Hospitality Leaders - Interviews with hotel, event, and food service experts
76 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago -On the Hospitality Leaders Podcast, we bring you insightful conversations with leaders in the hotel, casino, attraction, food service, and event industries.
We discuss the state of the industry today, and look at trends that show the direction the industry is heading in the future.
Subscribe and be sure to check out our website for more resources at HospitalityLeadersPodcast.com
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Episodes
Perspectives From Hospitality's Ground Floor with Madison Martin at Hilton
May 30, 2023 11:10 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBThis episode features a conversation with Madison Martin, Senior Event Manager at Hilton, who’s here to talk about the experiences of some of hospitality’s front-line workers. While I often get the chance to speak with organizational founders and CEOs, Madison brings a ground-level perspective that is sometimes missing in discussions about the evolving needs and expectations of hospitality workers. As Madison tells it, many organizations often neglect the tangible benefits that most employ...
Making Hospitality Skills Useful Anywhere with Peter Ricci at Florida Atlantic University
May 22, 2023 04:16 - 36 minutes - 33 MBI’m pleased to welcome Peter Ricci, Clinical Associate Professor and Director for the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program at Florida Atlantic University, to hear about the FAU hospitality certificate program. One of the hallmarks of Peter’s approach to hospitality education is its versatility in its practical applications. People from all kinds of industries outside of hospitality have something to glean from Peter’s program. As Peter sees it, hospitality isn’t just an industry but a ...
Building Mission-Centric Teams with Kate Porter at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum
May 15, 2023 04:40 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBFor the difficult work required in the hospitality industry, it’s essential to have a team that’s passionate about the organizational mission. That’s what I discussed on this episode with Kate Porter, Co-Executive Director at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. To create a guest-facing experience that’s fun and exciting, a lot of back-end work has to be done by a dedicated staff. If you don’t love what you do, burnout in that environment can be one bad day away. That’s why Kate goes out o...
Sleep-Friendly Food Options with Sean Folkson at Nightfood
May 08, 2023 03:55 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBOn this episode, I’m pleased to welcome Sean Folkson, Founder and CEO of Nightfood, to talk about how Sean’s organization is pioneering new healthy choices for hotel guests. Nightfood is a range of sleep-friendly snacks that provide guests with a healthier alternative to satisfy their late-night cravings. Nightfood manufactures cookies, ice cream, chips and more to accommodate all kinds of customer tastes. To Sean, this is an important step in diversification for hotels. It’s an opportunit...
Using Tech in Direct Response Marketing with Joe Gray at SalesHop.io and Glacier Hospitality
May 01, 2023 03:58 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Joe Gray, Co-Founder of SalesHop.io and VP of Sales at Glacier Hospitality, to hear how he’s using technology in conjunction with direct response marketing to reach new markets for his family’s hotel group. Joe’s parents got into the hotel business before Joe was 10 years old, and he’s been a part of their sales and marketing team since college. After Covid-19, Joe struck out on his own to learn from career professionals in the marketing space. He founded Sale...
Leveraging Social Media with Megan Thomas at The Social Reserve
April 24, 2023 03:58 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBI’m excited to welcome Megan Thomas, Social Media Consultant and Owner of The Social Reserve, to the podcast to discuss the role of social media in hospitality. Megan got her start in the hospitality industry working at the front desk of a hotel before eventually working her way up to Assistant General Manager. When the Covid-19 pandemic brought hard times to the industry, Megan branched out on her own to find ways she could help hospitality navigate that tumultuous period. She quickly foun...
Leveraging AI To Improve Customer Satisfaction with Logan Nicholson at LocalEyes
April 17, 2023 15:00 - 26 minutes - 36 MBNew technology has the potential to revolutionize the guest experience in the hospitality industry. Logan Nicholson, CEO and Founder of LocalEyes, is bringing the best of AI and process automation to hoteliers to help them improve guest satisfaction and increase revenue. Guests are most likely to enjoy a hotel stay when they have a convenient way of communicating their needs and when those needs are promptly met. In the past, a flood of guest communications often meant that hotel staff were...
The New Normal of Live Events with Troy Springer at Elevate Production Group
April 09, 2023 19:12 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Troy Springer, President at Elevate Production Group, to hear how he’s championing a return to live, in-person meetings and how his industry has evolved in a post-pandemic world. Event planners all over the world were forced to construct entirely new business models in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The rise of virtual meetings meant that technology played a much bigger role in these events and industry leaders became comfortable forgoing in-person collabo...
Pursuing Specialization and Differentiation with Randy McKay at Carolina Theater of Durham
April 02, 2023 16:05 - 26 minutes - 36 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Randy McKay, President and CEO at the Carolina Theatre of Durham, to hear how he’s using his organization’s available resources to create unique experiences that his guests can’t find anywhere else. Randy’s passion for theater goes back to his childhood days of wanting to be an actor, a passion which eventually shifted to encompass the behind-the-scenes production elements of live shows and concerts. The Carolina Theatre of Durham is one of the most unique ve...
Merging Human Empathy and AI Technology with Josiah Mackenzie at HotelOperations.com
March 27, 2023 06:27 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MBI’m pleased to welcome back Josiah Mackenzie, Publisher at HotelOperations.com, for his second appearance on the podcast, this time to discuss the role of AI in the future of hospitality. As Josiah sees it, hospitality is a human industry through and through, and the foundation of success will always be meaningful human relationships. That doesn’t mean that technology won’t play an important role in shaping those relationships, though. AI is an important pattern recognition and analytics t...
Building a More Empathetic Team with Tara Gallina at Take Root Hospitality Group
March 20, 2023 05:47 - 24 minutes - 34.2 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Tara Gallina, Co-Owner of Take Root Hospitality Group, to hear how she’s working to create a more empathetic hospitality industry. Tara is a fine dining veteran, having worked at the prestigious Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York before taking her expertise to St. Louis and opening four outstanding restaurants of her own. In each of her businesses, Tara works tirelessly to cultivate a leadership team that is understanding and empathetic towards the needs of...
Cultivating a Communal Experience with Tearlach Hutcheson at Studio Movie Grill
March 13, 2023 11:23 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Tearlach Hutcheson, Vice President of Film at Studio Movie Grill, to hear how the film industry is continuing to bring people together in a post-pandemic world. Tearlach is passionate about good storytelling and about experiencing those stories together with others. His dedication to these values drew him into the film industry. He’s been striving to cultivate an environment of shared narrative experiences for the better part of two decades. To him, movie the...
Embracing Digital Hospitality with Valerie Bihet at VIBE Agency
March 06, 2023 10:20 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Valerie Bihet, owner of VIBE Agency, to hear how she and her team continue to stay on top of a constantly evolving industry. One of the hardest-hit corners of the hospitality industry as a result of Covid was the event planning sphere. While many events in 2020 and beyond were canceled, others shifted to a virtual or hybrid model. That shift is shaping the future evolution of event coordination. Valerie’s organization not only seeks to capitalize on the ne...
Hands-On Education with Joseph Gormley at the College of Southern Nevada
February 27, 2023 15:12 - 21 minutes - 30.2 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Joseph Gormley, Professor and Hospitality Management Chair at the College of Southern Nevada. Joseph initially pursued a career in aerospace engineering but pivoted to an undergraduate degree in business which he used to start an Italian ice food truck company. Between that entrepreneurial experience, his time running a restaurant and his eventual MBA, Joseph has become the ideal candidate for training and equipping future hospitality leaders for success. Jos...
Forging Relationships Between Organizations with Luis Rivera at White Oak Music Hall
February 20, 2023 06:28 - 22 minutes - 31 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Luis Rivera, General Manager at White Oak Music Hall, for an exploration of the ways that relationships between hospitality leaders at different organizations can help strengthen the industry as a whole. While Luis was initially in training to be an engineer, volunteering at a music festival allowed the industry to get its hooks in him, and he’s been committed to creating memorable concert experiences ever since. His passion for the live music industry means ...
Building a Hospitality Ecosystem with Todd Richardson at Crosstown Redevelopment Cooperative
February 13, 2023 13:09 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Todd Richardson, President at the Crosstown Redevelopment Cooperative, to hear how he’s using his experience in both the arts and hospitality to cultivate a thriving, connected local community. Todd’s background in the arts has given him a passion for both individual expression and human connectivity. To him, that’s the purpose of both the arts and hospitality: to bring people together. The Crosstown Concourse is a manifestation of that passion, where arts an...
Hospitality Advocacy with William "Chip" Rogers at the American Hotel and Lodging Association
February 06, 2023 10:14 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by William “Chip” Rogers, President and CEO at the American Hotel and Lodging Association, to hear about the ways he and his organization are trying to make the hospitality industry safe and inclusive for everyone. William has a passion for not only the industry itself but also the people who make it what it is. His efforts revolve largely around protecting the ground-level workers in hotels all over the country. Whether it be exploitative work requirements or da...
Being a Self-Aware Leader with Natalie Shirley at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
January 30, 2023 05:30 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Natalie Shirley, President and CEO at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, for a conversation about catering your leadership style to match your strengths. Natalie is a self-described fixer and she was hand-selected to help revitalize a museum that was struggling with financial stability and general workplace health. She revamped the budget and incorporated staff feedback and individual mentorship into the workplace culture to make the museum a place...
Building a Workplace Community with Katie Stump at The Greens Country Club
January 23, 2023 06:16 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Katie Stump, General Manager and Human Resource Director at The Greens Country Club, to hear how she’s cultivating a community consisting of both guests and staff. Katie is a hospitality leader through and through. She came through culinary school at a young age and began work in the food service industry almost immediately after. From line cook to general manager in a fine dining steakhouse, the skills Katie gained eventually led her to manage both operations...
Creating Authentic Community with Mike Knopp at RIVERSPORT Foundation
January 16, 2023 10:38 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Mike Knopp, Executive Director at RIVERSPORT Foundation, to learn how Mike is using outdoor recreation as a vehicle for uniting his local community. Outdoor sports was a hobby of Mike’s, even as his professional journey saw him moving toward a career as a lawyer. His legal training served him well in several appearances before the city council in Oklahoma City, where he secured funds to reinvigorate the Oklahoma River. After this success, he left the legal pro...
Cultivating Team Creativity with Eileen Andrade at FINKA Table & Tap
January 09, 2023 06:30 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MBOn this episode, I have an illuminating conversation with Eileen Andrade, Restaurant Owner at FINKA Table & Tap, who also owns several other outstanding Miami restaurants. Eileen is part of a hospitality dynasty — her family have been restaurant owners in Cuba and the United States going back multiple generations. That history means she’s witnessed almost everything the restaurant world can offer and it’s made her creative in her approach to food service. She tries to cultivate a similar c...
Living Your Why with Matt Brice at Federal American Grill
January 02, 2023 14:01 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Matt Brice, Founder of Federal American Grill, to hear his philosophy of leadership and service and how that manifests in the culture of his restaurants. Matt has been in hospitality since he was 12 years old, starting as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. He’s experienced the industry’s highs and lows, having tried and failed to open a series of restaurants before his current position. After finding a home in Houston and landing on a concept, he found suc...
Creating Buy-In with Michael Sanders at the Minneapolis Institute of Art
December 12, 2022 11:32 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBToday’s episode features a conversation between myself and Michael Sanders, Chief Operating Officer at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, about techniques for cultivating a motivated and dedicated team of employees. Michael has been working in museums for 20 years, and so he’s not only an experienced hospitality leader in his own right but also has an outstanding knowledge of his industry niche. That experience has enabled him to understand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to creati...
The Value of Tech Adoption in Hospitality with Josiah Mackenzie, Publisher at HotelOperations.com
December 05, 2022 13:58 - 27 minutes - 37.2 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Josiah Mackenzie, Publisher at HotelOperations.com, for a conversation about the impact that the implementation of new technology has on the hospitality industry. Though he no longer lives on the operations side of hospitality, Josiah’s early work was a crash course in everything the industry has to offer. Working for a small property in California, his role required him to check in guests, change bedsheets, make drinks and manage the business’ social media...
Authentic "Cantinero" Culture with Julio Cabrera at Cafe La Trova
November 28, 2022 11:24 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Julio Cabrera, Cantinero and Founder at Cafe La Trova. As a cantinero, Julio brings a unique perspective to the restaurant and bar scene. Whereas many bartenders view such a position as an entry point into hospitality, Julio, and cantineros like him, see the frontlines of food and drink service as their highest calling. As Julio puts it, to be a cantinero is a way of life. It’s a melding of his devotion to the science of well-crafted cocktails, a commitment t...
Beverage Trends and Separating From the Pack with Derek Langford at Howl at the Moon
November 21, 2022 10:36 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBOn this episode, I’m revisiting the entertainment venue Howl at the Moon, this time by way of a conversation with Derek Langford, Regional General Manager. Derek got his start at a small restaurant in his hometown of Kansas City. The transferable skills he learned there allowed him to work his way into the city’s bar scene. It was here that he met the owners of Howl at the Moon, and it’s this organization that has provided the bulk of Derek’s two decades of hospitality work. Derek attribut...
Articulating What Good Leadership Looks Like with Travis Talbot at Hospitality Arts
November 14, 2022 12:18 - 35 minutes - 49 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Travis Talbot, Principal and Lead Strategist at Hospitality Arts, who offers some words of wisdom for aspiring leaders in the hospitality industry. Travis is about as experienced as a hospitality professional can get. He started in the industry as a child, working for his mom, washing dishes and sweeping floors. From there he found himself working in nearly every corner of the industry, from hotels and events to restaurants and bars. That robust background ha...
Managing Logistics Effectively with Elliott Broom at Detroit Institute of Arts
November 07, 2022 10:41 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Elliott Broom, Chief Operating Officer at the Detroit Institute of Arts. After starting out as a bellman in a hotel, Elliott eventually worked his way into leadership roles in some of the most prestigious hotels in the country, including the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons. However, a desire to move closer to his hometown of Detroit prompted a switch out of the hotel business and into his current role at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Between his hotel b...
Diversity Is a Superpower! with Karen Totaro at Huntington Place - Detroit (ASM Global)
October 31, 2022 12:01 - 25 minutes - 35 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Karen Totaro, General Manager at Huntington Place - Detroit (ASM Global), for a conversation on how diversity strengthens hospitality organizations. Karen’s foray into hospitality came in college, working at various arenas and stadiums. The excitement before a big event was almost tangible to her, and the thrill of hosting such an electric atmosphere drew her into the event industry where she’s been ever since. Large events and conventions require a great ...
5 Words Every Employee Should Know
October 23, 2022 16:00 - 48 minutes - 66.2 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Michael Shindler, President at Four Corners Advisors, Inc., to hear him expand on an article he published, entitled Five Words. The first phase of Michael’s career revolved around his work as a commercial real estate lawyer, which eventually brought him into contact with Hyatt, where he became their General Counsel. A few moves to various resort and hotel roles led Michael to launch his own consulting firm, Four Corners. Michael has the legal background an...
Finding Your Next Passion with Alice Cheng at Culinary Agents
October 19, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 38.9 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Alice Cheng, Founder and CEO of Culinary Agents, a fantastic resource for hospitality workers seeking new professional development opportunities. Like many in the industry, Alice began in hospitality at a young age, working in food service as one of her first jobs. While she eventually moved on from the industry to pursue a career at IBM, she continued to work alongside friends who were growing in their hospitality professions. What started as a side hustl...
Work-Life Purpose with Jeffrey Wise at Whitewater
October 10, 2022 16:00 - 32 minutes - 44.9 MBToday’s episode features a conversation between myself and Jeffrey Wise, CEO at Whitewater. Jeffrey grew up on the thrill of the outdoors, getting involved in biking, paddling and backpacking at a young age. Whitewater provided not only an opportunity to share his love of the outdoors with his guests but also to encourage the appreciation and protection of nature. Doing a job that he loves has taught Jeffrey some important lessons in regard to his work-life balance: - Work and life should...
Compounding Recognition with Hector Pachon of Ramada Plaza Marco Polo Beach Resort
October 02, 2022 16:00 - 22 minutes - 30.4 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Hector Pachon, General Manager at the Ramada Plaza Marco Polo Beach Resort. Hector has sought to learn from his leaders throughout his career. So when he finally moved into a management position himself, he had already honed some of the necessary leadership skills. One of the most important principles he learned was the value of keeping up staff morale. To accomplish this, Hector employs a tactic of compounding recognition, which includes several core found...
Principles of Hospitality Leadership with Gerry VanAcker at the Detroit Zoological Society
September 25, 2022 16:00 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBOn this episode, I’m joined by Gerry VanAcker, Chief Operating Officer at the Detroit Zoological Society, to hear some of the leadership wisdom Gerry has gleaned from decades in the hospitality industry. Gerry is about as experienced as one can get in hospitality, having been the first manager of a Marriott hotel in Detroit and bouncing between a host of leadership positions over his rich career. Throughout his various roles, Gerry has picked up insights into what makes a successful hospita...
Art's Influence in Hospitality with Dan Oppenheimer at Robinson Editions
September 18, 2022 16:00 - 31 minutes - 43 MBOn today’s episode, I’m joined by Dan Oppenheimer, President at Robinson Editions, to hear some of the ways that art has helped to shape the hospitality industry. Dan has been an artist and a craftsman for nearly half a century, working in stained glass, photography and sculptures. He started by producing signage for the hospitality and food service industry. Now his business focuses on creating a welcoming, homey aesthetic for hospitality businesses. To Dan, art and hospitality influence ...
The Future of Hospitality with Andrea Foster of Marcus Hotels & Resorts and EVPassport
September 11, 2022 21:00 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBIn today’s conversation, I’m joined by Andrea Foster, Senior Vice President of Development at Marcus Hotels and Resorts and Advisory Board Member at EVPassport. Andrea is a hospitality veteran; she started her guest service journey working in her parents’ ice-cream shop when she was just 11 years old. Her experience in the industry has allowed her to notice changing trends that are setting the hospitality world on a different course. To be successful, leaders in the industry have to adapt t...
Building a Service Culture with Chuck Salem at Unique Venues
September 04, 2022 16:01 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBToday I’m joined by Chuck Salem, CEO and Co-Owner at Unique Venues, to discuss the way culture impacts the identity of an organization, and how that identity manifests in hospitality. Even though he had always been drawn to hospitality, Chuck didn’t initially pursue a career in the industry. He was on the path to being a university teacher when he was swept up in the event planning and guest services that his university engaged in during the offseason. Destiny had pulled him back into the h...
Building a Legacy of Hospitality with Captain William Lozier of Memphis Riverboats
August 28, 2022 16:01 - 17 minutes - 24.7 MBToday’s conversation features Captain William Lozier, President of Memphis Riverboats. William is a third-generation riverboat captain. The boats that he pilots were designed and built by his grandfather. His organization is the embodiment of a local, family-owned business, and William intends to keep it that way, with plans to eventually pass the business on to his daughters. These family-centric values have made Memphis Riverboats a community landmark. This has allowed William to build gr...
The Future of Hospitality Talent with Stowe Shoemaker of UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality
August 21, 2022 16:01 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBI’m joined today by Stowe Shoemaker, Dean at the UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, to hear about some of the ways that UNLV is pushing the hospitality industry forward through education. The most striking factor about the hospitality education program that Stowe runs, is that it’s not simply tacked on to the business school curriculum like so many similar programs around the country. While business knowledge is an important part of leading any hotel or restaurant, what sets Sto...
Bringing Hospitality to the EV Experience with Hooman Shahidi of EVPassport
August 14, 2022 16:01 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBToday’s interview with Hooman Shahidi, President and Co-Founder at EVPassport, provides an outstanding opportunity for hospitality businesses to add value to their organization and build for the future. Hooman and his organization are seeking to make electric vehicle charging more affordable and accessible both for consumers and businesses. By lowering the barrier of entry to acquiring charging equipment, Hooman and his team are making it feasible for companies to provide this extra service...
Leveraging Feedback with Jim Capek of Westborough Country Club
August 08, 2022 16:00 - 23 minutes - 31.9 MBI’m excited to be joined in conversation today by Jim Capek, General Manager of Westborough Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. Jim was destined for his current role, starting work at country clubs at the age of just 15 and continuing to follow that industry path unhindered ever since. His years of experience have given him a unique look into the various cultures within different club communities, and how these dictate management practices. Westborough Country Club has undergone a seismic...
Creating Unforgettable Experiences with Rob Wimpfheimer of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse at Harrah's Las Vegas
July 31, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBToday I’m joined by Rob Wimpfheimer, General Manager of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse at Harrah’s in Las Vegas. Rob is a seasoned hospitality veteran, getting his start as a bartender in Chicago when he was in his early 20s. Rob’s knack for customer service impressed his bosses, who quickly promoted him to restaurant manager. A company transfer to Las Vegas and a few restaurant jobs later, Rob now finds himself running the Ruth's Chris at Harrah’s with over 20 years of management experience. Rob...
Building a Culture of Civility with Sheffield Hale of the Atlanta History Center
July 25, 2022 16:00 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Sheffield Hale, President and CEO of the Atlanta History Center. In recent years it seems that public discourse has become more uncivil, especially after two very stressful years of a pandemic. Sheffield often has an uncomfortably close look at this incivility, as Atlanta itself is a city rich in complex and often divisive history. Placing that sensitive subject matter into a hospitality setting, where difficult guests can be...
Building Your Business Bedside Manner with Mandi Graziano at Hospitality Performance Network
July 17, 2022 16:00 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Mandi Graziano, Vice President of Global Accounts at Hospitality Performance Network, and author of the book Sales Tales. Mandi has coined a term she calls “business bedside manner.” To Mandi, the “hospitality” in the hospitality industry shouldn’t just describe the products and services being sold, but the entire culture of how business is conducted. Oftentimes, leaders within the industry won’t hesitate to go above and beyo...
Scaling for Success with Craig Cavileer of Silverton Casino Hotel and Majestic Realty Co.
July 11, 2022 16:00 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Craig Cavileer, CEO of the Silverton Casino and EVP of Majestic Realty Co. Craig has a constant eye on future growth. That drive to scale up didn’t stop even during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. It just changed shape. To keep vertical momentum, Craig is a proponent of adaptability in an organization’s business model. Rather than try to settle into a “new normal” post-Covid, Craig prefers to think of these sweeping and u...
Harnessing Creative Energy with Dan Pelson of AREA15
July 06, 2022 16:00 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Dan Pelson, Chief Operating Officer at AREA15 in Las Vegas. Dan’s establishment is right at home in the flashy, high-energy city of Las Vegas. The facility boasts a unique experience that can’t fully be put into words, and Dan himself says the best way to understand it is to experience it first-hand. An organization like this couldn’t exist without having creative energy built into the foundation of the business culture. Dan...
Your Cultural ROI with Yancy Perez of Border Grill
June 27, 2022 05:45 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Yancy Perez, Regional Operations Manager at Border Grill, to hear his thoughts about return on investment in terms of his staff. Coming out of the pandemic, many hospitality industry leaders are looking for ways to cut costs in order to bounce back from a tumultuous couple of years. It may be tempting to pull back on staffing and training but Yancy believes these areas are exactly where organizations need to invest the most. ...
Hiring for the Outcome You Want with Aaron Berger of The Neon Museum
June 21, 2022 13:30 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Aaron Berger, Executive Director at The Neon Museum. In the hospitality industry, it can be easy to view employees simply as bodies capable of completing a task. It’s easy to train someone to clean a hotel room or wait on a table. So many organizations approach their hiring practices from the perspective of valuing quantity over quality. Aaron takes a very different approach. For him, employees are the bedrock that the busin...
Building Trust and Creating Buy-In with Matt Scovill of Bacchanal Buffet
June 16, 2022 05:24 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Matt Scovill, Executive Chef at Bacchanal Buffet in Las Vegas. Matt has a clear love for the art of craft food and for providing a high-quality culinary experience for his guests. He tries to impart that same passion to his team and create complete buy-in for the company vision. He does this by encouraging creativity and giving his staff constant opportunities to see the impact of their work. The structure of Matt’s kitchen ...
Creating Value at Every Level with Hartmut Ott of San Diego Mission Bay Resort
June 10, 2022 04:18 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MBOn this episode of the Hospitality Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Hartmut Ott, General Manager of San Diego Mission Bay Resort. In the wake of global inflation and supply chain problems, both of which are increasing the cost of doing business, Hartmut has had to raise prices at his hotel. To entice customers to spend those extra dollars, Hartmut has sought to increase the perception of value in tandem with the increase in price. This can be done in small ways, like extra amenities in guests...