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Whether you're a hotelier struggling with outdated systems or just a tech geek who loves a good innovation story, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.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

In this episode recorded live at HITEC, we sit down with Estella Hale from Zucchetti North America to talk all things innovation, automation, and integration in hotel tech. With more than 15 years of HITEC experience under her belt, Estella shares insider insights into how Zucchetti is reshaping the hospitality tech landscape in North America.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Zucchetti brings European tech excellence to North American hotels
• How generative AI is being used for translations, chatbots, and impactful visuals
• The industry's ongoing challenge with tech integration—and how Zucchetti addresses it
• Why integration should go beyond the “minimum common denominator"
• Creating data lakes to improve revenue decisions and future-proof hotel operations

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h2ORBFn6oI0

This episode is sponsored by Zucchetti North America: https://www.zucchetti.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:
Estella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estellahale/
Zucchetti North America: https://www.zucchetti.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/175

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.

Hosts Steve Carran and David M. sit down with the powerhouse women behind the movement, including Mercedes Blanco and Silvia Camarota, the co-founders of Women in Travel Thrive. They share the inspiring story of how a grassroots idea born during the pandemic became a global nonprofit that’s transforming the travel and hospitality industry — one Day of Impact at a time.

You'll also hear from participants like Rachel Kooyman, who found community and purpose through volunteering, and guest speakers like Cezary Pietrasik, author of Homo Idioticus, and Syama Bunten, CEO of Big Delta Capital and host of the Getting Rich Together podcast, who speak powerfully on fighting bias, building financial freedom, and leading with intention.

From the birth of a movement to a retreat in Costa Rica, this episode dives into purpose-driven leadership, empowering stories, and what it really means to thrive together.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why Day of Impact has become a signature moment for the community
• How Women in Travel Thrive is closing the gender gap without gatekeeping
• Real talk on financial empowerment, conformity bias, and redefining success
• Tips for building wealth, confidence, and community — on your own terms

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ixuxu3i9N1I

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:
Mercedes Blanco
Mercedes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedesblancoanton/
Women in Travel Thrive: https://womenintravelthrive.com/

Silvia Camarota
Silvia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviabcamarota/

Women in Travel Thrive: https://womenintravelthrive.com/

Cezary Pietrasik
Cezary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cezary-pietrasik/

Syama Bunten
Syama on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syamameagher/

Big Delta Capital: https://www.bigdeltacapital.com/

Rachel Kooyman
Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkooyman/

Women in Travel Thrive: https://womenintravelthrive.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/174

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.

Hosts Steve Carran and David M. sit down with Noelani Schroy, VP of Global Territory Sales at Onyx CenterSource. Broadcasting from the bustling trade show floor in Indianapolis, Noe shares how Onyx is transforming the often-complicated world of hotel commission payments into a seamless experience for both hotels and travel agencies. 

They dive into:

• Why HITEC feels like a “dysfunctional family reunion” (in the best way)
• How Onyx removes the friction from B2B commission payments
• The role of travel agents in today’s direct booking vs. OTA conversation
• The launch of Onyx Insights, a data-driven solution to help hotels grow and retain agency partnerships

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e16U0nky9m8

This episode is sponsored by Onyx CenterSource: https://www.onyxcentersource.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:
Noelani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelanib/
Onyx CenterSource: https://www.onyxcentersource.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/173

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 coming to you from the floor of HITEC in Indianapolis, where Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Kevin Bidner, CEO of Hotel Communication Network (HCN).

Kevin shares the incredible journey from being a serial tech entrepreneur to disrupting the hospitality industry with an innovative, guest-centric solution: in-room tablets that redefine hotel communication. Discover why HCN’s technology is quickly becoming the global standard, how it’s solving the decades-old problem of digital guest engagement, and how it's now accessible to hotels of all levels through an ad-subsidized model.

We also dive into HCN’s latest breakthrough: a conversational AI concierge that speaks every language, solves problems instantly, and helps guests explore the city — revolutionizing the travel experience from the inside out.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why hotel apps fall short, and tablets win the engagement battle
• How HCN became the global leader after acquiring Crave
• The real impact of guestroom tablets on satisfaction and hotel revenue
• How AI is transforming the hotel experience — in-room and beyond
• The bold vision to become “the concierge to the world”

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TU0bR74Jpd0

This episode is sponsored by HCN: https://hcn-inc.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:
Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbidner/
HCN: https://hcn-inc.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/172

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.