IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Hyatts’ former head of revenue & distribution strategy Sharad Kapur who has helped hotels and resorts develop and grow their revenue management and distribution capabilities around the world. In this episode Sharad shares his views on how the COVID-19 crisis is leading to a fundamental shift in how the industry generates and optimizes revenue, which in turn will lead to the rise of the commercial strategist, an analytically minded leader whose responsibility is to integrate and optimize all revenue streams and maximize total revenue and profitability.

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Derek Brewster, director of revenue management at the Lotte New York Palace. The duo originally spoke in Episode 2: In a Holding Pattern – Is it a time for Spring Cleaning? With the Lotte New York Palace finally reopening its doors to guests this week, Derek shares his latest learnings and strategies.

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Chinmai Sharma, president of the Americas for RateGain. The two hospitality thought leaders originally spoke in Episode 4: Aftermath – How Revenue Management Must Adapt. Since plenty has changed in the industry, and RateGain processes a plethora of global booking data, Klaus thought it would be a great time to check back in on the state of global hospitality now that lockdowns and some travel restrictions are easing up around the world.

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Joerg Boeckeler, chief operating officer of Dorint Hotels and Resorts. Joerg and Klaus discuss the opportunities for change ushered in by the pandemic, Joerg’s outlook for the hospitality industry for the next few months and beyond, and the most important leadership traits during this time.

Join IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr for a very special episode of the Unconstrained Conversations podcast. Klaus talks with a few key speakers from Opportunity 2020, an annual revenue management conference held earlier this year. At the time of the conference, the industry was buzzing about the prosperous outlook for 2020 and beyond. Six months later, we find ourselves in a world and an industry which has gone through the worst crisis in recent history. Klaus and guests discuss the opportunities they see for the industry going forward. Guests include:

·        Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, president, founder and chief scientist, IDeaS

·        Ally Northfield, founder and managing director, Revenue by Design

·        Kym Kapadia, chief commercial officer, Aprirose Real Estate Investment

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Melinda Yeoh, head of revenue management at The Ascott Limited. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott is one of the leading international lodging owner operators focusing on the extended-stay market and operating in over 180 cities across over 30 countries. Melinda shares unique insights about how Ascott has dealt with the pandemic in Asia Pacific and beyond and how it has leveraged the early learnings from its operation in China across the rest of the portfolio.

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Shyam Patil, senior equity analyst at Susquehanna International Group (SIG). Shyam covers the internet sector including online travel agencies and shares his “Wall Street” perspective on recovery.

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Darin Uselman, VP of franchise services for Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA). Darin and Klaus talk about recovery in the drive-to leisure market this summer, data-based decision-making and the research confirming a changed consumer landscape.

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Andy Grinsfelder, VP of revenue, sales & marketing at Delaware North. What’s Delaware North you ask? If you’ve ever been to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Kennedy Space Center, a major sports stadium or eaten in an airport, you’ve likely been served by one of their 55,000 employees. With the leisure and outdoor tourism markets predicted to recover first, Delaware North is well positioned for the first wave of recovery business. Andy and Klaus discuss the challenges associated with running a multifaceted leisure business in various markets.

IDeaS’ chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr speaks with Michael Robinson, general manager of Caravelle Saigon in Vietnam. While borders are still closed, the hotel has reopened and Michael is looking toward the next few months for a slow but steady recovery. This episode is filled with creative ideas for adapting a hotel’s business to make the best of available demand.