In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie shares ideas from his panel discussion at the 2025 NYU International Hotel Investment Forum. 

Also see:

• The Money Behind the Magic: A Different Take on Hospitality - Josiah Mackenzie
• Tariffs, Unfolding Travel Trends, and San Francisco’s Comeback - Zach Demuth, JLL
• Hospitality’s Early Warning Signs: What the Data Reveals About the Economy Ahead - Jamie Lane, AirDNA

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie shares insights from the 2025 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum held in New York. Josiah discusses the conference's theme, "Engagement Drives Returns," and highlights the importance of active participation in the hospitality industry. He delves into consumer spending patterns, the impact of AI on jobs, and the resilience of the hospitality sector. 

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Hotel owner, leadership coach, and now flight attendant — Rachel Vandenberg returns to the show in a candid conversation with hertelier co-founder and Hospitality Daily career correspondent, Nancy Mendelson. They dive into what it really means to lead with empathy, why great service starts with your team, and how Rachel uses a coach approach to build stronger hospitality cultures. Plus, Rachel shares what inspired her to chase a lifelong dream: 30,000 feet in the air.

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, hertelier co-founder Nancy Mendelson interviews Dr. Lalia Rach about life and leadership in hospitality.

Also see: 

1. From Bussing Tables to Commanding Boardrooms: Dr. Lalia Rach Shares What’s On Her Extraordinary Mind (on hertelier)
2. Managing the Book on YOU!: Rewriting your leadership story (Dr. Rach's book)

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Michelin-starred, James Beard award–winning chef Douglas Keane closed his wildly successful restaurant at the peak of its fame, burned out by an industry he felt was broken. A decade later, he returned with Cyrus 2.0, a completely re-engineered dining journey that now pays every employee $75,000, runs a four-day workweek, and delivers higher margins than most fine-dining peers. Harvard Business School made it a case study about it, and here in this episode, he explains exactly how he did it. 

Links:

• Cyrus Restaurant 
• Harvard Business School Case – “Cyrus: Turning a Traditional Business Model on Its Head”
• Book – Culinary Leverage: A Journey Through the Heat 
• Chef Douglas Keane 

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, co-founder and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group, shares what he's learned about urban renewal and revitalization.

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
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• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, co-founder and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group, shares the story behind the story: how Sage Studio brings hospitality to life.

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, co-founder and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group, shares what he learned from Denver architectural conservation developer and preservationist Dana Crawford.

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
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• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this special sponsored episode, Lindsey Goedeker from Actabl shares how ProfitSword and ProfitOwner can give you the power to profit.

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode of Hospitality Daily, Josiah Mackenzie interviews Walter Isenberg, Founder and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. The discussion centers on building a people-first culture within the hospitality industry. Walter shares how Sage Hospitality's purpose of "enriching lives one experience at a time" is implemented across all levels of the organization, from housekeepers to executives. Key themes include the importance of investing in culture, leadership, and creating an environment where associates feel seen, supported, and inspired. This episode is particularly valuable for hospitality leaders, operators, and investors looking to enhance their organizational culture and employee engagement.

Key Moments and Quotes

• [00:01:04] "Sage is a purpose-led organization, and our purpose is to enrich lives one experience at a time."
• [00:01:35] "We wouldn't be here if our housekeepers didn't get up every day to come in."
• [00:02:06] "We have to make sure that they have a great environment to work in, that they know that we care for them."
• [00:02:41] "We talk about this notion of service to others and really about enriching lives."

Actionable Advice for Listeners

• Start small: Even daily recognition builds long-term culture.
• Prioritize associate development: Drive retention and performance through continuous support and training.
• Embed culture in onboarding: Use cultural immersion programs to instill core values and purpose from the start.
• Recognize every role: Ensure that all team members, from housekeepers to executives, feel valued and essential to the organization's success.

About Sage Hospitality

• Mission: To enrich lives one experience at a time.
• Focus: Creating a supportive and inspiring work environment for all associates.
• Industry Impact: Known for its strong emphasis on culture and employee engagement within the hospitality industry.
• Leadership: Committed to investing in the development and well-being of its team members.

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands