In this final episode of Hospitable, host Rob Napoli sits down with Dr. Fredrik Sjoberg to explore how unified data, better hotel education, and AI-driven tools will shape the next decade of hotel innovation. As founder of Maison and a professor at NYU, Fredrik brings a rare combination of academic insight and hands-on startup execution.

From shifting guest expectations to the real problem behind “bad tech stacks,” this conversation uncovers why the future belongs to hotels that connect their systems, elevate their teams, and adopt AI as a co‑pilot, not a replacement.

🧩 Topics Covered
- Why AI will transform hotel service without removing the human touch
- How data unification unlocks real personalisation & operator advantage
- Why hospitality schools must teach business, tech & integrations
- How AI can relieve staffing shortages and operational overload
- Where hotels should begin their digital transformation journey
- Why young talent and student collaboration will drive the next wave of innovation

Whether you’re a hotel operator, tech leader, educator, or future hospitality founder, this episode breaks down the mindset and ecosystem needed to thrive in the next era of guest experience.

📢 Like, subscribe, and comment: What’s one task you’d let AI handle tomorrow?

🔗 Learn more about Maison: https://www.maison.cx
🔗 Learn more about Omniboost: https://www.omniboost.com

⏱️ Timestamps
02:45 How Gen‑Z Views Hospitality Careers
05:30 Confusion Around Hospitality Jobs
08:40 Guest-Facing Roles vs. Corporate Paths
10:55 The Future of In‑Keeping & Personality-Driven Hotels
13:50 Travel Culture, Work Flexibility & Misconceptions
16:50 How Travelers Choose Hotels Today
20:12 Community-Driven Hotels & “Hidden Neighborhoods”
23:30 Data: The Operator’s Missing Advantage
26:05 Connectivity Problems & Bad Integrations
29:35 Tech Stack for Next-Gen Hotels
33:20 Unique Concepts & Rapid Hotel Iteration
36:15 Why AI Matters for Operators
39:45 Conversational AI & Personalisation
47:00 The Future: Human Service + Digital Co‑pilots

Connect
Dr. Fredrik Sjøberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-sjoberg-6851174
Maison: https://www.maison.cx
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com
Omniboost: https://www.omniboost.io

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#HospitalityTech #AIinHotels #HotelTechnology #HotelInnovation #DataUnification #FutureOfHospitality #HospitalityEducation #HotelOperations #GuestExperience #ConnectedEcosystem #MaisonTech #Omniboost

In this episode of Hospitable, host Rob Napoli sits down with Ricarda Müller, COO and Partner Manager at ibelsa, to explore how their people-first, modular PMS became a favorite across the DACH market. From zero downtime in 8+ years to smart integrations and AI-driven workflows, ibelsa is proving that great tech starts with great relationships.

🧩 Topics Covered
- Why modular PMS beats all-in-one systems for scaling with control
- How ibelsa achieved 8 years of zero downtime, and why it matters at reception
- Building trusted integrations (POS, Omniboost, accounting, and more)
- How AI, automation, and mobile-first tools are transforming operations
- The hidden advantage of having no outside investors
- What hotels really need in a tech partner (hint: it’s not more features)

Whether you’re running 20 rooms or 200, this episode is packed with practical lessons for choosing, scaling, and trusting the right hospitality tech.

📢 Like, subscribe, and comment below: What tech decision helped your team the most this year?

🔗 Learn more about ibelsa: https://www.ibelsa.com
🔗 Explore Omniboost: https://www.omniboost.com

⏱️ Timestamps
02:08 “Find a way to make fun”, Workaholic or passion-driven?
03:38 How ibelsa differentiates in a crowded PMS market
06:36 Eight years with zero downtime
07:47 Customer-led roadmap & no external investors
09:27 Modular PMS: Scaling from 10 to 150 rooms
11:04 Why “all-in-one” systems rarely win
13:01 Building smooth integrations with POS, channels & Omniboost
16:04 Staff shortages, AI, and dynamic pricing as must-haves
21:09 “AI today is the most immature it will ever be”
22:20 What’s next on ibelsa’s roadmap
24:19 Best travel memories & belief in people

Connect
Ricarda Müller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricarda-m%C3%BCller-carminho-75324039
ibelsa: https://www.ibelsa.com
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com
Omniboost: https://www.omniboost.io

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#hospitalitytech #hotelpms #cloudpms #hotelsoftware #hospitalityindustry #ibelsa #omniboost #hoteltechnology #hospitalityautomation #hotelintegration #dynamicpricing #hotelmanagementsoftware #aiforhotels #hospitalityai #pmsintegration

In this episode of Hospitable, host Rob Napoli sits down with Tiago Alves of Belmond to unpack one of the most ambitious digital transformations in global hospitality. From fragmented PMS systems to a unified, cloud-based platform, with 40+ integrations and an in-house API layer, Belmond’s journey is a masterclass in data unification, change management, and making hospitality tech actually work for people.

🧩 Topics Covered
- From duplicated guest profiles to a single source of truth
- Why Belmond built its own API & integration layer
- The role of “property champions” in driving adoption
- Legal, tax & compliance realities of cloud PMS across multiple countries
- Lessons from delayed go-lives—and what they’d do differently
- How Belmond automates the predictable so staff can focus on guests

If you're leading a PMS migration, building a hotel tech stack, or struggling with data silos, this episode is a blueprint you can’t afford to miss.

📢 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment: What's your biggest challenge in connecting your hospitality systems?

🔗 Learn more: https://www.omniboost.com
🔗 Explore Belmond: https://www.belmond.com

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Cold Open: Building a Connected Ecosystem
01:14 Meet Tiago & Belmond’s Tech Award
02:12 “Just Another Tech?” – Why This Project Mattered
03:23 20 Years in Hospitality Tech
04:27 Who is Belmond? A Diverse Luxury Portfolio
05:14 The Problem: Fragmented PMS Databases
06:42 Finding the Right Partner in a Legal Landscape
08:20 Involving Cross-Functional Teams from Day One
10:00 Property Champions & Local Ownership
11:37 Balancing Standards & Local Needs
13:19 Change Management & Tech Aversion
19:03 Delays & Building an In-House API Layer
22:35 Scaling to 40+ Integrations
26:05 Go-Live Realities: Migration & Cleanup
29:06 Owning the Data Pipeline
31:38 What Tiago Would Do Differently
36:26 Automating the Predictable to Free Up Staff
44:18 How to Reach Tiago & Closing Thoughts

Connect
Tiago Alves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talves
Belmond: https://www.belmond.com
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com
Omniboost: https://www.omniboost.com

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, http://www.brokenframesstudio.com

#hospitalitytech #hotelpms #belmond #cloudpms #hotelsoftware #hospitalitydata #systemsintegration #hospitalityapi #hoteltechnology #dataplatform #aiforhotels #hospitalityautomation #hotelmanagementsystem #pmsintegration #connectedhospitality

In this episode of Hospitable, Rob Napoli (COO, Omniboost) is joined by Daniel Costa (Sr. Data Engineer) and Quinten de Putter (Sr. Data Scientist) to reveal how Omniboost is transforming backend complexity into intuitive dashboards. No more spreadsheet chaos. No more clunky PowerBI setups. Just smart, scalable business intelligence, built for hospitality.

🧩 Topics Covered
- From data warehouses to dashboard UX: how the backend powers the front-end
- What Omniboost is doing differently in BI
- How dynamic dashboards let hoteliers define and track the KPIs that matter
- Eliminating manual journal entries and reducing reconciliation headaches
- Preparing the platform for AI-powered forecasting, automation, and insight
- What proof-of-concept testing revealed—and what’s coming next

If you’ve ever struggled to unify PMS, POS, HR and accounting data into something useful, this conversation will change how you think about business intelligence in hospitality.

📢 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment: What dashboard metric do you wish you had in real-time?

🔗 Learn more: https://www.omniboost.io

⏱️ Timestamps
00:41 Lessons Learned from Data Lakes & Warehouses

01:36 Why Static BI Tools Fall Short for Hotels

03:14 The Shift Toward Unified Dashboards

04:11 Building a Scalable, AI-Ready Infrastructure

05:16 Creating System-Agnostic Data Flows

06:17 Testing the First Version with Customers

07:09 Static vs. Customizable KPI Dashboards

08:21 Preparing for Proof of Concept Launch

09:49 How AI Will Deliver Out-of-the-Box Insights

11:58 Customization & Dynamic Visualization at Scale

13:36 Overcoming System Mapping Challenges

14:46 User Experience & Self-Onboarding Goals

16:56 Why Timing Matters for Hospitality Tech

18:43 Looking Ahead: Demos & Product Roadmap

20:18 Final Thoughts: A Game-Changer for Hotels

Connect
Daniel Costa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-de-souza-p-costa-b094b959
Quinten de Putter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinten-de-putter-07944a1a9
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap
Omniboost: https://www.omniboost.io

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#HospitalityTech #HotelData #Omniboost #BusinessIntelligence #HospitalityInnovation #DataAnalytics #HotelManagement #HospitalitySolutions #HospitalityDashboard #HospitalityPodcast #HospitalityAI #HospitalityFuture #HotelTechnology #HospitalityBusiness #DataDrivenDecisions

In this on-the-ground episode recorded after a major hospitality event in Las Vegas, host Rob Napoli sits down with two of Omniboost’s key players to explore how automation, integrations, and consultative SaaS are reshaping hotel and restaurant operations. Vincent Gitsels and Romano Ruijtenburg share how Omniboost is solving industry pain points, one data connection at a time.

🧩 Topics Covered
- Lessons from the Vegas hospitality tech floor: what hotels are asking for now
- Consultative SaaS: the blend of software + service that drives results
- Breaking financial data silos across POS, PMS, and accounting systems
- Why AI is becoming central to hospitality automation
- Self-onboarding, human error reduction, and operational scale
- What’s next for Omniboost: product roadmap insights

Whether you’re a tech leader, GM, finance head, or systems integrator, this episode unpacks the next phase of hospitality success.

📢 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment to share what automation challenge you're solving this year.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.omniboost.io

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Hospitable with Rob Napoli
02:00 Lessons from the Las Vegas event
03:00 Vincent’s journey at Omniboost
04:30 Consultative SaaS explained
05:45 Breaking data silos
07:00 AI and automation in hospitality tech
08:20 POS to PMS to accounting integrations
09:10 Reducing human error with Omniboost
10:30 Insights from customer conversations
12:00 Future projects at Omniboost
13:30 Self-onboarding and operational efficiency
15:00 Final takeaways from Vegas

Connect
Vincent Gitsels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-gitsels
Romano Ruijtenburg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanoruijtenburg/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#HospitalityTech #Omniboost #DataIntegration #HospitalityAutomation #SaaS #HotelManagement #POS #PMS #AccountingSoftware #AIInHospitality #DataSilos #BusinessAutomation #OmniboostPodcast #HospitalityInnovation #HotelTech

In this episode of Hospitable, host Rob Napoli sits down with Gerald J. Leonard, musician, author, TEDx speaker, and CEO of Turnberry Premiere, to explore how hospitality leaders can embed sustainability into the DNA of their businesses. From “micro-impact” practices to leadership habits that mirror music performance, Gerald reveals how sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet, it’s about better business.

🧩 Topics Covered
- The “Three-Legged Stool” of ESG: Environment, Social, and Governance explained
- Why practice *is* the performance, on stage and in leadership
- How project maturity assessments shine a light on hidden inefficiencies
- What sustainable hotels do differently to boost loyalty and efficiency
- Data-driven sustainability: turning insight into action
- Why sustainability builds emotional ROI with modern guests

Whether you're running a boutique hotel or leading operations at a global chain, this episode offers a roadmap for putting purpose into practice, without sacrificing profit.

📢 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment to share how you’re making sustainability work in your business.

Learn more: https://www.omniboost.io

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Hospitable with Rob Napoli
01:52 – Gerald’s Beatles-on-Bass EP & New Book
03:27 – Music Lessons for Business Success
04:26 – How Vertigo Changed Gerald’s Path
06:28 – Sustainability = Project Management?
07:21 – The ESG “Three-Legged Stool” Explained
11:27 – Measuring Sustainability: What Really Matters
13:13 – Hotels, Guests & Micro-Impact Practices
14:30 – Helping Big Companies Act Sustainably
15:45 – Maturity Assessments & Turning on the Lights
18:46 – Sustainability = Revenue + Efficiency + Loyalty
20:40 – Rethinking ROI in Hospitality
25:01 – Gen Z, Diversity & Why Social Equity Matters

Connect
Gerald J. Leonard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldjleonard/
Gerald J. Leonard: https://geraldjleonard.com/
Turnberry Premiere: https://www.turnberrypremiere.com/
Omniboost: https://www.omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, http://www.brokenframesstudio.com

#Sustainability #HospitalityTech #GeraldLeonard #LeadershipPodcast #HospitablePodcast #ESG #HospitalityInnovation #DataDrivenDecisions #HotelTech #GreenBusiness #CustomerLoyalty #PracticeIsPerformance #TurnberryPremier #HospitalityLeadership #Automation

In this special Founder Talks episode, Omniboost CEO Kees Zorge sits down with COO and podcast host Rob Napoli to unpack what it really takes to scale a people-first, partner-driven SaaS company in the hospitality industry. From redefining what it means to “fail fast” to the power of servant leadership and purposeful travel, this is a no-fluff conversation on building global tech with heart, grit, and a whole lot of integrations.

🧩 Topics Covered
- The “Second Violin” mindset: Why Omniboost plays behind the scenes to help partners shine
- Building trust through consultative SaaS: Listening, adapting, iterating
- Growing a global team without losing your culture
- What 8,000+ daily integrations teach you about system unification
- AI with accountability: Why data hygiene is the real frontier
- Why hospitality founders still need to shake hands

Whether you're scaling a SaaS startup, leading tech transformation, or unifying hotel systems across continents—this one’s for you.

📢 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment to share how you’re tackling data silos in hospitality.

Learn more: https://www.omniboost.io
Read the feature: Omniboost: The Team Behind Every Touchdown → https://omniboost.io/media/omniboost-the-team-behind-every-touchdown

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Hospitable with Rob Napoli
01:10 First Company-Wide Town Hall: Emotions & Pride
04:48 Servant Leadership at Scale
06:32 Interns Speak Up—Keeping Culture Intact
08:54 Preserving DNA Across 85 Countries
11:25 Partnership as a Behavioral Trait
14:05 Consultative SaaS Explained
16:35 Active Listening & Solving the Real Ask
18:06 8,000+ Daily Integrations: Platform Stats
20:00 Fail Fast, Learn Faster—US vs EU Mindset
24:57 Founder Travel Philosophy
29:40 Letting Employees Grow (and Err)
34:00 AI Hype vs Data Purification Reality
37:12 Crafting the Narrative: Second Violin & Unification
45:00 The Edgers Mindset & Final Thoughts

Connect
Kees Zorge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeszorge/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#HospitalityTech #DataUnification #SaaSFounders #StartupCulture #Omniboost #HotelTechnology #ServantLeadership #ConsultativeSaaS #HospitalityInnovation #TechPodcast #FounderTalk #GlobalStartup #APIAutomation #PMSIntegration #TheEdgersMindset

From solving the complex Midas Hospitality integration across legacy PMS systems to managing clients across time zones, Romano shares how Omniboost simplifies data unification at scale — with a human touch.

🧩 Topics Covered
- What is consultative SaaS selling?
- The Midas Hospitality case study: PMS to accounting automation
- How Omniboost supports 8500+ integrations in 85+ countries
- Legacy tech challenges (Opera, PEP, ONQ) and Omniboost’s semantic layer
- Why trust and flexibility are key to client success

🔔 Subscribe for more insights from global hospitality leaders.
 
📩 Got questions or want to work with us? Drop a comment or connect on LinkedIn.

Learn more at: https://www.omniboost.io

Timestamps

04:30 – The Two-Sided Omniboost Model: Partner vs Direct
05:32 – From Intern to Sales Lead: Romano’s Career Journey
11:41 – Selling Without Selling: How Tech Enables Trust
15:18 – What Is a Semantic Data Layer?
16:39 – Automation at Scale: PMS to Accounting
18:00 – Every Hotel Is Unique — and Why That Matters
18:39 – Consultative SAS in Action: Asking the Right Questions
21:03 – Midas Hospitality: A Case Study in Complexity
24:30 – “It’s Not a Workaround — It’s Innovation”
25:37 – Support and Overcommunication: The Omniboost Difference
28:43 – Global Client Management: How Romano Handles Time Zones
34:40 – The Power of Integrations: 7500 and Counting
37:38 – Why Omniboost Frees Time to Focus on Guests

Connect
Romano Ruijtenburg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanoruijtenburg/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#HospitalityTech #SaaSSales #DataAutomation #HotelTech #ConsultativeSelling #Omniboost #HospitalityInnovation #GlobalSales #PMSIntegration #AccountingAutomation #TechLeadership #MidasHospitality #SaaSConsulting #HospitalitySoftware #RobNapoli

In this episode of Hospitable, Rob Napoli sits down with Levar Jackson, CEO of Yogh Group, to discuss the reality of “lazy business” in hospitality — and what needs to change. From innovative ROI-backed sustainability solutions to challenging industry norms, Levar shares real talk and real solutions to make hospitality smarter, greener, and more impactful.

🧠 Topics Covered
- Why sustainability must be additive, not subtractive
- How lazy thinking affects the bottom line
- Building HVAC systems that generate profit
- Partnerships with universities to spark innovation
- How inclusivity fuels innovation in hospitality

💡 Whether you're a hotelier, operations leader, or hospitality tech professional — this episode will shift how you think about efficiency, sustainability, and growth.

📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more game-changing conversations.

Learn more at: https://www.omniboost.io

Timestamps
00:29 – Rob introduces Levar and the Yogh Group
01:45 – How Levar entered hospitality via art
02:47 – Hotel waste: Why art and furnishings go to landfills
04:17 – “We have all the tools we’re just using the wrong ones”
05:38 – Almond trees in SoCal = unsustainable agriculture
06:21 – The social cost of skipping travel
08:30 – ROI on sustainability: It’s already there
11:22 – Minibar logic: Use ROI to drive sustainable upgrades
12:19 – Turning HVAC into a power generator
18:32 – How conglomerates can engage universities for innovation
21:30 – The $22k scholarship story that changed a life
28:17 – Friction in leadership = stronger ideas

Connect
Yogh Group: https://www.yogh.group/
Levar Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levarjackson/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#HospitalityInnovation #SustainableHotels #LevarJackson #YoghGroup #HospitalityTech #HotelSustainability #GreenHospitality #LazyBusiness #HospitalityLeadership #FutureOfHotels #RobNapoli #OmniboostPodcast #HospitablePodcast #SmartSustainability #HospitalityROI

Born from a single frustrating restaurant experience, Winston POS was built to work with hospitality staff—not against them. Koen shares his journey from tech to POS, highlighting the importance of simplicity, usability, and innovation in restaurant and hotel operations.  

Key takeaways include:  
- Why most POS systems fail hospitality businesses  
- The importance of keeping systems simple yet powerful  
- How Winston POS’s dealer and partner model accelerates growth  
- Expanding into the U.S.: Unique challenges & opportunities  

Discover how Winston POS is transforming the industry with a fresh approach to POS technology.  

📢 What features do you think make the perfect POS system? Let us know in the comments!  

👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insights on hospitality technology.

Timestamps

[00:01:18] – How Winston POS was born from restaurant frustration
[00:02:21] – What makes a POS system truly user-friendly
[00:05:40] – The balance between simplicity and functionality
[00:10:41] – The dealer model: Why it’s essential for restaurant tech
[00:15:17] – Why POS should integrate rather than compete with other tech
[00:18:28] – “Hospitality is Chaos in Motion” – Adapting to fast-paced environments
[00:24:17] – How technology gives staff more time to focus on customers
[00:28:02] – Winston POS’s upcoming U.S. launch: What to expect
[00:29:26] – The philosophy behind “A system that works with you, not against you”
[00:30:24] – Where to find more about Winston POS & how to connect

Connect
Winston: https://winstonpos.com
Koen Lavrijssen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klavrijssen/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

#HospitablePodcast #HospitalityTech #POSInnovation #WinstonPOS #RestaurantTech #HotelTech #FutureOfHospitality

Key topics discussed include:
- The evolution of gastronomy technology and its impact on hospitality.
- How gastronovi’s modular systems simplify complex processes for restaurants and hotels.
- The rise of ghost kitchens and self-ordering systems.
- How AI is reshaping restaurant workflows, from QR code menus to automation.

Discover how gastronovi is driving innovation to streamline operations while maintaining the human connection at the heart of hospitality.

📢 What trends do you think will shape hospitality in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments!

👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes exploring the intersection of technology and hospitality.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Hospitable with Rob Napoli
00:03 Meet Maximilian Huber: From Hotels to Tech Innovation
00:45 Growing Up in Hospitality: Max’s Unique Perspective
01:20 The Complexity of Hospitality Tech and Frontline Solutions
03:15 How gastronovi Simplifies Gastronomy Digitization
05:30 Modular Systems for Restaurants: Flexibility Meets Function
08:20 Ghost Kitchens: A Trend or the Future?
11:15 How AI Enhances Restaurant Operations
13:40 Improving Guest and Staff Experiences Through Tech
16:00 Gastronomy Trends to Watch for in 2025
19:50 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Hospitality Innovation

Connect
gastronovi: http://www.gastronovi.com
Maximilian Huber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximilian-huber-24061995/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Wink takes us on his journey from starting in a small garage to leading a company that processes billions in sales data. He shares the challenges and rewards of building relationships in the food tech space, highlights the value of face-to-face interactions, and explains how Meal Ticket uses data to empower restaurants and distributors.

We explore the current state of hospitality technology, the growing influence of AI, and emerging trends to watch as we approach 2025. Wink also offers actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of financial awareness and perseverance in achieving success.

Whether you're part of the hospitality industry or curious about how technology is reshaping food service, this episode is filled with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss!

Audio Timestamps.

[00:01:43] Distributor data mining for marketing.

[00:08:11] Relationship first in technology.

[00:10:41] Data ownership and management.

[00:11:47] Human to human relationships.

[00:16:20] Building relationships in business.

[00:20:28] Travel's impact on business perspective.

[00:25:19] AI's impact on the restaurant industry.

[00:26:31] AI in operational efficiency.

[00:30:35] Startup challenges and serendipity.

[00:33:49] Serendipitous luck in entrepreneurship.

[00:36:16] Guest suggestions and topics.

Quotes
00:01:20 - "I think it's really hard to engage in a partnership or do something really strategic unless you've sat down at dinner together."
00:04:22 - "We got like crazy click rates, and then they sold out in like two hours."
00:05:40 - "The fun and challenging thing about food tech is that I think we're behind the technology curve as an industry in general."
00:08:59 - "What we do want to do is help them stay in business. We want them to be smarter."
00:12:24 - "But the way that we treat data, the sanctity that we treat data with, it's one of our core values is that your data is your data."
00:12:30 - "Data does tell a story. They could tell us the right story, but we have to put it in a way to make that story accessible, understandable, and usable."
00:16:45 - "I think it's really hard to engage in a partnership or do something really strategic unless you've sat down at dinner together."
00:18:24 - "Technology is only as good as the people that are using it, right?"
00:22:03 - "I didn't expect what I experienced there."
00:25:01 - "We have to make sure that what we're providing isn't just a nice to have, but it actually is saving them money and helping them stay in business."
00:27:12 - "I don't think anybody wants to sit at a bar and be served by a robot yet."
00:28:14 - "I'd like to say in a cheeky way that we've been using AI since AI was cool."
00:32:43 - "You can't underestimate the amount of work that goes in and the amount of serendipity that is responsible for success."
00:34:24 - "Just be careful about taking on financing and you're married to your investors."
00:36:25 - "It's really easy to get lost in the here and now and not the full picture."

Connect
Meal Ticket: https://www.mealticket.com/
Wink Jones:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wink-jones-ba58b0/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Chris reflects on the role of tech in enhancing efficiency and guest satisfaction, stressing its support for personal, guest-focused service. With stories of travel and cultural inspiration, he highlights the enduring value of genuine hospitality.

Tune in for insights and inspiration from one of the industry's most seasoned professionals!

Timestamps
[00:04:11] Lifelong passion for restaurants.

[00:07:38] People serving people in hospitality.

[00:09:04] Passion in the restaurant industry.

[00:13:02] Restaurant ownership challenges.

[00:18:04] Money management technology in dining.

[00:20:42] Guest experience in dining.

[00:22:37] Community events impact restaurant planning.

[00:26:52] Managing restaurant data effectively.

[00:29:58] Annual planning and technology.

[00:35:03] Guest experience and technology.

[00:36:13] Corner Booth podcast discussion.

Quotes
00:01:12 - "It's one of the hardest things you'll ever do. And if you don't love it... If you just don't have that personal connection, I don't know, it's going to be too hard down the line."
00:07:08 - "It's a people business. You enjoy serving people, but you do this because you must enjoy working with people."
00:09:33 - "The principle is you have to like working with people in a way that serves people."
00:10:38 - "What I want to hear first is somebody's leading with passion."
00:12:47 - "Not everyone needs to own a restaurant. Yeah. And because it isn't for everyone."
00:15:17 - "It starts with passion, right? And, and, and looking for passion."
00:18:16 - "The absolute minimum, though, is a POS system that's going to be able to help you manage product and labor."
00:21:13 - "It doesn't have to be a special occasion restaurant to make somebody's occasion feel special."
00:23:11 - "Technology becomes such a really cool piece in why restaurateurs need to understand the value of technology and the value of choosing the right things."
00:25:32 - "The best restaurants today are managed week by week."
00:28:03 - "It's there for a reason."
00:30:07 - "If you're moving, you're managing and the technology's in your hand."
00:34:01 - "It's going to be the rediscovery of the guest."
00:35:38 - "Our operations are going to be measured by the improved guest experience."

Connect
The Restaurant Clinic: https://www.therestaurantclinic.com/
Chris Tripoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctripoli/
Chris Tripoli: https://www.christripoli.com/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Greg shares his journey with Saira and dives into the organization's mission to uplift local talent, reducing reliance on overseas hires and fostering a stronger sense of community impact. We discuss how automation and technology help alleviate repetitive tasks, freeing up hospitality teams to focus on exceptional guest experiences. Greg also highlights Saira’s unique partnerships with luxury hotels and tech companies like Mews, showing how Saira is preparing its graduates with essential tech skills for the evolving hospitality landscape.

Whether you’re passionate about hospitality, technology, or social impact, this episode offers inspiring insights into how Saira Hospitality is transforming lives and the industry as a whole. Tune in to discover how technology can complement a human-centered approach, making hospitality more accessible and impactful for everyone involved.

Thank you for listening! Be sure to like, subscribe, and share to support our channel and help spread the word about how technology and community can come together in powerful ways.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Greg's journey to Saira Hospitality
03:00 Overview of Saira Hospitality's mission
10:00 The impact of technology in hospitality
20:00 Partnerships with tech companies
30:00 Curriculum development and community engagement
38:00 How to get involved with Saira Hospitality

Quotes
00:00:45 - "If you are able to automate and simplify some of the more mundane or less human tasks in a hotel, that frees up so much headspace and so much actual time for the teams to celebrate and deliver great hospitality."
00:04:58 - "Opportunities should be given to local community members and considering local community members is not having the right skills to work in a luxury lifestyle hotel is simply wrong."
00:06:45 - "We shouldn't just be poaching people anymore or flying people in from overseas. We should be giving people opportunities."
00:09:12 - "Hospitality is a transformative experience for so many people."
00:11:41 - "Sometimes you got to shoot your shot when you hear about something that excites you."
00:13:28 - "It's really easy to see is the impact that a hotel at any level, especially luxury hotels, has a huge impact on the community."
00:15:45 - "Automation... frees up so much headspace and so much actual time for the teams to celebrate and deliver great hospitality."
00:19:49 - "AI and automation is not meant to replace, it's meant to help."
00:22:03 - "If as a technology company, you're able to say we're supporting a nonprofit, and we're also able to say to our customers, we're bringing in newly trained teams who are impassioned by our tech, but also your brand, you start to solve two problems."
00:25:32 - "It's easy to talk about these things, hard to put into practice."
00:26:59 - "Most people or many people do want to do the right thing. It's just how do you take your focus off profitability?"
00:30:36 - "No two destinations are the same."
00:32:01 - "You're much more interested in who they are as a person and their personality than what they studied at school 10 years ago."
00:35:30 - "It's how can we start to partner with... brands that we feel are aligned with the vision that we have and the impact that we're having."
00:36:17 - "I often find that you guys are great problems solvers."
00:39:01 - "the impact that you're creating in communities."

Connect
Saira Hospitality: https://www.sairahospitality.com/
Greg Früchtenicht: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-fr%C3%BCchtenicht-8070569a/?originalSubdomain=uk
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Key themes include data-driven decision-making, the balance between digital tools and personal service, and the importance of financial literacy in restaurant management. With insights into average check size and prime cost, Tom sheds light on how restaurateurs can leverage data to optimize operations and elevate customer satisfaction, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the hospitality sector.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more episodes that explore the integration of technology in the hospitality sector!

Timestamps

[00:04:37] Restaurant industry data challenges.

[00:08:34] Restaurant concept clarity.

[00:11:25] Financial literacy in restaurant startups.

[00:14:34] Average check size dynamics.

[00:17:18] Business model of culinary experiences.

[00:22:19] Importance of prime cost analysis.

[00:22:50] Prime cost management strategies.

[00:26:31] Food cost management strategies.

[00:30:21] Technology in restaurant service.

[00:32:46] Menu psychology in restaurants.

[00:38:00] Data utilization in restaurants.

[00:39:43] Data-driven decision making in restaurants.

[00:43:04] Authentic Italian dining experience.

[00:46:37] Technology's impact on restaurants.

[00:50:07] Restaurant management meetings effectiveness.

[00:52:36] Consistency in restaurant data analysis.

Quotes

00:01:01 - "For me, it's can you explain your restaurant in a sentence? What is your vision?"

00:03:33 - "The restaurant space is amazing and terrible and fun and awful and all those fun things all at the same time for a lot of reasons."

00:06:46 - "This industry can get overly saturated with ideas, but not necessarily execution when it comes to technology in particular."

00:10:08 - "Can you explain your restaurant in a sentence?"

00:12:49 - "If your lease is going to be 20% of your monthly revenue, you're dead before you open."

00:15:00 - "Food is a religion, right? And you go to dinner, it's a two-hour affair."

00:17:45 - "You have to listen more than you have to like be a trendsetter."

00:19:50 - "Just who do you want to be?"

00:20:42 - "We have a low bar and we deliver higher."

00:23:11 - "The classic move in the restaurants is often to just cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, as opposed to analyze and reassess."

00:27:13 - "When avocado goes through the roof, we tell our servers, hey guys, avocado is really expensive. Sell the trio."

00:28:12 - "I'm an open checkbook. I'm kind of like, make me happy and I will just order things."

00:31:13 - "Management shouldn't be compiling data; they should be using data."

00:34:10 - "I think the physical menu in the restaurant, regardless of how digital it can get, you lose something when you just give somebody their phone and they have to scroll."

00:35:36 - "I still think at my core, 90% of the neighborhood full service restaurants it's a people game more than it is anything else."

00:39:57 - "Data for data's sake is useless unless you understand what you're looking at and how you're using it."

00:40:56 - "Does the guest see you the way you see yourself, I think is another important comment."

00:44:39 - "It was a love letter to my grandmother, and it was New York Italian."

00:46:50 - "it's all about how the guest gets to see themselves when they sit down and how they feel when they leave."

00:48:52 - "I think you just have to do things very deliberately in this industry more so than ever before."

00:50:34 - "That's where I think data becomes really impactful with these different technology systems is that you can look at trends over time."

00:53:15 - "I actually think there's one piece of technology that is a false claim in this industry that I think a lot of people spend a lot of time and money on that I don't think works for most people."

00:55:22 - "I wake up dreaming of it every morning."

00:56:38 - "Make sure you be a tier one, like, subscribe, review, do all those things."

Connect

RDMS: https://www.rdmsgroup.com/

Tom Rutledge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-rutledge-53830033/

Tom Rutledge: https://www.instagram.com/rdmsgroup/

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Tune in, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Timestamps
[00:03:58] Room selection in hospitality.

[00:08:45] Guest experience and technology integration.

[00:11:00] Personalized guest experiences.

[00:14:20] Personalized hotel room selection.

[00:18:04] Unique travel experiences for guests.

[00:19:01] Room selection and guest preferences.

[00:23:36] Guest experience and hotel flexibility.

[00:25:44] Human connection in hospitality.

[00:30:01] Guest experience and room selection.

[00:34:39] Customer lifetime value in hospitality.

[00:37:11] Flexibility in hotel room selection.

[00:39:57] Guest experience in podcasting.

Quotes
00:01:08 - "You can create so much of a unique opportunity for the guest experience and the hotel that provide that guest experience."
00:04:43 - "That was a real anticlimax because I booked a room with a sea view... but that expectation was definitely not met."
00:09:07 - "I do think that also bringing somebody in that's not his whole career and whole life could also be super helpful by thinking about how do we build a better mousetrap."
00:10:55 - "I think that hotels, they can do such a great job by focusing more towards the experience that they can provide."
00:14:11 - "I love this idea that you can actually personalize that experience based on the city that you're in and the type of travel that you're doing."
00:16:02 - "I think if you think about the rigid room types, you're sort of forcing people to think in what makes sense for you as a hotel."
00:19:31 - "I want a different experience every time I go somewhere."
00:22:09 - "There's only one person that knows which room you really would like and that's you as a hotel guest yourself."
00:24:39 - "Even if some of those simple questions, that could have been a huge change in the guest experience taking into account."
00:27:11 - "We want to take the burden away from the hotel as well so that they can actually have time to spend with the guests on talking about how was your flight?"
00:28:36 - "That is something to pay attention to, right? And that does affect the guest experience."
00:31:07 - "For them it's a no-brainer because they all say, I mean, yeah, why am I not able to select my room? Yeah, that would be actually a really great experience."
00:34:03 - "I think that's such a unique, there's a uniqueness to this where this could really change how you experience the hotel."
00:35:58 - "I think we're just at the beginning, right? And I think to your point, we're obviously a startup, we're just getting warmed up."
00:38:51 - "We're omnivores. We love automation. We love process simplicity, right? That's the name of the game."

Connect
ExpectMe: https://expect-me.com/
Roeland Verhamme: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roelandverhamme/
Jeroen Vaassen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvaassen/
Roeland Verhamme: https://www.instagram.com/roeland.verhamme/
Jeroen Vaassen: https://www.instagram.com/jvaassen/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Saxton introduces us to the mission behind Revival Hotels, a brand breaking away from traditional third-party management models that prioritize revenue over genuine profit. Revival focuses on aligning management goals with the success of hotels and their guests, with an emphasis on creating frictionless and authentic experiences—what Saxton calls "invisible hospitality." This seamless experience ensures that technology and hospitality services work behind the scenes, allowing guests to immerse themselves in local culture and experience something more than just a place to stay.

We dive into the concept of the "experience seeker," a new type of traveler who values authentic local experiences over amenities. Saxton shares how Revival Hotels embraces this by creating environments that encourage exploration, making the hotel a gateway to the local market rather than the destination itself.

If you're passionate about hospitality, curious about the future of boutique hotels, or just looking for insights into creating meaningful guest experiences, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear Saxton’s vision for boutique hotel revival and how Revival Hotels is setting a new standard in the industry.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more inspiring episodes!

Audio Timestamps

[00:00:16] Experience seekers in hospitality.

[00:04:22] Hospitality industry integration challenges.

[00:07:45] Unique hotel experiences in college towns.

[00:10:49] Third-party management solutions.

[00:13:37] Management focus on small hotels.

[00:18:40] Experience seekers in hospitality.

[00:19:39] Invisible hospitality and guest experience.

[00:25:34] Frictionless hotel experiences.

[00:26:15] Hotel experience versus short-term rentals.

[00:32:23] Unapologetically unique guest experiences.

[00:33:05] Hotel industry innovation and fear.

[00:38:00] Fear as a motivator.

[00:39:49] The gift of taking breaks.

[00:45:38] Hidden gems in small towns.

[00:47:11] Unique experiences in hospitality

Quotes

00:04:09 - "In my fifth grade yearbook, all my classmates, doctor, lawyer, football player, police officer, my fifth grade yearbook says I wanna own and operate my own hotel someday."

00:06:41 - "The guest, who is the most important person in the whole piece of everything, doesn't care about the silo."

00:10:32 - "It's that level of detail to me that made Graduate extremely special and what makes our business special."

00:12:45 - "As long as the manager gets paid on revenue and the owner gets paid on profit, there will always be a misalignment."

00:15:02 - "The best crops grow in the gardener's shade."

00:17:56 - "It is a blessing and a curse."

00:19:15 - "We search for a specific guest that we have coined the experience seeker, that person who wants the authentic feel, that person who wants to eat from the local restaurant, that person who wants to hear the local music, that person who wants to feel what it's like to be in these markets."

00:22:08 - "One of the biggest things we found is guests want a frictionless experience."

00:25:30 - "If you say, hey, I want to go hit the slopes. I want to hit the beach. I want to go to the nightclub. I don't want to come back till two, three in the morning after I've really had that experience, had that adventure I'm looking for."

00:27:40 - "But if the coffee when you wake up is not good, that is heartbreaking."

00:28:36 - "You might tell me, hey, Saxton, you know, or I might say, hey, Rob, go to our hotel in Groton, and it's a beautiful hotel. You could have a great stay. When you and your wife want to go someplace next, you're not going back to Groton. It's another roll of the dice."

00:32:15 - "You could be the same person, right? Some nights I want to be the rock star. Well, other nights, I wanna be the father."

00:34:41 - "I'm excited for people to see that hotels don't have to be what they think of when they think of hotels."

00:36:09 - "1% better every day is a massive improvement."

00:42:14 - "What we do is so special because we give people the opportunity to take a break."

00:46:27 - "Get in your car. Get in. Explore. See something new. See something different. And that's really what travel is about."

Connect

Revival Hotels: https://www.revivalhotels.com/

Saxton Sharad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saxton-sharad-cha-6642a49/

Saxton Sharad: https://www.instagram.com/thesaxoflife/

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Throughout the conversation, we discuss the importance of small, manageable changes and how collective efforts can make a significant impact. We explore the balance between unavoidable and avoidable emissions, and how hospitality businesses can contribute to sustainability without sacrificing operational efficiency or guest experience. Joe emphasizes that while data is essential, it’s only valuable when acted upon, and he illustrates this through practical examples from his work with ecommit. The conversation highlights how data-driven, transparent sustainability practices can lead to lasting change, both for businesses and travelers.

Whether you’re a hospitality professional or someone passionate about sustainability, this episode offers valuable insights on how we can all take meaningful steps toward greener travel experiences. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more thought-provoking discussions on making hospitality more sustainable and human.

Timestamps

[00:01:16] Data's actionable importance in sustainability.

[00:04:19] Sustainable travel experiences.

[00:09:19] Unspoken expectations in sustainability.

[00:11:37] Hospitality's role in sustainability.

[00:17:37] Small changes, big impact.

[00:20:05] Small habitual changes for sustainability.

[00:23:00] Unavoidable emissions in hospitality.

[00:25:55] Data in the hospitality industry.

[00:30:42] Theory versus execution in sustainability.

[00:33:34] Perfection vs. Imperfection in Impact.

[00:36:51] Future collaborations and meetings

Quotes
00:02:31 - "Data is king. But I always ask, is data still king if you don't do anything with it?"
00:07:40 - "That's not very hospitable."
00:10:34 - "It shouldn't be thrown around as a buzzword. It should just be covered. It should just be done, right?"
00:12:41 - "But I think that in all those small things do add up to make big impact."
00:16:30 - "You basically would need the surface area of the state of New Jersey to compensate those emissions of the complete hospitality industry in the US."
00:19:23 - "the impact of doing a few small things is huge."
00:20:59 - "It's only small changes that can have actually the biggest impact, right? Because it's small changes by many people, not just by a few, right?"
00:25:09 - "First is awareness, then it's identifying what is unavoidable."
00:26:22 - "Small small things can result in very big things."
00:30:07 - "I think highlighting that and knowing what's unavoidable versus what is avoidable, and then creating that visualization."
00:34:06 - "Perfect gets in the way of good."
00:35:43 - "Perfection creates inaction, doesn't it?"
00:36:58 - "It's data-driven automated climate impact. So it's going to be reportable. It's all going to be fantastic." 

Connect
ecommit: https://ecommit.nl/
Joe Sykes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-sykes-335779ba/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Discover how easy-to-use and affordable solutions can significantly impact guest and employee satisfaction. Susan discusses innovative approaches like automating linen inventory management for predictive budgeting and ordering, which streamlines operations and boosts efficiency. Learn about the importance of providing bite-sized, mobile-friendly training modules that empower staff without disrupting daily tasks, ultimately leading to superior guest service.

The conversation also delves into sustainability in the hospitality industry, highlighting solutions that reduce energy expenses by up to 40% and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Susan emphasizes that sustainable practices are not only environmentally friendly but also financially beneficial, attracting eco-conscious travellers and improving hotel reputation.

This episode is packed with actionable insights on leveraging automation, AI, and sustainable practices to modernize your hospitality business. Whether you're interested in improving operational efficiency, enhancing guest experiences, or embracing sustainability, this episode offers valuable strategies for driving long-term success.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and comment to stay updated with the latest insights from Hospitable. Join us on the journey to modernize and sustain the hospitality industry!

Timestamps

[00:00:25] Modernizing the hospitality industry.

[00:04:44] Automation in the hospitality industry.

[00:07:26] Repetitive questions at the front desk.

[00:12:10] Elevating guest experience through technology.

[00:15:23] Guest experience innovation in hospitality.

[00:20:01] Utilizing underutilized urban spaces.

[00:22:49] Opening up new revenue streams.

[00:25:08] Sustainable solutions in hospitality.

[00:28:20] Sustainability in hospitality industry.

[00:33:16] Modernizing the Hospitality Industry.

[00:36:11] Be a tier one.

Quotes 

00:00:13 - "Our most valuable asset right now is our people."

00:03:23-00:03:34 - "I want employees to be able to be happier at work. I want guests to have a better guest experience and let the automation take care of some of the workflow where it can and let the people work with the people. So that's what this industry is all about."

00:06:08 - "Yeah, that's what I said. Like, where were you when I was managing hotels? But like, Something as simple as like, how do we reduce repetitive tasks?"

00:09:32-00:09:43 - "a necessary question, but does it have to be answered by the desk clerk or could AI step in with a real human voice"

00:12:32 - "the guest experience by freeing up the human from repetitive tasks and repetitive calls and repetitive questions to be able to deal with the human to give them a better guest experience."

00:15:43-00:15:54 - "Yeah, great question. I think the brands are hungry for it. I meet with a lot of brand personnel now. They're hungry for it."

00:18:24 - "The whole context of creating the guest experience changes."

00:20:43 - "Everyone talks about it, but not everyone's doing it."

00:22:18-00:22:28 - "In this position, this actually created a wonderful job for her, and she's making more money than working three jobs running around. That's amazing."

00:26:32 - "I actually found solutions that actually save you money."

00:29:44 - "A property that's including sustainability, 70% will swing right now."

00:31:32-00:31:43 - "I want to bust the myth on this. Like it seems scary, but when you break it down base layer, there are some easy steps you can implement to already do ABC."

00:34:40 - "Hospitality is a tremendous industry."

00:35:30 - "And to have people, folks out there like yourself, who are looking at how do we create change in the most effective way possible so that we can reduce the headache of implementing new stuff is going to be super impactful."

Connect

Experience Alive: https://www.experiencealive.com/

Susan Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suegraves/

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Join us as we explore the importance of good data practices, tackle data integration challenges, and discuss the role of AI and automation in shaping the future of data services. Michel highlights the collaborative nature of their work, emphasising how learning from colleagues and customers drives Omniboost’s success. Don’t miss this deep dive into how Omniboost is revolutionising data services in the hospitality industry!

Audio Timestamps

[00:04:19] Data flexibility and unification.

[00:09:16] Sweep action integration.

[00:12:10] Data integration challenges and solutions.

[00:15:28] Data Ownership and Trust.

[00:18:38] AI, ML, automation opportunities.

[00:21:15] Customer-focused solutions for growth.

[00:24:05] Discovering with the Omniboost team.

Quotes

00:02:17 - "Probably our best kept secret, but it's no longer a secret anymore, is it?"

00:03:37-00:03:47 - "Because there's a lot of information of data, but it's not yet information."

00:05:24-00:05:35 - "This is where I love, you know, we talk about data unification, but we also talk about data flexibility."

00:09:46-00:09:56 - "to serve, as you know. And we also try not to say no, it's not possible upfront, but let's dig in. And what can we do for you? What can we accomplish together?"

00:11:26-00:11:37 - "For accounting purposes, you need to 100% correct."

00:13:47-00:13:58 - "It's so cool. I mean, when you put people in a room and just think of ideas, you don't limit yourself."

00:17:46-00:17:57 - "When you think about accounting, traditional accounting, you have to wait for the month end and they close out and they get that report."

00:20:54-00:21:04 - "But AI automation is not meant to replace. It's meant to enhance, speed up."

00:21:29-00:21:39 - "Yeah. You know, you can automate accounting and there's a lot of things we could do, but there still has to be a checks and balances."

Connect

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Michel Meeuwse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelmeeuwse/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Episode 24: What does Data Unifcation really mean in Hospitality? w/ Kyle McCaig from MCR: https://youtu.be/pKs_A6NmU4M?si=8mbSrJk0zS3koAmM

Episode 3: How Does Technology Help Ensure Customer Experience w/ Strawberry VP of Technology: https://youtu.be/XvF92YZq8yk?si=hH39xV7qgN2NJ89X

Daniel and Trevor, seasoned professionals from Event Temple, share insights from their experience at HITEC in Charlotte, North Carolina, and highlight the value of partnerships in driving innovation. Their balanced perspective highlights how technology can enhance, but never replace, the human touch that defines hospitality.

From leveraging high-tech solutions for small businesses to integrating AI in hotel operations, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies. Tune in to learn about the latest trends in the hospitality space and how Event Temple is simplifying processes to enhance customer experiences. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation!

Audio Timestamps

[00:03:36] Industry Shift Towards Integrations.

[00:07:14] Automation and AI in events.

[00:09:40] Partnerships in business growth.

[00:14:09] Integration partnerships in hospitality.

[00:16:36] Battle of the bands.

Quotes

00:00:41 - "So with AI, it's going to have to be the balance between human and a balance between the automation."

00:03:35 - "the world has globalization is amazing with all the technology, but also at events like this, it's fun to talk about and learn about what's happening in the market."

00:06:43 - 00:06:53 "I'll talk through Event Temple and events again are such a human facing machine. So with AI, it's going to have to be the balance between human and a balance between the automation and it's finding that harmonious balance."

00:08:53-00:09:03 - "Automation and AI is not going to replace people's jobs. It's going to make them more efficient and allow them to spend more time with the customers."

00:10:43-00:10:53 - "and what they're looking for is an exceptional guest experience or customer experience."

00:12:32-00:12:42 - "more human. By just being better partners."

00:17:22-00:17:32 - "And that's why partners are key for that too, right? Because nobody wants to go and enter their group in their sales and catering and then go and enter it in their PMS."

Connect

Event Temple: https://www.eventtemple.com/

Trevor MacLean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormacleanvancouver/

Dan Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodsdan/

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Jennifer Jones, a seasoned IT consultant from J2 Hospitality Solutions, delves into how AI and machine learning are revolutionizing hospitality. Jennifer’s balanced perspective highlights how technology can enhance, but never replace, the human touch that defines hospitality.

Rob and Kees take a backseat, giving Jennifer the floor to share her extensive knowledge and actionable insights. From leveraging high-tech solutions for small businesses to integrating AI in hotel operations, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies.

Don't miss out on this insightful episode filled with valuable advice and industry secrets. If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, subscribe, and share the podcast with your network. Stay tuned for more engaging discussions on hospitality, technology, and innovation. Happy HITEC!

Timestamps

[00:02:48] Embracing problems for growth.

[00:08:00] Implementing technology in hotels.

[00:12:32] AI impact in hotel operations.

[00:17:07] AI in the hospitality industry.

[00:20:04] Data unification challenges

[00:22:28] Human errors and change control.

[00:27:56] User-friendly interface in hospitality tech.

[00:31:49] New Open APIs in Integration.

[00:33:43] APIs and open source integration.

Quotes

00:01:11 - "You know, I think it's important to highlight, you know, none of us are human haters, right? But humans, by nature, we are flawed. Human condition, right? So understanding that humans do cause errors, but also tech can cause errors."

00:04:17 - "we came up with a really good solution, but it also opened up a whole new line for us to communicate and do more stuff together, which I think so many people are so afraid of problems that they shy away from it, where I think we love to lean into it."

00:13:25 - "It still amazes me how some vendors will charge X for an integration where it might be an API and it's super self-service."

00:15:25-00:15:36 - "AI can impact the workflows of the reconciliation process or identifying errors before day rolls."

00:18:48-00:18:59 - "AI is like the eager intern."

00:21:33-00:21:43 - "We collect all this data, but some of it isn't correct. Correct. And so if we're going to plug in AI to be doing... It's going to be messy."

00:27:21-00:27:31 - "when you approached us like, hey guys, and excuse my French, you got a fair warning that when I don't, I can't come up with the proper wording, I'm gonna be a bit more vocal. It's like, hey guys, you're fucking shit up. Help us out here. That's where a partnership kicks in. Again, super intentional, but focused on the solution for the customer."

00:29:25 - "How do we make it as easy as possible for them to get what they need from step A to B?"

00:32:35-00:32:46 - "Fuck the system up now and then to see what the error logging is looking like."

00:34:01 - "It could just be one field that needs to be passed and people playing well in the sandbox and seeing that stuff happen. That one field means a tremendous amount of value for that one vendor."

Connect

J2 Hospitality Solutions: http://www.j2hospitalitysolutions.com/

Jennifer Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermjones24/

Jennifer Jones: https://www.instagram.com/j2hospitalitysolutions/

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Kees Zorge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeszorge/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

As the CEO of Travel Experts and BTS Travel, Mickey brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Throughout the conversation, he shares insights into how technology has transformed the travel landscape, from AI-driven trip planning to optimizing customer interactions.

Despite the advancements in technology, Mickey emphasizes that travel remains a deeply human experience. With anecdotes and perspectives, he highlights the vital role of personalization and human connection in creating memorable travel journeys.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, subscribe, and share the podcast with your network. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on hospitality, technology, and human experiences. Thank you for listening!

Timestamps:

[00:03:11] Adapting to Artificial Intelligence.

[00:09:54] Business travel insights.

[00:13:19] Personalized travel experiences.

[00:17:59] Traveling with cultural immersion.

[00:22:43] The evolution of travel agencies.

[00:25:12] Relationship business in hospitality.

[00:30:32] Automation in the hospitality industry.

[00:32:39] How to reach Mickey.

Quotes:

00:00:13 - "I've never been afraid of technology."

00:03:47-00:03:58 - "But you've got to have the budget as well to do so, to reinvest."

00:11:13-00:11:24 - "actually visiting the city."

00:14:59 - "And your timeline, et cetera. And then there's a lot of people who don't have time to plan all of this or to be busy with it. So there's a lot of very successful people out there. And if there's one thing that I think a lot of, probably you as well, we're short of time. And time is precious."

00:17:24-00:17:35 - "how do you individualize and how technology plays a role, but also how human elements still plays a role in building out experiences."

00:20:35 - "Sometimes you need to allow people to have that flexibility to split off into groups, maybe, you know, one-on-one or kind of split up and do different things that fit your needs."

00:23:42 - "a classic travel agency is compared kind of like with a newspaper shop that doesn't have a future."

00:26:31 - "Yeah. I mean, it's a relationship business, right? Like hospitality, you see this, not just in travel, but all hospitality, you know, it's a people business and technology."

00:31:41-00:31:51 - "Yeah, I love that. I mean, that's why I'm going to exist. We actually, our unification platform is where we help hospitality industry, you know, create integrations to do that and fit into their accounting so they can do less manual, more creative tasks. Like that's actually our whole ethos. I love that you brought that up. It's like where automation, where technology can help every industry across the board. It's amazing."

Connect:

BTS Travel Belgium: https://www.btstravel.be/

Mickey Creyf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickey-creyf-5170654/

Mickey Creyf: mickey@btstravel.be

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Join us as Kyle shares insights on the challenges and strategies of data management in the hospitality sector. From understanding the importance of data to implementing automation and AI tools, Kyle's expertise offers valuable perspectives on how data can drive decision-making and improve hotel operations.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of data storytelling and the evolving landscape of technology in hospitality. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation filled with valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the complexities of data management in the digital age.

Don't forget to subscribe to Hospitable for more insightful episodes on the latest industry trends and innovations. Stay tuned for updates!

Timestamps:

[00:00:10] Data unification in hospitality.

[00:05:30] Legacy systems challenges.

[00:08:51] Data unification in hotel operations.

[00:11:46] Snackable content.

[00:15:30] Leveraging data for impactful decisions.

[00:19:32] The importance of data insights.

[00:24:28] Accounting system challenges and solutions.

[00:26:56] Data unification platform.

[00:29:42] Automation for process efficiency.

[00:36:40] Automation in the workplace.

[00:38:57] Identity management in hospitality.

[00:42:39] Big players in hospitality industry.

[00:46:37] Kyle's availability for networking.

Quotes:

00:01:49 - "We have 180 hotels and we want our data to be unified, go."

00:03:36-00:03:48 - "A lot of the times it's like, hey, here's the problem. It's well-defined. Go and solve it. There may be no solution and that might take a long time. This was a case of nobody even knows what the problem is other than that there's a problem."

00:06:11-00:06:21 "they're not ever built in a way where that was a core tenant."

00:09:25-00:09:36 - "it's really, uh, exciting, but also like, okay, how do we, how do we, how do we process all that?"

00:13:37-00:13:47 - "People talk about it all the time, but what they actually mean is just backing up what they already decided with any data they can find to support it."

00:15:15-00:15:25 "Data can tell a story and you can leverage data in multiple ways to tell the story you want it to."

00:20:28-00:20:39 - "Everyone's like, data, data, data. And it's the one tool to roll them on. It's like, well, the one tool to roll them all at the end of the day comes down to your accounting system and making sure your books are in order."

00:24:08 - "And what it really came down to is the biggest, well, how the fuck do we fix that, was our accounting system wasn't up to what we needed it to be."

00:27:31-00:27:42 - "How do we solve that problem? Where are we not profitable? Why? And then once we figure that out, it's okay. What can we, what kind of data can we give them to, Hey, this is our path to profitability."

00:30:38 - "changing process or implementing process for process sake changes nothing."

00:32:33-00:32:43 - "it's supposed to set you up where you could have scalable, repeatable processes to make things more efficient and better and better experiences."

00:35:00 - "A lot of people hear automation in the same way they hear AI or robotic or whatever buzzword or tech word is used and think all they're trying to do is save money and replace jobs."

00:37:47-00:37:57 - "Life is a series of problems, complex problems that we have to solve."

00:41:26-00:41:37 - "I like how you say modernization, right? And with the modernization comes data integrity."

00:43:46-00:43:57 I do not think airlines could have done a worse job than they have over the past 20 years. No

00:46:30 - 00:46:40 "And it's really cool that you have put so much time, energy, and effort to create that base layer with your small team."

Connect:

MCR Hotels: https://www.mcrhotels.com

Kyle McCaig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-mccaig/

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Join the trio as they delve into the simplicity and power of podcasting, sharing genuine perspectives on building a successful and resilient business in the digital age. From debunking misconceptions to personal anecdotes, this jam session is a treasure trove of wisdom for entrepreneurs and industry enthusiasts.

Embark on this unscripted journey filled with raw reflections and authentic exchanges. Tune in now to experience the energy and spontaneity of this hospitality jam session firsthand.

Don't miss out! Subscribe, like, rate, and review for more (impromptu) insights from the world of hospitality.

Timestamps:

[00:01:38] Running a podcast on-the-go.

[00:05:23] Earbud etiquette.

[00:09:12] Podcast guest representation.

[00:10:46] The magic of Omniboost.

[00:16:02] Podcasting and Legacy Media.

[00:19:12] Genuine connections and curiosity conversations.

[00:23:22] Frustration leading to business opportunity.

[00:26:21] Explaining OmniBoost to kids.

[00:29:17] Growing a team from 4 to 50.

[00:34:40] Resilience in Business.

[00:35:27] The power of storytelling.

[00:40:15] Wearing a white tank top.

[00:44:35] Networking on LinkedIn.

[00:46:34] Stay curious, get involved.

Quotes:

00:00:25 - "And it's not about being commercial or telling how great we are, but actually sharing the view on where the hospitality is moving towards."

00:08:37 - 00:08:47 - "Yeah. And it's funny because every, at every airport, somebody is like, Oh, are you a content creator? And I was like, yeah, I run a pod. I run a couple of podcasts and they're always like, Oh, I'm a music artist or I have a content creator here. And like, wait, wait, that's all you need to record. I'm like, yeah, I have an H six recorder, three good mics and two iPhones. Like, Oh, I have a lot more stuff now. I was like, yeah, you don't need it."

00:10:46 - "Omniboost has to be in Chicago. Chicago is the Superbowl of technology, of restaurants, of hospitality."

00:13:34 - "They don't have the courage to post it. They don't have the courage to trust Rob."

00:16:23-00:16:33 - "they're charging 5,000, 10,000, $15,000 a month with no guarantee of placement."

00:19:23 - "We will be friends forever. Just you wait and see."

00:21:59 - "Sean, that has been our challenge since the beginning. I don't want to sound arrogant, but we've got freaking amazing tech."

00:25:50 - "What is digital hospitality? Explain it to a six year old."

00:26:32-00:26:42 - "Yeah. That's what we do. We help you remember"

00:28:55-00:29:06 - "I fucking hate ego."

00:34:02-00:34:12 - "So if that's the competition, and I know that the people that will listen to this, that will watch this, we're a rare breed of people. That it's just, we're never gonna stop until we figure it out. And when we figure it out, we're only gonna make it better. It will never stop. Today is the worst day it will ever be. That's where the fun is, right? That's exactly where the fun is."

00:35:27-00:35:37 - "Tell us a fucking story. Tell us a story."

00:38:02-00:38:12 - "They care about you and the story. They care about Kees. They care about Adam Harris. They care about Amon Narang and Steve Fredette."

00:45:16 - "No one came to tell our story, so we decided to tell it ourselves."

Connect:

Cali BBQ Media: https://calibbq.media/

Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/

Shawn P. Walchef: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

Kees Zorge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeszorge/

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/

Check out Shawn’s episode on Hospitable: https://youtu.be/TNRiBnSeL-w?si=BOOjBQ1LCTXheKVL

Check out Rob’s episode on Digital Hospitaity: https://youtu.be/etwbjcegGUE?si=z1t_DNjpSp76Z_qe

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Embark on a journey through the visionary ethos of citizenM, as Rob and Ernest unravel the intricate tapestry of design, purpose, and innovation that distinguishes citizenM amidst the hospitality elite. From their iconic identity to groundbreaking marketing maneuvers, delve into the essence that renders citizenM an epitome of accessible luxury and unparalleled guest gratification.

Discover the strategic vision propelling citizenM forward, navigating the complexities of global team orchestration and charting a course towards future triumphs, including strategic expansions and a resurgent focus on business travel renaissance. From riveting travel tales to uproarious anecdotes, this episode blends valuable insights with captivating narratives, promising an enriching auditory odyssey.

Tune in now to delve into the captivating universe of citizenM and stay attuned to the pulse of hospitality and travel trends.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, rate, and review!

Timestamps:
[00:03:23] Global expansion and new locations.
[00:07:16] Consistency in customer experience.
[00:08:30] Making hospitality more human.
[00:12:38] Managing a distributed team.
[00:17:27] Building a kind team.
[00:20:07] Adapting to ambiguity in business.
[00:26:35] Customer experience and rewards.
[00:28:41] Leveraging memes for brand resonance.
[00:33:43] A memorable travel experience.
[00:34:37] Connecting on LinkedIn and travel.

Quotes:
00:06:26-00:06:36 - "If you see a Citizen M room, you know you're in a Citizen M room, right? You can't say the same for many of the other big brands because they all start to look alike and they all blur together."
00:10:24 - "putting it into existence, something that wasn't there before is highly motivating and highly energetic."
00:11:49-00:11:59 - "the most difficult is getting people to work in one direction."
00:16:18 - 00:16:28 - "be able to commit to that type of inconsistency."
00:18:01-00:18:11 - "You could hire very, very smart people, but the moment that they're an asshole, it messes up everything, right?"
00:21:01 - "I love people that know what to do and they don't know what to do."
00:23:02-00:23:12 - "I'd rather you make a mistake doing some sort of action and figuring it out together."
00:27:50 - "B2B marketing on LinkedIn should not be too differentiated from B2C marketing, which is if you look at like the pure foundation of like social media, why does it exist, right? It's escapism, right? It's a form"
00:31:08 - "so much shit can go wrong from like I've missed you know flight connections and gotten delayed and you know at some point you're just like you know what like it doesn't it's not worth getting upset because you're still on the strip and"
00:33:43 - "Because it sounds like a good memory."
00:34:05-00:34:15 - "And that's what I love so much about travel. And that's where I think when hospitality is done right, and you focus on the customer experience, any experience, good or bad is memorable."

Connect:
Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Ernest Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernest-lee-14a1ba4/
citizenM hotels: https://www.citizenm.com

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Her insights, enriched by IDeaS' contributions to revenue management and partnerships like CloudBeds, paint a vivid picture of industry evolution. But amidst the professional discourse, Rob and Olga share intimate travel tales, reinforcing the value of human connection in a digital age.

Join us for an enlightening dialogue on the horizon of hospitality and the collaborative spirit propelling innovation.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, rate, and review!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - The Importance of Automation and AI

00:00:39 - Introduction to Hospitable Podcast at ITB

00:01:02 - Olga's Experience at ITB

00:01:52 - What is Ideas and the Role of Global Alliances

00:03:22 - The Role of Automation in Hospitality

00:04:47 - Behind the Scenes of Data-Driven Decisions

00:06:09 - The People, Processes, and Systems Triangle

00:07:54 - The Evolution of Hospitality Experiences

00:08:09 - Olga's Journey into Hospitality

00:09:12 - The Unique Aspects of the Hospitality Industry

00:10:58 - Ideas' Impact and Goals for the Year

00:11:17 - The Importance of Ecosystem and Partnerships

00:13:35 - Excitement for Industry Changes in 2024

00:14:09 - The Significance of Open APIs and Standards

00:15:05 - Simplifying Processes with Standards

00:16:24 - Ideas' Big Announcements and Growth

00:17:14 - The Impact of MICE on the Hospitality Industry

00:18:28 - Personal Goals and Impact in the Industry

00:19:07 - The Importance of Trade Shows in Hospitality

00:20:17 - Preparing for ITB and the Value of Face-to-Face Interactions

00:22:23 - A Memorable Travel Story

00:25:16 - Connecting with Olga

00:25:53 - Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro

Quotes

• 00:00:21 - "But the purpose of it is you give more time to people to focus on their strategy, to focus on how do we work with the teams, integrate the different disciplines to really drive performance for the hotels."
• 00:03:43-00:03:54 - "The goal behind automation is not to replace something. It's to speed up something so you can creatively think and work on bigger solutions and solve bigger problems."
• 00:06:19 - "one of our missions is to give humans time back"
• 00:10:03 - "hospitality only works with the customer experience."
• 00:13:46-00:13:56 - "I love the term cooperation where competitors cooperate, because when you collectively are working to solve problems in the space and you talk openly, that's where things really get interesting."
• 00:15:55-00:16:05 - "How do we democratise revenue management? How do we bring this discipline that really makes a difference, but how do we bring it to the independent hoteliers."
• 00:19:28 - "I think growth is It's amazing that there's opportunity for large-scale growth and there's opportunity"
• 00:21:45 - "And nothing beats that, the energy of being in a room with somebody across the table or over a microphone."
• 00:25:04 - "No questions asked, just you need this. We will do it for you. Do not worry."

Connect

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Olga Rodriguez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgarodrigues/
• IDeaS: https://ideas.com/
  
  

Filmed on location at ITB Berlin: https://www.itb.com/en/itb-berlin-for-visitors/itb-convention/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Venuesuite announced its new Dynamic Pricing Feature and we discussed the latest trends and innovation that is shaping the MICE industry.  

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, rate, and review! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - The Value of Partnerships

00:01:01 - Introduction to the Host and Guest

00:01:57 - Speaking at ITB and Impact of Tech on Hospitality

00:04:11 - The Importance of Openness and Collaboration in the Industry

00:06:05 - The Role of Technology in Enhancing Hotel Operations

00:06:39 - Venue Suite's Origin and Mission

00:09:03 - The Entrepreneurial Journey and Venue Suite's Impact

00:11:24 - Automation's Role in Hospitality

00:13:38 - Venue Suite's Vision for the Future

00:15:09 - Dynamic Pricing in the Meeting and Event Space

00:18:02 - The Changing Landscape of Hospitality Tech Partnerships

00:20:28 - Venue Suite's Growth and Challenges

00:23:02 - The Significance of Trust in Strategic Partnerships

00:24:30 - The Value of Friction in Forming Strong Partnerships

00:25:16 - The Fear of Vulnerability in Business Relationships

00:26:08 - The Importance of Physical Presence at Industry Events

00:29:33 - Key Takeaways from ITB for the Host

00:32:18 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Quotes

• 00:00:00 - "There's a lot of problem identifiers in the world, very few problem solvers."
• 00:04:11-00:04:21 - "the times of not being open and transparent are long gone."
• 00:05:20-00:05:30 - "we need to be in a more space where we're more transparent, we're more open."
• 00:09:25 - "I saw this, I felt this, and I was like, There's nothing on the market. Why don't I just build it? And then like crazy enough to just like go build it and see what happens."
• 00:14:41 - "So why not just add a little bit of percentage on top of that to create a little bit more of healthy profit? There's nothing wrong with that."
• 00:17:06 - "And that's really interesting to see with the larger players in the room that are now getting a very dominant foothold in the market because they all have an open API system."
• 00:18:34 - "But I think that so much change is happening in a positive direction."
• 00:24:06 - "Usually there needs to be a little bit of that friction in the beginning that allows, and I think the faster you get to that friction point, the faster you actually see what you have on the other side of the table."
• 00:24:59-00:25:11 - "we all know it, but it's actually really hard when you actually have to roll up your sleeves and be vulnerable because you're being seen. And that is a scary thing, especially without our CEO. It's scary, scary for everybody."
• 00:27:36 - "The real conversations are a lot better. It gives you more fingerspitzengefühl, they say in Germany."

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Ralph van Hooijdonk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-van-hooijdonk-567662a/
• Venuesuite: https://www.venuesuite.com/

Filmed on location at ITB Berlin: https://www.itb.com/en/itb-berlin-for-visitors/itb-convention/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

This episode covers ground, from embracing discomfort to crafting unforgettable experiences, Shawn's journey highlights the transformative power of storytelling and human connection. We dive deep into the intersection of technology, narrative, and hospitality as Shawn shares his experiences as a podcast host, content creator, and member of the customer advisory board at Toast. 

Join us as we explore the importance of going the extra mile and embracing discomfort to create magic in the hospitality industry.

Don't miss out on this enriching conversation that will inspire you to think differently about the power of storytelling in business!

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, rate, and review! And if you like this show, check out the other side where Shawn interviews Rob: https://content.calibbq.media/every-business-needs-a-show-with-rob-napoli-of-omniboost/

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Embracing Discomfort for Magic Moments

00:00:33 - Introduction to Hospitable Podcast

00:01:05 - Meeting Shawn Walchef at Cali BBQ

00:02:04 - The Origin of "Be the Show, Not the Commercial"

00:03:08 - Sean's Background and Introduction to Hospitality

00:04:08 - Learning Hospitality from Family

00:05:01 - Building a Business on Hospitality and Storytelling

00:06:04 - The Power of Being the Show

00:07:06 - The Impact of Sharing Content Online

00:08:09 - The Importance of Social Proof in Business

00:09:09 - The Nature of Social Media Lurkers

00:10:18 - Why Hospitality Brands Hesitate to Use Social Media

00:11:11 - The Significance of Asking for Help

00:12:03 - The Power of Live Content on Social Platforms

00:13:10 - The Value of Sharing Failures and Real Stories

00:14:16 - The Importance of Human Connections in Business

00:15:37 - Leveraging Content for Business Growth

00:16:00 - Sean's Personal Lessons from His Grandfather

00:17:32 - The Importance of Curiosity and Involvement

00:18:00 - The Shift from Perfection to Authenticity

00:19:07 - The Future of Cali BBQ Media

00:20:11 - The Importance of Storytelling in Family and Business

00:21:08 - Capturing Family Stories During Holidays

00:22:11 - The Human-to-Human Aspect of Business

00:23:09 - Sean's Vision for Helping Brands Tell Stories

00:24:08 - The Shift from Traditional Marketing to Storytelling

00:25:08 - The Evolution of Cali BBQ Media

00:26:17 - The Challenge of Modern Marketing

00:27:28 - Sean's Best Travel Story

00:28:32 - The Transition from Barbecue to Media

00:29:46 - The Importance of Storytelling in Marketing

00:30:49 - Sean's Passion for Helping Families Tell Their Stories

00:31:55 - Sean's Contact Information and Platforms

00:35:25 - Discussing Social Media Presence and Strategy

00:36:13 - Rob's Podcasting Experience and Strategy

00:36:51 - Upcoming Interview with Rob on Digital Hospitality

Quotes

• 00:00:00-00:00:10 - "All we need to do is do a better job of understanding if we're willing to be uncomfortable, if we're willing to bring cameras out, if we're willing to go drive to San Diego, fly from New York, come from Tempe, Arizona. If you're willing to do that work, magic can happen."
• 00:05:12-00:05:22 - "be the show, not the commercial."
• 00:07:39-00:07:49 - "It wasn't because Peloton advertised it. It was because one of my friends got their fat ass on them Peloton and put on Instagram stories, hey, this is me riding a Peloton."
• 00:07:49-00:07:59 - "then me and my fat ass going like, babe, maybe we should get a Peloton in the house because I don't have that gym membership, but maybe I could get my fat ass on the bike. Yeah, that's why I bought it."
• 00:11:00-00:11:11 "Most people are unwilling to get into the sandbox to get messy because they don't want to look stupid and they don't want to sound stupid."
• 00:13:41-00:13:53 - "Put it out so that other people can learn and feel. some kind of way, can learn something, can understand and connect to it."
• 00:17:04-00:17:14 "Kobe Bryant, the greatest basketball player is texting Michael Jordan at 2 AM asking him questions about his turnaround jumper. Why? So he can level up. If he's not going to ask, he has to have the humility to ask the greatest basketball player."
• 00:19:17-00:19:28 - "Hospitality is kindness to a stranger."
• 00:22:35-00:22:46 - "Look what you made. Yeah. Look what we made together."
• 00:24:47-00:24:58 - "But really, when we think about these experiences, technology, for example, all the companies you share... It's not B to B, it's not B to C, it's H to H. It's human to human."
• 00:28:46-00:28:56 - "Is it easier to share a website or is it easier to share a video from a social platform? Lead. Of course. All day. I have 60 seconds for a video. Yeah. If it's got a strong hook, if it's got a story, if it's another business owner solving a problem. Yeah. Done all day. Show it to me."
• 00:30:07-00:30:17 "Every business is family business."
• 00:32:49-00:32:59 - "how could I not bring them?"
• 00:36:38-00:36:48 If you're curious about Rob, you have to listen to our digital hospitality episode because I'm going to throw him under the bus. I'm going to expose, I'm going to depose him and ask him all the tough questions, all

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Shawn P. Walchef: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/
• Cali BBQ Media: calibbq.media/podcast-episodes/ 
• Be The Show Media: https://betheshow.media/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnpwalchef/

Filmed on location by Splice Video (https://www.splicevideo.com)at Cali BBQ Media in San Diego, California: https://calibbq.media/ 

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

We get into how Lightspeed is on the cutting edge of using advanced technology to help restaurants succeed and create better guest experiences.

We talk about Peter’s 12-year journey within Lightspeed and how Lightspeed has continued to evolve and re-define restaurant technology. 

Tune in to hear this awesome episode and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review!

Timestamps:

[00:01:44] Origin story at Lightspeed.

[00:03:22] Company growth and transformation.

[00:07:33] Making hospitality more human.

[00:10:45] NIHITO visits.

[00:14:13] Staff touch points with guests.

[00:17:24] Hidden menu gems and insights.

[00:22:11] Gen AI in restaurants.

[00:23:04] AI-powered recipe generation and photography.

[00:26:18] Dining experience and labor costs.

[00:30:39] Building a strong ecosystem.

[00:33:07] Growing existing partner relationships.

[00:37:06] Getting back to growth

[00:39:49] Hospitable podcast promotion.

Quotes

• [00:00:00-00:00:11]  "You know, as you can hear from my voice, we're passionate about the restaurant, and I love the restaurant business. It's tough. Like, to run a great restaurant is tough. But when you do it right, it's something special. And I love"
• [00:08:28-00:08:38] "But there's the human side, which is, how do we make sure we create a POS that works on the iPhone so it's in the server's pocket so you reduce your labor costs. But so they're not standing there with an iPhone in front of their face between them and the guest."
• [00:11:26-00:11:36] "We actually know that tips are actually higher on scan to pay on the QR code payments versus on the regular payments."
• [00:13:42-00:13:52] "People go out to eat to have and you know obviously we're we focus on full service restaurants that's really our mantra that's the we focus on the experiential restaurants"
• [00:20:20-00:20:30]  "Because if you're better, we're better together. That is serving your community."
• [00:33:18-00:33:28] "How do we understand the objectives of both sides of the organization? What is the new stuff that both sides are doing? Hey, Lightspeed's doing this new thing. Hey, how do we expand our relationship around this? And vice versa. Hey, Omniboost is doing this new thing. How do we make sure we take advantage of it? Or how do we help support them to grow there?"
• [00:38:11-00:38:21]  "And that's what's beautiful. And I think getting that growth mindset and seeing what's going to come, I'm really excited for the opportunities that are going to be there for growth, for new technology to open up more human experiences."

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Peter Dougherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedougherty/
• Lightspeed Commerce LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeedcommerce/
• Lightspeed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedhq/
• Lightspeed Website: https://www.lightspeedhq.com/
  
  

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

In this episode, Stefano shares his journey and the magic of the Italian Design style, and how he envisions building spaces around people.

We dive into the ups and downs and the importance of understanding viewing the world from a different lens.

Tune in to discover the impact of technology on design and get ready to be enthralled with the passion and inspiration of Stefano!

Timestamps:

[00:01:28] The rise of New York architecture.

[00:06:07] Changing perspectives and cultural adaptation.

[00:09:04] Being part of the river.

[00:12:43] The first hotel in New York.

[00:18:27] The ironic aspect of every project.

[00:21:22] Paying with a watch.

[00:24:18] Teaching hospitality design

[00:27:19] Giving back through teaching.

[00:34:01] Unexpected luxury hotels.

[00:38:11] Stefano's Instagram handle

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Stefano Giussani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefano-giussani-a5600317/
• Lissioni New York: https://www.lissoni.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefano_giussani

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Filmed on location at Hotel AKA NoMad: https://www.stayaka.com/hotel-aka-nomad designed by Lissoni Architecture NYC
 
 
 
 
 

We discuss trends in partnerships, indirect sales, and content creation for brands in the hospitality industry. And we explore how both large hotel chains and independent hoteliers can attract new audiences and stay relevant in the changing market. 

Ruben shares his background in tourism management and his passion for creating relationships in the B2B space. Tune in to hear insights on how to bring value to clients and navigate the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.

Don’t forget to subscribe and review. 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Value in Consultative Work

00:00:48 - Introduction to Hospitable Podcast

00:00:59 - Ruben Westmeyer's Background

00:01:20 - Trends in Content and Sales for 2024

00:02:13 - Ruben's Journey from Tourism to Partnerships

00:03:39 - The Decision to Become an Entrepreneur

00:04:20 - Idea and Timing for Starting a Business

00:05:23 - Working with a Partner in Business

00:06:45 - Learning from Past Sales Roles

00:07:39 - Building Value for Clients

00:08:27 - Marketing Trends for 2024

00:09:16 - The Rise of Influencer Marketing in B2B

00:10:09 - Nearbound Strategy and Leveraging Networks

00:11:30 - Building a Successful Partner Network

00:12:46 - Travel Experiences and Entrepreneurship

00:13:08 - The Role of AI in Business

00:14:09 - Establishing Clear Expectations in Partnerships

00:15:11 - The Importance of Partner Profiles

00:16:03 - AI's Impact on Future Business

00:17:04 - Travel Influencing Business Perspectives

00:18:41 - Muse and Career Growth

00:19:59 - AI for Pitch Deck Creation

00:21:32 - AI Customization and Specialization

00:22:37 - Leveraging AI in Branding and Outreach

00:23:55 - Exciting Trends for 2024

00:24:11 - Custom AI vs. Standard AI Solutions

00:25:56 - The Importance of Data in Hospitality

00:27:29 - The Future of Events and Personal Connections

00:28:43 - Utilizing Data for Hotel Growth

00:29:56 - Hiring a Data Specialist

00:31:34 - How to Connect with Bond Agency

00:32:29 - Closing Remarks and Podcast Support Request

Shownotes:

[00:01:20] Trends in content and sales.

[00:06:05] Starting a business with your significant other.

[00:09:48] Nearbound strategy and influencer marketing.

[00:13:08] How to build a partner network.

[00:18:08] Cultural differences in international teams.

[00:20:24] The future of AI.

[00:24:43-00:24:54] Custom AI tools in development.

[00:28:23] Leveraging data for better experiences.

[00:32:29] Growing the podcast community.

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Ruben Westmeijer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-westmeijer-3b227798/
• Bond Agency (The World’s First Nearbound Agency): https://www.bond-agency.io/
  
  

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

We sit down with Claudia Meglin, Director at CMC Software and Global Director of Systems at Generator, as she shares her insights and experiences in using technology to enhance the guest journey. We discuss the challenges of connecting different systems and the importance of data privacy in the age of AI. Join us as we explore the future of hospitality and how technology can revolutionize the industry.

Claudia emphasizes the importance of experiencing a hotels operational processes and shares her passion for those "aha" moments when things click into place.

Tune in to hear more of Claudia’s journey + get back to basics of the hotel guest experience!

Don’t forget to subscribe and review. 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Importance of Hotel Operations Insight

00:00:35 - Introduction of Guest Claudia Meglin

00:02:10 - Claudia's Career Journey in Hospitality

00:07:44 - Differences Between Boutique Brands and Big Chains

00:10:02 - Training and Empowering Hotel Staff

00:14:36 - Hospitality Trends for 2024

00:18:16 - Balancing Digital and Traditional Guest Experiences

00:22:31 - Back to Basics: Training for 2024

00:27:03 - Initiatives and Training Focus for 2024

00:30:49 - Evolution of Hotel Technology Post-COVID

00:33:39 - Seasonal Dynamics in Hospitality

00:35:12 - Anticipating AI's Practical Use in Hospitality

00:38:03 - Claudia's Connection with Omniboost

00:41:01 - Omniboost's Growth and Future Plans

00:42:42 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Claudia Meglin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-meglin-377766a7/
• CMC Hospitality Software: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cmc-hospitality-software-ltd/
• Generator: https://staygenerator.com/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

While working with a partner down at One World Trade Center, the Omniboost team snuck away to the CitizenM Bowery Rooftop where we take you behind the scenes of Omniboost and introduce you to the faces and people behind the company. We also discuss our excitement for the future, including automation, customer experience, and visiting new customers. 

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Timestamps:

[00:02:26] Visiting One World Trade Center.

[00:03:53] Innovation and using new technologies.

[00:08:02] Fun projects and client solutions.

[00:11:52] New York City experience.

[00:17:02] Korean barbecue experience.

[00:22:21] Oyster farming and expertise.

[00:26:30] Finding work at OmniBoost.

[00:29:15] New York City experience.

[00:33:35] Moving to New York City.

[00:35:13] Choosing Omniboost and excitement.

Shownotes:

00:04:24 Innovation and collaboration drive growth.

00:09:35 New York City - exciting and different.

00:10:52 Excitement for data science projects.

00:14:56 Embrace innovation and new experiences.

00:20:21 Travelling for work is inspiring.

00:27:30 Excitement in growth and travel.

00:33:10 Excited to join Omniboost team.

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Daniel Costa:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-de-souza-p-costa-b094b959/
• Quinten de Putter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinten-de-putter-07944a1a9/
• Michel Meeuwse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelmeeuwse/
• Rowin de Ridder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowin-de-ridder-78670458/
• Aron Wattel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aron-wattel-91007a105/
• Vincent Gitsels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-gitsels/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Filmed at the CitizenM Bowery Hotel in New York City: www.citizenm.com

Make sure you like, subscribe, and leave a review!

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Kees Zorge, Founder and CEO of Omniboost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeszorge/
• Antonie de Jong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonie-de-jong-8a60b0175/
• Michel Jansen, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Omniboost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janssenmichel/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Filmed at CitizenM Chicago

Join us as we discuss the importance of being on location and the impact it has on our business and partnerships. Hear from some of our partners and a few of the Omniboost team members as they share their excitement and experiences from all the events of the year.

Don't miss out on all the excitement, so make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review. 

Be a tier one listener of Hospitable and stay tuned for more!

Timestamps:

[00:01:36] Upscaling partnership and integration.

[00:05:55] It's about the people.

[00:07:19] Planting trees for positive impact.

[00:12:09] Meeting people at events.

[00:15:21] Ideal partnership and growth.

[00:19:30] Connecting and learning together.

[00:21:02] Looking forward to the van.

Quotes:

[00:00:04]  "You have a great product, great team, great everything, but if you're not out here bonding with the teams, forming relationships, you know, you're never going to really get to the top of the partnership mountain, I guess."

[00:03:39]  "You have a great product, great team, great everything. But if you're not out here bonding with the teams, forming relationships, you know, you're never going to really get to the top of the partnership mountain, I guess."

[00:06:40]  "As I leave, I'm ridiculously excited because people that I wouldn't even think about, wouldn't know about, potential opportunities have all come to light as if by magic."

[00:07:19]  "What I really do is I give diners the option to plant a tree when they dine at a lightspeed restaurant and offset the carbon footprint of their meal, offset the food waste of their meal, and the revenues that we generate are used to fund tree planting projects in the developing world"

[00:12:30]  "And yeah, it's like the short lines. I really like short lines with different kinds of people."

[00:14:51]  "There's nothing quite like it."

[00:16:27]  "It's the epitome of a partnership."

[00:18:59]  "I think connecting is the word."

[00:21:20]  "I'm looking forward to the van."

Connect:

• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
• Vincent Verschueren, Support Lead at Omniboost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-verschueren-01b1101aa/
• Connor Reap, Strategic Partnerships Team Lead at MarketMan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-reap/
• Kees Zorge, Founder and CEO of Omniboost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeszorge/
• Marvin Baker, Co-Founder at GiftTrees.com: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbaker/
• Jasper de Pooter, Tech Dev Lead at Omniboost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasper-de-pooter-128702124/
• Joely Tennant, Product Partnership Manager (Hospitality) at Lightspeed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joely-tennant/
• Michel Jansen, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Omniboost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janssenmichel/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Filmed on location in Montreal during Lightspeed Oxygen Summit!

We discuss the shift from overly produced and edited content to embracing the real and relatable. Join us as we explore the power of video in capturing and sharing experiences, and how it allows us to envision ourselves in different scenarios and how this can be impactful for brands as they look to authentically connect with their audiences. 

We also touch on the low barrier to entry in creating videos, with just a smartphone and a few budget-friendly tools. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be the mayor of your own small town and share your unique perspective with the world. 

Tune in now and start creating!

Timestamps:

[00:02:15] The world of video.

[00:04:27] Telling distinct brand stories.

[00:07:40] Transitioning to the tech space.

[00:09:47] Starting Splice Video.

[00:13:00] The story of the chef.

[00:16:05] Valuing human connection in travel.

[00:19:16] Using social media to draw people.

[00:23:31] Hospitality tech and marketing.

[00:24:19] Creating engaging video content.

[00:28:13] Travelling in Japan.

Shownotes:

00:03:47 Emotion drives effective storytelling.

00:05:03 Make B2B storytelling more engaging.

00:12:19 Leverage video to tell stories.

00:14:02 Video enhances travel experiences.

00:19:33 Video is a powerful tool.

00:25:26 Engage with your audience.

00:27:01 Embrace the unexpected while travelling.

Connect:

• Nick Capozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-capozzi/
• Splice Video: https://www.splicevideo.com/
• Omniboost: www.omniboost.com
• Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Filmed on location by Splice Video (https://www.splicevideo.com)at Cali BBQ Media in San Diego, California: https://calibbq.media/ 

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

This episode features Gudrun Ragnarsdottir, CEO of Keeps, Content Management for the Travel Industry.  

Gudrun shares her passion for travel and how her experience in the industry inspired her to start her own company. They discuss the energy, excitement, and chaos of the high season in the travel industry and the impact that can have on their content and keeping it up to date. 

We discuss the importance of the human touch in a digitally hyper-connected world and how small things can have a big impact. Like,how  having outdated travel photos can lead to less bookings, poor experiences, and unrealistic or set wrong expectations. We also talk about what AI might mean for the travel industry and some trends in the industry.

Don't forget to subscribe and review!

Timestamps:

[00:01:35] Passion for the travel industry.

[00:04:02] The missing photos.

[00:10:17] Introducing a content management solution.

[00:13:50] AI in the travel industry.

[00:15:42] The awareness of sustainability.

[00:21:12] Revolution in the tech space.

[00:23:06] The most memorable trip.

[00:26:16] A great travel story.

Shownotes:

00:02:35 Solving the problem of missing and outdated photos in the travel industry.

00:10:17 Solving content management system problem.

00:13:50 AI and sustainability in travel.

00:19:42 Technology enhances, not replaces, hospitality.

00:24:11 Travel experiences shape our memories.

00:27:10 Integration of social media features.

Connect:

Gudrun Ragnarsdottir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gudrunhildur/

Keeps: http://www.keeps.is

Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

This episode features Ruud Hontele, the founder and CEO of Woby, a company that creates unique guest experiences for the hotel industry.

Recorded live at the Omniboost headquarters in Terneuzen, Netherlands, we discuss how Woby helps hotels deliver a self-ordering web app that enhances the guest experience and improves operational efficiency. 

We discuss the importance of the human touch in a digitally hyper-connected world and how technology can make everyone more effective and efficient. Join us as we dive into the world of hospitality and discover how Woby is impacting the industry.

Don't forget to subscribe and review!

Timestamps:

[00:02:31] The birth of Woby
[00:05:00] Tech stack and operational knowledge
[00:09:02] Seamless guest experience
[00:13:11] Tools for better guest experiences 
[00:17:11] Creating better travel experiences
[00:22:43] Accomplishing goals in 2024

Shownotes:

00:01:04. Seamless integrations in hospitality.

00:08:24 Seamless integration enhances guest experience.

00:17:43 Collaboration drives industry innovation.

00:18:19 Importance of seamless travel experiences.

Connect:

Ruud Hontele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruud-hontele/

Woby: https://www.mywoby.com

Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

We also discuss the EU AI Act and its implications for AI regulation worldwide. Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges that AI presents in creating more human experiences in hospitality.

Tune in to learn more about the intersection of technology and hospitality.

Don't forget to subscribe and review!

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] AI in the hospitality industry.

[00:05:41] Technology-driven changes in hospitality.

[00:09:02] Cross-continent data flow challenges.

[00:15:37] Human connection in hospitality.

[00:17:19] The human element of creativity.

[00:21:18] The worst travel story.

[00:24:47] Jumping on the pod.

Shownotes:

00:05:09 Hospitality industry becoming technology-driven.

00:06:43 Data and AI impact hospitality.

00:16:23 AI enhances, but cannot replace, human creativity.

00:18:36 Human connection is irreplaceable.

00:24:35 Connect with Olaf for more information.

Connect:

Olaf van Haperen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaf-van-haperen-260321/

Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Our guest this week is CEO and Co-Founder of RoomRaccoon Tymen van Dyl. Tymen shares his mission to empower independent hoteliers around the world with a complete and innovative management system. He believes that powerful software should not be exclusive to those with deeper pockets, but accessible to anyone in the industry. 

We talk about the parity of running a company with your partner, both in business and in life, and how his journey into creating software solutions for the boutique hotel space came to be. We also discuss how to manage teams across the world and why strategic hubs are important and impactful.  Tymen emphasizes the significance of adopting a forward-looking approach and prioritizing future growth when starting a company and the importance of avoiding fixation on the past and instead focusing on what works best for the future. 

Don't forget to subscribe and review!

Timestamps:

[00:03:39] Supercharging hotel operations.

[00:06:56] Leveling the playing field.

[00:09:55] Independent hotels and customer experience.

[00:14:07] Starting a business with your partner.

[00:17:22] Balancing work and family.

[00:23:05] Splitting time and international growth.

[00:24:07] Remote work and office camaraderie.

[00:27:55] AI advancements in language.

[00:32:23] Dangerous city centers.

[00:35:35] A galloping herd of game animals.

Shownotes:

00:01:51 Empowering independent hoteliers through technology.

00:06:59 Leveling the playing field for independent hotels.

The timestamp in the podcast where it starts to say "Entrepreneurship with a partner" is 00:14:07. Entrepreneurship with a partner.

00:18:20 Importance of spending time together.

00:24:07 Importance of being present and connected.

00:29:37 Technology should enhance human experiences.

00:34:30 Thrilling horseback safari in Africa.

Connect:

Tymen van Dyl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tvandijl/

RoomRaccoon: https://roomraccoon.com/

Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

We discuss how software companies are leveraging data and AI to enhance the guest messaging space. We also discuss the importance of reviews and ratings in the hotel industry, and how generative AI is revolutionizing customer support. Join us as we explore the cutting-edge innovations that are making hospitality more human through technology. Don't miss out on this exciting conversation!

Don't forget to subscribe and review!

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Starting a marketplace.

[00:04:05] Difficulty of validating competition.

[00:07:21] Easier way to sell.

[00:10:05] Creating trust through data.

[00:14:40] Why hospitality, why that niche?

[00:17:27] Hotel Tech Reports' impact.

[00:20:37] AI in guest messaging.

[00:24:23] Connectivity in the hospitality industry.

[00:26:28] Technology and hospitality growth.

[00:30:48] Letdowns in hotel experiences.

[00:33:08] The human element of travel.

[00:36:32] Awesome technology products and stories.

Shownotes:

00:00:12 Focus on creating value first.

The timestamp in the podcast where it starts to talk about creating transparency in hotel technology is.

00:06:14 Creating transparency in hotel technology.

00:09:43 Marketplace evolution and value creation.

00:17:55 Hospitality industry and leveraging data. 00:19:09 CRM and guest messaging evolving.

00:25:19 Tech stack audit and offers program.

00:28:27 Intuitive design is crucial.

00:33:13 Human connection enhances travel experiences.

Connect:

Jordan Hollander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-hollander-42577929/

Hotel Tech Report: https://hoteltechreport.com/

Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Join us as we discuss the importance of innovation in the digital world and how it can enhance the human aspect of hospitality. Our special guest, Jacob Messina, Senior VP of Technology at MCR and CEO of Stay In Touch, shares his insights on the role of technology in the industry and the need for competition to drive innovation. Tune in to discover how technology is revolutionizing the hospitality sector and making it more human-centric.

Learn about Jacob's unique path into hospitality and how his unique experience as a culinary teacher and his love for games such as RollarCoaster Tycoon has influenced his career path. 

Don't forget to subscribe and review!

Timestamps:

[00:01:26] Love for hospitality started.

[00:04:08] Less technology, more face-to-face.

[00:07:56] Telling stories with data. [00:10:30] Using technology in hotels.

[00:14:59] Making hospitality more human.

[00:17:41] Generational gap and technology.

[00:21:13] Learning retention in training.

[00:25:38] Best or worst travel stories.

[00:27:20] Getting immersed in other cultures.

[00:30:08] Hospitality and embracing imperfections.

[00:33:43] Cooperating with competition.

[00:36:39] Connecting with Jacob.

Shownotes:

00:04:57 Less technology, more face-to-face.

00:05:27 Technology should support, not hinder.

00:13:06 Simplicity and consistency are key.

00:15:40 Technology facilitates knowledge transfer.

00:19:44 Technology should be intuitive and easy to learn.

The timestamp in the podcast where it starts to say "Technology empowers and ruins experiences" is at 00:25:10. Technology empowers and ruins experiences.

00:29:19 Embrace imperfection in hospitality.

00:34:05 Competition drives innovation and growth.

Connect:
Jacob Messina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-messina-b6361311/
Stayntouch: https://www.stayntouch.com/
Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Filmed at MCR Offices in One World Trade Tower in Manhattan, NYC: https://www.mcrhotels.com/

We dive deep into the world of technology and its impact on the hospitality industry. Richard's goal was to create functional and beautiful enterprise systems for the hospitality space. As a former boutique hotelier, Richard knows first hand the struggles of managing tech, guests, all while creating a hospitable experience.

We talk about the future of tech, including how AI can help streamline processes and revolutionize the industry. As well as, discuss the effects technology has on business travel vs leisure travel vs bleisure travel. We also look at how tech affects different generations of travelers and how to navigate the future of hospitality tech.

We also talk about the deep connection that exists between the hospitality industry ... and humanity!

Tune into to hear more about Richard's unique background, his vision for the future, and a great discussion around technology and humanity.

Don't forget to subscribe and review!

00:00:00 Hospitality industry is for humans.

00:09:50 Growth mindset is essential.

00:12:20 Adopt a growth mindset.

00:15:12 Transformative technology for hotel experiences.

00:22:53 Technology as an assistance, not replacement.

00:29:07 Technology can transform guest experiences.

00:30:11 Growth mindset in challenging markets.

00:38:36 Embrace growth mindset for success.

00:41:16 Exciting future in AI innovation.

Connect:
Richard Valtr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-valtr-79541410/
Mews: https://www.mews.com
Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Filmed at BelCham NYC: www.belcham.org

We discuss the importance of finding the balance between using technology to enhance the customer experience while still maintaining the human touch. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities of incorporating AI into business operations and the need for work-life balance. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that delves into the future of technology and its impact on our lives. 

Don't forget to Subscribe and Review!

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Enabling efficient staff communication.

[00:07:04] Balancing personal and professional lives.

[00:09:52] Vacation mode is starting. [00:12:53] Trying both business and tech. [00:17:29] Adaptability in the hospitality industry. [00:19:33] Enabling staff for customer experience.

[00:22:13] Making conscious choices in technology.

[00:26:51] The rise of third-party booking systems.

[00:30:24] Largest digitalization program in hospitality.

[00:34:49] Making the digital shift.

[00:39:00] Joy and existence

[00:42:14] Getting more women into tech.

[00:44:35] True diversity and innovation.

[00:47:25] Innovation and human potential.

Connect:
Kari Anna Fiskvik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-anna-fiskvik-99b1211b/
Strawberry Group: https://www.strawberrygroup.no/
Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Kees Zorge, Omniboost Founder and CEO, shares what he believes is the core DNA of Omniboost and the impact we hope to make on the industry.

Don't forget to Subscribe and Review!

Timestamps:

00:03:22 Leadership is about serving others.

00:06:28 Importance of servant leadership.

00:12:01 Accountability and empowerment drive success.

00:17:06 Leadership is about serving others.

00:22:02 No ego, focus on "we".

00:29:07 Servant leadership fosters collective innovation.

00:32:08 Building teams with freedom and hospitality.

00:38:29 Small acts of kindness matter.

00:43:14 Podcast promotes engagement and growth.

Connect with Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Connect with Kees Zorge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeszorge/

Connect with Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

We delve into the world of hospitality and explore what it means to be Hospitable across the globe. Join us as we discuss the needs and challenges of the hospitality industry, and how technology can both enhance and hinder the guest experience. Our goal is to uncover the secrets of the industry and provide insights that will help you focus on what's most important - your guests. We also have special guests, including architects and designers, who will share their perspectives on customer experience. Get ready for a non-commercial, thought-provoking conversation that will move the industry forward. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this exciting journey with us! 

Timestamps:
[00:02:43] From e-commerce to hospitality.

[00:05:23] Non-traditional approach to business.

[00:08:10] The non-commercial aspect.

[00:11:43] Worst travel fails.

[00:14:45] Giving time back for creativity.

Connect with Omniboost: www.omniboost.com

Connect with Kees Zorge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeszorge/
Connect with Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Connect with Mike Baecke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-baecke/

Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

Episode Recorded at BelCham in NYC: https://www.belcham.org/