Defining Hospitality

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  Making Room for Others - Carl Long - Defining Hospitality 05.08.2026 1Std. 9Min.

  In this episode, Dan sits down with longtime industry counterpart Carl Long for a conversation twenty years in the making. They dig into how relationships compound like interest, why hospitality has resisted disruption from AI, and the vocational program Carl helped build at Richardson High School that's giving students a debt free path into the industry. It is a candid, reflective talk about risk, trust, and what actually keeps people in this business for the long haul.About the Guest: Carl Long is CEO of PMI and PMI Tribal Services, with more than two decades of experience in hospitality purchasing and project management spanning India, Latin America, and major hotel, casino, and senior living projects across the US. He sits on the board of the Indian Gaming Association, serves on the AHLA Design and Construction Committee, and is the past president of ISHP. He is also breaking ground on his own hotel development this year, adding developer to an already impressive resume.Chapters:00:00 Spy Joke and Mission00:46 Meet Carl Long02:07 Project Years and Perspective04:32 Defining Hospitality05:57 Building Their Own Hotel07:28 Balancing Kindness and Deadlines10:50 Relationships Over Transactions17:38 Trust Erosion and Overdocumentation28:58 Disruption AI and Last Mile36:20 AI Meets Reality38:12 People Over Process38:49 Hospitality Career Lab39:58 Richardson High Program42:28 Building A Hotel Lobby45:13 Opportunity Without Debt47:21 Connection Beats Remote53:59 CapEx And Renovation Cycle01:05:19 Future Of Relational HospitalityQuote of the Show: "Those relationships, they have to start somewhere. It comes over time, it comes over effort, and when you do that, relationships are what make great projects easy to move ahead." - Carl LongBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-long-pmi/ Guests Website: https://pmiconnect.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Hospitality From Every Angle - Compilation Episode - Defining Hospitality 29.07.2026 20Min.

  To celebrate over three years of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan pulls together some of the most powerful moments from the show's history into one episode. From the etymology of the word "hospitality" itself to the sacred duty of welcoming strangers, this compilation revisits the ideas that have shaped the conversation around design, service, and business in our industry. Guests reflect on the moments that changed them, the leaps of faith that built their careers, and the small human details, like how a rendering makes people feel, that separate good hospitality from great hospitality. It's a reminder of just how much wisdom has passed through this mic, and why the question "what does hospitality really mean" never gets old.This episode brings back some of the sharpest minds Dan has hosted, including novelist and hospitality thinker Ian, designer and procurement leader Chelsea Hershelman, hospitality veteran John O'Sullivan, caterer to presidents Steve, architect and designer Eileen, casino and resort design expert Bruno Viterbo, real estate developer Margot Stern, and hospitality tech innovator John Duffield. Each brought a distinct perspective to the show, from the sacred history of welcoming guests to the future of biometric personalization in travel. Together, their stories map out just how wide, and how deep, the world of hospitality really runs.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to Defining Hospitality00:35 Hospitality Roots and Meaning01:32 Designing the Guest Journey02:14 A Sacred Sense of Belonging02:40 Conviction as Leadership Gravity03:14 Four Seasons Culture Shift03:57 Hope and Opportunity Abroad05:03 White Box to Model Room06:03 Designing for Real People07:11 Is It Right or Wrong07:55 Sponsor Sustainability Update08:20 Creating Vacation Joy09:06 Leaps of Faith and Belonging11:07 Friends Who Expand Possibility12:04 Don’t Disqualify Yourself13:46 Winning Town Alignment15:05 High Stakes Catering Moments15:44 Future of Travel and WisdomQuote of the Show:"It wasn't about, hey, we have these great finishes on the walls. It was about what does it feel like to be in that place." - Bruno ViterboBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Get Connected with the GuestsBruno Viterbo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruno-viterbo/ Chelsea Hershelman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-hershelman-a0639656/ Eileen Madigan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileenamadiganasid/ Ian Sharpe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianstuartsharpe/ John Duffield: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjduffield/ John O’Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-sullivan-6719551/   Margot Stern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-stern-67a0a97/ Steve Fortunato:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-fortunato-3b990516/ Dan Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Academic Roots, Hospitality Heights - Gary Brandeis - Defining Hospitality 22.07.2026 1Std. 6Min.

  Gary Brandeis, CEO of Scholar Hotels, joins Dan Ryan to talk about a strategy most hoteliers never even consider: betting everything on college towns. Gary explains why a large public university like Penn State makes for one of the most stable demand drivers in hospitality, and how his company has grown to nearly 1,000 rooms in State College alone. The conversation dives into his real estate investor first, hospitality operator second philosophy, the wild 16 month renovation of the historic Nittany Lion Inn, and his new Regulation A offering that lets everyday fans, not just accredited investors, own a piece of the hotels they love to visit. It is a masterclass in finding your niche, going deep instead of wide, and turning community passion into capital.About the Guest: Gary Brandeis is the CEO of Scholar Hotels, a hotel executive and real estate investor who has spent 35 years working with major brands like Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG while building a specialized portfolio around university markets. He has also launched award winning real estate technology companies focused on innovation and tenant experience, proving he is just as comfortable disrupting the model as he is running it. What makes Gary worth listening to is his willingness to buck conventional investment wisdom, concentrating his business in college towns like State College, Pennsylvania, and turning that focus into one of the most consistent and creative hospitality plays in the industry today.Chapters:00:00 Why Hospitality Matters00:25 Meet Gary Brandeis01:04 Penn State Roots and Nittany Lion03:09 A Thousand Rooms in State College07:22 Hospitality Meets Profitability12:22 College Town Brands and Graduate16:49 Graduate Growth and Real Estate Risks20:00 Democratizing Hotel Investing Reg A32:46 Scaling Investor Communication35:08 Investor Updates Tech35:57 Radical Transparency36:42 University Demand Engine38:44 Crowdfunding Reg A Basics40:37 Targeting Superfans Social44:28 Nittany Lion Inn Turnaround46:08 Choosing The Right Designer50:14 Hands On Ownership Grit58:17 University Hotels Investment ThesisQuote of the Show:"If we don't make a profit and we don't invest well, our ability to provide a good experience for our guests is significantly hindered." - Gary BrandeisBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garybrandeis/ Guests Website: https://www.scholarhh.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Connecting the Room - Michelle Finn - Defining Hospitality 15.07.2026 1Std. 2Min.

  In this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Michelle Finn, longtime industry fixture and the driving force behind Alis Design Plus, to trace the evolution of hospitality trade events from HD Expo's chaotic 1990s launch (earthquakes, riots and all) to today's design and investment ecosystem. Michelle unpacks her "dinner party" philosophy of hosting, the power of relationships over transactions, and how she scaled that intimacy from a dozen guests to thousands of attendees without losing the human touch. The conversation moves through mentorship, the rise of owner involvement in design, the new Alis Cala expansion into the Caribbean, and even a few fun detours into what a Vogue or Garden and Guns hotel might look like.About the Guest: Michelle Finn heads The BHN Group's hotel design and construction events, including the launch of Alis Design Plus. Previously, she led the management and development of Hospitality Design Expo, HD Boutique, HD Summit, HD Awards, Hospitality Design, Boutique Design NY, Boutique Design West, the BD Forum Series, Boutique Design and Senior Lifestyle Design Match events, the Gold Key Awards, and more. A dedicated, long standing member of NEWH, she has earned numerous awards for innovation spanning trade fair development, publishing, leadership, and service, and is firmly established as a notable presence in Chicago's hospitality landscape.Chapters:00:00 Defining Hospitality Intro00:35 Meet Michelle Finn01:47 What Hospitality Means03:38 Hosting Lessons Early On06:00 Launching HD Expo Origins08:48 Riots Earthquakes and Vegas Pivot13:42 Winning Leadership Buy In22:41 Why ALIS Design Plus Exists25:21 Growth Plans and Industry Shifts33:38 Analog Event Magic34:36 Word of Mouth Wins35:08 Hospitality Shifts36:19 Product Categories Boom37:47 Launching Alice Cala39:59 Measuring Referrals43:56 Hosting Like a Pro48:11 Newcomer Event Playbook52:22 Future Plans and FarewellQuote of the Show:"Identify a need, see something that doesn't exist. That's pretty much what we did." - Michelle FinnBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alis-design-plus Guests Website: https://www.alisdesignplus.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Details That Matter - Adrienne Scribner - Defining Hospitality 08.07.2026 1Std. 3Min.

  In this episode, Dan sits down with Adrienne Scribner, principal and managing director of hospitality at Baskerville, to unpack what three decades in hotel design has taught her about the unglamorous work that actually makes projects succeed. They dig into why there is no "coordination fairy" waiting to catch your mistakes, how typing specs into a purchasing system in the early '90s built the foundation for her entire career, and why mentoring the next generation means being approachable rather than intimidating. About the Guest: Adrienne Scribner is a Principal and Managing Director of Hospitality at Baskervill, bringing more than 20 years of experience across the Maryland, Virginia, and DC design corridor. Her client roster reads like a hospitality hall of fame, including Marriott, Gaylord, Ritz Carlton, and Moxy, and her research driven approach has made her a trusted voice for owners navigating renovations of every scale. Beyond the projects themselves, she has built a reputation as a generous mentor, the kind of leader who would rather answer a question than let someone learn the hard way.Chapters:00:00 Welcome back to Defining Hospitality00:58 Meet Adrienne Scribner01:41 Conference Mentorship Moment02:52 Why She Stayed in Hotels04:17 Learning Through Specs07:16 Hybrid Work and Phone Calls10:54 Marriott Years and Prototypes14:11 No Coordination Fairy17:57 Mentorship and Coachable Talent31:18 Baskerville Office Footprint32:30 Hiring Without Relocation32:47 Why DC Attracts Designers34:40 DC Cost and Lifestyle Reality35:01 Sponsor Sustainability Note35:26 Market Cycle and CapEx Slowdown38:08 Compressed Schedules and Pauses39:36 Mentorship Through Project Conflict40:45 Model Rooms and Risk Management46:40 Career Lessons From Marriott49:25 Working With Brand Standards54:09 Owners Concepts and AI Inspiration57:14 Research Versus Inspiration Images59:50 Cross-Pollination Across VerticalsQuote of the Show:"If you don't know exactly who is going to do the work, it's probably you. You need to find that person." - Adrienne ScribnerLinks:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-scribner-265b045/Guests Website: https://www.baskervill.com/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  The Art of Making Spaces Beloved - Alexa d'Argence- Defining Hospitality 01.07.2026 52Min.

  Dan Ryan sat down with Alexa d'Argence, senior interior designer at Ken Fulk Inc., to explore what it really means to design spaces people fall in love with. Alexa pulls back the curtain on KFI's work at the Huntington Hotel in San Francisco and the Beverly Hills Hotel. sharing how a strong concept and cinematic vision guide every decision from the big picture down to the smallest detail. The conversation gets reflective too, touching on why slowing down is sometimes the only way forward, and what it means to truly love the work you do.About the Guest: Alexa d'Argence is a Senior Interior Designer at Ken Fulk Inc. in San Francisco. With a background rooted in hospitality and residential design, she has worked on projects ranging from The Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa to the Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill, recently featured in Architectural Digest, and is currently deep in the renovation of the Beverly Hills Hotel. A graduate of Cornell and a lifelong lover of hotels, she approaches every project as an act of care, craft, and storytelling.Chapters:00:42 Meet Alexa d’Argence01:45 Sketching Under Pressure04:02 What Hospitality Means05:03 Hotels and Childhood Memories05:59 From Marin to Hospitality Design07:51 Storytelling and the Movie Mind13:23 Designing for the Guest17:22 History Beloved and Future Dreams28:19 Sketching Together Works29:08 Hidden Beauty Onsite32:05 Details Beyond The Spread33:15 Beloved Places And Memories34:54 Renovations And Responsibility36:10 Sustainability Sponsor Break36:37 Tools Sketches And Renderings39:40 Puzzling As Design Mindset44:19 Mentorship Scent And FarewellQuote of the Show:"It's a calling, a vocation for me. So there's a lot of love that goes into it. This is a job where you are working long hours, and if you don't love it, you're gonna burn out." - Alexa d'ArgenceLinks:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexadargence/Guests Website: https://www.kenfulk.com/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Niching Down then Grow - Alex Kuby - Defining Hospitality 24.06.2026 58Min.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Alex Kuby, Associate Principal at Dyelot and a lifelong student of how built environments shape human experience. From his early days at HBA in Santa Monica to helping lead a studio through a full brand transformation, Alex has spent his career asking what it really means to make people feel seen, supported, and cared for inside a space. Together, Dan and Alex explore approachable hospitality, the power of integrated services, and what niching down actually looks like when you are doing it from the inside.About the Guest:On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Alex Kuby, Associate Principal at Dyelot, a hospitality interiors studio bolstered by branding, procurement, and architectural services. Alex has been part of the firm since its days as RDC, helping shape its evolution into a focused, values driven hospitality design practice. When he is not leading visioning workshops or authoring the Dylot blog, he is probably thinking about how a grocery store can double as a neighborhood heartbeat.Chapters:00:42 Show Intro and Sponsor01:04 Meet Alex Kuby01:31 Shared Roots and Catching Up03:19 Defining Hospitality03:58 Approachable Hospitality05:25 RDC to Dyelot Story09:34 WELL and Sustainable FF&E20:59 Capital ROI and Visioning32:23 Sustainable Sponsor Shoutout32:41 Design Meets Procurement35:38 Why Branding Comes First39:04 Blogging and Brand Transition41:49 Niching Down the Studio43:22 Grocery as Community Hub46:09 Public Spaces and Connection50:12 Career Advice and Mentorship53:28 Memory Lane and FarewellQuote of the Show:"Hospitality is the humanity in the built environment, that is the way in which we express care and facilitate all of those great high touch point, high emotional engagements that the best hospitality spaces are known for." - Alex KubyBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akuby/Guests Website: https://dyelot.com/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Beyond the Bulb - Thomas Paterson - Defining Hospitality 17.06.2026 1Std.

  Dan Ryan talks with Thomas Paterson, founder and lighting designer at Lux Populi, about one of hospitality's most overlooked design disciplines… light. Thomas explains why lighting designers need a seat at the table from day one, not after the drawings are done, and shares his take on how light shapes a space's emotional experience. The conversation covers the gap between the 2% of projects that engage a true lighting specialist and the 30-50% that probably should, what it means to design from the inside out, his unconventional path from Australia to Mexico City, the sustainability case for old-school screw-in bulbs, and why asking the right question at the right moment is the smartest move a lighting designer can make.About the Guest: Thomas Paterson is the founder, director, and principal lighting designer at Lux Populi, a Mexico City based lighting design studio. He brings a first principles approach to every project, asking what light can do before how it should look. His portfolio spans luxury resorts, boutique hotels, restaurants, museums, and infrastructure, including 15 years with Sandals Resorts, the Four Seasons Los Cabos, and a landmark tunnel gateway in Sydney. Originally from Australia and formerly based in London, he landed in Mexico City by chance and built one of the industry's most distinctive lighting practices.Chapters:00:25 Meet Lighting Designer Thomas03:09 Hospitality Through Light06:43 Bring Lighting In Early10:17 Who Owns The Brief11:46 Do Projects Hire Lighting17:23 Lighting As Editing Tool25:43 Fixing Spaces After Opening29:09 Why Mexico City31:53 Mexico City Safety Shift32:43 Designing the Cocoon33:17 Contrast and Tone Basics34:14 Fixing a Brand’s Lighting35:47 Kelvin Myths Explained37:38 Infrared and Homogenous LEDs42:39 Culture and Buying Bulbs47:37 Sustainability and PoE Lighting54:53 Future of Lighting DesignQuote of the Show: "Lighting design is an editing tool. Emphasize, de-emphasize, reveal, conceal." - Thomas PatersonBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tpaterson/ Guests Website: https://luxpopuli.com/New/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Navigating the Peaks of Innovation - Larry Traxler - Defining Hospitality 10.06.2026 1Std. 11Min.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Larry Traxler, a 30+ year veteran of architecture and design, former SVP Global Head of Architecture & Design at Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and founder of Traxworks Hospitality Collaborative, to make the case that great hospitality design isn’t about replicating what’s trending, it’s about understanding place, people, and purpose. From breaking ceramic tiles on job sites in Japan to navigating 102 countries and opening 1,000 hotels a year at Hilton, Larry has spent his career building bridges between creative vision and business reality, and now, finally free to say no, he’s going deeper than ever.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Larry Traxler, founder of Traxworks Hospitality Collaborative and former SVP Global Head of Architecture and Design at Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Larry has shaped some of the most memorable spaces in global hospitality, one mosaic wall, and one very deliberate hammer swing at a time. When he’s not advising owners on design strategy or racking up passport stamps across his 102nd country, he’s photographing wildlife in his backyard, plotting a month in Africa, and finally, finally, getting to put more into the projects that truly light him up.Chapters:00:25 Welcome to Defining Hospitality01:28 Mentors Safari and Photography02:53 Backyard Safari and Reps05:42 Defining Hospitality Through Design12:09 Traxworks Freedom to Say No15:13 Jordan Mozer Narrative Craft22:31 Becoming the Bridge Conductor30:36 The Clift Deep Dive Details35:27 Nine Million Miles36:43 Creativity in the Air38:27 Hilton Lessons to Trexworks43:10 Solo Founder Reality45:13 AI as Creative Toolkit50:00 Recessions and Resilience54:04 Hospitality Beyond Hotels01:00:20 Fighting Design Sameness01:02:35 Traxworks Freedom and FarewellQuote of the Show:“It’s those people that have a fear of the future that get held back. Sometimes you just have to jump off the bridge and leap into those entrepreneurial waters.” - Larry TraxlerBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytraxler/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by BermanFalk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  The Art of Belonging - John O’Sullivan - Defining Hospitality 03.06.2026 1Std.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with John O'Sullivan, hospitality executive, published poet, painter, and Regional Vice President & General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, to make the case that great hospitality isn't a service standard, it's a soul practice. A GM at just 25 who started peeling potatoes in a small Irish hotel at 12, John has spent over three decades opening and leading luxury properties across seven countries, building a career on the radical belief that belonging is borderless, failure is just success in progress, and heart intelligence will always outperform artificial intelligence.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with John O'Sullivan, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico. With 31 years at Four Seasons and properties across Cairo, Bali, Jakarta, and beyond, John has spent his career quietly proving that the most powerful management tool isn't a system, it's sincerity. When he's not leading a team of more than 1,000 warriors, he's painting, publishing poetry, or stealing cookies from his director of rooms' office. He moves through the world the same way he runs his hotel, with curiosity, warmth, and zero interest in being the most important person in the room.Chapters:00:35 Meet John O Sullivan02:25 Defining Hospitality And Belonging03:06 From Ireland To GM At 2504:18 Making Room For Others10:30 Mentors And Ripple Effects16:22 Travel Memories And Magic Details20:56 Why Punta Mita Wins26:21 Creativity Process And Failure34:02 Potato Peeler Origins34:34 Curiosity Becomes Calling37:06 Heart Intelligence Hospitality38:13 Creativity Fuels Positivity39:14 Recharging Through Adventure41:56 Fun as Leadership42:56 Vulnerability and Forgiveness47:46 Egypt Opening Hope Story54:33 Future of Authentic LuxuryQuote of the Show:"Hospitality is the almost sacred act of seeing another human being and saying, without words, that you authentically belong here." - John O’SullivanBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-sullivan-6719551/ Guests Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Balancing Business and Humanity - David Shove-Brown - Defining Hospitality 27.05.2026 56Min.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with David Shove-Brown, architect, design leader, educator, and partner at //3877, to make the case that the most powerful thing you can put on your business card isn't a title, it's a philosophy. A firm co-founder who launched his practice in the middle of a recession with a newborn at home and a best friend from college as his only business partner, David has spent 15 years proving that relationships aren't a strategy, they're the whole game. David isn't just building great spaces. He's building a firm, a community, and a life worth writing about.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with David Shove-Brown, partner at //3877, an architecture and design firm based in DC and New York. David has spent 15 years building a practice and a reputation, on the belief that relationships come before business. Whether he's mentoring students at trade shows, swapping proposals with competitors, or just holding the door for a stranger, he moves through the world the same way he runs his firm, like every person in the room matters.Chapters:00:51 Meet David02:04 NEWH Mentorship Moment03:53 Defining Hospitality04:43 Community Over Competition08:46 Networking Roots and Values13:01 Relationship Building That Lasts17:45 Balance Family and Firm27:24 Design in the Public Interest31:18 Losing a Mentor32:46 Succession and Letting Go33:56 Mentoring Through Mistakes36:19 How to Find Mentors38:01 Learning From Students40:11 Community and Collisions42:25 Craving Certainty Forward48:25 Startup Stories and Growth50:07 Looking Ahead and WrapQuote of the Show: "Networking always had this underlying idea of sales, we flipped it. For us, it's really relationship building." - David Shove-BrownBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsb3877/ David’s Company’s Website: https://www.3877.design/ Dan Ryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Pioneering Global Design - Christine McGinnis - Defining Hospitality 20.05.2026 48Min.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Christine McGinnis, Director of Design at Wave Design Consultants, to make the case that the most powerful tool a designer can carry isn't a software subscription or a portfolio, it's a passport and a willingness to ask why. A Canadian kid who got locked in a Tiffany's display window in Hong Kong and never really looked back, Christine has spent over two decades designing across Asia, North America, and now the Canary Islands, chasing a single throughline openness. From restoring a termite-eaten 19th century Bangkok landmark to drawing her first full set of plans in Spanish, she isn't just designing spaces, she's designing a life.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Christine McGinnis, Director of Design at Wave Design Consultants, a Canadian born, world traveling hospitality designer who logged her first miles in the Starwood design lab before most people knew that lab existed. Christine has spent 20 plus years designing hotels and restaurants across Asia, Europe, and Africa not by following the work, but by following the question. And the question, in her case, is always the same one… why?Chapters:00:38 Meet Christine McGinnis01:15 Journey Westward03:15 Early Career Plans04:09 Generations And Nomads05:46 Starwood Innovation Lab14:31 Openness Defines Hospitality20:38 Spain Projects And Asking Why26:03 Design Fatigue and Surprise27:26 Waldorf Respite After 9/1129:13 Hospitality Alchemy From the Heart30:30 Design vs Service That Brings Guests Back31:32 Aloft Seminyak Bali Success33:48 Being Present Wherever You Land35:31 Just Go Travel Advice39:48 Resurgence of Analog ConnectionQuote of the Show:"People come to your joint once for the design, but they come back for the service and how you made them feel." - Christine McGinnisBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Christine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemcginnis/ Wave Design’s Website: https://www.wave.global/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Global Visions, Local Touches - Genna Panagopoulos - Defining Hospitality 13.05.2026 53Min.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Genna Panagopoulos, Vice President of Development at Minor Hotels, to make the case that the most exciting real estate play in hospitality right now isn't in Asia or Europe, it's right here in America. A restaurant kid from Detroit who fell in love with hotels, Genna is the one handed the keys to a 640 property global giant's entire North American future, armed with 12 brands, a freshly built franchise model, and a philosophy that deals only work when everyone at the table wins. One NH Collection in Manhattan down. Twenty four more to go.About the Guest: Genna Panagopoulos, VP of Development at Minor Hotels, a Greek American, raised in the restaurant business by an immigrant father who treated every customer like family, who somehow ended up being the person responsible for introducing one of the world's largest hotel companies to the United States. With over 15 years spanning hotel investment, brand strategy, and development at the likes of Davidson Hotels and IHG, Genna isn't just opening doors in new markets. She's the one deciding which doors are worth knocking on in the first place.Chapters:00:35 Meet Genna Panagopoulos02:10 Greek Roots and Philoxenia05:43 From Restaurants to Hotels07:03 Minor Brands and Luxury Resorts09:50 US Growth Model and Deal Flexibility12:02 Target Markets and Investor Mindset15:13 Financing and Conversion Strategy20:12 Service Culture and Scaling Luxury27:26 Uniqueness Over Scale28:50 Early Growth Bottlenecks29:30 Portfolio Deals and Marketing30:30 New Brand or Collections32:11 Lessons From US Expansion34:10 Where Deals Are Happening36:09 Choosing the Right Partners38:58 Deal Terms and Key Money42:48 Future Vision and Wrap UpQuote of the Show:“We're not here to make money right now. We're here to plant our flags and build brand awareness." - Genna PanagopoulosBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Minor Hotels is introducing the legendary Anantara and Wolseley brands to North America: learn more about the company's strategy and ambitions!!Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Genna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genna-panagopoulos-726a7525/ Minor Hotels Website: https://www.minorhotels.com/en Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Redefining Hospitality Through Tech - Tanya Pratt - Defining Hospitality 06.05.2026 1Std.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Tanya Pratt, Global VP of Strategy and Product Management at Oracle Hospitality, to prove that the most powerful upgrade a hotel can make isn't to its lobby, it's to its data. A front desk girl turned tech executive, Tanya unpacks how Oracle is collapsing decades of fragmented systems into one seamless guest experience, why cloud adoption exploded the moment hotels ran out of people, and what happened during an 18-hour outage at 3am that changed the entire trajectory of her career. The promise of hospitality has always been human. The technology is finally catching up. About the Guest:This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Tanya Pratt, Global VP of Strategy and Product Management at Oracle Hospitality, a self described nerdy science kid who accidentally fell in love with a front desk and never really left. Thirty years later, she's the one making sure the technology behind hospitality is finally as seamless as the experience is supposed to feel. Forged at Fairmont, recognized as one of the top 25 extraordinary minds in the industry, and fluent in both boardrooms and lobbies, Tanya isn't just building better software. She's keeping the promise. Chapters:00:35 Meet Tanya Pratt01:27 Hearing Your Own Story03:20 Hospitality Is a Promise04:44 Tech Removes Friction08:14 Unified Data at Check In12:29 Hospitality Tech 10116:08 One Guest One Profile19:18 ROI and Why Hotels Lag30:20 Tech Enables Hospitality31:36 Finding Your Calling33:13 Front Desk To VP34:56 Advice For 18 Year Olds36:01 Grit In Instant Age39:03 Human Skills Matter41:27 Untangling Tech Spaghetti45:11 Crucible Command Center56:22 Future Of Hospitality TechQuote of the Show:"Hospitality is a promise. It's a promise that's made and kept a thousand times in small moments." - Tanya PrattBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Tanya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pratttanya/ Oracle Website: https://www.oracle.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Designing with Magic and Precision - Larah Moravek - Defining Hospitality 29.04.2026 52Min.

  This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Larah Moravek, founding partner at Dutch East Design, to make the case that the most powerful thing a designer can bring to a project isn't a mood board, it's a story. Larah pulls back the curtain on how Dutch East blends interior design and branding under one roof, turning narrative driven frameworks into spaces that feel inevitable. With real stories from the ground including the adaptive reuse of a Marcel Breuer brutalist landmark into Hotel Marcel, the first passive house certified hotel in North America, and the Tapestry Chattanooga, a former bank building brought back to life, this episode proves that when magic and precision are working together, the constraint becomes the design. 🏠About the Guest: Larah Moravek is a founding partner at Dutch East Design, a hospitality focused studio offering both interior design and branding under one roof. With a career shaped by two of the most iconic firms in the industry, Clodagh Design and Yabu Pushelberg, Larah brings a rare combination of instinct and rigor to every project she touches. Rooted in the belief that built environments have the power to create lasting emotional experiences, she and her partner Dieter lead a small but mighty studio known for their dense documentation, narrative driven approach, and a body of work spanning adaptive reuse, independent hotels, and licensed product collections.Chapters:00:45 Meet Larah Moravek01:15 Friendship and Dutch East Origins03:58 What Hospitality Means07:08 Clodagh to Yabu Mentorship08:49 Branding as Decision Tool13:37 Stewardship and Adaptive Reuse24:04 Functional Brief and Hard Questions27:54 Science as Magic28:03 From Med School to Interiors30:03 New York Design Path30:47 Yabu Pushelberg Rigor32:19 Burnout and Solo Asia Reset34:41 Building a Team Culture37:43 Sustainability in Hospitality44:33 Licensing and Product Lines47:59 Future Plans and Wrap UpQuote of the Show:"Sometimes you need more structure to be more creative. And I think some of the most beautiful and inspiring solutions come out of restriction." - Larah MoravekBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Larah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larah-v-moravek-0b714044/ Dutch East Design Website: https://www.dutcheastdesign.com/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
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  Green Means Revenue - JoAnna Abrams - Defining Hospitality 22.04.2026 55Min.

  This Earth Day, Dan Ryan welcomes back JoAnna Abrams, founder and CEO of MindClick, to make the case that sustainability isn't just good for the planet, it's good for business. JoAnna reveals how MindClick's product intelligence platform transforms the sustainability data already hiding in hotel FF&E purchases into a competitive weapon, winning corporate travel contracts, boosting sustainability ratings, and growing real revenue. With stories from the ground, including Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf, and eye-opening stats on what ditching polystyrene packaging actually means for waste, this episode proves that going green and going profitable are finally pointing in the same direction. 🌍About the Guest:JoAnna Abrams is the founder and CEO of MindClick, a product intelligence platform helping hospitality companies unlock sustainability data across their supply chains. A multi-award winning trailblazer at the intersection of sustainability, supply chain, and finance, she has been recognized by Lodging Magazine as a female industry innovator, named a 2026 Inc. 500 Female Founders honoree, and selected for both the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the Imagine Program funded by former Unilever CEO Paul Polman.Chapters:00:46 Welcome JoAnna Abrams02:00 Defining Hospitality Revisited05:00 The ROI of Sustainability07:30 EU Regulation Driving Corporate Demand11:00 How Hotels Win Corporate Business with Sustainability14:00 MindClick and Green Key Global16:00 The Alo Index Platform Explained19:00 Revenue Impact: 7–17% Market Share Increase22:00 Training Sales Teams to Tell the Story25:00 A Riskless Path for Hotel Owners28:00 Connecting Guests and Frontline Staff31:00 The Huntington Hotel Case Study36:00 Polystyrene Elimination: The Numbers40:00 Embodied Carbon and FF&E's Outsized Impact44:00 What Hotels Can Control47:00 Asset Value, Appraisals, and Resilience50:00 Inc. 500, Cambridge, and the Road Ahead52:00 How to Connect with MindClickQuote of the Show:"Today's suppliers need to understand that they're no longer just selling a product. They're selling a product with a story." - JoAnna AbramsBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ JoAnna Abrams’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannaabrams/ MindClick: https://www.mindclick.com/ Metropolis Magazine Article: https://metropolismag.com/viewpoints/four-new-roadblocks-on-the-path-to-sustainable-buildings/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ #DefiningHospitality #Sustainability #HospitalityDesign #HotelBusiness #GreenHospitality #SupplyChain #MindClick #CorporateTravel #HotelRevenue
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  Beyond the Front Desk - Walter Peseski - Defining Hospitality 15.04.2026 52Min.

  In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Walter Peseski, Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Garfield Public Private, to explore the often misunderstood world of hotel asset management and public private partnerships. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this discussion uncovers how cities, universities, and hospitals are leveraging creative financing structures to build hotels that serve as economic catalysts for entire communities.About the Guest:Walter Peseski is the Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Garfield Public Private, a firm specializing in public private partnerships for hotels, convention centers, and cultural infrastructure. With over 20 years of experience in hotel operations and asset management, Walter has built a career bridging the gap between public entities and private developers to bring transformative hospitality projects to life. An adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University and contributor to Hotels Magazine, Walter is passionate about educating the next generation on the full scope of opportunity that exists within the hospitality industry that goes far beyond the front desk.Chapters:01:00  Introducing Walter Peseski02:00 What Does Hospitality Mean to You?03:00 The Valentine's Day Server Story05:00 When Was the Last Time Service Was Memorable?06:00 What Makes Garfield Public Private Unique?09:00 The Role of Asset Management vs. Hotel Management Companies13:00 How Ownership Groups Get Involved15:00 When Does Third Party Asset Management Make Sense?17:00 Hotels Are a Different Beast Than Multifamily19:00 Navigating Brand Standards & CapEx21:00 Hilton's Carrot and Stick Fee Structure23:00 Downscaling Brands & the "Under Demolished" Theory27:00 Blind Spots Small Operators Miss29:00 The F&B Double Edged Sword33:00 When Brand Standards Become a Straitjacket34:00 What Makes a Good Deal vs. a Great Deal in Public Private36:00 Why Cities Invest in Hotels38:00 Where Garfield Is Seeing the Most Opportunity39:00 How Cities Finance These Projects With Bonds42:00 The Sweet Spot: Upscale to Upper Upscale43:00 Why Walter Started Teaching45:00 Career Advice for Anyone Entering Hospitality49:00 What Walter Is Most Excited About51:00 How to Connect With Walter & OutroQuote of the Show:"It's not how fast can we increase the value of this hotel and flip it. It's how can this hotel contribute to the community." - Walter PeseskiBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Ed Bakos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-bakos-62102014/   Champalimaud Design: https://www.champalimaud.design/Help preserve a generation of American history: https://www.tunisonfoundation.org/donate   Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#DefiningHospitality #AssetManagement #PublicPrivatePartnership #HotelDevelopment #HospitalityBusiness #HotelInvestment
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  The Art of Anticipation - Ed Bakos - Defining Hospitality 08.04.2026 56Min.

  In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Ed Bakos, CEO of Champalimaud Design, to explore the evolving dimensions of hospitality in the design world. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this discussion uncovers how the nuances of design, from emotional exchanges to anticipating guest needs, define luxury and authenticity in the hospitality industry today.About the Guest:Ed Bakos is the CEO of Champalimaud Design, a New York-based firm renowned for its innovative approach to hospitality design. With over 30 years of experience, Ed has continually pushed the boundaries of what luxury and hospitality can achieve through strategic and emotionally resonant design. His commitment to fostering talented teams and creating memorable experiences makes his work a benchmark in the industry.Chapters:00:46 Welcome Ed Bakos02:12 What Hospitality Means04:04 Early Career Origins07:30 First W Hotel Breakthrough11:07 Heavenly Bed Innovation14:13 Alexandra Legacy18:31 Mosaic Team Culture24:49 Flat Hierarchy Best Ideas27:20 Project Example Clarity28:29 Ideas From Anywhere29:10 Designing Anticipated Needs31:23 Service Defines Luxury32:44 Turning Constraints Into Magic34:59 Building A Creative Culture37:02 Managing Creative Anxiety40:47 Choosing The Right Clients44:29 Aviation Passion And Purpose49:08 Flying The C47 Across Atlantic50:58 Remembering History And ClosingQuote of the Show:"Design is a relationship between different things. Why do certain combinations of things provide us with more satisfaction? Certain combinations in certain settings are… highly successful and can be highly successful." - Ed BakosBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Ed Bakos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-bakos-62102014/   Champalimaud Design: https://www.champalimaud.design/  Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#DefiningHospitality #HospitalityDesign #HotelDesign #GuestExperience #DesignAnticipation #HotelInnovation
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  What the K-Wave Means for Hotel and Restaurant Design - Thomas Oh & Daphne Shin - Defining Hospitality 01.04.2026 55Min.

  In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Thomas Oh, Co-Founder & General Manager of Perilla Korean American Steakhouse, and Daphne Shin, Founder & Principal Designer of the Ruimte, two passionate creators working at the intersection of culture, cuisine, and design. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, the episode delves into the unique approach Thomas and Daphne take to blend Korean cultural elements into their business ventures in Chicago.About the Guests:Thomas Oh is the co-founder and director of operations at Perilla Korean American Steakhouse. With a mission to introduce Korean culture through dining experiences, Thomas highlights the seamless integration of Korean and American culinary elements at Perilla.Daphne Shin is the founder and principal designer of the Ruimte, an interior design firm. Through her design work at L7 Hotel, Daphne strives to create environments where every guest, regardless of background, feels at home.Chapters:02:26 Defining Hospitality04:38 Building L7 Chicago06:33 Designing Perilla Steakhouse15:26 Korean DNA in the Hotel19:40 Reception in Chicago24:49 The K Wave Momentum27:28 Entrepreneur Lessons30:08 Teamwork Solves Problems30:43 Exhaust System Collaboration32:13 Sponsor Sustainability Note32:48 Immigrant Path to Hospitality34:56 Little Victories in Service38:17 Design vs Operations Reality42:15 Dream Projects and Timelessness46:35 Hotel and Restaurant Synergy49:43 How Lotte Found Them51:09 Luck Meets Hard Work53:27 Closing Thanks and FarewellQuote of the Show:"It's exciting for me and for the team here, for them to come into our space… We're not screaming this is Korean to them, but they're loving the design of this restaurant and the hotel." - Thomas OhBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Thomas Oh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-oh-b6164570/ Daphne Shin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphne-shin-1a223b44/ Daphne Shin Email: daphne@theruimte.com Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#hospitality #Koreancuisine #design #Kwave #defininghospitality #podcasting #ChicagoDining
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  Curating Luxury Through Sound - Michelangelo L’Acqua - Defining Hospitality 25.03.2026 57Min.

  In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Michaelangelo L’Acqua, a global entertainment director and music/lifestyle branding expert, to discuss hospitality as “infrastructure” built through sound, motifs, and emotional arcs across dayparts. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this conversation dives into shifting luxury expectations, analog-era craft, and mentoring creatives within business-driven environments.Michelangelo shares how sound serves as the unseen architect in the world of hospitality, crafting emotional journeys for guests. About the Guest:Michaelangelo L'Acqua is a Global Entertainment Director and Founder of his creative strategy agency, L'Acqua Agenzia. With a legacy of working with iconic brands like Virgin Voyages and W Hotels, he brings decades of experience in music branding and luxury lifestyle curation. Known for pioneering concepts like the Sonic Identity Brand Bible, L'Acqua remains a leading voice in integrating sound as a critical component of the hospitality experience, continuously shaping the future of how spaces sound and resonate with their audience.Chapters:01:17 Whale Shark Memories02:51 What Hospitality Means03:52 Sonic Architect Idea05:09 Motifs and Brand Magic07:04 Building a Sonic Bible10:18 Sound Drives Revenue12:32 Mentors and Early Grind14:29 Tom Ford Breakthrough17:37 From Fashion to Hotels20:30 Analog Era Work Ethic23:04 Staying Relevant in Luxury27:27 Timeless Formulas and Flow30:57 Building Sonic Brand DNA33:04 Virgin Voyages Layer Cake36:59 W Hotel Reinvents Hospitality39:45 Finding Local Tastemakers41:29 Mentorship Over Ego44:44 Sound Beats Brick48:07 Next Decade Soundtrack50:49 Timeless Meets New53:30 Hall of Fame Tangent55:46 Wrap Up And ConnectQuote of the Show:"I truly believe that there are moments I can really tap into unconscious feelings within somebody. And if I can do that… you're gonna walk away from that experience and say that was a great night. I don't know why, but it was just special." - Michelangelo L’AcquaBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Michelangelo L’Acqua LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelangelo-lacqua/ Starwood Hotels: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#DefiningHospitality #HospitalityDesign #HotelDesign #GuestExperience #SonicArchitect #HotelInnovation