In this episode, Sarah Eustis, Founder and CEO of Main Street Hospitality Group, shares her story and vision for hotels that serve as community anchors.

Listeners will learn:

• How Sarah built a company that balances creative innovation with operational excellence.
• Insights into hotel ownership structures and building lasting partnerships.
• The importance of aligning objectives and values in hospitality projects.
• Sarah's career journey from fashion to hospitality leadership.
• The concept of "dynamic stability" and how it guides her leadership approach.
• Strategies for responsible growth and maintaining brand integrity.
• The opportunity for creating places that enable meaningful connections.

Mentions:

• Main Street Hospitality
• Red Lion Inn
• Independent Lodging Congress
• Pinnacle
• Fulcrum Hospitality
• Ralph Lauren
• Gap Inc
• Limited Brands
• The Creative Priority by Jerry Hirshberg
• Canoe Place Inn
• Hotel Downstreet

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, Joli Barfield, Cluster Director of Learning at Montage International, shares her insights on managing burnout in the hospitality industry and maintaining personal well-being.

Listeners will learn:

• The prevalence of burnout in the hospitality industry and its impact on career decisions.
• Strategies for maintaining mental and physical health in a demanding work environment.
• The importance of disconnecting from technology and finding personal ways to recharge.
• Habits that can enhance performance.
• The role of meditation and stillness in managing stress.
• Creative ways to find inspiration and stay motivated.
• The significance of understanding the history and story of the places where you work.

Liked this? Listen to our other episode with Joli: Behind the Scenes of Montage’s World-Class Training Programs

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, Elizabeth Harlow, Chief Brand Officer at Sonesta Hotels, shares how she creatively partnered with Rolling Stone magazine to bring unique live music experiences to their guests and communities.

Listen now to learn:

• How the collaboration between Sonesta Hotels and Rolling Stone began
• Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians series - and its activation at Sonesta Hotels
• Examples of live music events held in Chicago and Miami
• The potential for hotels to be "cultural conversation platforms"
• Insights on the rise of brand partnerships

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, Jamelia Lehn, Chief Financial Officer at SPIRE Hospitality, shares why she took her teams on a field trip and the surprising lessons they learned.

• The importance of connecting accounting teams with hotel operations.
• How understanding hotel operations can lead to more accurate financials.
• The structure and preparation involved in organizing site visits.
• Feedback from both the accounting team and hotel staff on the visits.
• The impact of these visits on relationships and communication between teams.
• How such initiatives can attract interest from hotel owners and potential clients.

Check out Jamelia's post on LinkedIn, which we referenced about this trip.

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, Gwen Mills, President of Unite Here, shares insights into the ongoing hotel worker strikes across the United States, the asks they have, and the broader implications for the hospitality industry.

Listen now to learn:

• The motivations behind the hotel worker strikes
• The impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry and how it has affected workers
• The process Unite Here uses to determine appropriate pay and working conditions
• The challenges hotel workers face due to cost of living increases in major cities
• The importance of investing in hospitality workers for the long-term success of the industry
• The role of hotel owners and management companies in addressing workers' demands
• The evolving dynamics between hotel owners, management companies, and workers

Also check out: What Hotel Workers on Strike Told Me in San Francisco - Josiah Mackenzie

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, Elizabeth Harlow, Chief Brand Officer at Sonesta Hotels, shares her insights on maintaining a personal touch in the hospitality industry and recounts a memorable story that exemplifies true hospitality.

Listen to learn:

• The importance of focusing on the individual in hospitality.
• How personal attention can create lasting memories for guests.
• Why the term "heads in beds" diminishes the true value of hospitality.
• The impact of hospitality on all travel experiences.
• Strategies for staying connected to the spirit of hospitality despite dealing with large-scale data and operations.

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

This episode is brought to you with support from Hireology. Check out our free masterclass: How To Hire Great People, Faster.

In this episode, Jyoti Chopra, the Chief People, Inclusion, and Sustainability Officer at MGM Resorts International, shares insights into her powerful partnership with the company's CFO and how they have aligned their finance and human capital strategies to drive significant change.

Listen to learn:

• How strong collaboration between finance and human resources can turn big ideas into measurable impact.
• The importance of aligning human capital with financial capital to make a hospitality business thrive.
• The introduction of digital dashboards for real-time workforce data at MGM Resorts.
• The creation and benefits of one of the industry's first paid sabbatical programs.
• The role of top leadership in championing learning and development initiatives.
• How to make a compelling business case for investing in people and organizational programs.

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

This episode is brought to you with support from Hireology. Check out our free masterclass: How To Hire Great People, Faster.

In this episode, Jyoti Chopra, the Chief People, Inclusion, and Sustainability Officer at MGM Resorts International, shares insights on transforming hiring strategies and employee engagement in a rapidly changing world.

Listen to learn:

• How MGM Resorts overhauled its hiring strategies from one-size-fits-all fairs to specialized events.
• The importance of flexibility and well-being for employees post-pandemic.
• Innovative recognition programs like "years of service" pins and Showstoppers Awards.
• The impact of the "Ask the CEO" program and Courageous Conversations series at MGM.
• The introduction of the World of Well-being (WOW) initiative.
• The role of employee engagement surveys in understanding and improving employee satisfaction.
• The MentorcliQ program for pairing employees with mentors.

If you liked this, you may also enjoy our other conversation: Why MGM Brought in Microsoft, IBM & Workday To Teach Our Teams - Jyoti Chopra, MGM Resorts

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, Matt Campbell, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer at My Place Hotels, shares his journey from an unexpected path into the hospitality industry to leading a brand known for smart cost efficiencies and a people-centered culture.

In this episode we cover:

• Matt's career story, including his transition from law to hospitality.
• Matt's roles and responsibilities as a Chief Operating Officer today, including overseeing sales, marketing, revenue management, and operations.
• Key strategies for driving business results, including operational efficiency and cost-effective customer acquisition.
• The impact of mentorship and influential figures in Matt's career.
• The evolving role of technology in hospitality and its balance with human touch.
• Leadership insights and the importance of an open-door policy.
• The value of internships and career growth opportunities within the hospitality industry.
• Tips for maintaining work-life balance and giving back to the community.

Mentions:

• University of South Dakota
• Sabre Hospitality Solutions
• Super 8 Motels
• Bill Bowen
• Harvey Jewett
• Ron Rivett
• Northern State University
• Boys and Girls Club

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

Josiah Mackenzie has spent over 20 years building, selling, and buying technology. In this tell-all episode, he shares his insider's guide to buying, implementing, and getting the most out of hotel technology today.

Listen now to learn:

• Why technology is essential in today’s fast-paced hospitality landscape
• Key steps to take before searching for technology solutions
• Proven methods for evaluating tech solutions
• Tips for making a strong business case and getting buy-in 
• How to implement technology in a way that helps you get the results you need
• Strategies for succeeding with technology over the long term (including insider "hacks" for getting VIP treatment)

Timestamps:

Introduction & Why This Matters

My Background 

• [10:03] Coding & first steps in software
• [11:54] ReviewPro (operations)
• [13:36] Duetto (revenue management)
• [14:34] Juniper Square (investment management)
• [16:16] The benefits of a career in hotel tech

Before You Start Looking for Technology

• [17:16] Start with problems
• [18:15] Innovation through observation
• [19:49] Collecting stakeholder needs

 How to Evaluate Technology

• [21:22] Ask trusted hospitality professionals
• [22:51] Research online (Hotel Tech Report)
• [24:55] Move beyond typical demos
• [25:51] Have meaningful conversations
• [26:11] Compare provider engagement styles

Making the Purchase

• [31:34] Building the business case
• [32:00] Getting buy-in
• [34:16] Contract negotiation 

Implementation & Success

• [37:39] Cross-functional team involvement
• [38:07] Staged rollout approach
• [39:37] Working with implementation teams
• [42:22] Internal marketing importance
• [43:43] Maintaining momentum

Long-term Success

• [44:03] Staying connected with tech partners
• [45:04] Being a customer reference
• [45:54] Participating in user groups
• [46:29] Continuous evaluation

Resources mentioned:

• The Story Behind Hospitality Daily (Josiah Mackenzie, interviewed by Steve Turk)
• What's Happening in Hotel Tech Today? - Jordan Hollander, Hotel Tech Report

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