The Modern Hotelier - Interviews with Hoteliers and Experts in Travel, Hospitality, Events & Food & Beverage

 In this episode, David and Steve interview Jeff Kessinger, Vice President of Sales at Jonas Hospitality, who shares his journey from being a night auditor to becoming a 20-year veteran in hotel technology sales. 

Jeff dives into pressing industry challenges like labor shortages, technology overload, and fragmented systems, while exploring solutions to enhance guest experiences and loyalty. He sheds light on the future of direct bookings, the evolving expectations of travelers, and how an integrated tech stack can empower hoteliers to stay ahead.

Key Topics Covered:

• The evolution of hotel technology and its impact on the hospitality industry
• How to Overcome Challenges Such as Labor Shortages and Operational Inefficiencies?
• What are the pros and cons of using all-in-one tech solutions for hotel operations? 
• The role of unified platforms in enhancing the guest journey

Sponsor spot:
This episode is sponsored by Jonas Hospitality: https://jonashospitality.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkessinger/
Jonas Hospitality: https://jonashospitality.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/119

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

This episode features an engaging conversation with Katherine Grass, CEO of Optii. Discover how technology, AI, and data-driven solutions are revolutionizing hotel operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing the guest experience.
 
Katherine discusses her journey into hospitality technology and how AI is transforming hotel operations, particularly through Optii's innovative approach to housekeeping and maintenance. She highlights the importance of user-friendly technology, the ongoing labor challenges, and the integration with other tech tools to enhance operational efficiency.

Key Topics Covered:

• What is the role of AI and predictive technology in optimizing housekeeping and operational efficiency? 
• How Optii differs from traditional task management tools?
• What are the labor challenges facing the hospitality industry?
• The importance of open APIs for seamless tech integration. 

Sponsor spot:
This episode is sponsored by Optii: https://www.optiisolutions.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Katherine on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinegrass/
Optii: https://www.optiisolutions.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/118

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Joonas Ahola, founder of Meeting Package. Having started his entrepreneurial journey at age 16 with an event agency, Ahola discusses how his frustration with the RFP process led him to create Meeting Package, a comprehensive CRS platform for groups, meetings, and events sales.

He shares insights on the differences between European and US markets in hospitality tech adoption, current challenges facing hoteliers in managing group sales, and Meeting Package's ambitious plans to reach 50,000 properties by 2027. The conversation explores how the platform is leveraging AI and partnerships to revolutionize the fragmented world of hotel group bookings and events management.

In this episode, you'll discover about:

• How Meeting Package serves as a centralized platform for managing group bookings, meetings, and events across all sales channels - from direct to indirect, online to offline 
• What are the two major challenges hotels face today? 
• What are the Future Innovations from Meeting Package? 

Sponsor spot:
This episode is sponsored by Meeting Package: https://meetingpackage.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Joonas Ahola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joonasahola/?originalSubdomain=fi
Meeting Package: https://meetingpackage.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/117

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

This episode features Ryan Heideman, Vice President of Sales at React Mobile, as he joins hosts Steve Carran and David Millili to discuss the latest innovations in hotel safety technology. Ryan shares his journey into the hospitality tech space and provides an in-depth look at how React Mobile is leading the way in workplace safety for hotels. 

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The evolution of React Mobile’s enterprise safety platform and its critical role in the hospitality industry.
• How their range of panic buttons, including Bluetooth, standalone cellular, and LoRa devices, ensures safety in all areas of a hotel.
• The importance of geolocation technology in providing precise room-level accuracy during emergencies.
• React Mobile’s collaboration with AHLA and their contributions to the Alert Device Buyer's Guide.

Discover how React Mobile is helping hotels create safer environments for their teams and guests alike.

Sponsor spot:
This episode is sponsored by React Mobile: https://www.reactmobile.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Ryan Heideman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanheideman/
React Mobile: https://www.reactmobile.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/116

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, host Steve Carran speaks with Pablo Revale, CEO of Zerf, and Rodrigo Perez Garofalo, CPO of Zerf, live from the floor of The Hospitality Show.

Zerf is a tech company helping hotels recover lost revenue by securing more direct bookings through website optimization, testing, and data-driven solutions. Pablo and Rodrigo discuss their diverse backgrounds, the challenges hotels face with OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), and how Zerf is working to empower hotels to regain control over their sales and booking processes. 

Key Topics:

• How does Zerf help hotels increase direct bookings by reducing dependency on OTAs? 
• What are the industry challenges?
• Why do hotels struggle to convert website visitors into direct bookings due to poor clarity, trust, and user experience? 

This episode provides valuable insights for hoteliers looking to improve their website's performance and capture more direct bookings.

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by Zerf: https://zerf.tech/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Pablo Revale on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-revale/
Rodrigo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rperezgarofalo/

Zerf: https://zerf.tech/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/115

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Adam Smock from Impulsify, a retail technology company revolutionizing hotel grab-and-go markets. A former hotelier with over 20 years of experience, Smock discusses how Impulsify helps properties maximize their retail spaces through custom technology solutions, data analytics, and innovative design. Learn about their impressive success stories, including a Hilton property that saw ROI in just 13 days, and discover emerging trends in hotel retail, from self-service alcohol sales to AI-powered satellite coolers. Recently acquired by 365 Retail Market, Impulsify continues to evolve, offering solutions that help non-retailers succeed in the retail space while enhancing the guest experience.

Key Topics: 

• Where are grab-and-go markets most successful?  
• What are the technology integration features of Impulsify? 
• How Impulsify helps properties maximize their retail spaces through custom technology solutions?

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by Impulsify: https://www.impulsifyinc.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammsmock/

Impulsify: https://www.impulsifyinc.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/114

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili as they interview Josh Graham, Head of Market Development at Cloudbeds, on the trade show floor of The Hospitality Show in San Antonio.

In this insightful episode, Graham discusses Cloudbeds' evolution from serving small properties to accommodating larger hotels, their innovative approach to integrations, and the game-changing launch of Cloudbeds Intelligence, their new AI platform. He also reveals exciting upcoming features including enterprise-grade business intelligence tools and a new housekeeping app.

With 20 years of industry experience, Graham offers valuable perspectives on how Cloudbeds is redefining property management systems through innovation rather than acquisition.

Key Topics: 

•  How did Josh Graham find his way to Cloudbeds after 20 years in hospitality?
•  Why do they focus on innovation over acquisition? 
•  How does Cloudbeds approach AI differently from competitors? 
•  What options do customers have for custom integrations? 

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamjosh/

Cloudbeds: https://www.cloudbeds.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/113

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili on the trade show floor for an insightful conversation with Walt Sheffler, CEO of Avendra, a leading professional procurement services company in the hospitality industry.

In this episode, Walt shares his journey from Penn State accounting major to hospitality industry leader, revealing how a shortage of accounting jobs led him to a career-defining role as a Marriott management trainee. With decades of experience under his belt, Walt discusses what makes the hospitality industry uniquely rewarding and explains why working with people in an upbeat environment continues to drive his passion.

Key Discussion Points:

• The distinction between traditional procurement and hospitality procurement
• How Avendra serves different hotel segments, from economy to ultra-luxury
• The company's unique "at property and above property" service model
• Creative solutions to the industry's pressing labor shortage challenges
• Sustainability initiatives and ESG measurement in hospitality procurement
• Avendra's international expansion plans and future growth strategies

Learn how Avendra's team of hospitality veterans brings insider knowledge to procurement services, understanding the day-to-day needs of everyone from executive chefs to front desk staff. Walt also shares valuable insights into how the company is tackling modern challenges, from implementing AI-driven sustainability tracking to helping hotels optimize their labor distribution through strategic supply chain management.

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by Avendra: https://www.avendra.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walt-sheffler-aa14a1/

Avendra International: https://www.avendra.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/112

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili speak with Theresa Ellsworth from Sertifi at the Hospitality Show.

Theresa, a hospitality technology veteran, discusses the growing challenge of credit card fraud and chargebacks in the hotel industry. She shares valuable insights on preventing criminal fraud, handling friendly fraud, and implementing digital authorization solutions.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• What are the essential fraud prevention tools?
• The importance of 3D Secure technology.
• How can hotels reduce credit card processing fees and streamline their payment processes using e-commerce merchant IDs? 
• The practical tips for hoteliers to protect their revenue.

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaellsworth/
Sertifi: https://corp.sertifi.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/111

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tate Hackert, founder and president of ZayZoon, to discuss earned wage access and financial empowerment in the hospitality industry. Hackert shares his entrepreneurial journey from small-town beginnings to revolutionizing employee pay access, along with insights on business growth and workplace benefits.

Key Topics:

• How did ZayZoon transform from a manual loan service into a comprehensive fintech platform? 
• What new features are planned in ZayZoon's rewards and recognition tools? 
• How can earned wage access benefit both employees and employers in the hospitality industry? 
• How does ZayZoon's integration with payroll providers work?

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tate-hackert/

ZayZoon: https://www.zayzoon.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/110

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...