The American Hotel and Lodging Association supports hospitality providers in so many ways from education to policy work. In this episode, Kevin Carey, AHLA’s interim president & CEO, joins us to talk about two core areas they're focused on now:

1. Green Key Global: sustainability certification to help hoteliers cater to the quickly growing number of travelers (and businesses) that prioritize this
2. The Hospitality Show: to connect industry participants and help everyone do well together

Also, be sure to check out new research they've commissioned about travel trends for this summer.

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This episode is brought to you with support from Sojern. I teamed up with Sojern to study how hoteliers use data to drive revenue and build stronger guest relationships. You can see what we found in this research report: How Hotel Brands Are Using First-Party Data to Drive Revenue & Build Stronger Relationships.

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

How do you stand out in a world full of technology, endless content, and busy schedules? Hospitality is key, especially through events. Events offer a big opportunity for every hospitality provider.

In this episode, we're learning from Gianna Gaudini, a top event producer and strategist. She’ll share her journey in the events industry, the opportunities events bring, and how hoteliers can work effectively with event planners.

See Giana's book: The Art of Event Planning: Pro Tips from an Industry Insider

Chapters:
1:12: Gianna’s career journey in events
9:47: Why events are so important now
12:47: Important elements of powerful events
15:49: How hoteliers can be good hosts
19:46: Pro tips on being an effective events professional
23:34: Prioritizing investments to be a compelling host venue
26:22: Touchpoints that matter most

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This episode is brought to you with support from Sojern. I teamed up with Sojern to study how hoteliers use data to drive revenue and build stronger guest relationships. You can see what we found in this research report: How Hotel Brands Are Using First-Party Data to Drive Revenue & Build Stronger Relationships.

Want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day? Subscribe here for free.

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Blackberry Farm was recently named the #1 hotel in America for food and drink by Food and Wine magazine. Previously, Andy Chabot explained how they've achieved this, and then how they hire and train their teams. In this episode, Andy shares how they gather and incorporate feedback from both staff and guests to constantly improve.

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

This sponsored episode from Hireology is a masterclass on hiring from Adam Robinson, CEO of Hireology, who shares his extensive knowledge on hiring great people faster in hospitality.

Listeners will learn:

• Market Insights: Understand the market trends affecting hiring in hospitality, including demographic shifts and the increasing demand for flexible work arrangements.
• How to Create Effective Job Descriptions: Learn how to craft compelling job descriptions that highlight flexibility, career growth, and culture to attract quality candidates.
• The Role of Employee Referrals: Understand why employee referrals are a top source for quality hires and how to effectively implement a referral program.
• The Importance of Speed in Hiring: Discover why responding quickly to applications can significantly increase your chances of securing top talent.
• How Technology Can Streamline Hiring: Hear how technology can automate and enhance various stages of the hiring process, making it more efficient and less time-consuming.

This episode will give you actionable strategies and insights to build a winning team and turn your hiring process into a competitive edge in today's challenging market. Whether you manage one hotel or hundreds, these tips are invaluable for anyone looking to improve their recruiting and hiring approach.

Resources:

• Video: How to Attract Gen Z Hospitality Employees
• Guide: Employer Branding Brilliance: Essential Strategies for Hotels
• Learn more about Hireology
• Get a product tour of Hireology

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Blackberry Farm was recently named the #1 hotel in America for food and drink by Food and Wine magazine. In our last episode, Andy Chabot explained how they've achieved this. In this episode, Andy shares their approach to hiring, training, and developing their people.

Listen now to learn about:

• Recruiting The Right People: Explore how Blackberry Farm "casts a wide net" to engage potential employees and how it assesses cultural fit quickly and effectively.
• Hiring and Training: Discover how Blackberry Farm prioritizes hiring good, genuine people and trains them to excel, regardless of their previous experience.
• Career Development: Learn about the tiered training program that allows employees to progress at their own pace, fostering personal and professional growth.
• Employee Engagement Strategies: Understand the changes implemented in 2009 that shifted the focus towards engaging their people and how they encourage both vertical and lateral movements within the company.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this episode offers valuable lessons on creating a thriving workplace culture and delivering exceptional service.

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Blackberry Farm was recently named the #1 hotel in America for food and drink by Food and Wine magazine, and in this episode - the first in an exclusive miniseries on this renowned Relais & Chateaux hotel in Tennessee - we're learning from Andy Chabot, who rose from a server at the property to its SVP of Food and Beverage.

What You'll Learn:

• The Art of Hospitality: Understand what makes Blackberry Farm a standout destination in America and how Southern hospitality is woven into its fabric.
• Culinary Excellence: Learn about the farm's ingredient-forward approach, how it emphasizes local produce, and the unique structure of having multiple executive chefs to diversify the culinary experience.
• Innovative Beverage Programs: Explore how Blackberry Farm caters to its guests' sophisticated palates with a diverse and deep beverage selection.
• Cultural and Community Engagement: Gain insight into how Blackberry Farm interacts with both the local and broader food and beverage community.
• Leadership and Culture: Hear from Andy about his leadership style and the organizational culture at Blackberry Farm, focusing on long-term, generational decision-making.
• Balance and Burnout Prevention: Learn how Andy and his teams manage work-life balance and prevent burnout in what could be a high-pressure environment.

Tune in to be inspired, informed, and invigorated by the magic of hospitality at Blackberry Farm.

If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy part 1 and part 2 of Andy's interview with The Grape Nation.

Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Send me a text message

This episode is brought to you with support from Sojern. I teamed up with Sojern to study how hoteliers use data to drive revenue and build stronger guest relationships. You can see what we found in this research report: How Hotel Brands Are Using First-Party Data to Drive Revenue & Build Stronger Relationships.

Want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day? Subscribe here for free.

Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Join us as we celebrate International Human Resources Day today by learning from Pablo Brizi, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Hilton Grand Vacations. Recently recognized as one of the best workplaces in America, Hilton Grand Vacations is at the forefront of creating exceptional workplace cultures.

In this episode, Pablo shares his unique career journey from Argentina to the hospitality industry in the United States and how he stewards a workplace culture that values each team member.

Listeners will learn about:

• Pablo's Career Journey: From aspirations in finance to becoming a leader in human resources, Pablo discusses his transition and the cultural adjustments in moving to the U.S.
• The Importance of Workplace Happiness: Explore why creating a happy workplace is more crucial than ever and how it contributes to overall business success.
• Tangible Benefits and Emotional Connections: Learn about Hilton Grand Vacations' strategies for ensuring team members' engagement and support, including innovative benefits and community involvement initiatives.
• Defining and Measuring Culture: Insights into how Hilton Grand Vacations defines and maintains its strong company culture.
• Integrating Culture in Mergers: Pablo provides valuable advice on managing company culture during mergers and acquisitions, a critical aspect for maintaining identity and morale during these significant organizational changes.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in human resources, corporate culture, and leadership within the hospitality industry. Tune in to better understand what makes a top workplace tick and how to apply these lessons to your business or career path.

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Today we're joined by Manny Yekutiel, the owner of Manny's, a cafe and civic event space in San Francisco's Mission District.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The Concept Behind Manny's: Discover how Manny's serves as a multifunctional space combining a cafe, bookstore, restaurant, and a hub for political and civic engagement.
• Community Building: Learn about the strategies Manny employs to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that acts as a living room for the neighborhood.
• Event Programming: Gain insights into how Manny curates diverse programming that caters to various interests, ensuring there's something for everyone.
• Civic Engagement Initiatives: Explore Manny's efforts beyond the cafe, including the Civic Joy Fund and Downtown First Thursdays, which aim to revitalize and add vibrancy to San Francisco's streets.
• Business Philosophy: Understand the role of small businesses in community building and how Manny's approach can inspire others.

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands