How does a pro snowboarder become a hospitality innovator?

Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Bradley Steward, Co-founder and President of Caravan Outpost, to explore an extraordinary journey from professional snowboarding to creating one of America’s most unique boutique hospitality experiences.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The transition from sports to media, directing projects for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and even influencing early Jackass.
• How he co-founded Bonfire Snowboarding, turning it into a global apparel brand before selling to Adidas.
• The inspiration behind Caravan Outpost, and how he and his wife designed it as an experiential travel destination, blending luxury, community, and the outdoors.
• Tips for independent hoteliers and entrepreneurs on creating a brand that fosters emotional connections rather than just products.

Get ready for candid stories, unexpected adventures, and behind-the-scenes moments from snowboarding competitions, Hollywood projects, and a luxury outdoor retreat that feels more like a community than a hotel. 

 
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/leosxe5M0-0

Links:
Bradley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-steward-7b829a23/
Caravan Outpost: https://caravanoutpostojai.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/248

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

What if your hotel could know exactly what your guests want before they even check in — and deliver it automatically? 

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Scott Buelter, CEO of Ascent 360, to dive into the transformative power of AI, data, and personalization in the hospitality industry.

In this episode you'll learn about:

• How hotels are using Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) to unify guest data from multiple systems.
• The current and future role of AI in hospitality, from marketing automation to operational efficiency.
• How AI can support staff rather than replace them, improving the human touch in guest interactions.
• The shift from providing tools to delivering outcomes, and why marketers who embrace AI will thrive.

If you want to understand how AI and data are shaping the next generation of hotel marketing, guest experiences, and operational efficiency, this episode is a must-watch.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wM8cOSoRIXs

This episode is sponsored by Ascent360: https://ascent360.com/

Links:
Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbuelter/
Ascent360: https://ascent360.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/247

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

Join Steve Carran and David Millili as he welcomes Jon Bumhoffer, producer of The Modern Hotelier, for a deep dive into hospitality trends and industry forecasts for 2026. 

In this episode, we break down everything hotel owners, operators, and travelers need to know—from group business rebounds, rising labor costs, and food & beverage innovations, to AI-driven bookings, lifestyle brands, and the latest in hotel tech investments.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Food & beverage shifts: pop-ups, healthy options, and tech-driven dining experiences
• Rising labor and operational costs impacting the hospitality industry
• AI in travel: how large language models are reshaping hotel bookings
• Hotel tech spotlight: MEWS secures $300M funding and what this means for cloud PMS
• Controversial hotel design trends: the debate over doorless bathrooms

Subscribe to The Modern Hotelier for more industry analysis, expert interviews, and hospitality hot topics.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gDHkSaG0Wu0

Links:

• 2026 US Industry Forecast
• 5 Trends to watch in 2026
• MEWS Secures $300 Million in Funding
• U.S. Hotel Bathroom “Privacy Backlash” Goes Viral

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/246

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kunal Shah, Managing Partner of Travel & Hospitality at ZS, to explore the future of the hotel industry in 2026, key revenue strategies, and how technology is reshaping guest experiences.

Kunal shares insights from his global career—starting at United Airlines, earning an MBA at London Business School, and now leading ZS’s travel and hospitality practice. He breaks down the biggest opportunities and challenges hotels face today, including RevPAR pressure, AI adoption, guest personalization, and new revenue streams beyond rooms.

Whether you’re a hotel operator, GM, revenue manager, or hospitality investor—this episode is packed with practical strategies and industry foresight.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 2026 hospitality trends & industry outlook
• Why RevPAR growth is plateauing
• How hotels can improve guest engagement & incremental revenue
• The most promising new revenue streams beyond rooms
• Why relationships & intellectual curiosity matter in hospitality leadership

This episode is sponsored by ZS

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7y2WcNmOwfo

Links:
Contact ZS
Kunal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksshah/
ZS: https://www.zs.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/245

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

How do you lead a hotel through a major renovation and emerge stronger than ever?

Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Alpha Barry, General Manager of the newly renovated Courtyard San Diego Downtown Little Italy. Alpha shares his 25+ year hospitality journey—from front desk to finance leadership to GM—and the transformational renovation that reshaped the hotel into a modern destination in one of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How Alpha built a career from operations to finance to GM
• The massive renovation and brand transformation of the hotel
• What a Noble Investment + Schulte Hospitality supported the vision
• How the hotel connects to Little Italy through local partnerships

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pNcXsExpASQ

Links:
Alpha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alpha-midiaou-barry-42a6b014/
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sandy-courtyard-san-diego-downtown-little-italy/overview/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/244

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

What do hoteliers need to know about PMS implementations, hospitality tech, and leadership today? 

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Americas at Shiji, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about hospitality, technology, leadership, and the future of guest experience.

Ryan shares his journey from working on-property in Washington, DC to leading Shiji’s growth across the Americas, including the strategic decision to shift operations to Mexico as a hub for North and South America. Along the way, he opens up about career pivots, leadership lessons, and why curiosity, humility, and communication are essential for long-term success in hospitality tech.

In this episode, we cover:

• What lessons from working on-property still shape Ryan’s approach to hotel tech today?
• How important are communication and change management during a system rollout?
• The Shiji’s philosophy on all-in-one platforms vs best-of-breed solutions 
• What are the fastest wins hoteliers can achieve when adopting new technology?
•  Why PMS implementations succeed or fail (and it’s not the technology) 

This episode is sponsored by Shiji: https://www.shijigroup.com/

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R3aCzbt_4Ac

Links:
Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-king-11083842/
Shiji Group: https://www.shijigroup.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/243

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

Ever wondered what it takes to run luxury and international hotel brands? 

On this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ron Pohl, President of World Hotels and Head of International Operations for Best Western, to talk all things hospitality.

Ron shares his journey from growing up in Ohio to leading hotels across the globe, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run luxury, upscale, and international hotel brands. They dive into hot topics like hotel storytelling, guest experiences, sustainability, and how technology like AR, VR, and AI is shaping the future of hospitality.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The strategy behind growing Best Western & World Hotels into 18 brands worldwide
• How storytelling and crafted hotel experiences drive guest loyalty and ROI
• The role of sustainability and technology as revenue drivers
• Lessons on building a successful career in hospitality and leading teams

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sSky7DGRyTY

Links:
Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-pohl-8214205/
WorldHotels and International Operations for BWH Hotels: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US.html

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/242

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

David Millili & Steve Carran sit down with Steve Slack, General Manager of the iconic Lafayette Hotel & Club in San Diego, for a deep dive into hospitality leadership, community-driven hotels, and what it takes to run a Michelin-recognized property.

In this episode, Steve Slack shares his journey from growing up in Oceanside, California, to leading one of the most talked-about boutique hotels in the country. From early days in golf operations to becoming a hotel general manager, Steve breaks down the mindset, hustle, and attention to detail required to succeed in modern hospitality.

We also explore the historic renovation and relaunch of the Lafayette Hotel, the unique ownership model behind CH Projects, and how food, beverage, and community engagement drive the hotel’s success. Steve opens up about earning a Michelin Key, traveling to Paris for the award ceremony, and how the Lafayette has reclaimed its place as a cultural landmark in San Diego.

Plus, we take you behind the scenes of the Lafayette’s legendary holiday transformation, including the viral hanging Christmas trees, in-house decorating process, and why guests and locals alike keep coming back.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why community-driven hotels outperform traditional models
• How CH Projects operates 20+ restaurants and boutique hotels
• The role of food & beverage in creating unforgettable guest experiences
• How the Lafayette Hotel became a San Diego destination again

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Sa3tbaOzSF8

Links:
Steve Slack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveaslack/
The Lafayette Hotel & Club: https://lafayettehotelsd.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/241

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

In this special 2025 Year-End Recap, hosts David Millili, Steve Carran, and Jon Bumhoffer reflect on a massive year for The Modern Hotelier, filmed on location at the Lafayette Hotel & Club in San Diego, California.

From nearly doubling episode output and becoming hospitality’s most engaged podcast, to launching Modern Hotelier Media, producing high-impact hotel experience tours, and covering major hospitality events and trade shows across the U.S., this episode breaks down the milestones that defined 2025.

Topics Covered: 

• Favorite moments from the year
• Behind-the-scenes stories from major hospitality conferences
• Lessons learned building a media company in hospitality
• What excites them most about 2026, including international expansion 

If you’re a hotel owner, operator, hospitality professional, or hotel tech brand, this episode offers insight into where hospitality media is heading—and how storytelling, video, and community engagement are shaping the future of the industry.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j_zOdOB1kFI

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/240

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

Steve Carran and David Millili join a special holiday roundtable led by Katie Cline (Suite Success), alongside Glenn Hausmann (No Vacancy), Josiah Mackenzie (Hospitality Daily), and Zach Busekrus (Behind the Stays), to unpack the biggest hospitality moments of 2025 and what’s likely coming in 2026.

From the long-awaited Waldorf Astoria New York revival and the acceleration of “ultra-luxury,” to loyalty disruption, trade show fatigue, boutique brands being gobbled up by the majors, and the industry’s messy (but inevitable) race to adopt AI—this conversation is packed with sharp takes, real operator perspective, and plenty of friendly debate.

They wrap with 2026 predictions, including the growing divide between luxury and everyone else, the next evolution of loyalty (beyond points), authentic content backlash against the “AI buffet,” workforce shifts driven by automation, and what’s next for branded short-term rentals and experience-led travel.

In this episode, we cover:

• 2025’s biggest headline: the Waldorf Astoria New York restoration and what it signals for luxury
• Why points can feel more like “bribery” than true loyalty
• AI in hospitality: confusion, hype, and the gap between “buzzwords” vs real results
• How AI should support staff (reduce stress, protect service) rather than replace people
• Travel behaviour shifts: more local trips, road trips, and value-driven getaways (without giving up travel)

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT3HtYbHDNY

Links:
Katie Cline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiecline13/

Host of Suite Success: https://www.suitesuccesspodcast.com/

Josiah Mackenzie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/

Host, Hospitality Daily: https://podcast.hospitalitydaily.com/p/start-here/

Glenn Hausmann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennhaussman/

Host, No Vacancy: https://novacancynews.com/

Zach Busekrus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharybusekrus/

Host, Behind the Stays: https://www.journey.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/239

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

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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