The Modern Hotelier

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we sit down with Monty Bennett, Chairman & CEO of Ashford Group of Companies, one of the leading real estate firms in hospitality. With over 30 years of experience, Monty has built an empire of over 100 hotels and advises two publicly traded REITs. From his Cornell beginnings to navigating economic downturns, industry trends, and the evolving future of...

In this special edition of The Modern Hotelier , we focus on one of the most significant events impacting the hospitality industry this month—the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Joining us is Sarah Dandashy , an industry expert and longtime LA resident, who shares her firsthand experience of the fires, the resilience of the community, and how hospitality businesses stepped up in a time of cr...

Did you know how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of the hospitality industry?  In this episode of The Modern Hotelier , we sit down with Harriet Brown, VP of Product at Mobi. AI , to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the hospitality industry. Harriet shares insights from her impressive career, spanning AI, machine learning, and travel technology, including her ti...

How can authenticity, kindness, and a focus on guest satisfaction drive success in the hospitality industry? In this inspiring episode of The Modern Hotelier , hosts David and Steve sit down with Bart Berkey—founder and CEO of Most People Don't , international keynote speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author. Bart shares his unique journey from growing up in Pittsburgh to becoming a global ex...

In this episode, hosts David and Steve, welcome Ryan Daniel, the founder of EHVA. They explore the capabilities of EHVA, an AI platform designed to handle customer service inquiries, make reservations, and conduct interviews with a natural human-like interaction. Ryan shares his entrepreneurial journey from growing up in West L.A. and starting his first internet company to working in restaurant de...

We're launching something new. This is the first episode of our new "Hotel Experience" series where we give you a behind the scenes look with some amazing hoteliers and beautiful properties.  On this episode, we bring you inside San Antonio's beautiful riverwalk hotel, Hotel Contessa. Miguel David, the Director of Sales, shows us around the property and shares what make it special.  To watch of th...

In the inaugural 2025 episode of The Modern Hotelier, the hosts introduce exciting changes and new initiatives, including the launch of Modern Hotelier Media. This new venture will encompass video production, event marketing, social media management, and more. A new episode format called 'The Hotel Experience' will offer behind-the-scenes looks at innovative hotels, starting with Hotel Contessa in...

In this episode, the team reflects on an exceptional year for the Modern Hotelier podcast, which gained recognition as a top hospitality podcast and more than doubled its follower base across LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. The hosts reminisce about attending key industry events like HITEC, ILC in Sausalito, and the Hospitality Show, sharing their favorite moments and interviews. They also discu...

Welcome to The Modern Hotelier , where hospitality meets innovation! In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Alissa Partee, Chief People Officer at Restaurant Technologies. Alissa brings over 15 years of HR expertise, sharing her journey from small-town Minnesota to leading people-first initiatives at an award-winning company. Discover how flexibility, empowerment, and a pass...

How is technology transforming the guest experience in hospitality today?  In today's episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with visionary entrepreneur and founder of Mews, Richard Valtr. Dive into an inspiring conversation about transforming the guest experience, leveraging technology, and reimagining what it means to create memorable stays in the modern era. From Richard’s early...

In this episode, hosts David Mililli, Steve Carran, and guest host Jacqueline Nunley discuss key hospitality industry trends and events from November. They explore the growing popularity of dark tourism and skillcations expected by 2025, Spirit Airlines filing for bankruptcy, and record-setting Thanksgiving travel numbers. Additionally, they delve into the emerging trend of Travel Tuesday and the...

What can a 440-year-old company teach us about sustainable innovation in the modern world?  In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Andrea Piana, CEO of Piana Technology, to explore the fascinating journey of a 440-year-old company at the forefront of sustainable innovation. Discover how Piana's groundbreaking Renovo Mattress is reshaping the hospitality industry with i...

In a world where traditional hotel experiences are becoming obsolete, how can the hospitality industry transform from merely providing a place to stay into a platform for genuine human connection and personal transformation?  In this episode, Steve Carran speaks with Bashar Wali and Eric Jafari as they challenge the status quo of hotel innovation. Moving far beyond traditional wellness concepts, t...

In this episode, Steve and David speak with Brad Steward from Caravan Outpost and JC Curleigh, CEO of Pelican Products, as they share their insights on building momentum through impactful moments in their respective industries. Brad Steward discusses his transition from the action sports business to hospitality, highlighting the creation and unique selling points of Caravan Outpost. He emphasizes...

 In this episode, David and Steve interview Jeff Kessinger, Vice President of Sales at Jonas Hospitality, who shares his journey from being a night auditor to becoming a 20-year veteran in hotel technology sales.  Jeff dives into pressing industry challenges like labor shortages, technology overload, and fragmented systems, while exploring solutions to enhance guest experiences and loyalty. He she...

This episode features an engaging conversation with Katherine Grass, CEO of Optii. Discover how technology, AI, and data-driven solutions are revolutionizing hotel operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing the guest experience.   Katherine discusses her journey into hospitality technology and how AI is transforming hotel operations, particularly through Optii's innovative approach to houseke...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Joonas Ahola, founder of Meeting Package. Having started his entrepreneurial journey at age 16 with an event agency, Ahola discusses how his frustration with the RFP process led him to create Meeting Package, a comprehensive CRS platform for groups, meetings, and events sales. He shares insights on the differences between European...

This episode features Ryan Heideman, Vice President of Sales at React Mobile, as he joins hosts Steve Carran and David Millili to discuss the latest innovations in hotel safety technology. Ryan shares his journey into the hospitality tech space and provides an in-depth look at how React Mobile is leading the way in workplace safety for hotels.  In this episode, you'll learn about: The evolution of...

In this episode, host Steve Carran speaks with Pablo Revale, CEO of Zerf, and Rodrigo Perez Garofalo, CPO of Zerf, live from the floor of The Hospitality Show. Zerf is a tech company helping hotels recover lost revenue by securing more direct bookings through website optimization, testing, and data-driven solutions. Pablo and Rodrigo discuss their diverse backgrounds, the challenges hotels face wi...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Adam Smock from Impulsify, a retail technology company revolutionizing hotel grab-and-go markets. A former hotelier with over 20 years of experience, Smock discusses how Impulsify helps properties maximize their retail spaces through custom technology solutions, data analytics, and innovative design. Learn about their impressive s...

Join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili as they interview Josh Graham, Head of Market Development at Cloudbeds, on the trade show floor of The Hospitality Show in San Antonio. In this insightful episode, Graham discusses Cloudbeds' evolution from serving small properties to accommodating larger hotels, their innovative approach to integrations, and the game-changing launch of Cloudbeds Intellige...

Join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili on the trade show floor for an insightful conversation with Walt Sheffler, CEO of Avendra, a leading professional procurement services company in the hospitality industry. In this episode, Walt shares his journey from Penn State accounting major to hospitality industry leader, revealing how a shortage of accounting jobs led him to a career-defining role as...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili speak with Theresa Ellsworth from Sertifi at the Hospitality Show. Theresa, a hospitality technology veteran, discusses the growing challenge of credit card fraud and chargebacks in the hotel industry. She shares valuable insights on preventing criminal fraud, handling friendly fraud, and implementing digital authorization solutions. In this ep...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tate Hackert, founder and president of ZayZoon, to discuss earned wage access and financial empowerment in the hospitality industry. Hackert shares his entrepreneurial journey from small-town beginnings to revolutionizing employee pay access, along with insights on business growth and workplace benefits. Key...

How is Springboard addressing the housing affordability crisis for hospitality workers in expensive markets? Join hosts David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Benjamin Rafter, President and CEO of Springboard Hospitality, for an insightful discussion about the intersection of technology and hospitality. With a unique background spanning from tech startups to hotel management, Rafter...