The Modern Hotelier
Each episode we discuss industry trends, talk about new technologies, and speak to industry experts. All so that you, The Modern Hotelier, can succeed in a new age of hospitality.
Episodes
#340: Streamlining Wi-Fi Management for Your Hotel | with Hannah Greenberg, CEO of Eleven
How can hotels use technology, AI, and better Wi-Fi to improve guest experience? In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Hannah Greenberg, CEO of Eleven, to explore the future of hospitality technology, hotel operations, entrepreneurship, and what it truly takes to deliver exceptional guest service.Hannah shares her journey from working at a hotel front desk at just
#339: Cabañas Launch Astound, Dormakaba Acquires Alliants, Booking on Social Media | Christopher Ahlgrim
On this episode of The Modern Hotelier Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Christopher Ahlgrim from Preferred Travel Group to talk about the latest news and trends in hospitality.They kick things off with a look at Astound Ventures’ new $30 million investment fund and Dormakaba’s acquisition of Alliants, and what these moves could mean for hotel technology
#338: Why Hotels Need Custom AI Workflows | with Sajid Shariff
Is your hotel lost in the "AI pilot trap"? In this episode recorded live at AI Washington, D.C., David and Steve sit down with Sajid Shariff, Founder and CEO of Dextr AI, to discuss how multi-agent AI systems are shifting hospitality from simple chatbots to full-scale operational intelligence.Sajid shares his journey from IIT Bombay and Stanford to building businesses across consulting, t
#337: How Revenue Management Is Changing & Giving Independent Hotels An Advantage | with Steve Taft & Tim Kolman
What can a modern revenue management system (RMS) actually do for an independent hotel? In this episode, David Millili sits down with Steve Taft, VP of Partnerships at ampliphi RMS, and Tim Kolman, VP of Sales at ampliphi RMS, to discuss how modern revenue management systems are helping independent hotels compete with larger brands.For many 40-room independent hotels, revenue management
#336: What the Next Generation of Hotel Technology Looks Like | with Mark Bloomquist & Steve Burman
roommaster is evolving—and the future of hotel technology is all about modernization, flexibility, and helping hoteliers work smarter.In this episode, recorded at the Independent Hotel Show Miami, Steve Carran sits down with Mark Bloomquist, Chief Revenue Officer, and Steven Burman, Director of Sales at roommaster, to discuss how the 30-year-old hospitality technology platform is being re
#335: How Custom Furniture Help Hotels Tell A Story | with Chandler Smith & Natali Jones
In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosted by David Millili live from the Independent Hotel Show Miami, we sit down with Chandler Smith and Natali Jones, the creative minds behind the design atelier Smith & Jones.Smith & Jones is redefining high-end residential and niche commercial spaces with custom furniture, fine decor, and art curation. Chandler and Natali break do
#334: Building an AI Workforce For Hotels | with Jonathan Lei
How are hotel AI employees and hotel software automation reshaping front-desk workload, guest messaging, and back-office efficiency?In this special Independent Hotel Show Miami episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jonathan Lei, Co-Founder & CEO of withQ.Jonathan breaks down how withQ AI builds digital workforce solutions to tackle the ongo
#333: How A Loyalty Program Helps Independent Hotels Compete | with Audrey Yates & David Gavaldon
Independent hotels have a secret weapon that the big chains don't have, and in this episode, we unpack exactly how to use it.Welcome to The Modern Hotelier. Today's guest is David Gavaldon, a new member of the Stash Hotel Rewards team who spent years on the hotel side of the program before joining their side. He sits down with host Audrey Yates to break down how independent hotels can com
#332: The Importance of Scent & Guest Amenities for Hotels | with Kim Peterson & John Farrell
Hotel amenities are the touchpoints guests remember, they matter just as much at $200 a night as at $1,000.In this episode, Steve and David sit down with John Farrell, CEO and Owner, and Kim Peterson, Head of Operations, of Trilipiderm and Curated Comforts, a U.S.-based skincare and spa line that builds fully customized amenity programs for hotels. Kim and John explain why scent is the mo
#331: How Independent Hotels Should Think About Pricing | with Anurag Verma
In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Anurag Verma, co-founder of PriceLabs, to explore how data, revenue management, and technology are transforming pricing strategies for independent hotels and alternative accommodations.Anurag shares his journey from growing up across India and studying mathematical optimization to working in revenue manag
#330: The Biggest Change in Hotel Distribution | with Oshick Shams
How can independent hotels build a profitable distribution strategy while navigating OTAs, direct bookings, metasearch, and AI-driven travel discovery?In this special Independent Hotel Show Miami episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Oshick Shams, Partner Manager at SiteMinder, to explore how hotel distribution is evolving and what independent hoteli
#329: How To Develop a Successful Hotel Food & Beverage Program | with Ami Alexander
What does it take to create a hotel food and beverage program that guests remember, and locals actually want to visit?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ami Alexander, Managing Partner at Barrel Aged Management, to explore the evolving role of food and beverage in hospitality. Ami shares lessons from her career with Hakkasan, Sydell Group, and Montage Internatio
#328: How a European Hotel Brand Is Expanding in America | with Phil Andreopoulos, CEO of Yotel
What does it take to build a hotel brand that stands out in an increasingly competitive hospitality industry? In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Phil Andreopoulos, CEO of YOTEL, to explore his remarkable career in hospitality, his leadership journey, and his vision for the future of hotel brands.Phil shares how starting in a restaurant at just 14 years old shape
#327: Designing Unparalleled Hospitality Experiences | with Janice Wilson, Founder of Menizei
What does it take to create a truly one-of-a-kind hospitality experience in the age of AI?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Janice Wilson, founder of Menizei and Territori to explore the intersection of hospitality, technology, real estate, AI, and category design.Janice shares her unconventional journey from law and real estate to professional dance, entrepren
#326: The Future of AI in Hospitality: Hotel Technology, Data & Automation | with Kevin King
What does it take to build technology that can truly transform hotel operations?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kevin King, CEO of Shiji, for a wide-ranging conversation about hospitality technology, artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of the hotel industry.Kevin shares his journey from working at a hotel front desk in Australia to leading a g
#325: Hospitality Hot Topics August 2026: Airbnb & Lark Hotels, Hilton & Marriott New Soft Brands, & More! | with Richard Sandoval
What’s happening across the hospitality industry right now? In this episode of The Modern Hotelier Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Richard Sandoval, CEO of Spire Hospitality, to unpack the latest trends and biggest stories shaping the hospitality industry—from Airbnb’s growing move into hotels and OYO’s fake hotel listings to Hilton and Marriott’s push
#324: How Boutique Hotels Can Stand Out & Thrive | with Jorgan von Stiening of Palisociety
How do you scale a boutique hotel company without losing the creativity, personality, and local connection that make independent hospitality so special?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jorgan von Stiening, President of Palisociety, to explore the strategy behind scaling a successful boutique hotel company while staying true to its brand and guest experience.Jo
#323: Making Hotel Ownership and Commercial Real Estate Investing Accessible | with Davonne Reaves
What does it really take to own a hotel, and how can more people gain access to hotel investing?In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, Davonne Reaves, founder and CEO of The Vonne Group and Vesterr, shares her journey from working on the front lines of hospitality to becoming a hotel owner, investor, entrepreneur, and advocate for greater access to hotel ownership.Davonne explains how he
#322: Boutique Service, Authentic Design, and Cultivating Hospitality’s Future | David Bowd of Salt Hotels
In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with David Bowd, co-founder and owner of Salt Hotels, for a candid conversation about hospitality, leadership, design, service, and the future of independent hotels.David shares how growing up in a small village in Staffordshire, England, and working in a local pub sparked his passion for hospitality. He also talks about leaving sch
#321: How Streamlining Procurement Can Help Hotels Thrive | with Jesse Messitte
How can hotels make smarter purchasing decisions, control costs, and use technology to work more efficiently?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jesse Messitte, Vice President of Strategy and Business Operations at Avendra International, for a great conversation about the world of hospitality procurement.Jesse shares his journey from working at Hyatt to spending
#320: Hotel P&L Benchmarking & The Impact of the World Cup | with Jan Freitag & Amanda Hite
In this special episode, David Millili sits down with industry leaders at the Hotel Data Conference in Nashville to explore the latest trends shaping hotel profitability, benchmarking, revenue management, and mega-event performance.First, Amanda Hite, President of STR, shares how new P&L benchmarking capabilities within CoStar with STR Benchmark are helping hotel owners, operators, ma
#319: The Opportunity in Getting Hotel Tech Integrations Right | with Kelly Popp
What happens when hotel teams have plenty of technology but still struggle to work from the same information?In this special HDC Nashville episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili sits down with Kelly Popp, Vice President of Business Development, Americas, at Access Hospitality, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing hotel commercial teams today: the “toggle tax” created
#318: From On-Property to Expedia to Hotel Technology | with Nick Farrell
What happens when you combine hands-on hotel experience, OTA expertise, hospitality technology, and a test-and-learn mindset? In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili sits down with Nick Farrell, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales at Phunware, to explore his journey from working on-property to Expedia and into the world of hospitality technology.Nick explains why hotels
#317: Navigating the Shifts Disrupting the Hotel Industry | with Kathleen Cullen
The hotel industry is undergoing a major transformation—and hotels that continue operating the way they always have may struggle to keep up.In this episode, David Millili sits down with Kathleen Cullen, Executive Vice President of PTG Consulting, to unpack the major shifts disrupting hospitality today. From the rise of AI and changing distribution models to B2B discount stacking, revenue
#316: What It Takes to Lead Luxury Resorts | with Robert Marusi of Hotel Del Coronado & Grand Wailea
Robert Marusi shares the leadership principles, technology strategies, and commercial mindset that have helped him lead some of the world's most iconic luxury resorts, including Hotel del Coronado and Grand Wailea.In this episode, Steve and David speak with Robert Marusi, Commercial Director of Hotel del Coronado and Grand Wailea, about how AI, personalization, and data are transforming t
#315: Managing the Vibe at the NYC Hard Rock Hotel | with David Salcfas
What does it take to lead one of New York City's most iconic hotels? In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, we sit down with David Salcfas, General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel New York, to explore his remarkable journey from washing tables and filling ice bins at a racetrack with his father to leading one of hospitality's most recognizable lifestyle brands.David shares the leadership prin
#314: World Cup Tourism, Booking Based on F&B, Creative Travel for Summer Vacations | Hospitality Hot Topics with Dean Compoginis
In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Dean Compoginis, the iconic voice of The Modern Hotelier, to break down the biggest hospitality stories from July.They discuss how the World Cup boosted hotel revenue across the U.S., why food and beverage experiences are becoming a major factor in hotel bookings, and how the rapid expansion of AI data
#313: A Journey of Hospitality Innovation: From Cairo to Hotel Brand COO | with Karima Zaki
What does it take to build a hospitality career that breaks barriers while staying ahead of constant industry change?In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Karima Zaki, COO of Town and Desert Hospitality, to explore her remarkable journey from immigrating to the United States without speaking English to becoming one of the first female hotel executives to lead major
#312: Relational Wellness is the Foundation of this Hotel | with Elizabeth Mullins
What if the future of hospitality isn't just about exceptional service—but about creating meaningful human connection?In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran welcome Elizabeth Mullins, President of Evermore Hospitality and former executive with Ritz-Carlton and Disney, for an inspiring conversation on the future of guest experiences.Elizabeth shares her remarkable journey fr
#311: How Your General Contractor Executes Hotel Renovations Without Disruption | with Tom Kelley
What does it really take to renovate a hotel while keeping guests happy, protecting reviews, and maximizing owner returns?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tom Kelley, CEO & President of Digney Holding Companies, to explore the business of hotel renovations, capital planning, and hospitality development. Drawing on decades of experience spanning architectur
#310: HITEC E20X 2026 Winners | with Mergim Kacija & Josh Ellis
Live from HITEC 2026, we sit down with the winners of the prestigious E20X startup competition to explore the technologies redefining the future of hospitality.First, Mergim Kacija, CEO of Stayfull AI and the E20X Grand Prize winner, shares how his experience as a hotel owner inspired him to build an AI-native property management platform designed specifically for independent hotels. Lear
#309: Think Global, Act Local: Insights from an International Hotelier | with Gonzalo Aguilar
What does it take to lead one of the world's fastest-growing global hotel groups while staying true to the heart of hospitality?In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Gonzalo Aguilar, CEO of Europe & Americas at Minor Hotels, to discuss his remarkable journey from restaurant manager to global hospitality executive. Gonzalo shares how
#308: Hospitality Roundtable: Shannon McCallum, Anthony Melchiorri, Dmitry Kroshka & Henrik Shimony
What does the future of hospitality really look like?In this special Modern Hotelier Round Table, industry leaders come together for an honest conversation about leadership, technology, AI, hotel operations, employee engagement, and the future of guest experiences.Joining the discussion are Shannon McCallum, VP of Hotel Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas; Dmitry (Dima) Kroshka, CEO of
#307: Elevating the Airport Lounge Experience | with David Collyer of Aspire Pre-Flight Hospitality
In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with David Collyer, Global SVP of Aspire PreFlight Hospitality, to explore how hospitality principles are transforming the airport lounge experience.David shares his fascinating career journey—from studying design in London and working with global brands like IHG, British Airways, and Accor, to leading guest e
#306: A Better Way For Hotel Marketing | with Evan Saunders
How can hotels use AI and location intelligence to attract new guests instead of spending marketing dollars on travelers who were already planning to book?In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili sits down with Evan Saunders, who shares how Azira is helping hotels rethink marketing through AI-powered location intelligence and attribution. Rather than focusing on
#305: Transparency & Confidence is Key in Owner Accounting | with Brian McGeown
How can hotels eliminate spreadsheets, improve financial transparency, and strengthen relationships with owners?In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Brian McGeown, General Manager of Owner Relations, to discuss how technology is transforming owner accounting and financial reporting in hospitality.Brian shares the biggest challe
#304: How In-Room Tablets Are Increasing Guest Engagement & Unlocking Revenue | with Kevin Bidner
In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kevin Bidner, Founder and CEO of HCN (Hotel Communication Network), to discuss how in-room tablets are reshaping the guest experience and driving new revenue opportunities for hotels.Kevin shares HCN's journey from startup to industry leader, explaining why guest room tablets are becoming an
#303: How Hotel Maintenance Impacts the Guest & the Bottom Line | with Chris Zach
In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chris Zach, Senior Director of Product Marketing at ServiceChannel, to explore how hotels can modernize facilities management, improve guest satisfaction, and reduce operational complexity.Chris shares how ServiceChannel helps hotel operators manage external vendors from start to finish, str
#302: How the Best Hotel Operators Are Approaching Technology | with Jake Lewis
In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jake Lewis, President of Jonas Hospitality Property Systems, to explore how technology is reshaping the hospitality industry. With over 25 years of experience, Jake shares insights on the shift from disconnected software systems to unified hospitality platforms, why seamless guest expe
#301: Helping Hotels Reduce Revenue Leakage | with Mike Baldinger
In this episode, Steve Carran sits down with Mike Baldinger, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Evention, live from HITEC San Antonio, to uncover one of hospitality's most overlooked profit leaks: OTA revenue reconciliation.While most hoteliers understand OTA commission costs, Mike explains why the real financial risk lies beneath the surface. From virtual credit card errors and ove
#300: Innovating the Meeting & Events Sales Process | with Mike Waltman
How has hospitality technology evolved from the early days of CD-ROM site inspections to AI-powered sales intelligence?In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili sits down with Michael Waltman, Founder of Interactive Sites, to explore his remarkable journey from hotel operations to building one of the industry's most trusted group sales technology companies. Micha
#299: Adding the Human Back into Hospitality | with Noelani Shroy
How can AI make hospitality more human instead of less? In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Noelani Schroy, VP of Global Sales at Onyx CenterSource, to explore the future of hospitality technology and why the industry's greatest competitive advantage will always be people.Noelani shares why hoteliers need to better understand
#298: Why Consolidation Is the Biggest Opportunity in Hospitality | with Shawn Tarter
Today, we sit down with Shawn Tarter, CEO of RealTime Reservations, to discuss one of the biggest announcements at HITEC—the company's strategic acquisition and vision for transforming hotel technology.Shawn shares the story behind meeting Stay's founder at a previous HITEC, how that relationship evolved into a partnership spanning more than 2,600 hotel properties, and why creating a unif
#297: The Importance of Connecting & Security Your Hotel's Technology Systems | with Rodd Herron
In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Rodd Herron, Regional Sales Director at Sirma, to discuss how hotels can move beyond disconnected technology systems and prepare for the future of AI.Rodd explains why fragmented hotel tech stacks continue to challenge operators and how integrating data across PMS, POS, spa, golf, and other
#296: Giving Hoteliers Flexibility to Build Their Ideal Tech Stack | with Philip von Ditfurth & Florian Montag
In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Apaleo co-founder Philip von Ditfurth and SVP Revenue Florian Montag to explore the future of hospitality technology, AI, and open platform architecture.The conversation dives into why Apaleo chose a composable, API-first approach long before it became an industry trend, how leading ho
#295: How Hotels Can Stay in Control in the AI Age | with Jesús Olivares Sánchez
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jesús Olivares Sánchez to explore how hospitality is being reshaped by AI, data, and rapidly evolving guest expectations.Jesús shares his journey from engineering and financial services into hospitality tech, eventually joining Amadeus, where he now focuses on connecting the hospitality ecosystem through data, distributio
#294: These 2 Things are the Foundation of a Great Guest Experience | with Branigan Mulcahy
In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Branigan Mulcahy, CEO and Co-founder of Virdee, to explore how AI and digital wallet technology are transforming the hotel guest experience.Branigan shares insights into Virdee’s partnership with Apple and Google to bring hotel room keys directly into mobile wallets, eliminating many o
#293: A System that Actually Delivers Personalization & Improves the Guest Experience | with the Alliants Team
Recorded live from HITEC, Steve Carran sits down with the Alliant leadership team—CEO Tristan Gadsby, SVP of Customer Experience Andrew Pirret, and CRO Alberto Santana—to explore how technology is transforming the guest experience while keeping hospitality at its human core.The conversation dives into Alliant's collaboration with Les Clefs d'Or, where concierge professionals are embracing
#292: Connecting Data to Elevate Guest Experiences | with Jeff Bzdawka
In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jeff Bzdawka, CEO of Hapi and a Hall of Fame inductee in hospitality technology. Jeff shares his unique journey from aspiring dentist to hospitality technology leader, reflecting on the experiences that shaped his career across Hyatt, Pegasus, TravelClick, Noland, and now Hapi.The conv
#291: Making Revenue Management Accessible to All Sizes of Hotels | with Anthony Vita
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Anthony Vita, VP of Global Partnerships at Revenue Analytics, to explore how modern revenue management is becoming more accessible to independent hotels and boutique operators.Anthony shares his unconventional journey from e-commerce and luxury interiors into hospitality tech, and how that experience helped shape his pers
#290: The Hospitality Platform Improving the Guest Experience | with Will Gilbert
In this special episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Will Gilbert, Co-Founder of Bodhi, live from HITEC, to explore how hospitality technology is rapidly transforming hotel operations, guest experience, and revenue performance.Will shares how Bodhi has achieved 10X growth since last October, and why the company is positioning itself not just as a product vendor—but
#289: Helping Hotels Fight Predatory OTA's | with Tim Major
In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tim Major, CEO of Operto, to explore how AI is transforming hotel marketing, direct bookings, and operational efficiency.Tim shares how Operto One's autonomous AI agents help hotels combat predatory OTAs, improve direct booking performance, and optimize visibility across both tradition
#288: Hotel Technology that Makes Your Staff More Effective | with Ryan King
In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ryan King, SVP of the Americas at Shiji, live from the Shiji Cafe and Marketplace on the trade show floor. The conversation dives deep into how hospitality technology is evolving—and where it’s still falling short.Ryan shares insights from over a decade of attending HITEC and explores
#287: How Aimbridge is Preparing for Hospitality's A.I. Future | with Eric Ettlin
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Eric Ettlin, Senior Vice President of Brand, Marketing, and Digital at Aimbridge Hospitality, one of the largest hotel management companies in the world.Eric shares his journey from early digital marketing roles in finance to leading global brand and digital strategy across hundreds of hotels. He discusses what it takes t
#286: How Hotel Uniforms Impact the Guest Experience & Employee Performance | with Mia Liu
What role do uniforms really play in shaping a hotel’s brand experience, and why are they often overlooked despite being one of the first things guests notice?In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran are joined by Mia Liu, Creative Director of Drape & Stitch, a fashion-forward uniform brand redefining what hospitality teams wear and why it matters.M
#285: Inside the Operations of Hospitality Giant, MGM Resorts International | with Ayesha Molino
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ayesha Molino, Chief Operating Officer of MGM Resorts International, to explore the evolving landscape of hospitality, entertainment, and large-scale resort operations in Las Vegas.Ayesha shares her unconventional path from law and government into hospitality leadership, and how her experience in policy shaped her approac
#284: Fixing the Post-Booking Black Hole Most Hotels Ignore | with Michael Gahan
What is the “post-booking black hole” in hospitality, and how can hotels eliminate it to transform the guest experience using AI, destination intelligence, and modern engagement tools? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Michael Gahan, CEO of Tongo, for a deep dive into how hotels can transform the guest journey by stepping into the “post-booking black hole
#283: What We've Learned from Hoteliers So Far in 2026
In this special highlight episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran take a look back at the first half of the year, revisiting standout moments from over 40 conversations with leading voices in hospitality.Across these curated clips, hoteliers, developers, and industry leaders share what it really takes to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving hospitality landscap
#282: Uber Partners with Expedia, Spirit Shuts Down, Hotels Prepare for AI | Hot Topics with Tom Luersen
What should hoteliers be doing right now to stay ahead of these rapid changes? In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Tom Luersen, President of CoralTree Hospitality, for a fast-paced breakdown of the biggest hospitality and travel industry developments from May.The conversation dives into major shifts in the tech and distribution landscape, including new part
#281: How to Turn Your Data into Hospitality Magic | with Josh & Dana Ellis
How are luxury hotels currently underutilizing guest data, and what opportunities are they missing? In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Josh and Dana Ellis, co-founders of Abra, to explore how AI-powered personalization is transforming the guest experience in hospitality.From luxury hotels in New York City and Maui to building one of hospitality’s most exciting A
#280: NYU Incubator Winner: Clairdoc - Agentic Billing | with Bakhtawer Baloch
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with 2026 NYU SPS Incubator winner and founder of Clairdoc, Bakhtawer Baloch, for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience, and building scalable AI solutions in complex industries.From her early entrepreneurial spark selling stickers as a child in Pakistan to studying and building companies in New York, Bak
#279: Increasing Hotel Profitability: Inside Asset Management | with Carmen Almos
In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Carmen Almos, Founder & CEO of Ashburton Hospitality, for a powerful conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship, and the evolving world of hotel ownership and asset management.Carmen shares her remarkable journey—from growing up in South Africa and moving to Tennessee as a teenager, to discovering her passion for hospitality through
#278: Exploring the World of Boutique Cruises | with Azamara Cruises CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler
How does someone go from taking their very first flight after college to becoming the CEO of a world-renowned cruise brand?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises and recent recipient of the prestigious 2026 CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award. From growing up in a small Texas town to becoming one of the most influentia
#277: Why (And How) This CEO Teaches Housekeepers to Read a P&L | Azim Saju & Josiah Mackenzie
In this special collaborative episode of The Modern Hotelier, recorded at the Hunter Conference with Josiah McKenzie of Hospitality Daily, we share a compelling conversation with Azim Saju, CEO of ARK Holdings.Azim discusses his multi-faceted role in hospitality—from hotel ownership and third-party management to development, acquisitions, and renovations—and unpacks how culture, financial
#276: Building a Tech-Forward Hotel Brand | with Roman Pedan of Kasa
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Roman Pedan, the founder and CEO of Kasa, to discuss the future of hospitality, the role of AI in hotel operations, and how technology is reshaping the guest experience.Roman shares his journey from immigrating to the United States from Ukraine to studying at the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University, before
#275: Mastering Sleep: The Hotelier's Ultimate Differentiator | with Maura Zambarano
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Maura Zambarano, President of Mattress Concierge, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the evolving role of sleep in hospitality.From a lightning-round icebreaker revealing Maura’s calm-inducing superpower to a deeply personal story of unexpectedly taking over a company after
#274: How to Boost Hotel Profitability with Automated Room Pricing | with Chas Scarantino
In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chas Scarantino, CEO of RoomPriceGenie, to explore how modern revenue management is transforming the independent hotel space. From his early career in logistics and HVAC sales to leading global SaaS companies, Chas shares the experiences that shaped his leadership style and his passion for hospitality tech.The conversatio
#273: Young Workers Avoid Hotels, Travel Goes Local, Best Western Enters Glamping | April Hospitality Hot Topics
In this episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Jennifer Olson, the Director of Commercial National Accounts, SERVPRO Team Zubricki, for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest trends shaping hospitality today.They dive into the growing concern around hospitality as a long-term career path for younger generations and di
#272: The Companies Supporting & Innovating Independent Hospitality | from the Independent Lodging Congress
In this episode, host David Millili brings listeners inside Indie Cultivate Boston, hosted in partnership with ILC. David sits down with leading vendors and innovators including Airbnb, Watermelon Ghost, Direct Booker, Stash Rewards, Cloudbeds, Directful, and Canary Technologies. Across these conversations, a clear theme emerges: the independent hotel space is at a turning point driven by
#271: Creating a Better Hotel Booking Experience | with Richard Aday
In this episode, host David Millili sits down with Richard Aday, CEO and Co-founder of ThinkReservations, for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, technology, and the evolving hospitality landscape.Richard shares his journey from building websites as a child in a tech-savvy family, to studying electrical and computer engineering, working at Amazon, and ultimately founding Think
#270: The Voices Shaping Independent Hotels from Independent Lodging Congress Boston
In this special episode, host David Millili takes listeners inside Indie Cultivate Boston in partnership with ILC, capturing candid conversations with some of the most forward-thinking leaders in hospitality.Across the discussions, a common theme emerges while AI and automation are transforming back-of-house operations, the future of hospitality remains deeply human—rooted in creativity,
#269: How Hotels Should Be Using Technology to Improve the Employee & Guest Experience | with Shane O'Flaherty of Microsoft
In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Shane O’Flaherty, Global Director of Travel, Transportation, and Hospitality at Microsoft, for a deep dive into the future of hospitality.Shane shares his fascinating journey—from growing up in a rodeo and circus environment to shaping global hospitality standards and now leading innovation at one of the world’s biggest tech co
#268: The Atari Hotel: Building An Iconic Video Game Hotel | with Jordan Taylor
How does a former collegiate baseball player turn his competitive edge into a career in commercial real estate, and ultimately help bring a bold concept like the Atari Hotel to life? In today's episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jordan Taylor, Managing Partner at Intersection Development, for a deep dive into one of the most innovative concepts in hospitality—the
#267: How this "Physical Internet" will Impact Hospitality | with Robert DeDomenico
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
#266: Inside the Hospitality Creator Summit: Elevating the B2B Creator Community | with Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri
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
#265: Death of The Goodtime Hotel, Good Hotel Design, Hilton & Marriott Partnering with Independents, & More | March Hot Topics with Bashar Wali
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 hospitalit
#264: Transforming a Route 66 Motor Lodge Into a Boutique Hotel | with Dr. Sharmin Dharas
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
#263: Innovative Marketing Strategies for Hotels | with Jody Merl
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 market
#262: How Hotel Task Force Services Can Help with Labor Problems | with Peter Wenzell
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 i
#261: Understanding Insurance for Hotels | with Brian Popelmayer
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
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