SMACK Hospitality SMACK Hospitality

Let’s say 2023 was not quite the year of deal-making within the industry.

Then what does the future have in stock for #hospitality and #realestate?

Alexi Khajavi President Hospitality, Travel and Wellness at Questex set down with Flo at last week’s IHIF to discuss trends, the role of technology and his personal “meandering” career journey.

Alexi and his team are deeply embedded in the #hospitalityindustry and run events to inform and connect industry insiders around the globe. With the help of the Investor Sentiment Index and at least one ear on the track at all times, they have been spotting trends from afar for 25 years.

And they have good news: there are great opportunities for the industry - in trends like senior living and also, strangely enough, in the epidemic of loneliness that is roaming the world.

Like Flo said, “This was a really inspiring and insightful conversation.” , so we highly recommend you tune in to the full episode.

Enjoy the show!

Have you ever wondered what grows in the desert?

We have. So we sent Phil to talk to someone who knows - Atul Chopra, Founder and CEO of FreshOn Table, who supplies restaurants and hotels in UAE with fresh greens and other edibles.

Minimum emissions, maximum nutrition is his motto and led him to create a company that connects farmers to #chefs - so close, that they can harvest on demand.

Atul has a lot to tell about circular economy and agritech, because six hours from field to kitchen don’t come from nothing. It takes a lot of data analysis, entrepreneurial expertise and education to get this loop going.

As Phil found out, there is a lot more we can learn from Atul, who moved from banknotes and Excel sheets to soil, water, and baby carrots. The serial entrepreneur calls 16 African countries his “playgrounds” and has lived in many more countries.

Besides this, Phil outs himself as a country boy – you better tune in to this episode!

Enjoy the show!

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This is real, luxurious, family business!

We had not only one but two guests on the show! Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and Lydia Forte, Group Director of F&B at Rocco Forte Hotels brought some great topics and giggles to this episode with Fritz, recorded at the famous The Browns Hotel in London on Sir Rocco’s birthday.

The #RoccoForte vibe isn't just a concept, it's a way of life and you can hear this in every word. Decades of family dedication have created this brand. Each hotel tells a story, blending local heritage with personalized service that leaves guests and staff feeling like part of the family.

Lydia and Sir Rocco spilled a bunch of secrets on how the #luxuryhotel brand developed over the years and their take on F&B and the impact (new) restaurants have on the whole identity of a hotel concept. Of course, Fritz had to ask about the future of the 5-star collection, following the recent announcement of a partial sale to Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund PIF.

We are so excited about this episode that we are about to swing from the chandelier.

Tune in to the full episode on our website.

Enjoy the show!

This was a first!

As you might know by now, we had the pleasure of teaming up with YHS and hosting the very first SMACK Live! #podcast event with Patrick Mendes, CEO at ACCOR for Premium, Midscale & Economy in Europe and North Africa.

Patrick shared a lot of insights with Fritz and the students at EHL about his career path (which he actually started off by quitting #hospitality and the #hotelbusiness), and the possibilities the ACCOR world has to offer but especially the “PME” – Premium, Midscale and Economy sector, which seems to be generally, slightly underrated.

He talked about his personal experience in Latin America and about heartfelt topics that he likes to personally support such as #diversity and #inclusion. The adventures he witnessed in #hoteldevelopment from the West to the East and of course also about what’s cooking at ACCOR’s development these days, as well as #paris2024 and #loyaltyprograms.

Patrick lifted the secrets about ACCOR’s vast structure of brands and regions and answered a gazillion questions from the students during a live Q&A and in individual chats after the recording.

Do listen closely to what he says about #worklifebalance, especially if you are aiming for a #clevel position!

Best now, if you tune in to the episode yourself!

Enjoy the show!

𝐎𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲!

From the toast and marmalade mise en place at her parent's hotel on the Scottish coast to creating a female-influenced, bar- & restaurant empire with multiple locations in London is a very short version of describing Jillian MacLean’s career path.

Jillian, founder of Drake & Morgan, and Pat had an inspiring chat about how hospitality is the ultimate playground to dream big and to give everybody a chance to succeed. Jillian saw a market gap and jumped right on it. She and her sister set the stage for a series of bars and restaurants across London, all celebrating the fabulous side of life. Their product is powered by women, with drinks, dishes, and designs tailored to up-to-date trends that ladies love.

And as Jillian puts it: “At the end of the day, what is hospitality? It's a fun industry. It's drinks and food and looking after people.”

Grab a seat and a cocktail and enjoy the show!

Who has united 530 hotels, resorts, and eight kick-ass brands under one roof? 🏩

William Heinecke, aka Bill, Founder & Chairman of Minor Hotels and Fritz broke down the evolving world of hospitality at last year's FHS in Abu Dhabi. They talked about newly rising #traveldestinations like Saudi Arabia, bucket list trips, and the growing importance of the #foodindustry. 🥗

Bill’s mission: Authentic #hotel experiences, honoring the country’s cultures and traditions, and choosing destinations off the beaten path with the effort to recognize each location’s beauty and heritage. All inspired by his inborn passion for the industry, his love for unfamiliar locations in #hoteldevelopment, and his vision for the multi-hotel-brand chain’s future.👣

Enjoy the Show!