The Modern Hotelier

David Millili & Steve Carran

Each episode we discuss industry trends, talk about new technologies, and speak to industry experts. All so that you, The Modern Hotelier, can succeed in a new age of hospitality.

  1. 5 FEB

    #248: From Pro Snowboarder to Hospitality Innovator | with Bradley Steward

    How does a pro snowboarder become a hospitality innovator? Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Bradley Steward, Co-founder and President of Caravan Outpost, to explore an extraordinary journey from professional snowboarding to creating one of America’s most unique boutique hospitality experiences. In this episode, you'll discover: The transition from sports to media, directing projects for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and even influencing early Jackass.How he co-founded Bonfire Snowboarding, turning it into a global apparel brand before selling to Adidas.The inspiration behind Caravan Outpost, and how he and his wife designed it as an experiential travel destination, blending luxury, community, and the outdoors.Tips for independent hoteliers and entrepreneurs on creating a brand that fosters emotional connections rather than just products.Get ready for candid stories, unexpected adventures, and behind-the-scenes moments from snowboarding competitions, Hollywood projects, and a luxury outdoor retreat that feels more like a community than a hotel.   Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/leosxe5M0-0 Links:Bradley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-steward-7b829a23/Caravan Outpost: https://caravanoutpostojai.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/248 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-... Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

    56 min
  2. 3 FEB

    #247: How CDP's & AI Can Supercharge Hotel Marketing Campaigns | with Scott Buelter

    What if your hotel could know exactly what your guests want before they even check in — and deliver it automatically?  In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Scott Buelter, CEO of Ascent 360, to dive into the transformative power of AI, data, and personalization in the hospitality industry. In this episode you'll learn about: How hotels are using Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) to unify guest data from multiple systems.The current and future role of AI in hospitality, from marketing automation to operational efficiency.How AI can support staff rather than replace them, improving the human touch in guest interactions.The shift from providing tools to delivering outcomes, and why marketers who embrace AI will thrive.If you want to understand how AI and data are shaping the next generation of hotel marketing, guest experiences, and operational efficiency, this episode is a must-watch. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wM8cOSoRIXs This episode is sponsored by Ascent360: https://ascent360.com/ Links:Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbuelter/Ascent360: https://ascent360.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/247 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-... Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

    49 min
  3. 29 ENE

    #246: 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook, 5 Trends to Watch, Hotel Bathroom Backlash, & Mews Funding | January Hot Topics

    Join Steve Carran and David Millili as he welcomes Jon Bumhoffer, producer of The Modern Hotelier, for a deep dive into hospitality trends and industry forecasts for 2026.  In this episode, we break down everything hotel owners, operators, and travelers need to know—from group business rebounds, rising labor costs, and food & beverage innovations, to AI-driven bookings, lifestyle brands, and the latest in hotel tech investments. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Food & beverage shifts: pop-ups, healthy options, and tech-driven dining experiencesRising labor and operational costs impacting the hospitality industryAI in travel: how large language models are reshaping hotel bookingsHotel tech spotlight: MEWS secures $300M funding and what this means for cloud PMSControversial hotel design trends: the debate over doorless bathroomsSubscribe to The Modern Hotelier for more industry analysis, expert interviews, and hospitality hot topics. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gDHkSaG0Wu0 Links: 2026 US Industry Forecast5 Trends to watch in 2026MEWS Secures $300 Million in FundingU.S. Hotel Bathroom “Privacy Backlash” Goes Viral For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/246 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-... Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

    13 min
  4. 27 ENE

    #245: How Hotels Can Leverage Assets & Technology in 2026 | with Kunal Shah

    In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kunal Shah, Managing Partner of Travel & Hospitality at ZS, to explore the future of the hotel industry in 2026, key revenue strategies, and how technology is reshaping guest experiences. Kunal shares insights from his global career—starting at United Airlines, earning an MBA at London Business School, and now leading ZS’s travel and hospitality practice. He breaks down the biggest opportunities and challenges hotels face today, including RevPAR pressure, AI adoption, guest personalization, and new revenue streams beyond rooms. Whether you’re a hotel operator, GM, revenue manager, or hospitality investor—this episode is packed with practical strategies and industry foresight. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 2026 hospitality trends & industry outlookWhy RevPAR growth is plateauingHow hotels can improve guest engagement & incremental revenueThe most promising new revenue streams beyond roomsWhy relationships & intellectual curiosity matter in hospitality leadershipThis episode is sponsored by ZS Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7y2WcNmOwfo Links:Contact ZSKunal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksshah/ZS: https://www.zs.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/245 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-... Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

    48 min
  5. 13 ENE

    #243: Successful PMS Rollouts & A Strong Hotel Operations Platform | with Ryan King

    What do hoteliers need to know about PMS implementations, hospitality tech, and leadership today?  In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Americas at Shiji, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about hospitality, technology, leadership, and the future of guest experience. Ryan shares his journey from working on-property in Washington, DC to leading Shiji’s growth across the Americas, including the strategic decision to shift operations to Mexico as a hub for North and South America. Along the way, he opens up about career pivots, leadership lessons, and why curiosity, humility, and communication are essential for long-term success in hospitality tech. In this episode, we cover: What lessons from working on-property still shape Ryan’s approach to hotel tech today?How important are communication and change management during a system rollout?The Shiji’s philosophy on all-in-one platforms vs best-of-breed solutions What are the fastest wins hoteliers can achieve when adopting new technology? Why PMS implementations succeed or fail (and it’s not the technology) This episode is sponsored by Shiji: https://www.shijigroup.com/ Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R3aCzbt_4Ac Links:Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-king-11083842/Shiji Group: https://www.shijigroup.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/243 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-... Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

    56 min

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Each episode we discuss industry trends, talk about new technologies, and speak to industry experts. All so that you, The Modern Hotelier, can succeed in a new age of hospitality.

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