Jessica Gillingham is a public relations expert in the hospitality and lodging space. She is the founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide, a public relations agency she launched in 2017 to focus on raising the profile of transformative technology solutions and enterprise operators in the global short-term rental, lodging, and living sectors.With over 20 years of experience in travel, hospitality, and technology, Jessica is also an advisor, board member, leadership mentor, and industry commentator on the confluence between hospitality, living, and property. Her company sits at the heart of the developing intersection between work, life, and play and partners with brands leading in this transformation.In this episode, you'll discover:- How good PR is the secret to gaining traction quickly- Why the short-term rental "Gold Rush" is over- How storytelling helps to make sense of your message and translate it to your ideal audience- Why you need to invest in your story, brand, awareness, and education.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: https://makemore.media/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/45Follow 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...

Jeanelle Johnson is a Principal, Lead Client Partner and Travel, Transportation and Hospitality (TTH) sector Co-Leader at PwC, focused on client service, industry perspective and research for the firm’s leading TTH clients. With nearly 25 years of experience at leading investment banking and consulting firms, Jeanelle’s passion is to help clients with strategic planning around their growth and investment agendas and advise on business-wide risks and value drivers in their business transformations. Recently, her focus has been on digital transformation in the hospitality industryIn this episode, you'll discover:- Jeanelle's journey to make partner at PwC- How the ecosystem of multiple stakeholders impacts tech adoption in hospitality- How the industry's "Technical Debt" is slowing its digital transformation- Why there is no ceiling to a career in the hospitality industry- How human-led, tech-enabled hospitality is improving the guest experience- How to think about sustainability and reducing waste in hotelsJoin the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page.The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media: https://makemore.media/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/44Follow 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...

Melinda Welch is a brand and experience strategy leader. She is the head of strategy at Brand Bureau, teaches branding at the School for Visual Arts and the Pratt Institute, and is the co-host of the BrandBox Podcast. Melinda is an expert in helping brands craft unique perspectives and connect deeply with their audience through design. Throughout the episode, Melinda shares valuable insights into the power of branding and how it can effectively communicate a message to consumers, helping hotels, products, and services stand out in a crowded marketplace.In this episode, you'll learn:  The HUGE opportunity that hotels have in branding correctly  Why it's essential to know your audience and to keep checking in on who your audience is  The importance of alignment in effective branding  How AI is affecting branding now and for the foreseeable future What the objective of branding is  Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page.This Episode is sponsored by CartStack RezRecover. You don’t have to have a “shopping cart” to have a cart abandonment problem! RezRecover works the same for online booking engines as it does for ecommerce websites, by tracking your almost-customers, and sending them conversion focused emails, SMS messages and push notifications to get them back to complete their purchase.Exclusive Cartstack discount for The Modern Hotelier Listeners: Exclusive Cartstack discount for The Modern Hotelier Listeners: https://www.cartstack.com/sign-up/?cp=rezrecover&partner=modernhotelierThe Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media: https://makemore.media/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/43Follow 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, we speak with Nick Horgan, who is the CCO at Amaze Insights. We delve into the world of selling into hotels, technology adoption, and the importance of relationships in the hospitality industry. Nick shares his experiences, from working at NewMarket, to being a part of building a successful company and navigating acquisitions, to emphasizing the importance of integrity and reputation in retaining customers.In this episode, you'll learn about: The truth behind what really goes into winning a deal Why it's important to have integrity and a good reputation How taking risks will lead you to discover the right opportunities. The importance of sales and positioning The positive impact of embracing and investing in technology So, sit back, relax, and get ready for an episode filled with insightful conversations, expert advice, and a touch of inspiration.The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media: https://makemore.media/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/42Follow 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...

Welcome back to another episode of The Modern Hotelier! Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of cannabis-focued travel and the evolving cannabis travel trend. Our guest, Brian Applegarth, is here to shed light on this growing industry and share his expertise on creating enriching experiences for cannabis enthusiasts. From cannabis consumption lounges to effect pairing methods, Brian covers it all. We'll explore the history and potential benefits of cannabis, the importance of mindful consumption, and how hotels can adapt to the rising popularity of cannabis. Get ready for an episode filled with education, inspiration, and a look into the future of cannabis in hospitality. Let's dive in!In this episode, you'll discover: The growing and evolving cannabis travel audience The risks of not being proactive in implementing cannabis strategies. How cannabis effect-pairing (like wine pairing) is enhancing travel & hospitality experiences How hotels can utilize hemp products, such as CBD and CBN How to get started implementing a cannabis strategy on your property How some hotels are adapting to the budding cannabis landscape The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media: https://makemore.media/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/41Follow 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...