The Social Hotelier

Discover How to Grow Your Business Through Podcasting Welcome to this episode of The Social Hotelier Podcast! Today, we are honored to host Noémi Beres, co-owner of Podcast Connections, an agency renowned for helping entrepreneurs amplify their voices through strategic podcast interviews. With over 11 years of experience in content creation and online marketing, Noémi has mastered the art of story...

What Makes a TRULY Successful Marketing Strategy? In this episode of the Social Hotelier Podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Eric Dingler, a digital nomad and marketing expert, about the intersection of travel and marketing strategies. He runs successfully a location-independent business. Eric shares insights from his family’s journey as they travel the world while managing a marketi...

How the Blue Zones Lifestyle Can Help You Live Longer Welcome to the first episode of the Mini Series about Wellness – with Celine Vadam, Founder of WE (I) Think and Blue Zones Expert. In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann engages with wellness expert Celine Vadam, to explore the transformative world of wellness in hospitality.  Celine shares her extensive travels and...

Top Sustainability Expert Shares Secrets to Redefining Success In this episode of the Social Hotelier Show, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann engages with Vanessa Thompson, a leader in sustainable finance and innovation. They discuss Vanessa’s journey from Silicon Valley to her current role at the Sustainability Experts, emphasizing the importance of sustainability as a catalyst for innovation and grow...

In this episode of the Social Hôtelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann welcomes Carol Kabaale, a meta-certified ad strategist specializing in hotel Facebook ads. They discuss the importance of purpose-driven advertising, the evolution of online marketing in hospitality, and how independent hotels can leverage data-driven strategies to attract direct bookings. Carol shares insights on building rela...

Is Your Wealth Aligned with Your Life’s Purpose? Revelations by an expert. In this episode of the Social Hôtelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Mukesh Bajaj, founder of NextZen Accounting, about achieving financial freedom while living a fulfilled life. Mukesh shares his journey, the development of his Seven Steps Fulfillment System, and how he helps individuals and business ow...

Why Are Global Hotel Investors Choosing Nature Over Cities? In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Tea Ros, a leading international hotel consulting professional. They discuss Tea’s extensive career in hospitality, the impact of COVID-19 on investment trends, and the growing interest in resort locations over urban properties. 🔥 Here are some takea...

Ross Brand’s Top 3 Social Media Secrets for 2025 In this conversation, I discuss with Ross Brand the evolving landscape of live streaming and video content creation, focusing on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Substack. We explore the potential of vertical videos on LinkedIn, the importance of YouTube for audience engagement, and how Substack can be leveraged for content distribution....

Transforming Hospitality: AI, Automation, and the Art of Golf In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Sami Hero, Founder & CEO Growth Fusion Advisors.  Sami shared his insights on data-driven decision making, the role of AI in hospitality, and the significance of automation. The conversation also touches on the connection between golf and business, as well as trends in the hospitality in...

In my recent conversation with Dominika Kustosz-Lee, CEO of DKL & Company, we explored some truly fascinating aspects of Korea’s luxury scene, hospitality, and her own life journey. Dominika shared how brands in Korea go beyond the usual, creating immersive luxury experiences that feel both playful and perfectly on-brand. It’s incredible to hear how they cater to a market as dynamic and trend-...

Sheryl Plouffe, co-founder of ICONMAKER® Joint Venture, discusses the power of video podcasting for hoteliers to elevate their brand, attract global guests, and position themselves as leaders in the hospitality industry. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling, showcasing local culture, and creating high-trust relationships through podcasting. Sheryl suggests various podcasting ideas for hot...

In this conversation, Kofi Maafo, co-founder of Bloom Bar in Accra, Ghana, shares the inspiring journey of establishing a successful hospitality business that caters to the middle class. They identified a gap in the market for affordable yet high-end experiences He discusses the challenges faced, the cultural impact of their approach, and how they revolutionized the perception of bar ownership in...

In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Philippa Gamse, a renowned digital strategist, about digital marketing strategies and analytics for independent hotels. They discuss Philippa’s career in digital strategy and analytics, the importance of engaging directly with guests online, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hospitality industry, and the challenges of using third-...

The Sustainability Revolution, Guide to Confidence, Commitment & Consistency Lee Stewart, author of How to Build Sustainability into Your Business Strategy, discusses the importance of aligning business operations with long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability. He emphasizes the need for transparency and honesty in sustainability efforts, and the pitfalls to avoid when setti...

Why Empathy Is the Most Important Skill for Conscious Leaders In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Mike Handcock, the chairman of the Circle of Excellence Group, about conscious leadership and the key elements of a positive hotel stay. Mike shares his journey from being a professional musician to becoming a thought leader and empowering conscious leaders. He explains that conscious leader...

Transforming Spaces: The New Era of Hotels. In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Strategic Hospitality Advisor Nicola Delvecchio,  about the emerging trends in hospitality business models. They discuss the shift from traditional hotel concepts to spaces focused on personal growth and transformation, the impact of demographic changes on hospitality desi...

Fraud exposed in hotels and restaurants This episode explores the topic of fraud in the hospitality industry, covering various forms of fraud and the pressures that contribute to unethical behavior. The conversation also touches on the importance of sustainability and the risks of greenwashing. My guests are Carin-Isabel Knoop and Dr. David E. Morrison III.  Carin is the author of Compassionate Me...

Delivering a Brand on a Day-to-Day Basis The Future of Hospitality Branding Mark Natale, co-founder of Smart Thinking, shares his insights on luxury branding and the strategic strategies that have positioned his agency as a leader in the industry. He discusses his journey from managing fitness centers and spas to co-founding Smart Thinking, emphasizing the importance of delivering a brand daily. M...

The Inspiring Tale of Crafting a High-End Resort in Vietnam’s Mountains! Hylton Lipkin, General Manager of Garrya Mukang Chai and Om Thule at Ban Yen Tri Group, shares insights on opening a hotel in Vietnam. The hotel is a Banyan Group  branded resort called Garrya. Lipkin discusses the challenges of staff recruitment, especially in a remote location, and the importance of creating a positive and...

The journey from child gardener to international landscape architect. In this episode, landscape architect Matthieu Mehuys shares his journey from growing up on a farm to creating sustainable biodiverse gardens around the world. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how nature works and working with it to create beautiful and eco-friendly landscapes. Mehuys discusses the impact of traditio...

In this episode, Sam-Erik Rutmann interviews Kay Chan, a freelance presentation designer with over two decades of experience. They discuss visual storytelling and brand communication, as well as Kay’s journey as a self-taught designer. Kay shares insights on working with Fortune 500 companies and the challenges of corporate bureaucracy. They also explore the importance of attention to detail...

In this episode, Atiba de Souza, CEO and founder of Client Attraction Pros, discusses the role of hospitality in building communities and combating loneliness. Atiba shares his background in entrepreneurship and how it has shaped his perspective on business. He emphasizes the importance of having a bigger purpose and making a positive impact on others. Atiba also highlights the need for the hospit...

Revolutionizing Hospitality: Sustainable Solutions and Enhanced Guest Experiences. There are low-cost, high-impact sustainability initiatives… that don’t cost any money and are easy to implement.” In this episode, Sam-Erik Rutman interviews Sue Graves, CEO of Experience Alive, about sustainability in the hospitality industry. They discuss the importance of sustainability reportin...

How to fix common digital marketing mistakes independent hotels make. In this episode, Adam Sinkus, the managing partner of A-Purpose Partnership, and I discuss digital marketing for independent hotels. We discuss the importance of having a clear marketing message that aligns with the overall brand and customer experience. We also explore integrating traditional marketing channels with digital str...

Key to Resilience and Adaptability in the Travel Industry. Brian Chappon, CEO and founder of Centered Travel Wellness, shares his journey and the creation of a digital lifestyle platform for wellness-focused travelers. He discusses the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt in the face of challenges. Brian emphasizes the value of listening to customers and creating a human-centric exper...