In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Sarah Jarnicki, the Creator of BrandClave, the AI-powered platform redefining how hotel brands are created, validated, and brought to life.

Sarah shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Cincinnati to working in global commodities, traveling the world, and ultimately building a revolutionary system that predicts traveler desires before they hit trend reports.

We cover everything from:

• How AI, emotional design, and Web3 will reshape hotels by 2030
• Why traditional hotel branding is “broken” — and how BrandClave fixes it
• How Sarah built a 7-day process that delivers fully investor-ready hotel brands
• The rise of identity tourism, digital hotels, and immersive Web3 hospitality
• Why Middle Eastern cities like Dubai & Saudi Arabia are leading hospitality innovation
• How local culture, wellness, and technology will define the next decade of travel

Sarah also reveals her bold initiative to build the world’s first Web3 hotel, co-created with 100 influential women across hospitality, crypto, finance, and design. If you're a hotel developer, hospitality leader, futurist, or just curious about where travel is heading — this is a must-watch.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g7Lv21KxWjw

Links:
Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjarnicki/

BrandClave Hotels: https://brandclavehotels.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/234

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 they sit down with Steven Marais, Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Resorts, to discuss how AI-driven technology is revolutionizing the guest experience and easing staff challenges at high-end resorts like the Argonaut in San Francisco. 

In this episode, we cover:

• The front desk challenges at luxury resorts, including high phone call volume and guest service expectations.
• Why traditional AI solutions failed to meet authentic guest interaction standards.
• How Steven discovered EHVA through The Modern Hotelier podcast and why it stood out from other automation tools.
• Integration of EHVA with existing hotel systems like Actabl and Core Park, and the importance of technology partnerships.
• Implementation process and staff adoption of EHVA, making it easier to maintain Forbes-level service standards

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/m4ncSX5P6v0

Links:
Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smaraisnoblehouse/
Noble House Hotels & Resorts: https://www.noblehousehotels.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/233

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 us on this episode of The Modern Hotelier as we go live from the Hospitality Show in Denver, Colorado! We sit down with Tim Hansen, VP of Sales for hotels, resorts, and cruise ships at Agilysys, to explore how modern technology is transforming the hospitality industry.

Tim shares his journey from a California upbringing and college basketball dreams to leading a sales team that’s revolutionizing hotel operations. We dive into how Agilysys’ integrated software solutions are helping hotels, resorts, and cruise lines understand their guests like never before—turning data into personalized experiences, improving operations, and driving revenue.

In this episode, we cover:

• How integrated software is revolutionizing hotels, resorts, and cruise operations.
• The importance of knowing guest intent and creating personalized experiences.
• Leveraging data to improve service, staff efficiency, and revenue.
• How modern software is driving repeat visits, guest satisfaction, and operational insights

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jQcdKVgc-Tg

Links:
Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hansen-6489095b/
Agilysys: https://www.agilysys.com/en/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/232

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, we’re live from the trade show floor at The Hospitality Show in Denver, Colorado! Steve and David are joined by Gabriella Forss, Hospitality Engagement Leader of North America for SALTO Systems — one of the leading providers of electronic access control in hotels around the world.

Gabriella shares her journey from Cornell’s Hotel School to over eight years with SALTO, and explains how the company is helping hotels modernize access control while keeping the guest experience seamless. She breaks down how SALTO’s connected ecosystem reaches far beyond guestroom locks — spanning back-of-house access, lockers, padlocks, parking gates, and more, all within one scalable platform.

We dive into major topics shaping the future of hotel technology:

• Mobile keys & how SALTO balances frictionless access with high-level encryption
• Integrations with PMS, POS, and guest apps to create a cohesive hotel tech ecosystem
• The expansion into facial recognition and smart energy solutions
• SALTO’s commitment to sustainability, carbon neutrality, and eco-friendly credential

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Kr1_Javur7Y

Links:
Gabriella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellaforss/
SALTO Systems: https://saltosystems.com/en/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/231

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 Randy Haveson, Founder & President of Worth@Work, to explore how personal empowerment and team culture can transform the hospitality industry.

Randy shares his journey from psychology and counseling to speaking, coaching, and consulting in hospitality. Discover how his unique approach—focusing on staff energy, self-esteem, and communication—helps hotels improve morale, reduce turnover, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The philosophy behind Worth@Work and empowering hotel staff
• How to create a positive workplace culture that increases guest satisfaction
• How Randy uses personalized programs and follow-ups to create lasting change
• The importance of listening to your “best friend voice” over the “bully voice”

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Jpsa495idYU

Links:
Randy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-haveson/
WORTH@WORK: https://worthatwork.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/230

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, hosts Steve Carran chat with Will Gilbert, Co-Founder of Bodhi, live from the trade show floor at The Hospitality Show in Denver, Colorado.

Will shares the original “aha moment” behind creating Bodhi — a platform born from 25+ years of systems integration and a real-world need for hotels and mixed-use properties to manage smart devices under one pane of glass. What began as one-off software has evolved into a global solution trusted by integrators, manufacturers, resorts, and hotels worldwide.

In this episode, we cover:

• How a single high-end property inspired the creation of Bodhi
• Why being manufacturer agnostic is Bodhi’s biggest competitive advantage
• The tech behind predicting and preventing guest experience issues
• How BodhiGPT, GuestGPT, and their AI Super-Agent enhance operations and 5-star reviews
• Expansion into the multifamily & residential market

From AI-powered automation to quarter-million data messages per second, Bodhi is transforming how properties manage systems, respond to guest needs, and create unforgettable stays.

Whether you're running luxury hotels, select-service properties, or multifamily communities — this episode is packed with insight into the future of smart operations.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NeThDs6pbbs

Links:
Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-gilbert-0348586/
Bodhi: https://www.gobodhi.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/229

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 keep hotel laundry running when every minute counts? 

In today’s episode, Steve Carran sits down on the trade show floor with Zach Yaeger, Business Development Manager at LaundryLux — a company making major waves in the hotel laundry and commercial laundry space.

Zach shares how he went from college intern to spending 12+ years growing with LaundryLux, why their European-engineered Electrolux equipment is changing the game for hotels, and the biggest challenges they solve for hoteliers — especially fast lead times, reliability, and utility savings.

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• How LaundryLux stands out from other laundry companies
• Why technology and efficiency are becoming critical in hotel laundry rooms
• How fast lead times and stocked equipment protect hotels from downtime
• The future of laundry in hospitality and growing demand nationwide

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WxkMXOo7Y2w

Links:
Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-yaeger-77ab9499/
LaundryLux: https://laundrylux.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/228

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, we’re coming to you live from the bustling show floor of The Hospitality Show in Denver, Colorado, inside the WorldVue booth. 

Steve Carran sits down with four of WorldVue’s top leaders to uncover how the company has evolved into one of the most trusted hotel technology partners in the world — and where guest experience technology is headed next. Tune in for real talk on global rollout, partnership criteria, AI & IoT personalization, and making hotel tech “invisible” for better stays.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• The WorldVue origin story and growth mindset 
• How WorldVue evaluates partners and technology
• Balancing global consistency with local execution and guest expectations
• Deep dive on Compass — extending the guest experience beyond the room using AI & IoT 
• Practical examples of guest personalization and why “people first” still wins

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gLK3KQZSGBE

Links:
WorldVue: https://www.worldvue.com/
Robert Grosz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-g-9806552/
Chris Guthery: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisguthery/
Scott Jamison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-jamison-yyz28/
Mark Schaps: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mschaps/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/227

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, we’re live on the trade show floor at The Hospitality Show in Denver, Colorado, sitting down with Wendy Zapach, Chief Revenue Officer at Optii. We dive into the major shifts happening in hotel technology, why mergers and acquisitions are shaking up the industry, and what hoteliers should be demanding from their tech partners moving forward.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why consolidation in hotel tech is creating innovation gaps
• How tech mergers affect operators, guest experience & trust
• What hoteliers should ask when a tech partner changes ownership
• How to tell real AI solutions from AI “fluff”
• Why bigger tech ecosystems don’t always mean better outcomes

Wendy shares insider insights on predictive intelligence, machine learning, open APIs, data transparency, and how hotel teams can protect guest experience while modernizing operations.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BRH7_W6sVZs

Links:
Wendy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyzapach/
Optii: https://www.optiisolutions.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/226

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 happens when a lifelong hotelier challenges the traditional franchise model — and discovers a better way to grow brands, revenue, and guest loyalty?

In today's episode, David and Steve sit down with Fredrick Schoener, Brand Director at Silverstone Inns and a lifetime hotelier known for his innovative approach to the hotel business, franchise models, and revenue growth.

Fredrick shares his incredible journey in hospitality — from front desk to owner, to brand director — and reveals why he believes membership-based hotel branding models will redefine the future of hospitality.

Today, you'll learn about:

• How hotel owners can make money, even in tough markets
• Why most properties rely more on OTAs than they admit
• How Gen Z will transform hotel ownership and branding
• Why thick franchise contracts hurt owners — and what to do instead
• The mindset needed to grow from entry-level employee to brand leader

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y7li-1ysP6g

Links:
Fredrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrick-schoener-cha-a5153517/
SilverStone Inns: https://www.silverstoneinns.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/225

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.