Hospitality Unpacked with NEWH

NEWH, Inc: The Hospitality Network
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Conversations at the Intersection of People, Design, and Hospitality Hospitality Unpacked is the official podcast of NEWH, The Hospitality Industry Network, the global non-profit dedicated to education, scholarships, and building connections in hospitality. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the people, projects, and ideas shaping hotels, restaurants, and spaces worldwide. From rising stars and scholarship recipients to veteran designers, brand leaders, and manufacturers, we explore the voices driving the industry forward. Our content pillars—People, Design, and Guest Experience—guide every conversation: People: Mentorship journeys, scholarship success stories, and candid insights from hospitality legends. Design: Material deep-dives, trend forecasting, and product innovations that are shaping tomorrow’s interiors. Hospitality: Industry updates, operational success stories, and global perspectives on what’s next for guest experience. With professional production, thought-provoking discussions, and a mission-driven lens, Hospitality Unpacked goes beyond surface-level trends. It’s about stories with purpose; highlighting how design, business, and human connection come together to create extraordinary hospitality experiences. Whether you’re a designer, operator, student, or supplier, this is your seat at the table.

  1. 1D AGO

    Honoring Heritage: Centering Native Voices in Hospitality

    Cultural authenticity cannot be an afterthought. This essential dialogue examines what it truly means to design hospitality spaces rooted in Native American identity—through tradition, lived experience, and forward-thinking innovation. Centered on Indigenous voices, this conversation reframes culture not as a visual reference or design trend, but as a living, evolving narrative shaped by community, place, and purpose. Bringing together three Indigenous leaders from architecture, design, and project management, the panel explores the role of materials, symbolism, and storytelling, while confronting the risks of appropriation and the critical need for Indigenous leadership on Native projects. Through candid insight and real-world perspective, this episode challenges conventional design frameworks and offers a more respectful, informed approach to hospitality development—one that honors culture, responsibility, and long-term impact.

    37 min

  2. 3D AGO

    The Staylist Minisode: Ludovica Rocchi of R Collection Hotels on Staying Relevant

    Hospitality is where comfort, innovation, and human connection create unforgettable guest experiences. In this episode, Ludovica Rocchi, Brand Director of R Collection Hotels Group, shares how luxury hotels in Europe are using design, technology, and leadership to elevate guest experience. She discusses motivating staff, adapting to change, and creating stays that leave lasting impressions. Perfect for anyone interested in hotel innovation, hospitality leadership, and guest-focused excellence.

    6 min

  3. FEB 4

    That's HER Story: A Celebration of Unsung Design Pioneers

    Recognition was not guaranteed—but impact was inevitable. This episode brings into focus the often-overlooked legacies of female designers whose vision, leadership, and business acumen quietly shaped the foundations of interior design and architecture. Working beyond the spotlight of their time, these trailblazers challenged convention, built influence, and created pathways for innovation that continue to resonate today. Through reflection and historical context, we examine how their work reshaped professional practice and why their contributions remain deeply relevant. A century later, their stories remind us that progress is rarely singular—and that lasting change is often built by those history nearly forgot.

    42 min

  4. JAN 19

    A Seat at the Table Minisode: Mentorship, Leadership, and Human Connection

    Leadership is more than strategy, it’s about empathy, learning, and connection. In this episode of Behind the Standard, Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Chief Strategy Officer at Accor and CEO of Orient Express, shares how mentorship and real-world lessons shaped her approach. She talks about leading with purpose, collaborating across cultures, and using curiosity, adaptability, and humor to succeed. This conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone navigating leadership, growth, and change in hospitality.

    8 min

  5. JAN 14

    The Future of Sustainability: Partnership, Collaboration, and Commitment

    Sustainability is no longer optional. It guides every choice, design, and decision across the entire system. In this session, we explore how manufacturers, designers, and brands or owners can come together to create impact far beyond what any one of them could achieve alone. Through practical insights and real-world examples, we uncover how aligned practices shape Human Health, Climate Health, and Social Equity, turning materials, spaces, and communities into powerful catalysts for change. Bringing into focus the unseen connections that drive meaningful progress.

    58 min

  6. JAN 12

    Behind the Standard: Melissa Messmer of IHG on Guest-Centered Design

    In this episode of The Briefing, hospitality leader Melissa Messmer shares a global perspective on how inclusive design, sustainability, and guest wellbeing are shaping luxury hotels across the UK, Europe, and beyond. Drawing from her experience with IHG, Starwood, Accor, and Marriott, Melissa explores how lighting innovation and neurodiversity friendly design are redefining the modern guest experience. She also discusses navigating diverse cultural and architectural landscapes and why creativity, curiosity, and problem solving remain essential for hospitality designers and leaders.

    9 min

  7. JAN 8

    The Road to Universal Design: Challenges and Solutions for Hotel Spaces

    Accessibility is no longer optional; it is a critical foundation of thoughtful design. In this episode, our panel dives into the real-world mobility challenges guests encounter throughout hotel spaces, from arrival to room experience and shared amenities. Through candid discussion and practical insight, they explore how ADA-informed design choices can remove barriers, enhance comfort, and create environments that work seamlessly for all guests. Highlighting how inclusive design is not only the right thing to do, but also a powerful driver of guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and long-term success in hospitality.

    41 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Biophilic Design as a Framework for High Performance Spaces

    Bring nature into your spaces and discover how biophilic design can transform the way we live and work. This session explores how incorporating natural elements like light, greenery, fresh air, texture, and sound can enhance well-being, boost creativity, and improve focus and productivity in homes, offices, and public spaces. Learn how thoughtful, intentional design goes beyond aesthetics. Ordinary environments can be turned into life-affirming, accessible, and high-performing spaces. It is about creating places where people can thrive, connect with nature, and enjoy meaningful experiences every day.

    30 min
See All (18)

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About

Conversations at the Intersection of People, Design, and Hospitality Hospitality Unpacked is the official podcast of NEWH, The Hospitality Industry Network, the global non-profit dedicated to education, scholarships, and building connections in hospitality. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the people, projects, and ideas shaping hotels, restaurants, and spaces worldwide. From rising stars and scholarship recipients to veteran designers, brand leaders, and manufacturers, we explore the voices driving the industry forward. Our content pillars—People, Design, and Guest Experience—guide every conversation: People: Mentorship journeys, scholarship success stories, and candid insights from hospitality legends. Design: Material deep-dives, trend forecasting, and product innovations that are shaping tomorrow’s interiors. Hospitality: Industry updates, operational success stories, and global perspectives on what’s next for guest experience. With professional production, thought-provoking discussions, and a mission-driven lens, Hospitality Unpacked goes beyond surface-level trends. It’s about stories with purpose; highlighting how design, business, and human connection come together to create extraordinary hospitality experiences. Whether you’re a designer, operator, student, or supplier, this is your seat at the table.

Information

  • Creator
    NEWH, Inc: The Hospitality Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 NEWH, Inc: The Hospitality Network

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