In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tate Hackert, founder and president of ZayZoon, to discuss earned wage access and financial empowerment in the hospitality industry. Hackert shares his entrepreneurial journey from small-town beginnings to revolutionizing employee pay access, along with insights on business growth and workplace benefits.

Key Topics:

• How did ZayZoon transform from a manual loan service into a comprehensive fintech platform?
• What new features are planned in ZayZoon's rewards and recognition tools?
• How can earned wage access benefit both employees and employers in the hospitality industry?
• How does ZayZoon's integration with payroll providers work?

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tate-hackert/

ZayZoon: https://www.zayzoon.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/110

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

How is Springboard addressing the housing affordability crisis for hospitality workers in expensive markets?

Join hosts David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Benjamin Rafter, President and CEO of Springboard Hospitality, for an insightful discussion about the intersection of technology and hospitality. With a unique background spanning from tech startups to hotel management, Rafter shares his journey from selling a company to Amazon to leading a portfolio of 47 independent hotels across 14 states.

Learn about his innovative approach to hospitality, including why he puts his personal cell phone number in every hotel room, his strategies for tackling staffing challenges in high-cost markets, and his candid thoughts on technology adoption in the hotel industry.

Key Topics:

• How did a tech executive end up running a hotel company?
• What makes an ideal property for Springboard's portfolio?
• Which hotel technologies are actually delivering value?
• Why is technology adoption so slow in hospitality?

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Ben Rafter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-rafter-623a702/
Springboard Hospitality: https://www.springboardhospitality.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/109

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Independent hotels are the creative spark for the Hospitality Industry. So, what's the current state of the Independent Hospitality sector?

In this episode, David and Steve head to the Independent Lodging Congress in Sausalito, CA to talk about the latest insights and challenges happening in the Independent hotel space. On this episode, we hear from Brigette Harenda the President of B&Co., Romal Jayswal, Co-founder & CEO at StayNow, Jacqueline Nunley, Travel and Hospitality Advisor at Salesforce, and Ryan Foat, Dream Facilitator at THREE SIXTY.

Key Topics:

• How is Milwaukee's hospitality scene evolving beyond being "Chicago's shadow"?
• Why are some hoteliers hesitant to embrace new technology?
• How can hotels maintain service quality while adopting new technology?
• What will define luxury hospitality in 2025?

The Modern Hotelier is the official podcast of the Independent Lodging Congress

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Brigette Harenda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigetteharenda/
B&Co.: https://bcobranding.com/

Romal Jayswal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rj411/
StayNow: https://staynow.com/

Jacqueline Nunley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinesnunley/
Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/

Ryan Foat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanfoat/
THREE SIXTY: https://threesixtymke.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/108

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

In this episode, hosts David and Steve speak with Judy Chen from Hyatt Hotels Corporation, who shares her expertise on topics ranging from disaster response in the hotel industry to labor retention strategies and major sporting events' impact on hospitality markets.

Key Topics:

• The hospitality industry's response to Hurricane Milton, highlighting how smaller hotel groups offered discounted rates to those in need
• Chef Jose Andres' new venture into the hotel business with Hotel Bazaar in Washington DC's Georgetown
• The latest rankings of top business destinations worldwide
• AAA's new five-diamond hotel awards featuring properties in San Francisco, Miami Beach, and Chicago
• Key insights from the Lodging Conference in Phoenix about employee retention in the hotel industry
• Atlanta's selection as the 2028 Super Bowl host city and its implications for the hospitality sector

The show brings together industry experts for engaging discussions about current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the hospitality world, offering both analysis and personal insights from those working in the field.

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Hurricane Milton- Hotels offering discounted rates
Jose Andres is launching a luxury hotel brand
Top Business Destinations
AAA Awards Five Diamond Status To Chicago, Miami and San Francisco Hotels
Retaining Hoteliers
Super Bowl is coming back to Atlanta in 2028

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/107

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil

What valuable insights does she offer for hoteliers looking to enhance their guest experience and brand presence?

On this special episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Mandy Murry, CEO of Hospitality Concierge. From her early days as a teenage travel agent in Salt Lake City to running the VIP torch relay program for the 2002 Olympics, Murry shares her fascinating journey in hospitality. Now a sought-after consultant for independent and boutique hotels, she discusses the emerging 'Resortcore' trend, the importance of authentic guest experiences, and how independent hotels can leverage technology and storytelling to stay competitive. Murry also offers valuable insights on community engagement, social media strategy, and her predictions for the future of independent hospitality in 2025. Whether you're a hotelier or industry professional, this episode delivers practical tips for elevating your property's guest experience and brand presence.

Key Topics:

• What exactly is Hospitality Concierge and what services do you provide?
• How should hotels leverage their website and video content?
• What is "Resortcore" and how can independent hotels embrace it?
• Will truly independent hotels continue to exist as larger brands acquire them?
• How important is dropping "old school" thinking in modern hospitality?

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by Mandy Murry & Hospitality Concierge: https://mandymurry.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Mandy Murry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allmandy/

Hospitality Concierge: https://mandymurry.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/106

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil

In today's episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Eric Lutz, CEO of Olive. A California native who started his career as an overnight front desk agent, Lutz shares his journey from hospitality operations to founding a hotel technology company. The conversation explores how Olive's personalization platform is helping hotels improve their digital presence and direct booking experience, while discussing broader industry trends including AI adoption, labor challenges, and the future of independent hotels. Lutz offers valuable insights on balancing operational efficiency with guest experience and shares his vision for hospitality technology in 2025. The discussion culminates with his passionate take on why hospitality remains an exciting and growing industry, despite current challenges.

Key Topics:

• How has Olive improved hotels' direct business and revenue?
• What does Olive's platform do for hotels?
• Why are hoteliers hesitant to adopt new technology?
• What role does AI play in improving guest service?
• The prediction for the independent hotel sector in 2025?

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by Olive.

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Eric Lutz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-lutz-%F0%9F%AB%92-4871b067/

Olive: https://www.tryolive.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/105

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil

Want to know how a former touring musician is disrupting the way hotels book live entertainment?

In today's episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Mir Hwang, CEO of GigFinesse - a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing how hotels book live entertainment. Hwang shares his fascinating journey from touring session drummer to tech entrepreneur, including his bold decision to forgo med school and convince his Google-employed cousin to join his venture - much to their traditional Asian American parents' initial dismay.

The conversation explores how GigFinesse is transforming the hospitality industry by streamlining the complex process of booking live entertainment. Handling over 1,500 shows monthly nationwide, the platform connects venues with talent while eliminating unnecessary middlemen and manual processes. Hwang offers valuable insights into the evolving hospitality landscape, where hotels are increasingly becoming cultural hubs rather than just places to check in and out.

Key Segments:

• Mir's multicultural upbringing and its influence on his entrepreneurial spirit
• The dramatic pivot during COVID-19 that tested GigFinesse's resilience
• How convincing his Google-employed cousin to join the startup led to seven missed calls from mom
• Inside look at the changing landscape of hotel entertainment
• The future trends shaping independent hotels in 2025

Sponsor spot:

This episode is sponsored by GigFinesse

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Mir Hwang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mir-hwang-6511a2177/

GigFinesse: https://www.gigfinesse.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/104

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil

Independent hotels are the creative spark for the Hospitality Industry. So, what's the current state of the Independent Hospitality sector?

In this episode, David and Steve head to the Independent Lodging Congress in Sausalito, CA to talk about the latest insights and challenges happening in the Independent hotel space. On this episode, we hear from Dan Jacobs, the Chef/Owner, of award-winning restaurants, Dandan & EsterEv, in Milwaukee, Gaurav (GB) Sharma, Founder of MOSAIC, Audrey Yates, the VP of Hotel Partnerships at Stash Hotel Rewards, and Brian Polster the Creative Director at THREE SIXTY.

Key Topics:

• What is the company's role in the hospitality industry
• How does ILC compare to other industry events
• What makes ILC unique in terms of networking and atmosphere
• How are businesses preparing for upcoming industry changes
• The Industry Innovation

The Modern Hotelier is the official podcast of the Independent Lodging Congress

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Dan Jacobs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-jacobs-ba774327b/
Gaurav Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbnewyork/

Audrey Yates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-yates-0b5331b4/
Brian Polster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianpolster/

EsterEv | Milwaukee Private Dining Restaurant: https://chefdanjacobs.com/
MOSAIC: https://mosaicinabox.com/
Stash Hotel Rewards: https://www.stashrewards.com/
THREE SIXTY: https://threesixtymke.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/103

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...