May Lilley, Executive in Residence of Global Commercial for KSL Capital Partners, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share why meaningful experiences and human connection continue to define the future of luxury hospitality.

Key topics include:

• May Lilley’s unconventional path from ski instructor to Executive in Residence at KSL Capital Partners, and the career decisions that helped share some of hospitality’s most innovative brands.

• Why experiential travel continues to outperform traditional luxury and the growing demand for transformational travel experiences.

• How AI, personalization, and emerging technologies are changing hospitality, and why human connection remains luxury travel’s most valuable differentiator. 

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Pradeep Raman, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to explore the evolution of modern luxury hospitality through storytelling, personalization, and a deep sense of place in New York’s Upper East Side.

Key topics include:

• Why true luxury hospitality is rooted in personalization, empathy, and human connection.

• How The Surrey is blending art, gastronomy, design, and neighborhood culture into a distinctly Upper East Side experience.

• Why travel advisors and relationship-driven hospitality remain more important than ever in an AI-powered world.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Paul Brady, News Director at Travel + Leisure, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how the next era of luxury travel is all about helping travelers feel more connected (and less overwhelmed), along every step of the journey.

Key topics include:

• Why luxury cruise and slow travel experiences continue to surge in popularity, especially with younger travelers.

• How Travel + Leisure is adapting to a rapidly evolving media landscape shaped by video authenticity, and AI-powered workflows.

• The future of travel innovations, from community-driven hospitality experiences to the advancement of supersonic aviation.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Belinda Hindmarsh, Deputy CEO of Ponant Explorations Group, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how Ponant is redefining luxury travel by shifting focus from the ship itself to the experiences of true exploration, offering access to the world’s most remote destinations without sacrificing comfort or depth of connection.

Key topics include:

• How Ponant is shifting perception from traditional cruising to purpose-driven, small-ship exploration that prioritized access, immersion, and meaning.

• Why “where you go” matters more than ever, featuring global itineraries designed around rare, hard-to-reach places.

• The unique space Ponant occupies between rugged expedition and refined luxury.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026
Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Caleb Silver, Chief Business Editor for People, Inc and Editor in Chief of Investopedia, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss the hidden economy behind how we travel. 

Key topics include:

• Why luxury travelers aren’t spending less, but instead demanding more value.

• How the loyalty and rewards economy is redefining how travel is funded - and growing more and more popular each year.

• The way data, AI, and intent are shaping the future of travel planning, prioritizing anticipation to curate experiences. 

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

David Zipkin, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Tradewind Aviation, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how Tradewind strives to match the quality of the journey to the quality of the destination, with hospitality and customer experience top of mind. 

Key topics include:

• How Tradewind has found its edge by focusing on short-haul regional routes.

• Why the brand’s success comes from measured expansion, operational efficiency and a clean understanding of where it can deliver the most value. 

• The brand’s approach centering on removing friction for the most impactful luxury experience.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026
Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Joseph Diaz, Co-founder of AFAR, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to reflect on the unlikely origin story behind one of travel media’s most influential brands—and the philosophy that still drives it nearly two decades later..

Key topics include:

• How two spontaneous trips across South America and India inspired the launch of AFAR.

• Why human connection matters more than ever in an increasingly digital world.

• The way emerging technologies can help travelers turn inspiration into action. 

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026
Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Julie Coker, President and CEO of New York City Tourism and Conventions, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss leadership, luxury, and the evolving definition of value in one of the world’s most dynamic destinations.

Key topics include:

• How NYC Tourism is expanding the definition of high-end travel across all five boroughs, blending culture, cuisine, and community into deeply personal experiences.

• Why international visitors represent just 20% of arrivals but nearly 50% of visitor spend, and how New York continues to always deliver.

• The balance between innovation and authenticity with the incorporation of AI-informed insights and the enduring power of travel advisors.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Nikheel Advani, Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer and Principal at Grace Bay Resorts, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share his journey from dishwashing in Singapore to the white sand beaches of Turks and Caicos and how growing people ultimately grows a brand.

Key topics include:

• How mentorship, culture and global experience shaped a people-first luxury philosophy.

• A look inside the evolution of modern Caribbean hospitality, from culinary and wine programs to multi-property growth and year-round destination strategy.

• Why today’s luxury is defined by emotional connection, sustainability in practice and balancing high-touch service with thoughtful innovation.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026
Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Conor O’Leary, Group Managing Director for Gleneagles & Estelle Manor, joins Adam Deflorian

on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how a hotel with a century of history is leading the way in digital innovation with a human-first service mentality.

Key topics include:

• Why Gleneagles is affectionately known as the “Glorious Playground” and has attracted travelers time and again throughout its 100-year history.

• How defining luxury as “time given back” is a pillar of the brand’s philosophy.

• How the brand stays cutting edge by using technology to enhance, not replace, human connection.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026