In this episode, we sit down with Executive Chef Patrick McElroy of Landmark Prime Rib inside the iconic Warwick Melrose Hotel in Dallas. Chef Patrick shares his journey from a small island in South Jersey—where fresh seafood was caught just minutes from home—to his rise through French and Italian kitchens across the Northeast, and eventually his return to the place he now calls home: The Melrose.

We talk about the unique character of the Warwick Melrose, the revival of prime rib as an everyday luxury, and how nostalgia and neighbourhood ties have shaped this historic hotel into a modern-day favorite.

If you love stories of culinary heritage, community connection, and bringing classic hospitality back to life—this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• How his father (a corporate exec with serious grill skills) influenced his cooking
• What makes the Landmark Prime Rib and Library Bar so unique in the Dallas scene
• The deep neighborhood ties and generational loyalty to The Melrose
• Why prime rib deserves to be more than just a holiday meal
• What brought Patrick back after 2020—and why it still feels like home

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

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:
Patrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mcelroy-74763052/

Warwick Melrose - Dallas: https://www.warwickhotels.com/warwick-melrose-dallas

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/185

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, we sit down with Mahwish Saleem, Head of Sales at FCS Solutions, to explore how hotels can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve guest satisfaction—all by simplifying their tech stack.

Mahwish shares her first impressions of HITEC, what excites her about the future of hotel tech, and how FCS is helping hoteliers stay ahead in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Mahwish’s first HITEC experience and why it's more than just a trade show
• How FCS Solutions helps hotels improve operations and guest service
• Why reducing the hotel tech stack is becoming a top priority
• How automation and AI are driving productivity in housekeeping and maintenance

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

This episode is sponsored by FCS Solutions: https://www.fcshub.com/en

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:
Mahwish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahwish-saleem-17ab1283/?originalSubdomain=ca
FCS Solutions: https://www.fcshub.com/en

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/184

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.

Today, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Tony Ross, Director of Sales at Craftable, to talk about how technology is helping operators tackle today’s biggest hospitality challenges — especially rising costs and profit pressure.

Tony brings decades of industry experience and shares how Craftable is streamlining operations, cutting down bloated tech stacks, and helping hotels make smarter, faster decisions with AI and automation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “profit pressure” is one of the biggest challenges in hospitality right now
• How Craftable is helping operators manage rising food and labour costs
• The role of AI in automating invoice processing and GL coding
• How Craftable simplifies integration and helps reduce your tech stack
• What Craftable is promoting at HITEC and what’s next for the company

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

This episode is sponsored by Craftable: https://craftable.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:
Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaross1/
Craftable: https://craftable.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/183

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 live episode of The Modern Hotelier, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Jason Jenkins, Vice President & Managing Director of the Americas, HRS, to talk all things hotel tech—from AI-powered upselling to seamless system integration.

Whether you’re a HITEC veteran or a tech-curious hotelier, this episode gives you a front-row seat to how HRS is streamlining operations and enhancing the guest experience in a rapidly evolving landscape.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Jason’s HITEC experience and what’s trending in 2025
• How HRS is using AI and automation to improve workflows and guest experiences
• The benefits of HRS’s in-house AI platform—from data security to eliminating third-party integrations
• Why system integration is still a challenge and how HRS is simplifying it
• How LTE-enabled mobile ordering boosts efficiency and revenue

This is one episode you don’t want to miss—straight from the show floor with insights that could shape your tech strategy this year.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9w05FN3UAYA

This episode is sponsored by Americas, HRS: https://hrsinternational.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:
Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-jenkins/
Americas, HRS: https://hrsinternational.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/182

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 special episode of The Modern Hotelier, we’re live from the Dallara IndyCar Factory at HITEC—and yes, the cars are as fast as the tech talk.

We’re joined by Phil Crawford, Head of Hospitality at Adyen, who dives into how they're reshaping the future of payments for the hotel industry.

From solving the chaos of fragmented systems to leveraging true AI (not just buzzword fluff), Phil breaks down how Adyen’s unified commerce approach is creating seamless, data-driven guest experiences. He shares real-world applications—from fraud prevention to global API integrations—and how they’re listening to their clients to build smarter, faster, and more flexible tools.

Whether you're a hotelier struggling with outdated systems or just a tech geek who loves a good innovation story, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.

Tune in for:

•  Behind-the-scenes of Phil’s first HITEC
•  How Adyen is building payment solutions hotels actually need
•  What AI should really look like in hospitality

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2z2e61p_Xds

This episode is sponsored by Adyen: https://www.adyen.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:
Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crawfordphil/
Adyen: https://www.adyen.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/181

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, we’re joined by a hospitality tech powerhouse: Robert Dawson, Chief Strategist and Product Officer at IRECKONU.

Robert shares his journey from front desk college job to C-suite, how he fell in love with the hotel industry, and why solving fragmented data problems became his mission. We talk all things AI, automation, data management, and CRM evolution — and what’s making waves at HITEC this year.

We talk about:

• Why the entrepreneurial section at HITEC is the place to be
• The real opportunities (and limits) of AI in hospitality
• What IRECKONU is doing to turn data into real guest engagement

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7X3r0-OPuWc

This episode is sponsored by IRECKONU: https://ireckonu.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:
Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hospitalitytechnologyexecutive/
IRECKONU: https://ireckonu.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/180

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.

Today’s episode features hosts Steve Carran and David M., broadcasting from the iconic Dallara IndyCar Factory in Indianapolis with special guest Jason Craparo, CEO of Hovr—the company revolutionizing hotel websites with video storytelling.

We dive into:

• How Hovr helps guests' book with confidence through seamless video integration
• The power of generative AI to supercharge marketing decisions
• How easy it is to implement Hovr with just one line of code
• Why video storytelling boosts engagement, CTRs, and direct bookings
• What hotels get wrong about content—and how Hovr flips the script

If you're a hotel marketer, tech innovator, or hospitality pro looking to level up guest experience and conversion—this one’s for you.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8gyq2G17m5s

This episode is sponsored by Hovr: https://gethovr.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:
Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncraparo/
Hovr: https://gethovr.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/179

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 special HITEC 2025 edition of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality's Most Engaged Podcast, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dan Bell, VP of Hotels and Resorts at Agilysys, for an energized and insightful conversation straight from the show floor.

Dan shares his journey from his blue-collar roots in Easton, Pennsylvania, to leading hospitality tech innovation at Agilysys. He opens up about what drives him, his favorite city in the world, and the lessons he still carries from his early days in restaurant tech. The trio also dives into the transformative power of integrated, guest-focused technology—and how forward-thinking hoteliers are boosting revenue, efficiency, and experience through modern solutions.

From intelligent guest profiles and PMS innovation to post-sale support and the future of hospitality service, this episode is packed with insights for industry leaders who want to stay ahead.

You’ll learn:

• Why Dan believes singular industry focus is the key to better tech
• How Agilysys is redefining the guest experience with end-to-end solutions
• The importance of collaboration between sales, development, and operators
• What post-sale service really looks like when it’s done right

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F135XFiPjgY

This episode is sponsored by agilysys: https://www.agilysys.com/en/

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:
Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bell-01a6055/
agilysys: https://www.agilysys.com/en/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/178

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, we’re live from the iconic Dallara IndyCar Factory in Indianapolis, joined by Tristan Gadsby, CEO of Alliants, and Alberto Santana, CRO of Alliants.

Together, we explore how hospitality is shifting gears from clunky, fragmented tech to seamless, guest-first experiences. From reinventing contactless solutions post-COVID to ditching plastic key cards in favor of NFC technology, Alliants is helping hotels rediscover what true hospitality feels like—personal, powerful, and friction-free.

Learn how:

• Resorts World Las Vegas revamped their tech stack for an end-to-end contactless experience.
• NFC keys are revolutionizing guest access (and finally working in elevators).
• Hotels can personalize stays before the guest even arrives—boosting revenue and delight.
• The outdated idea of “reception” is being replaced with something much more human.

And don’t miss Alberto’s fiery take on why hospitality needs to break up with transactions and start having real conversations.

Whether you're a tech-savvy GM or just curious about the future of hotel experiences, this is the episode that connects the dots between innovation and true hospitality.

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

This episode is sponsored by Alliants: https://www.alliants.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:
Tristan Gadsby
Tristan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristangadsby/
Alliants: https://www.alliants.com/

Alberto Santana
Alberto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsantana/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/177

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.

Today, we sit down with Will Gilbert, co-founder of Bodhi, a groundbreaking platform transforming hotel operations through AI, automation, and integration.

With over 25 years of system integration experience, Will shares how Bodhi acts like a virtual technician, working 24/7 to ensure every device in a hotel—regardless of brand—is functioning flawlessly. From a universal guest app that requires no downloads to a powerful AI "Super Agent" processing hundreds of thousands of data points every second, Bodhi is solving problems hotels didn’t even know they had.

We dive into:

• The challenges of integration and how Bodhi stays one step ahead
• How AI is actually being used—no fluff, just function
• The power of real-time data across lighting, HVAC, locks, and PMS systems
• Their new innovations debuting at HITEC (hint: three layers of AI!)
• Why the guest experience starts before they even speak up

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

This episode is sponsored by Bodhi: https://www.gobodhi.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:
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/176

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.