Thirsty Bandit - Strategy Sessions

In this episode, Corey and Rachel explore the enduring power of physical media, the importance of cultural endurance for brands, and how hospitality can serve as a vehicle for meaningful connections. Our guest, Mike DaRe, shares insights on brand relevance, the impact of technology, and the value of authentic experiences.

About Our Guest: Mike DaRe is President of Smarts US, a global public relations (PR) and creative agency and part of the MSQ marketing group. As head of one of the industry’s most successful creative agencies, Mike's team delivers award-winning work for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. Mike has spent his career helping brands find meaningful ways to show up in culture, from his work with Diageo and brands like Crown Royal and Bulleit to his leadership at Smarts today. He’s also one of the people behind Smarts’ idea of “Cultural Endurance,” the notion that the brands that really matter aren’t necessarily the ones chasing every trend, but the ones that build lasting connections with people. For more information, visit https://smarts.agency

In this episode of Strategy Sessions, Corey and Rachel chat with Irene Squizzato, founder of Curiosity Roads, to explore how travel can be one of the most powerful ways to understand a region through its people, culture, food, wine, and traditions. They discuss the art of bespoke travel, the importance of creating authentic and deeply personal experiences, and the parallels between Curiosity Roads' approach to travel and Thirsty Bandit's philosophy of hospitality.

About Our Guest: As founder of Curiosity Roads, Irene Squizzato believes the best way to experience a destination is to get curious about what makes it unique. A seasoned luxury travel designer with more than a decade of experience, Irene creates highly personalized journeys that connect travelers with the people, food, wine, artisans, and culture that bring a place to life. Her extensive network and global perspective allow her to turn a trip into something far more meaningful than a vacation, but rather a genuine connection to place. For more information, visit curiosityroads.com.

In this episode of Strategy Sessions, Corey and Rachel dive into the growing importance of non-alcoholic (NA) options within the hospitality industry. With the rise of NA offerings, many establishments are rethinking their beverage programs to ensure inclusivity and enhance the overall experience for all guests.

We champion eating locally, but why don't we think about drinking locally in the same way? In this episode of Strategy Sessions, we sit down with Maryam Ahmed, founder of Maryam + Company, to explore the ideas behind her Bon Appétit op-ed article, “We Champion Eating Locally. Why Not Drinking Local?” We discuss why local wine and beverage producers often struggle to gain the same visibility as local farmers and food producers, and how restaurants, retailers, and hospitality businesses can use beverage programs to tell a stronger story about place.

Maryam also challenges us to think beyond the bottle and consider the broader economic and cultural impact of what we choose to pour. From distribution and purchasing practices to sustainability, community-building, and the guest experience, this conversation explores how drinking local can become a meaningful extension of the farm-to-table movement and a powerful way for hospitality businesses to create a deeper connection between people, producers, and place.

About Our Guest: Maryam Ahmed is the founder of Maryam + Company, a strategic consultancy focused on food, wine, community, and social impact. A writer, speaker, strategist, and experiential producer, Maryam works at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and purpose, helping organizations develop meaningful experiences and stronger connections with their communities. She is also a recognized voice in the wine industry on sustainability, inclusion, and place-based hospitality. Learn more at https://www.maryamandcompany.com

In this episode,Corey and Rachel celebrate 30 episodes of their podcast, delve into the history and relevance of the Judgment of Paris, and explore the evolving landscape of the wine industry, emphasizing regional diversity, climate impacts, and industry challenges.

Key topics include:

• History and significance of the Judgment of Paris
• Impact of climate change on wine regions
• Emerging wine regions and their potential
• Industry challenges and industry evolution
• The importance of regional diversity and transparency in wine

In this episode, Corey and Rachel interview Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, about the evolving role of technology in hospitality. They explore how to balance high-tech solutions with human touch, scale operations effectively, and leverage AI for personalized guest and employee experiences.

Key topics covered:

• The role of technology in enhancing guest experience
• Scaling hospitality operations without losing culture
• Using AI for personalized employee coaching and guest service

About our guest: Geoffrey Toffetti is the Founder and CEO of Frontline Performance Group (FPG), a global hospitality technology and performance company helping hotels and other food and beverage businesses unlock revenue through smarter frontline engagement, coaching, and guest experience strategies. Under Geoffrey’s leadership, Frontline has expanded to thousands of properties across more than 100 countries, partnering with some of the world’s leading hospitality brands. Learn more about FPG at https://frontlinepg.com

In this episode of Strategy Sessions, Corey Krejcik and Rachel Brown explore the art of creating memorable guest experiences in wine tasting and hospitality. They discuss the importance of storytelling, emotional design, pacing, and genuine enthusiasm to leave lasting impressions and foster customer loyalty.

Key takeaways:

• Guests remember how you made them feel more than technical details.
• Storytelling and enthusiasm create memorable experiences.
• Reading guest cues and pivoting is crucial for engagement.
• Intentionality in service design enhances guest satisfaction.
• Personalized experiences foster loyalty and repeat visits.

In the world of hospitality, service standards and procedures are essential for maintaining brand integrity and ensuring consistency. But what happens when you find yourself in a situation that requires flexibility? How do you know when to adhere strictly to the rules and when to bend them for the sake of exceptional guest experiences? In this episode, Corey and Rachel discuss how to navigate the grey areas of hospitality service standards with insights from expert Jamie Cooperstein. The conversation uncovers practical strategies to enhance guest experiences while maintaining brand integrity.

About our guest: Jamie Cooperstein in the owner and CEO of J. Cooperstein Hospitality Consulting, LLC and the author of True Hospitality: Lessons Learned from Behind the Concierge Desk. After having spent a decade as a concierge at both a luxury hotel and a luxury residence, Jamie now passes along her acquired knowledge to employees at a myriad of hospitality businesses. Jamie uses the principles of AAA “Five Diamond” service, which shaped her career, to educate employees who work behind or supervise those that work at front desk counters, host stands, customer service windows, in lobbies or over the phone. Learn more about Jamie at https://jcoopconsulting.com

Collaboration is often misunderstood in creative industries. It is not merely about working together; it is about creating mutual benefits and shared investment. In this episode, Corey and Rachel chat with Sydney Welch, co-founder of The Maker's Table, to discuss the power of true collaboration and why it involves all parties contributing something meaningful. In their model, guests are not just attendees but active participants who enhance the overall experience. This approach transforms a typical dinner into a collaborative event where everyone's contributions are valued.

About our guest: Sydney Welch, author of The Art of Collaboration and co-founder of The Makers Table, loves working at the intersection of hospitality, creativity, and collaboration. Often referred to as a connector, she loves bridging the gap between the makers in her orbit to create opportunities for unexpected partnerships. With a background in education and high-ed Sydney takes an individualistic approach to every person and project that’s rooted in data and community building equally. Learn more about Sydney and The Makers Table at https://www.themakerstable.co/

In this episode, Corey and Rachel chat with Dr. Kimberly McGlonn to discuss the intersection of ethical leadership, purpose-driven business, and social responsibility, emphasizing the importance of morality, emotional literacy, and vulnerability in leadership. The conversation explores how hospitality brands can align profit with purpose and create cultures where people and communities thrive.

Key topics discussed, include:

• The role of morality in leadership decisions
• Emotional literacy and emotional design in organizations
• Building authentic and purpose-driven brands
• The importance of vulnerability and courage in leadership
• Aligning business practices with social and environmental impact

About Our Guest: Dr. Kimberly McGlonn is a speaker, author, and executive advisor working at the intersection of leadership, design, and social impact. Her work challenges leaders to move beyond performance and toward purpose, responsibility, and systems-level thinking. Kimberly is the author of The Leader's Work and Build It Boldly, as well as a columnist for Philadelphia Magazine, where her “Dear Kimberly” column explores leadership, identity, and navigating complexity with clarity.

More information about Kimberly can be found at:

https://www.drkimberlymcglonn.com/

https://builditboldly.com