The Turndown: The Podcast for Hoteliers

What does it take to shape the future of hotel development while staying true to your vision? In this episode of The Turndown, Richard Kessler, Founder of The Kessler Collection, shares his journey from building budget hotels to becoming a visionary in boutique luxury. 

From his first boutique hotel (before anyone really knew what that meant) to shaping the Autograph Collection with Mariott, Richard explains how art, music, and innovative design create guest experiences that keep people coming back. This conversation explores the realities of hotel development today and what it takes to succeed as an independent in a brand-driven world.

Jennifer Barnwell is an advocate for independent hotels. As President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, she offers independents the opportunity to harness the power of scale and access cost savings through vendor negotiations, ultimately helping them stay independent and be more profitable. She discusses the challenges and opportunities for independents in terms of funding, brand awareness, and loyalty programs, as well as which key technology investments to prioritize.

With hospitality students graduating with skills that can be applied to other industries with better salaries and work-life balance, how will the industry retain its top-tier talent? As Dean of Hotel Institute Montreux and Assistant Dean of Swiss Hotel Management School, Claire Jollain has direct contact with future hospitality professionals and shares her perspective on how the industry needs to adapt to appeal to the upcoming generation of leaders.  

Additional resources on this topic:  

• A 2024 guide to hotel automation 

When was the last time you spent the night camping? As Global Director of Partnerships at Hipcamp with over 15 years of experience in the outdoor hospitality and tech industry, Kristen Vasan is dedicated to getting travelers to experience nature as a way of promoting environmental stewardship. She shares her transition from working in New York City to spending half the year sleeping in a tent and her thoughts on the transformative power of nature in sparking collective humanity. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• 6 ways to make your hotel more sustainable 

As someone who joined the hospitality industry right after high school, lecturer Julia Krebs has deep passion, understanding, and experience in the field that she draws from to connect with students at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management. She emphasizes the importance of inspiring young adults to choose a career in hospitality and discusses the need to balance technology in hospitality education with the human touch. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• Infinitely scalable: Build your ideal hotel tech stack with a modern platform 

The vacation rental industry has become highly lucrative – and competitive – in recent years. As Global Head of Connectivity Account Management at Vrbo, Gavin Gray has a wealth of insights to share about the vacation rental industry, including top trends, hot destinations, and essential technology tools needed to gain a competitive edge. He highlights the differences between hotels and vacation rentals, as well as the increasing similarities in the experiences they offer. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• 23 Airbnb competitors and alternative booking sites 

During his long career in hospitality education, Dr. Stowe Shoemaker (Ph.D. Cornell University) has witnessed the hospitality curriculum evolve into a business-focused teaching. But should hospitality be all business? He discusses the challenges of educating and attracting a new generation to the hospitality industry and explores the value of applying hospitality principles in other industries, especially healthcare. 

Additional Resources on this topic: 

• Exclusive interview: How to empower hospitality’s future leaders with modern tech skills and innovation 

Running a resort & spa in the middle of remote Utah has proven to be one of life’s greatest adventures for Dallin Tait. After spending the better part of his career running an excursion company, Dallin also took on the role of General Manager at his family-owned hotel in Bluff, Utah – a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts. He shares his success journey, from starting a destination hotel business and building a strong team to navigating challenges and scaling for growth. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• From idea to execution: 10 sections to include in your hotel business plan

Jacqueline Nunley has been at the forefront of revolutionizing travel industry technology for over two decades. As the Industry Advisor for Travel & Hospitality at Salesforce, she has dedicated her career to guiding companies to transform with innovative solutions. She shares her perspective on the importance of discovering and adopting new tools, the impact technology has on hospitality job roles, and the future of travel – including potential disruptions that may occur.  

Additional resources on this topic: 

• 14 hotel technology trends that every hotelier needs to know

From business setbacks to viral TikToks, Bianda Brasdorp has experienced a full spectrum of challenges and triumphs on her journey to becoming the successful owner of multiple female-only hostels in Europe. She shares her experience and recommendations for aspiring hostel owners, including coming up with a unique concept, making the most of social media marketing, and maintaining a positive mindset when facing obstacles and criticism. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• TikTok for hotels: 9 best practices & examples to get you started