Scott Roby, President of Pacifica Hotels, joins us to share the keys to building a workplace culture that reduces turnover and boosts hotel performance. He reveals Pacifica's innovative approach, from personalized employee experiences and thoughtful leadership retreats to candid, empathetic communication that leads to true employee engagement. Hospitality leaders will gain actionable insights into creating an environment where employees feel valued, leading to stronger retention, happier teams, and ultimately, better guest experiences and higher financial performance.

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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

Scott Roby, President of Pacifica Hotels, shares how he's navigating the current economic environment by strategically cutting costs without sacrificing quality or guest experience. You'll learn about Pacifica’s innovative approach to profitability, including leveraging technology, creatively driving domestic travel demand, and uncovering overlooked operational savings. This episode offers practical insights for hospitality leaders seeking ways to boost margins and maintain excellence in a challenging market.

Also see: How Stories Unlock Success in Hospitality - Scott Roby

A few more resources:

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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, we go behind the scenes of Reset Hotel, the first new hotel built in Joshua Tree in over 15 years. Co-founder Adam Wininger and investor Shannon Ching of HP Investors share candid insights and practical lessons from their experience bringing this ambitious, outdoor-focused hotel concept to life. You'll hear why they chose hotels over Airbnb, how trust shaped their partnerships, and why understanding guests' desires ultimately defined Reset’s success.

Also see: 

• Designing Hospitality: From Teaching Millions to Crafting My Own Hotel Brand - Ben Uyeda, Reset
• Travel + Leisure story

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
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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, Sage Hospitality Group’s Chief Creative Officer, Jessica Werner, shares her approach to finding fresh creative inspiration by looking beyond the hospitality industry. She explains why seeking inspiration from art, nature, music, and even wine-making can unlock powerful new ideas for hospitality leaders. If you're looking to stay inspired, avoid creative burnout, and bring truly innovative thinking into your work, you’ll love her perspective and practical tips.

A few more resources:

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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, Jess Werner, Chief Creative Officer at Sage Hospitality Group,  explores how AI is reshaping hospitality without losing its essential human touch. Jess explains how Sage integrates AI to enhance operational efficiency and brand consistency, from refining marketing strategies to maintaining impeccable guest experiences. Yet, she emphasizes that technology must complement, not replace, genuine human connection and creativity. Jess also shares why authentic, experiential hospitality will become even more valuable in an AI-driven future, underscoring the lasting importance of spaces that truly resonate with people.

A few more resources:

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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

So far in our series with Jess Werner, we've explored her path to becoming Chief Creative Officer at Sage Hospitality Group and learned about Sage Studio, the innovative in-house design team she's built. Today, we dive even deeper, taking you behind the scenes of Sage Hospitality’s standout Denver projects—from the community-driven luxury of the Crawford Hotel at Union Station to the compact creativity and modular innovations of Catbird Hotel. 

You may also enjoy: The Dana Crawford Playbook: How Risk, Storytelling, and Grit Built Iconic Hospitality - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality Group

More:

• Press coverage for the Crawford Hotel
• Photos of Catbird Hotel

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
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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, Jess Werner, Chief Creative Officer at Sage Hospitality Group, takes us behind the scenes of Sage Studio, the innovative team responsible for shaping hotels and restaurants into thriving, beloved hospitality brands. Jess shares her approach to aligning creativity, authenticity, and strategic clarity to build places that not only resonate with guests but also deeply connect with teams and communities. 

You may also enjoy: 

1. Creativity Beyond Aesthetics: How Sage Hospitality’s Jessica Werner Designs Spaces for Profit and Community
2. Crafting Places Guests Remember: Inside Sage Studio’s Story-First Approach - Walter Isenberg, Sage Hospitality Group

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
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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

Jessica Werner has one of the most intriguing roles in hospitality: as Chief Creative Officer at Sage Hospitality Group, she designs spaces that go far beyond just looking good. In this episode, Jess explains how her operational background shapes her creative approach, resulting in hospitality projects that deliver both profit and community impact. She shares why great design must start with business strategy, how placemaking creates meaningful connections, and how Sage’s creativity consistently translates into measurable returns.

If you liked this, check out my conversations with Sage Hospitality co-founder and CEO, Walter Isenberg.

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
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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, Shozib Khan, VP of Hotel Performance and Analytics at Spire Hospitality, shares what he calls "the people side of data" and his approach to freeing hoteliers from being overwhelmed by reports, empowering them to focus on their guests and support their teams. 

Learn more about ProfitSword by Actabl - the tool Shozib mentioned several times in the show.

Also see: The Chemistry Major Who Makes Hotels Better, One Data Point at a Time: Shozib Khan, Spire Hospitality

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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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, Shozib Khan, VP of Hotel Performance and Analytics at Spire Hospitality, shares his unique journey from studying chemistry to improving hotel performance through data-driven insights. Shozib reveals how applying a scientific mindset and curiosity helped him identify hidden operational problems and enhance guest and employee experiences. By combining analytical rigor with human-centered innovation, Shozib demonstrates how hospitality leaders can effectively use data to solve real-world challenges, empowering teams and driving success, one insight at a time.

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