A HOTEL PODCAST

Lauren Bucherie, Senior Director of Brand and Experience at Limelight Hotels, Donny Samora, Director of Marketing at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, and returning guest Andrew Wintner, Founder and CEO at Cassette join A HOTEL PODCAST for the Curating Culture in Hospitality panel.

The hospitality experts speak on authenticity in initiatives across hotels and restaurants, share how music curation, luxury transportation, and market-specific partnerships elevate the guest experience, and emphasize working with industry icons to instill world-class aesthetics and ambiance onsite.

Lucas Lopresti, Director of Sales at Kimpton Gray, guests on A HOTEL PODCAST in an interview recorded at the hotel’s Vol. 39 cocktail bar.

Lopresti highlights the cultural attractions within walking distance of the hotel’s downtown location and speaks to the recovery of Chicago Loop’s district in the years since the pandemic.

The Director of Sales also explains why the hotel’s iconic marble staircase is a favorite for wedding parties and photographers alike, offers recommendations for Kimpton Gray’s Vol. 39 cocktail bar and Pan-Latin rooftop restaurant Boleo, and more.

Celia Marrero, Director of Operations at The Robey, guests on the season premiere of A HOTEL PODCAST, in an interview recorded onsite at the Wicker Park hotel.

Marrero details the hotel's dual tower structure and the difference between The Robey's Tower Rooms and Annex Lofts.

The Director of Operations also speaks on The Robey's rooftop pool Solana as a destination for guests and locals alike and more.

Andrew Wintner, Founder at Cassette, A Music Curation Agency, guests on A HOTEL PODCAST for a deep dive on soundtracking hotels, restaurants, and more.

Wintner speaks on providing music curation services to clients like Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Graduate Hotels, Lettuce Entertain You, and more. The music expert also details his Off The Record newsletter collaboration with the Hotels Above ParSubstack, and offers a 20% off discount for Cassette clients who listen to A HOTEL PODCAST.

Studio 11 Design Owner and Principal Kellie Sirna guests on A HOTEL PODCAST to speak on the firm's service offerings and offer insights into notable hospitality client projects.

Sirna revisits working with the Hutton Hotel in Nashville on both the hotel's Analog music venue and the creator-friendly Writers Studios, the latter project involved working with talent like Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and Dierks Bentley. The design Principal also reveals what went into activating rebranding work on an expedited timeline at the artist-friendly Canvas Hotel Dallas and more.

Julie Wagner, Chief Executive Officer at the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau, checks in on A HOTEL PODCAST to shine light on all things Beverly Hills.

Wagner speaks on the reality of Beverly Hills and what the city has to offer beyond the version of the city that people think of from TV and movies, and offers her tips for dining, shopping, and lodging in Beverly Hills. The tourism professional also reflects on how Beverly Hills' past connects to its present and future, and speaks on the making of the short film ode to Beverly Hills, The Lover Letter.

Dean Dr. Michael Cheng guests​ on A HOTEL PODCAST to offer insights into the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Miami’s Florida International University.

Dr. Cheng ​details the school's Programming On Demand course offering,​ which allows for current developments across hospitality, technology, and more to be added to the Chaplin School's curriculum in a timely fashion. The dean also shares how students gain professional hospitality industry experience across Miami hotels, restaurants, and more.

In the second of two interviews recorded at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, GM Tamas Vago offers insights into the hotel's tenth annual tree lighting ceremony.

Vago speaks on hosting and overseeing all elements of the tree lighting ceremony, from speaking at the event to managing the delivery and placement of the tree in the center of the hotel's courtyard. The GM also opens up about sharing the stage with a young leukemia survivor named Ella and her family when lighting up the tree, and shares why involving former patients from Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago at the annual holiday event is so meaningful to him.

In the first of two interviews recorded at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, Director of Sales and Marketing Ashley Ochse speaks on the hotel's tenth annual tree lighting ceremony.

Ochse shares insights into the level of planning that went into activating this year's tree lighting festivities. The Director of Sales and Marketing also details how the French Noël theme, inspired by Christmastime in Paris, was felt at this year's tree lighting, and emphasizes the impact of the hotel's partners, including Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, in bringing the holiday ceremony to life.

Rachel Ayotte, CEO and Founder at travel PR powerhouse bread & Butter, visits A HOTEL PODCAST for a deep dive into the editorial vertical she founded, Late Checkout.

Ayotte speaks on Late Checkout's evolution from a LinkedIn feature to a daily newsletter and standalone web destination. The founder also details Late Checkout's mission to be like an in the know friend in your inbox, covering F&B, travel, culture, and more.