Join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili as they interview Josh Graham, Head of Market Development at Cloudbeds, on the trade show floor of The Hospitality Show in San Antonio.

In this insightful episode, Graham discusses Cloudbeds' evolution from serving small properties to accommodating larger hotels, their innovative approach to integrations, and the game-changing launch of Cloudbeds Intelligence, their new AI platform. He also reveals exciting upcoming features including enterprise-grade business intelligence tools and a new housekeeping app.

With 20 years of industry experience, Graham offers valuable perspectives on how Cloudbeds is redefining property management systems through innovation rather than acquisition.

Key Topics:

• How did Josh Graham find his way to Cloudbeds after 20 years in hospitality?
• Why do they focus on innovation over acquisition?
• How does Cloudbeds approach AI differently from competitors?
• What options do customers have for custom integrations?

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamjosh/

Cloudbeds: https://www.cloudbeds.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/113

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Join hosts Steve Carran and David Millili on the trade show floor for an insightful conversation with Walt Sheffler, CEO of Avendra, a leading professional procurement services company in the hospitality industry.

In this episode, Walt shares his journey from Penn State accounting major to hospitality industry leader, revealing how a shortage of accounting jobs led him to a career-defining role as a Marriott management trainee. With decades of experience under his belt, Walt discusses what makes the hospitality industry uniquely rewarding and explains why working with people in an upbeat environment continues to drive his passion.

Key Discussion Points:

• The distinction between traditional procurement and hospitality procurement
• How Avendra serves different hotel segments, from economy to ultra-luxury
• The company's unique "at property and above property" service model
• Creative solutions to the industry's pressing labor shortage challenges
• Sustainability initiatives and ESG measurement in hospitality procurement
• Avendra's international expansion plans and future growth strategies

Learn how Avendra's team of hospitality veterans brings insider knowledge to procurement services, understanding the day-to-day needs of everyone from executive chefs to front desk staff. Walt also shares valuable insights into how the company is tackling modern challenges, from implementing AI-driven sustainability tracking to helping hotels optimize their labor distribution through strategic supply chain management.

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by Avendra: https://www.avendra.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walt-sheffler-aa14a1/

Avendra International: https://www.avendra.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/112

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili speak with Theresa Ellsworth from Sertifi at the Hospitality Show.

Theresa, a hospitality technology veteran, discusses the growing challenge of credit card fraud and chargebacks in the hotel industry. She shares valuable insights on preventing criminal fraud, handling friendly fraud, and implementing digital authorization solutions.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• What are the essential fraud prevention tools?
• The importance of 3D Secure technology.
• How can hotels reduce credit card processing fees and streamline their payment processes using e-commerce merchant IDs?
• The practical tips for hoteliers to protect their revenue.

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaellsworth/
Sertifi: https://corp.sertifi.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/111

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tate Hackert, founder and president of ZayZoon, to discuss earned wage access and financial empowerment in the hospitality industry. Hackert shares his entrepreneurial journey from small-town beginnings to revolutionizing employee pay access, along with insights on business growth and workplace benefits.

Key Topics:

• How did ZayZoon transform from a manual loan service into a comprehensive fintech platform?
• What new features are planned in ZayZoon's rewards and recognition tools?
• How can earned wage access benefit both employees and employers in the hospitality industry?
• How does ZayZoon's integration with payroll providers work?

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tate-hackert/

ZayZoon: https://www.zayzoon.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/110

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

How is Springboard addressing the housing affordability crisis for hospitality workers in expensive markets?

Join hosts David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Benjamin Rafter, President and CEO of Springboard Hospitality, for an insightful discussion about the intersection of technology and hospitality. With a unique background spanning from tech startups to hotel management, Rafter shares his journey from selling a company to Amazon to leading a portfolio of 47 independent hotels across 14 states.

Learn about his innovative approach to hospitality, including why he puts his personal cell phone number in every hotel room, his strategies for tackling staffing challenges in high-cost markets, and his candid thoughts on technology adoption in the hotel industry.

Key Topics:

• How did a tech executive end up running a hotel company?
• What makes an ideal property for Springboard's portfolio?
• Which hotel technologies are actually delivering value?
• Why is technology adoption so slow in hospitality?

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Ben Rafter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-rafter-623a702/
Springboard Hospitality: https://www.springboardhospitality.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/109

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Independent hotels are the creative spark for the Hospitality Industry. So, what's the current state of the Independent Hospitality sector?

In this episode, David and Steve head to the Independent Lodging Congress in Sausalito, CA to talk about the latest insights and challenges happening in the Independent hotel space. On this episode, we hear from Brigette Harenda the President of B&Co., Romal Jayswal, Co-founder & CEO at StayNow, Jacqueline Nunley, Travel and Hospitality Advisor at Salesforce, and Ryan Foat, Dream Facilitator at THREE SIXTY.

Key Topics:

• How is Milwaukee's hospitality scene evolving beyond being "Chicago's shadow"?
• Why are some hoteliers hesitant to embrace new technology?
• How can hotels maintain service quality while adopting new technology?
• What will define luxury hospitality in 2025?

The Modern Hotelier is the official podcast of the Independent Lodging Congress

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Brigette Harenda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigetteharenda/
B&Co.: https://bcobranding.com/

Romal Jayswal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rj411/
StayNow: https://staynow.com/

Jacqueline Nunley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinesnunley/
Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/

Ryan Foat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanfoat/
THREE SIXTY: https://threesixtymke.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/108

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, hosts David and Steve speak with Judy Chen from Hyatt Hotels Corporation, who shares her expertise on topics ranging from disaster response in the hotel industry to labor retention strategies and major sporting events' impact on hospitality markets.

Key Topics:

• The hospitality industry's response to Hurricane Milton, highlighting how smaller hotel groups offered discounted rates to those in need
• Chef Jose Andres' new venture into the hotel business with Hotel Bazaar in Washington DC's Georgetown
• The latest rankings of top business destinations worldwide
• AAA's new five-diamond hotel awards featuring properties in San Francisco, Miami Beach, and Chicago
• Key insights from the Lodging Conference in Phoenix about employee retention in the hotel industry
• Atlanta's selection as the 2028 Super Bowl host city and its implications for the hospitality sector

The show brings together industry experts for engaging discussions about current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the hospitality world, offering both analysis and personal insights from those working in the field.

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Hurricane Milton- Hotels offering discounted rates
Jose Andres is launching a luxury hotel brand
Top Business Destinations
AAA Awards Five Diamond Status To Chicago, Miami and San Francisco Hotels
Retaining Hoteliers
Super Bowl is coming back to Atlanta in 2028

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/107

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil

What valuable insights does she offer for hoteliers looking to enhance their guest experience and brand presence?

On this special episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Mandy Murry, CEO of Hospitality Concierge. From her early days as a teenage travel agent in Salt Lake City to running the VIP torch relay program for the 2002 Olympics, Murry shares her fascinating journey in hospitality. Now a sought-after consultant for independent and boutique hotels, she discusses the emerging 'Resortcore' trend, the importance of authentic guest experiences, and how independent hotels can leverage technology and storytelling to stay competitive. Murry also offers valuable insights on community engagement, social media strategy, and her predictions for the future of independent hospitality in 2025. Whether you're a hotelier or industry professional, this episode delivers practical tips for elevating your property's guest experience and brand presence.

Key Topics:

• What exactly is Hospitality Concierge and what services do you provide?
• How should hotels leverage their website and video content?
• What is "Resortcore" and how can independent hotels embrace it?
• Will truly independent hotels continue to exist as larger brands acquire them?
• How important is dropping "old school" thinking in modern hospitality?

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by Mandy Murry & Hospitality Concierge: https://mandymurry.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Mandy Murry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allmandy/

Hospitality Concierge: https://mandymurry.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/106

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil