In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Gabriel Perez from Indigo Road to unpack April’s biggest shifts in hospitality.

They dive into why boutique hotels are leading in RevPAR despite growing consumer caution, the booming popularity of camping and outdoor experiences, and how sports tourism is becoming a massive economic driver—from the NFL Draft to the upcoming World Cup.

They also discuss the evolving tourism dynamics between the US and Canada, the rise of mobile bookings, and how hotels can adapt to trends such as glamping and experiential travel. Gabriel also shares exciting growth updates from Indigo Road, including historic revitalization projects and thoughtfully curated restaurant expansions in Florida.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Boutique hotels led RevPAR in 2024, uncertainty in 2025
• The Great Outdoor Revival
• Canadians avoiding US travel
• Sports Tourism
• Mobile Phones are primary booking tool
• Latest things happening at Indigo Road

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rUq7MCV_tZM

This episode is sponsored by Indigo Road: https://www.theindigoroad.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:
Indigo Road: https://www.theindigoroad.com/

Gabriel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehotelier/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/154

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, we’re joined by Elizabeth Bakhash, co-owner of Three Ducks Hotel—a new 12-room boutique hotel in Westhampton that's redefining the luxury Hamptons experience. With a rich background in branding and real estate, Elizabeth shares how she’s building more than just a hotel—she’s curating a guest experience rooted in nature, local partnerships, and a little bit of whimsy (yes, the ducks have names!).

We dive into:

• Why less is more when it comes to amenities
• The inspiration behind Three Ducks' brand and playful personality
• Designing with intention—from "garden fresh interiors" to the flexible barn space
• How her branding background shapes everything from the digital experience to the on-site details

Listen now and let us know your thoughts!
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/upcie85s7qs

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:
Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-bakhash-42239529/
Three Ducks Westhampton: https://www.threeduckswesthampton.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/153

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 special episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran take you behind the scenes at BITAC’s Sales, Marketing & Revenue Management Summit at the Hotel Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, CA.

This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and moments that define what makes BITAC unlike any other event in hospitality.

Featuring exclusive interviews with:

• Lucy Eason (Plusgrade) – On the power of upselling tech and why BITAC’s intentionality makes it so special
• Robert Marusi (Hotel del Coronado) – On being a disruptor and putting the customer first
• Nick Horgan (Amaze Insights) – On starting the BITAC sales and marketing summit and how to get 3x ROI from events
• Jack Tadami (Vella AI) – On building genuine relationships that go beyond name tags
• Lynsey Kreitzer (GF Hotels & Resorts) – On personalization, pre-research, and what sets BITAC apart from massive trade shows

Tune in to hear:

• Why relationships matter more than ever
• How technology is evolving hotel revenue strategies
• What makes BITAC different from every other event

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xAtehukK-FQ

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:
Jack Tadami on LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/jack-tadami-1086b6aa/overlay/about-this-profile
Vella AI: https://www.vellaai.co/

Nick Horgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-horgan/

Amaze Insights: https://www.amazeinsights.com/

Robert Marusi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-marusi-b6267739/

Hotel del Coronado: https://www.hoteldel.com/

Lucy Eason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyeason/

Plusgrade: https://www.plusgrade.com/

Lynsey Kreitzer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynseykreitzer/

GF Hotels & Resorts: https://www.gfhotels.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/152

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, we sit down with powerhouse changemaker Anna Blue, whose journey from politics to hospitality is anything but ordinary. With roots in education policy, social impact, and gender equity, Anna brings a fresh and fearless perspective to an industry craving innovation and inclusivity.

We talk about:

• Lessons from leading DEI, advocacy, and workforce transformation initiatives
• How the hospitality industry can better attract and retain young talent
• Why silence on issues like immigration and DEI is holding the industry back
• The powerful story behind the Forward initiative and No Room for Trafficking

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nl3WHQ5tGYQ

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:
Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-blue/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/151

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, Steve and David sit down with Andrew Rubinacci, Chief Advisory Officer at FLYR, to unpack how AI and next-gen data systems are reshaping the hospitality industry. With a background spanning 35 years in commercial strategy, Andrew brings deep insight into why pulling reports for five hours a day is a thing of the past—and how hotels can now optimize rates, personalize experiences, and drive revenue in real time.

We dive into:

• Why legacy systems hold hospitality back
• How FLYR uses AI to optimize room pricing 24x a day
• The shift from tactical roles to strategic leadership in revenue management
• What makes BITAC unique for real business-building conversations
• The future of AI-powered guest experiences and seamless upselling

If you're in hospitality, tech, or just want to hear from someone who’s shaking up a traditional industry with bold ideas, this one’s for you.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MS7H5YKyP00

This episode is sponsored by FLYR: https://flyr.com/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:
Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrubinacci/
FLYR: https://flyr.com/hospitality/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/150

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, we're joined by Heather Knutson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ascent360, live from her very first BITAC Conference! Heather shares her candid journey from googling “what is a CDP?” to leading one of the most advanced customer data platforms in hospitality.

We dive into the real difference between a CRM and a CDP, how hotels can leverage guest data to deliver deeply personalised experiences, and why automation is the key to solving staffing shortages and boosting revenue. Heather also unpacks real-world strategies—from pre-arrival campaigns and spa upsells to retargeting wedding guests—that boutique and independent hotels can use to compete with the big players.

If you’re in hospitality and want to understand your guests better, boost direct bookings, and build loyalty without relying on outdated point systems, this one’s for you.

Key takeaways:

• What a CDP really is (and why it matters)
• Automation tips that free up your staff
• Personalisation done right: segmentation, dynamic content & "golden records"
• How to drive direct bookings and outsmart the OTAs
• The RFM score that could change how you treat your top guests

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Azb5dawDu84

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:
Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathersharpknutson/
Ascent360: https://ascent360.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/149

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 special episode, Steve and David sit down with Rich Viola, the visionary behind BITAC, for a heartwarming and eye-opening conversation about what makes business relationships actually meaningful.

Rich shares the 21-year journey of creating BITAC—from its accidental beginnings as an online news platform to becoming a culture-shifting conference experience that’s anything but traditional. He dives into how BITAC helps people go beyond business cards and LinkedIn connections, creating an environment where real friendships are formed, personal stories are shared, and even lifelong bonds are born.

From tales of serendipitous reunions to game night rivalries and heartwarming wedding celebrations, this episode is packed with stories that prove when you build relationships first, the business will follow.

Tune in to hear:

• Why assigned seating and small groups at BITAC are a game changer
• How Rich transformed a chance meeting into a decades-long friendship
• What makes BITAC feel more like a family reunion than a business event

Get ready to rethink what a conference can be—and maybe, just maybe, be inspired to make some music of your own.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OEdMlR29FJY

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:
Rich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-viola-690913b/
BITAC: https://bitac.net/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/148

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 do luxury kitchens, global events, and linen-less tables have in common?

In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Andrew Moffett, Chief Brand Officer at Southern Aluminum, for a conversation full of passion, innovation, and a few surprises—like a deep dive into linen-less tables.

Andrew takes us on his unique journey from the kitchens of the Four Seasons to the boardrooms of hospitality's top innovators. With a background in culinary arts and years of experience leading global events for Marriott, Andrew shares how he’s now redefining meeting and event spaces through design, culture, and collaboration.

What You’ll Learn:

• How a chef’s mindset influences brand strategy and leadership
• Why linen-less tables are a game-changer for hotels and events
• The power of designing experiences (not just furniture)
• How customer collaboration fuels product innovation
• What’s next for Southern Aluminum—including tech-integrated podiums and mobile chef stations

Tune in now and let us know what resonated most. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iwWeCKYFNNI

This episode is sponsored by Southern Aluminum: https://southernaluminum.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:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-moffett-7a943711/

Southern Aluminum: https://southernaluminum.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/147

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.