He talks about his early ventures,...

In this episode, we sit down with Samuel Zats, co-founder and CEO of Craftable, a game-changing hospitality management platform. Sam shares his journey from working in his family’s café to founding a company that’s revolutionizing hotel and restaurant operations. We dive into: The power of AI in streamlining hotel and restaurant management How automation is shaping the future of hospitality operat...

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Scott Eddy, one of the world's top social media influencers in hospitality, boasting over a million followers on X and Instagram. Scott’s journey is anything but conventional—he transitioned from investment banking to launching the first digital agency in Southeast Asia, and now he’s a full-time traveler, speaker, and industry leader. We dive into: Ho...

What if independent hotels could outsmart OTAs at their own game? In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we sit down with Tarun Goyal , the founder & CEO of Simplotel , to uncover how hotels can increase direct bookings by leveraging the same digital strategies as major OTAs. Tarun shares his journey from Amazon and Expedia to building a tech-driven hospitality powerhouse , helping independe...

This is our 2025 guide to the conference and events season in the Hospitality Industry. In the episode, Brent Hayhurst, the VP of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection joins us to take a look at some of the upcoming events and conferences in the Hospitality Industry. We breakdown upcoming events so you can see what events you should put on your calendar in 2025.  We talk about the benefits of atte...

Join hosts David Millili and Steve Carran on this engaging episode of The Modern Hotelier as they sit down with Jacob Messina, CEO of Stayntouch. Jacob shares his unique journey from front desk operations in New York City to spearheading innovations in hospitality technology. In an in-depth conversation, he reveals how his hands-on experience in hotels shaped his vision for a cloud-based property...

In this episode, we’re joined by Christian Lee, CEO of Mint House, a pioneer in flexible living that’s revolutionizing the way we experience travel. Christian’s journey is anything but conventional, from growing up in Fargo, North Dakota, to living in Lahore, Pakistan, and climbing the corporate ladder from Citigroup to WeWork before landing at Mint House. We dive into how Mint House bridges the g...

How do you build a hospitality brand that combines the best of Airbnb and traditional hotels?   In this episode, we sit down with Sky McLean , CEO and Founder of Basecamp Resorts , the fastest-growing hospitality brand in Western Canada. Sky shares her journey from real estate development to creating a hotel brand that blends the best of Airbnb and traditional hospitality—offering the flexibility...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we welcome Caroline Tissot, Chief Procurement Officer at Accor, for an eye-opening conversation on procurement, sustainability, and the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. Caroline shares her journey from consulting to leading procurement at one of the world’s largest hotel groups, giving insights into how Accor is driving sustainable practices,...

Did you know that there are highly effective strategies for maximizing travel rewards through loyalty programs?  In this episode, we sit down with Brian Kelly, the founder and CEO of The Points Guy, to talk about travel hacking, loyalty programs, and making the most out of points and miles. Brian shares his personal journey, from booking his first family vacation with points at age 12 to building...

What does it really mean to be a sustainable hotel? In this episode, Ben Webster , General Manager of Hotel Marcel , joins us to break down how his property became the first and only all-electric, solar-powered, LEED Platinum-certified, fossil-fuel-free hotel in the U.S.. From historic preservation to cutting-edge energy solutions, Ben shares insights for hoteliers looking to embrace sustainabilit...