Defining Hospitality

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ In this episode of Defining Hospitality, host Dan Ryan talks with Oscar Mejia, Co-Founder of Asociacion de Casas a Hogares (Houses to Homes) based in Antigua, Guatemala. The discussion delves into Oscar's background, his passion for improving housing, education, and healthcare for underprivileged communities, and the impactful work of his organization. Dan shares personal experiences from his and his family's hands-on volunteer work in Guatemala, emphasizing the themes of hospitality, shelter, and community service. The episode highlights the challenges and successes of building homes and running a school in a region with significant poverty, along with ways people can get involved.Takeaways: Advocate for and participate in service projects like those organized by Houses to Homes. This can enhance social responsibility and create a positive impact.Build partnerships with charities and nonprofits that align with your brand’s values, showing your commitment to making a positive difference in the world.Encourage a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. This can lead to better team morale and productivity.Gather and share stories from volunteers who have had positive and transformative experiences with your service projects. Use these testimonials to promote your initiatives and attract more support.Develop efficient systems for handling materials and organizing volunteer groups. Well-organized projects make it easier for volunteers and enhance their overall experience.Promote your initiatives and impact through robust social media campaigns and updates. This can help in raising awareness and attracting support globally.Ensure that your service projects and hospitality services are inclusive, welcoming people from different backgrounds and religions, and reinforcing the universal appeal of hospitality.Quote of the Show:“ One of the most important things is improving the living conditions of the people. It's the main goal for us for sure.” - Oscar MejiaLinks:Website: https://www.fromhousestohomes.org/ Shout Outs:12:55 - Joe Collins https://www.fromhousestohomes.org/aboutus/ 13:20 - Darren Collins https://www.fromhousestohomes.org/aboutus/ 24:19 - Santa Maria de Jesus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Mar%C3%ADa_de_Jes%C3%BAs 51:27 - Judy Baker https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-baker-1b247a35/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ In this episode of Defining Hospitality, host Dan Ryan chats with Marc Bromley, Regional VP and General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C. The discussion delves into the essence of hospitality, nurturing a culture of care, and powerful leadership lessons from Marc's father, Stan Bromley, a legendary figure in the industry. Marc shares his path in hospitality, the importance of attention to detail, and balancing professional commitments with personal life. The conversation also covers recruitment strategies, maintaining high standards, and Marc's enthusiasm for what lies ahead for Four Seasons.Takeaways: Prioritize creating a culture of care within your organization. This means placing a high value on caring for employees first, which in turn enhances the customer experience.Implement regular employee opinion surveys (at least twice a year) to gauge employee satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. Take this feedback seriously and create action plans based on the results.Emphasize the importance of attention to detail among your team. Lead by example and teach your team to notice and address small issues before they become big problems.Provide your managers with opportunities to lead by ensuring they are the ones to address issues raised by senior leadership or general managers, rather than bypassing them.Focus on hiring for will and training for skill. Invest in continuous training and development programs that align with your organizational culture.Create a robust feedback mechanism where employees receive regular and constructive feedback. Recognize and reward good performance, and provide support and training where needed.Encourage a work-life balance within your team. Promote wellness initiatives and ensure that employees do not burn out.Quote of the Show:“ Not to say we won't move heaven and earth and create legendary, world-class, luxurious, five-star experiences for our guests, but we openly declare that the employee comes first.” - Marc BromleyLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbromley/ Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/ Shout Outs:1:11 - Stan Bromley https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/A-star-hotelier-bids-a-fond-farewell-Four-2564654.php 1:53 - The Admiral’s Club https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club.jsp 1:54 - San Francisco International Airport https://www.flysfo.com/ 2:23 - Jordan Bromley https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-bromley-278742b8/ 7:45 - Wolf Blitzer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Blitzer 7:47 - Bill Clinton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton 9:12 - Ohio State University https://www.osu.edu/ 9:15 - Michigan State University https://msu.edu/ 9:43 - Issy Sharp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isadore_Sharp 10:06 - Hyatt https://www.hyatt.com/ 11:09 - Peninsula Hotels https://www.peninsula.com/en/default 14:05 - Forbes https://www.forbes.com/ 14:07 - TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/ 14:09 - Michelin Guide https://guide.michelin.com/en 40:02 - Mike Tyson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Tyson Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Today, Dan Ryan hosts Dwayne MacEwen, a renowned architecture and design professional, and Founder and Principal of DMAC Architecture and Interiors. The conversation delves into Dwayne's journey from working at Jordan Moser to starting his own company. They discuss his innovative approach in the hospitality industry and explore his projects like the award-winning American Airlines lounge and unconventional methods—bending wire sculptures, carving topography models, and prioritizing intuitive design without heavy reliance on signage. The episode emphasizes the importance of creative processes, client relationships, and pushing the boundaries of traditional design.Takeaways: Approach spaces with an outside-the-box mentality. Design shouldn't just meet the programmatic needs but also transcend and innovate beyond traditional expectations.Personalize spaces using hospitality as a guiding principle, even if they fall outside traditional hospitality contexts (e.g., airport lounges, utility buildings).Reduce dependence on signage by using materials and layouts that intuitively guide guests through spaces.Engage deeply with client feedback and adapt designs accordingly—a close, collaborative approach can lead to unique and successful outcomes.Trust and invest in the design process, from initial sketches to full-scale mockups. This can ensure a holistic, well-thought-out final product.Small details, such as acoustics and material finishes, can significantly enhance the guest experience. Pay attention to elements that might not be obvious but improve the overall ambiance.Be open to new challenges and projects outside your immediate expertise. This can lead to innovative solutions and broader experience.Quote of the Show:“ We succeeded at developing something really special by thinking outside of the box and applying hospitality to everything that we do.” - Dwayne MacEwenLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-macewen-7b0b8615/ Website: https://dmacarch.com/ Shout Outs:0:45 - BDNY https://bdny.com/ 0:46 - Global Hospitality Talk https://globalhospitalitytalk.com/ 2:04 - Jordan Mozer https://www.jordanmozer.com/ 4:51 - HD Expo https://hdexpo.hospitalitydesign.com/ 5:08 - Midtown Athletic Club https://www.midtown.com/ 6:57 - American Airlines https://www.aa.com/homePage.do 7:05 - Reagan National Airport https://www.flyreagan.com/ 12:32 - Joe Pilates https://pilateslessons.org/article/joseph-pilates/ 22:31 - Michael Jordan https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/chef-news/michael-jordan-owner-partner-michael-jordan-s-restaurant-160-blue-michael-jordan-s-the-steak-house 23:10 - The Admiral’s Club https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club.jsp 26:43 - The Concourse Club https://www.concourseclubnj.com/ 27:13 -  Helio Castroneves https://www.indycar.com/drivers/helio-castroneves 27:48 - Aaron Weiss https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-weiss-38684423/ 29:44 - Larry Traxler https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytraxler/ 29:45 - Mike Suomi https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesuomi/x 35:57 - Wallpaper Magazine https://www.wallpaper.com/ 49:59 - Chicago Mothership https://www.mothershiplaunchpad.com/ 51:11 - Cornell University https://www.cornell.edu/ 52:46 - AJ Capital https://www.ajcpt.com/ 59:11 - The Supper Club https://thesupperclubinc.com/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ In today’s episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Ashley Ewing Parrott, Founder and Principal Creative Director at AEP Hospitality Consulting and Co-Founder of The Saturday Crowd. The discussion delves into how Ashley's creative direction and strategic insights have helped transform the hospitality industry. They explore what hospitality truly means, the importance of branding, and how a well-crafted guest experience can drive revenue. Ashley shares her journey from her early aspirations to her current success in creating award-winning hospitality experiences like The Wayback in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They also discuss the role of big brands in independent hotels and the delicate balance between maintaining unique guest experiences and leveraging corporate support.Takeaways: Get crystal clear on the client's vision and goals for the project at the beginning. Use creative exercises such as mood boards to align on aesthetics and objectives.Choose team members who are uniquely suited for the project. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and instead match the project's needs with the team's strengths.Elevate guest experience to be on par with other critical factors like budget and schedule.Bring in branding experts early in the process to ensure the property has character and depth. Late integration of branding can result in a soulless, two-dimensional product.For soft-branded properties affiliated with larger hotel chains, maintain brand-specific uniqueness while meeting essential standards like cleanliness and functional operational metrics.Create a compelling narrative around the property, from design elements to guest services. This helps set the property apart and attract a targeted audience.Utilize the positive feedback and loyalty programs from affiliated brands to boost occupancy while maintaining high ADRs through distinctive brand elements.Quote of the Show:“People are craving and then are subsequently willing to pay for connection, feeling connected to something.” - Ashley Ewing ParrottLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyewingparrott/ Website: https://www.aepconsulting.com/ Saturday Crowd: https://www.thesaturdaycrowd.com/ Shout Outs:1:37 - Rubell Museum https://rubellmuseum.org/ 1:38 - Independent Lodging Congress https://ilcongress.com/ 1:48 - Jackie Wright https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-wright-70b80125/ 2:18 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 14:46 - The Wayback https://www.waybackhotel.com/ 22:30 - The Cavalier https://www.cavalierresortvb.com/ 24:39 - IHG https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/reservation 24:41 - Kimpton Hotels https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/hotels/us/en/reservation 26:01 - Bunkhouse https://www.bunkhousehotels.com/ 26:11 - Merit https://merithotels.com/en/about-us 34:14 - Hyatt https://www.hyatt.com/brands/hyatt 34:15 - Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/