Defining Hospitality Dan Ryan

Today’s guest is a creative thinker with a unique understanding of the spaces she designs. Please welcome to the show, Vice President of Design at Aspen Hospitality Julie Frank. Julie joins Host Dan Ryan to share her journey from Architect to VP. Julie discusses her philosophy on hospitality, the importance of seizing opportunities, and how to blend spaces with the environments around them.

Takeaways: 
Hospitality is any act that helps make people feel like a better version of their day to day selves. By taking their experiences and enhancing whatever they are seeking, you are delivering true hospitality. Attending industry events and building relationships is crucial once you're on the ownership side or involved with a brand or development. Having contacts you can rely on to address issues as they arise is paramount. It’s important to respect the historical significance of spaces when incorporating modern brand experiences. By blending homage to the past with the unique elements of the modern brand, one can create a harmonious and impactful fusion.It’s important to incorporate fun and creativity into design to engage people more effectively, rather than relying solely on teaching. In large-scale projects like museums, the visionary gestures often come from the top, with the rest focused on implementation.The best way to understand frustrations in any job is to experience them from all perspectives; embrace job changes to gain a broader understanding of professional dynamics and improve your ability to work harmoniously across different sectors.The ideal home-away-from-home experience is a relaxing and inviting space where one can feel at ease and explore the local area. To fully enjoy a property, guests should have both the comfort of well-designed rooms and relaxing communal spaces.Quote of the Show:
“I wanted people to learn through spaces.” - Julie FrankLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliecfrank/c Website: https://aspenhospitality.co/ 
Shout Outs:
2:45 - Rafael Viñoly2:47 - James Polshek2:54 - Rose Center for Earth and Space: https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/rose-center 3:02 - Adam Tihany4:03 - Rockwell Group: https://www.rockwellgroup.com/ 4:04 - Avroko: https://www.avroko.com/ 4:49 - Shawn Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-sullivan-3a290546/overlay/about-this-profile/ 4:52 - Nobu: https://noburestaurants.com/ 5:54 - Starwood Hotels and Resorts8:57 - Le Meridian9:08 - W Hotels: https://w-hotels.marriott.com/ 9:41 - Brian Povinelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-povinelli-162b128/ 9:42 - George Fleck: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-fleck-58967050/ 12:43 - Moshe Safdie22:30 - Robyn Kaminski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynkaminski/ 24:20 - Aliya Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-khan-8245461/ 25:50 - Sam Altman28:05 - Aspen Hospitality: https://aspenhospitality.co/ 33:25 - Thierry Despont44:42 - Mark Boekenheide: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-boekenheide-aia-20b6b1a/ 48:13 - Brad Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bgwilson/ 48:45 - Paul McElroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-mcelroy-3387954a/ 
Ways to Tune In: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419

Joining the show this week is an award-winning brand innovator who is responsible for the design and experiences across most of IHGs family of brands. Please welcome to the show A Director of Design Strategies at IHG, Kristen Freeland!

Kristen joins Host Dan Ryan to dive into the nuances of telling stories. Kristen shares the importance of mentorship programs, the best ways to get customer feedback, and the need to cater to different audiences. 

Takeaways: 
Hospitality is all about telling a story. Regardless if you are creating a new story, or breathing life into an old one, the intent is to tell a story and deliver it successfully to your guests. To effectively cater to your audience, first understand their needs by gathering insights, and then develop and test solutions. Ensure your projects are guided by clear, focused briefs that align with your success metrics to avoid losing direction.To better understand customer preferences, engage directly with your target audience to gather valuable insights. Real-life dialogue and firsthand observation are crucial in confirming whether your strategy and design efforts meet customer needs.Seek opportunities where you can work closely with industry leaders and immerse yourself in real-world business environments that aren't taught in college. The hands-on experience gained from these situations will boost your professional courage.Nurturing and maintaining relationships is crucial in hospitality, as they form the foundation of your professional network. Make it a priority to stay connected, meet new people, and keep learning about new things to thrive in the hospitality industry. In the strategy world, continual innovation prevents work from feeling monotonous and keeps things exciting. Embrace the idea that nothing is off the table, as new challenges constantly emerge once solutions are found.Quote of the Show:
“When your target guests and target audience are telling you, ‘Hey, there's other ways that you could appeal to me.’ It's important that we listen to that and that we evolve with them.” - Kristen FreelandLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-freeland-19b4b54b/ Website: https://www.ihg.com/ 
Shout Outs:
21:47 - Hilton: https://www.hilton.com/en/ 29:19 - Larry Traxler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytraxler/ 33:43 - Scott Galloway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/profgalloway/ 37:57 - Crowne Plaza: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/reservation 43:47 - Dr. Chloe Carmichael: https://www.drchloe.com/ 46:38 - Karen Gilbride: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-gilbride-379b976/ Ways to Tune In: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419

In this engaging episode, Dan sits down with Eran Chen, renowned architect and the founder of ODA. Chen discusses his journey from starting his own firm in 2007 to becoming an influential figure in urban design, teaching at Columbia and NYU. The conversation dives into the significance of hospitality in architecture and the importance of saying 'yes' to various opportunities. Eranalso explores his innovative concepts like the 'Flying Dormer' and shares insights into his books.. They discuss the importance of understanding zoning laws, balancing creativity with regulations, and envisioning a more sustainable, connected future for urban living.
Takeaways: 
Hospitality has evolved from offering a uniform "home away from home" experience to providing authentic, culturally rich interactions that reflect local customs and traditions. Embracing this cultural authenticity in designs creates unique experiences for visitors.Embrace the journey of unknowns in your professional pursuits, as it can lead to amazing and impactful work. Stay true to your core beliefs and principles despite challenges and assignments, as they refine and strengthen your practice.When running a firm and taking on new clients, it's crucial to ensure mutual respect and collaboration, seeing clients as partners in the creative process. Decline projects where clients do not value this process of discovery, even if they offer the biggest commissions.The key to defining yourself in a noisy world is to genuinely understand what drives you, and then find effective ways to convey that authenticity. Embrace the gaps in your creative journey, as these transitional spaces are where true innovation occurs.Intergenerational collaboration fosters personal growth and enriches project outcomes. By acting as both leader and collaborator, one can guide and provide valuable feedback, mirroring the relationship between a good professor and their students.Don't be discouraged by regulations. Instead, understanding the rules allows you to creatively break them. Mastering the tools at hand is essential for architects, regardless of location.Quote of the Show:
“As we go along we don't know where we're going and we love that.” - Eran ChenLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eran-chen-465b446/ Website: https://oda-architecture.com/ Book Link: https://a.co/d/9W28Zsk Book Link: https://a.co/d/9MIzAL4 Shout Outs:
6:00 - Perkins Eastman: https://perkinseastman.com/ 29:14 - NYU: https://www.nyu.edu/ 29:16 - Columbia: https://www.columbia.edu/29:49 - Harvard Graduate School of Architecture: https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/architecture/ 44:47 - 15 Renwick: https://oda-architecture.com/projects/15-renwick 56:11 - Bard College: https://www.bard.edu/ Ways to Tune In: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419

Joining the show this week is an industry titan who is shaping the next generation of hospitality professionals. Our guest is none other than Founder of the Radical Innovation hospitality awards, Founder and Chairman of the Hardy Group, John Hardy!

John joins Host Dan Ryan to discuss the importance of innovation and creativity. John reflects on his journey, the challenges, and triumphs of innovative hospitality development, and the future trends shaping the industry. Discover his insights on creating unique, experiential hotels and the importance of continual innovation.
Takeaways: 
Hospitality is about how you treat guests whether they are in your house or hotel. It is about making them feel comfortable, providing for their needs, and surprising them with extras. Innovation in the hotel industry often comes from outsiders rather than industry insiders, encouraging radical thinking. Creativity thrives when intuition guides decision-making, paving the way for unconventional ideas to flourish.Innovation often arises from challenging industry norms and embracing creativity. Embrace unconventional thinking and foster a culture of innovation to drive progress and success in your endeavors.The shift towards experiential accommodations like AutoCamp and Airbnb reflects a growing trend among younger consumers who are less brand loyal. To stay competitive, big brands are adapting to offer unique experiences tailored to this trend.Embrace risk, dedication, and innovative ideas to drive success. The people who will drive the industry forward are those who are willing to put in the time and effort and aren’t afraid to risk failure. In challenging times with fluctuating interest rates, it's an opportunity to elevate deal-making skills and seize smarter opportunities for future success. Success lies in mastering both the risk and reward game throughout fluctuating cycles.Quote of the Show:
“I never let somebody second guess what I thought was the right thing to do.” - John HardyLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hardy-3a677812/ Website: https://www.radicalinnovation.io/ Website: https://www.jhgi.com/ Shout Outs:
15:46 - I. M. Pei15:49 - Philip Johnson15:51 - William B Tabler16:03 - Morris Lapidus16:18 - Hilton: https://www.hilton.com/en/ 17:52 - Hyatt Atlanta: https://www.hyatt.com/grand-hyatt/en-US/atlgh-grand-hyatt-atlanta-in-buckhead 18:02 - Trammell Crow 20:24 - Marriott: https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 25:12 - Barry Sternlicht: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Sternlicht 26:42 - Bill Kimpton31:26 - Westin Hotels: https://westin.marriott.com/32:15 - HD Magazine: https://hospitalitydesign.com/ 32:30 - Mike Mazigian32:31 - Simon Turner32:34 - Jim Woods32:46 - Wing Chow40:34 - UNLV: https://www.unlv.edu/ 40:39 - NYU: https://www.nyu.edu/ 48:48 - Autocamp: https://autocamp.com/49:03 - Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/ 54:51 - Steve Higgins54:54 - W Hotels: https://w-hotels.marriott.com/ 
Ways to Tune In: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419

Hospitality is about intuition and reading the customer. Are you doing too much, or are you not doing enough for them? The guest on this episode has left an impact on leading luxury lifestyle brands in hospitality, food and beverage, design, and wellness over the course of his 30-year career. Please welcome the Vice President of Food and Beverage Concept and Brand Development at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Michael Doneff.

Michaell joins Dan Ryan as they discuss the significance of a unique dining experience. Michael shares the power of storytelling in brand development, the importance of company culture, and offers advice for aspiring professionals in the hospitality industry.
Takeaways: 
Customers want to come into an environment where they feel understood, appreciated, and heard. Your job is to create an experience that exceeds their expectations.For early-stage brands, everything boils down to storytelling, and you get to see that story come to life from the name to the logo.If a brand is constructed correctly and thoughtfully, then it's usually meant to last. But it's only as good as its execution.A brand should check off all the boxes, even in the small areas of hospitality. Making sure that their employees are genuine, truly love what they do, and love taking care of their guests.An employee should have intuitive skills to know what the customer needs and if they could be doing more for them, but they should also know what the customer doesn't need and if they’re doing too much.As a brand, you should strive to have your mission statement and values be true throughout every level of your company, and every team member should be living out these things.Don't be afraid to ask questions, push boundaries, and try things, but also don't be afraid to fail at them and find a new way of trying to do things.Quote of the Show:  
“We’re in a world where you can tell when things are scripted.” - Michael DoneffLinks:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldoneff/ Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/ Shout Outs:
2:09 - Villa De Leon11:26 - Jean-Pierre Coffe16:28 - Danny Meyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhmeyer/ 19:24 - SBE: https://www.sbe.com/ 19:34 - Canyon Ranch: https://www.canyonranch.com/ 19:29 - Viceroy Hotel Group: https://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/ 20:28 - Michael Douglas20:39 - Susan Magrino Agency: https://www.magrinopr.com/ 21:57 - Jeffrey Bilhuber: https://www.jeffreybilhuberllc.com/ 22:09 - Richard Pandiscio25:08 - Island Outpost: https://www.islandoutpost.com/ 26:59 - W Hotels: https://w-hotels.marriott.com/ 27:09 - Barry Sternlicht: https://www.starwoodpropertytrust.com/team/ 27:10 - Rande Gerber27:21 - Ian Schrager37:55 -José Andrés Group: https://joseandres.com/ 38:42 - World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/ 44:05 - Arnie Malham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arniemalham/ 44:08 - Worth Doing Wrong: https://www.worthdoingwrong.com/ 50:11 - Marriott: https://www.marriott.com/ 50:12 - Accor: https://group.accor.com/en 
Ways to Tune In: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419

For a vision to come to fruition, there must be a level of persistence to make it happen. Here to share his insight is a designer skilled in interior and custom furniture. Please welcome the Owner and Founder of CRÈME, Jun Aizaki.
Host Dan Ryan and guest Jun Aizaki discuss CRÈME’s award winning Gourd project. Jun dives into how he finds inspiration for new projects, shares his early career and what led him to be a successful designer, and reveals advice to future innovators on the mentality needed to be successful.

Takeaways: 
Hospitality revolves around the service you provide for guests, and the problems you solve for them. By providing meaningful solutions, you make someone’s life richer, more interesting, and more practical.Persistence is key when it comes to stating your vision. Having the mentality of not taking no for an answer goes a long way, by forcing yourself to try different directions, you may stumble upon new solutions. When it comes to working towards what you want, you may have to put in extra time and effort. While it may not be time that your getting paid for, if you continue to put in the extra hours, the results will pay offWhen creating a new project, inspiration should come from the uniqueness of the environment around you. Each design should tell a story and be special in order to capture the eyes of others.Creativity can strike at any moment, and having a way to capture it is crucial. Keeping a sketchbook or digital tablet on you at all times allows you to put pen to paper whenever an idea pops into mind. The gourd project was born out of a need to replace single use plastic drinking cups in the hospitality industry. By growing a gourd in a cup shaped mold, you are left with a disposable option that biodegrades safely. Good design comes from the minds of many, rather than a solo visionary. Encouraging communication and empowering your team creates products that draw on the strength of diverse backgrounds.Quote of the Show:
“If you can dream something up, there's always a way to get there.” - Jun AizakiLinks:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creme.design/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jun-aizaki-a2820b5/ Website: https://cremedesign.com/ 
Shout Outs:
1:28 - Kimpton Theta: https://www.hoteltheta.com/ 7:06 - The Rockwell Group: https://www.rockwellgroup.com/ 13:04 - David Allen: https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Allen/author/B001ILIG4C?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true17:06 - Kimpton Eventi: https://www.hoteleventi.com/ 24:58 - Laurent Tourondel: https://www.laurent-tourondel.com/ 25:52 - DLJ Capital: https://www.dljrecp.com/ 25:53 - Andy Rifkin31:45 - Bermanfalk: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ 35:37 - Sheraton Kagoshima: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/kojsi-sheraton-kagoshima/overview/ 40:20 - Morris Lapidus53:19 - Kosciuszko Bridge53:52 - Pulaski Bridge01:03:59 - Margaret McMahon: https://www.watg.com/people/margaret-mcmahon/ Ways to Tune In: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419