Shows
Moments That Matter PodcastBuilding Destination Campgrounds For A New GenerationWe explore how modern campgrounds are evolving from simple stopovers into destination experiences that blend reliable Wi‑Fi, family programming, and nature-forward design. Alex shares candid lessons from the GM seat on leadership, team culture, and measuring success beyond the P&L.• rise of Wi‑Fi as the fourth utility for remote work and homeschooling• designing destination parks with activities that beat boredom• balancing unplugged play with connected comforts• cabins vs RV sites and picking a clear market position• guest mix, regional travel patterns and average stay lengths• first‑timer RV education, setup help and saf...
2025-10-2745 min
Moments That Matter PodcastWhen Content Guides Instead Of Hides, Guests ConvertWhat if your hotel website felt like a concierge instead of a maze? We sit down with Thibault Selderslagh, co-founder of For Digital Sakes, to explore how luxury brands turn story, video, and smart UX into direct bookings. From cinematic homepages to no-fluff room tours, we break down the content choices that capture emotion first and remove doubt fast.Thibault traces his path from photographer in Bali to agency leader serving names like Belmond, Bulgari, Rosewood, and The World’s 50 Best. He explains why “digitally mature” teams invest in video across the full funnel: brand films at the to...
2025-10-2040 min
Moments That Matter PodcastWhat Happens When You Hound Someone Who Thinks You're Too Aggressive?At just 22 years old, Ed spotted a critical inefficiency in how hotels managed their online inventory—bookings arrived by fax and were manually entered into systems, creating endless headaches for hotels. When his employers dismissed his solution, he quit on the spot in a "Jerry Maguire moment" and launched Easy Yield with just $1,000. Without any software development knowledge, he found programmers on an early version of a freelance marketplace and built what became the industry's first channel management platform, eventually serving 5,000 hotels across 98 countries.Now as President of Flip To, Ed tackles hospitality's most challenging marketing problems, he...
2025-09-2954 min
Moments That Matter PodcastWhy Flexibility Matters in Hospitality PartnershipsBrent Hayhurst shares how Curator Hotel and Resort Collection supports independent hotels by providing tailored solutions that help them compete effectively while maintaining their unique identity and autonomy.• Supporting independent hotel owners seeking more autonomy and creativity in their businesses• Viewing each property as "a portfolio of one" with unique challenges and opportunities• Vetting vendor solutions based on value rather than using a pay-for-play model• Helping properties streamline operations and reduce friction in their tech stacks• Offering flexible membership terms that allow hotels to leave with 60 days' notice• Providing comprehensive services from tech solutio...
2025-09-2240 min
Moments That Matter PodcastChecked Out of Normal Life, Checked Into Hotels ForeverWho is Scott Eddy?He helps the hospitality industry connect with audiences in ways that drive revenue. Whether it’s through developing social media strategies, speaking on stages, sitting on advisory boards, or creating content on influencer campaigns, everything Scott does comes back to showing hospitality brands how to turn storytelling into ROI.www.mrscotteddy.comWhen tragedy struck Scott Eddy's life—his police officer father killed in the line of duty—his carefully planned future shattered. Instead of following the expected path, Scott pivoted to investment banking, unknowingly building the foundation for an extrao...
2025-09-1549 min
Moments That Matter PodcastHow Smart Hoteliers Win in Today's MarketPete DiMaio of Travel Boom shares insights on how independent hoteliers can thrive in today's competitive hospitality landscape by embracing digital marketing strategies that focus on authentic guest experiences. He explores the evolution of hotel marketing from traditional websites to social media and influencer-driven approaches that meet travelers where they make decisions.• Competition in hospitality is increasing, requiring smarter marketing beyond just opening doors• Independent hotels need to accentuate authentic experiences through their marketing• Travelers are booking much closer to their stay dates, creating revenue management challenges• Over 50% of travelers book destinations different from their or...
2025-09-0143 min
Moments That Matter PodcastHurricane, Pandemic, Resilience: One Resort's Remarkable JourneyKatja Kunz shares how Pink Shell Beach Resort has turned challenges into opportunities through a family-oriented culture, guest-focused improvements, and community support following multiple hurricanes including the devastating Ian in 2022.• Born and raised in Germany, transitioned from travel agent to hotel management with a master's degree• Started at the front desk before moving into sales, then revenue and marketing director roles• Core philosophy centers on "making memories" as the primary job of every employee• Recovered from Hurricane Ian's 17-foot storm surge by housing FEMA residents while rebuilding• Builds loyalty by including amenities others charge for...
2025-08-2544 min
Moments That Matter PodcastUntapped Potential in Hospitality | Hotel Experiences for ChildrenWanderland founder Saar Shai reveals how hotels can transform their business by creating magical experiences for children and teens, the most influential yet overlooked guests in hospitality.• Children powerfully influence family travel decisions, with 57% of teens involved in hotel selection• The "child journey" methodology examines each hospitality touchpoint from a kid's perspective• When hotels delight children, parents become lifelong loyal customers through "playground marketing"• Children remember and talk about their travel experiences extensively with friends, driving word-of-mouth• Hotels typically focus on adult amenities while overlooking simple opportunities to create wonder for kids• Reimagining...
2025-08-1146 min
Moments That Matter PodcastAre You Listening to Your Own Thoughts? From Music to MediaJon Bumhoffer shares his journey from hospitality worker to media producer, exploring how creativity thrives in collaborative environments and the importance of creating mental space for original thought in our content-saturated world.• Finding moments of silence helps foster creativity and innovation• Collaborative creativity creates better outcomes than solitary ideation• From touring musician to podcast producer, diverse experiences shape creative professionals• Modern Hotelier Media's unique approach to telling hotel stories through human perspectives• Signal-to-noise ratio determines professional success - focus is essential• The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego demonstrates exceptional storytelling opportunities in hospitality
2025-07-2145 min
Moments That Matter PodcastWhat Hotels Are Getting Wrong About Young TravelersImagine a generation raised on social media who, contrary to stereotype, are now desperately seeking real human connection in their travel experiences. This fascinating paradox sits at the heart of our conversation with Cassady Quintana, Brand Ambassador at Travel Media Group, who brings unique insights as both a marketing professional and a Gen Z traveler herself.The post-pandemic traveler landscape has shifted dramatically, with Gen Z (born 1997-2012) emerging as a powerhouse demographic that approaches travel decisions fundamentally differently than previous generations. "We're seeing a lot of trends recently, especially since COVID hit—that desire for real in...
2025-07-0739 min
The Modern Hotelier#179: How Video Can Supercharge Your Website | with Jason CraparoToday’s episode features hosts Steve Carran and David M., broadcasting from the iconic Dallara IndyCar Factory in Indianapolis with special guest Jason Craparo, CEO of Hovr—the company revolutionizing hotel websites with video storytelling.We dive into:How Hovr helps guests' book with confidence through seamless video integrationThe power of generative AI to supercharge marketing decisionsHow easy it is to implement Hovr with just one line of codeWhy video storytelling boosts engagement, CTRs, and direct bookingsWhat hotels get wrong about content—and how Hovr flips the scriptIf you're a hotel marketer, tech innovator, or hos...
2025-07-0206 min
Moments That Matter PodcastEvery Design Choice Should Stop The Scroll Or It's Not Worth MakingWhat turns a property from a place to stay into a story worth sharing? Ben Wollf has cracked the code.The cofounder of Onera and Oasi transformed from a consultant to hospitality innovator by creating architectural marvels that guests can't help but photograph. They're experiential destinations designed to transport guests into dreamlike natural settings while generating millions of views on social media.Wollf's journey illuminates the changing landscape of travel marketing. After COVID devastated his short-term rental business in 2020, he pivoted toward creating highly shareable, nature-immersive hospitality experiences. This pivot birthed not only successful properties...
2025-06-1641 min
Moments That Matter PodcastFailing Forward: How Ahmod Goins Creates Memorable Customer ExperiencesAhmod Goins shares his journey building G1 Productions and reveals how his 3C content system helps service-based businesses generate predictable leads. He discusses the importance of embracing failure, protecting your time, and creating content that captures attention while building emotional connections with your audience.• Consistency and learning from failure as key ingredients to business success• How to be intentional with your time and learn to say no to opportunities that don't serve your goals• The evolution from social media to "interest media" where attention is the most valuable currency• Beginning content creation with the end in m...
2025-06-0947 min
GAIN Momentum - Lessons from Leaders in Hospitality, Travel, Food Service, & TechnologyVideo is the Future of Hotel and Travel Websites | with Jason CraparoIn this episode, we interview Jason Craparo, CEO of Hovr. He previously held leadership roles at Juma Ventures and served on the City of San Diego's Equal Opportunity Commission. Jason earned his MBA from Babson College and is also a certified private pilot.************* LINKS & RESOURCES ************* The GAIN Momentum Podcast: focusing on timeless lessons to scale a business in hospitality, travel, and technology-centered around four key questions posed to all guests and hosted by Adam Mogelonsky. For more information about GAIN, head to: https://gainadvisors.com/Adam Mogelonsky is a GAI...
2025-05-2246 min
Moments That Matter PodcastWhy 75% of Guests Return: The Brittain BlueprintPatrick Norton's journey from a towel boy in upstate New York to Chief Marketing Officer and owner-partner at Brittain Resorts is a masterclass in hospitality leadership. After selling everything and moving to Myrtle Beach with just a hammock and clothes, Patrick applied to 150 resorts before landing at Compass Cove—beginning a remarkable 23-year relationship with Brittain Resorts that would transform both his life and the company.For aspiring hospitality leaders, Patrick's advice defies conventional wisdom: choose the challenging property over the well-performing one, as it offers greater opportunity to demonstrate your value. "If it didn't turn around, pe...
2025-05-1245 min
Moments That Matter PodcastFrom Cancer Survivor To Adding $1 Million In Revenue In 12 Months!🔥 FROM CANCER SURVIVOR TO HOSPITALITY GURU: How Mandy Murray Built a Million-Dollar Hotel TurnaroundAfter beating cancer THREE TIMES in her twenties, Mandy Murray transformed her second chance at life into hospitality excellence. Watch as she reveals how she promised her husband "12 months to increase revenue by $1 million" at their boutique hotel—and DELIVERED.Learn the "quiet luxury" secrets that transformed her career from teenage travel agent to Olympic VIP coordinator to private island developer in the Bahamas.This episode is ESSENTIAL for independent hoteliers with properties under 150 rooms who want to:▪️ Implement operation...
2025-05-0541 min
Moments That Matter PodcastThe Police Officer Who Became a HotelierWhat happens when a seasoned police officer steps away from law enforcement to save a family business in crisis? Andre Giannandrea, General Manager of the Post Hotel in Lake Louise, reveals his extraordinary journey from the Calgary Police Service to leading one of Canada's most prestigious luxury hotels.Now managing a Michelin-recognized property with 200 staff from around the world who both work and live together, Andre finds deep fulfillment in people development. His story illuminates how skills cultivated in one career can become the foundation for success in another, and offers powerful guidance for anyone considering a...
2025-03-1738 min
Moments That Matter PodcastHigh Heels and Windex: Finding Your Way in the Hospitality IndustryJennifer Miller is a seasoned hospitality leader with over 30 years of expertise in commercial strategy, specializing in revenue management, call center operations, and hotel operations across both independent and branded hotels. As the Director of Revenue Management at Guest Services, Inc., Jennifer drives strategic initiatives to maximize revenue, optimize profitability, and enhance operational efficiency. Since joining Guest Services in 2005, she has made significant contributions, from her tenure at the award-winning Doubletree Suites by Hilton Naples to her role in developing corporate revenue management practices across the company’s hotels and parks. Jennifer’s strategic insight also led to the crea...
2025-03-1046 min
Moments That Matter PodcastFrom Hospitality Beginnings to Tech InnovationsWho is David Millili? With nearly 30 years of experience in hospitality technology, David's mission is to drive technological solutions, provide strategic support, and share my knowledge to help hotels thrive in an increasingly complex landscape. As the former CEO of LodgIQ, David brought an AI-driven commercial strategy platform to hoteliers, helping them aggregate and action data for smarter and more efficient revenue management. Davis is also the Chairman of the Board at GAIN, where he supports start-ups and scaleups in the travel, hospitality, and MICE industries to achieve commercial momentum and growth. David also hosts The Modern Hotelier podcast...
2025-02-1055 min
Moments That Matter PodcastEmpathy-Driven Leadership, Team Well-Being, and the Power of Generosity in HospitalityChris Green is the founder of Cedar Road Investments, LLC, and W. Chris Green Advisory Services, bringing over 30 years of expertise in hospitality. He previously served as President of Remington Hospitality, overseeing 130+ properties across the US and Caribbean, and as CEO of Chesapeake Hospitality until their merger in 2022. Chris specializes in property acquisition, operations, organizational structure, and brand relations, with a focus on building culture-driven organizations. He frequently contributes to industry publications and podcasts like No Vacancy, sharing insights on leadership, company culture, and hospitality trends. He is also the author of The River Guide to Leadership....
2025-01-1346 min
Moments That Matter PodcastBalancing Leadership Demands with Personal PeaceMike Marshall, CEO, has spent over 35 years in the hotel industry, working in nearly every role and overseeing a portfolio of more than 175 properties. His experience spans luxury, limited-service, boutique, and non-branded hotels, giving him a unique perspective from the worker, operator, and owner viewpoints. A frequent speaker at top industry conferences, Marshall offers valuable insights into hotel management and investment. He holds a BA from Washington and Lee University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Cornell University, where he is a member of the Cornell Society of Hoteliers.Get ready to unlock the secrets of...
2025-01-0637 min
Moments That Matter PodcastTech Advances and Women's Leadership in Aviation's FutureAmy Burr is President of JetBlue Ventures (JBV), the venture capital arm of JetBlue Airways, where she leads investments in early-stage startups in travel, hospitality, and transportation. She has been with JBV since 2018, previously serving as Managing Director of Operations and Partnerships, building a strong ecosystem of partners for portfolio companies.With over two decades of experience in the travel industry, Amy co-founded Virgin America in 2004, holding various roles in strategy, technology, and revenue development. She later led Virgin America's merger with Alaska Airlines. Amy also worked at Continental Airlines in revenue management and corporate development. She...
2024-12-3031 min
Moments That Matter PodcastCrafting Connections: The Art of Hospitality and StorytellingWhat happens when you mix art school aspirations with the vibrant world of hospitality? Discover the fascinating journey of Don Barnett, the charismatic Director of Sales and Marketing at London's iconic London House in Chicago. Transitioning from art to hospitality, Don's story is one of financial responsibility meeting personal passion, and how his innate charm and creativity continue to thrive in an industry that demands both. Listen in as he shares insights on maintaining his artistic pursuits, including his current project—a breathtaking painting of the hotel’s stunning rooftop view.Explore how early life lessons and stor...
2024-12-2348 min
The Latest in TravelThe Latest in Travel Podcast with Jason Craparo - Hovr | EP 16🎙️ Welcome to Episode 16 of The Latest in Travel Podcast!
Tune in as Jason Craparo from Hovr shares his perspectives on the biggest trends redefining hospitality today, and best practices on how hotels can adapt to diverse guest demands through having a strong brand, effective storytelling, and guiding guest buying decisions.
🌍 Key Topics Explored:
1️⃣ Psychology of Hotel Website Design
2️⃣ Neuroscience of consumer decision-making
3️⃣ Guest Personalization Trends and Best Practices
4️⃣ The game-changing effects of AI on guest engagement.
🔊 Packed with practical tips and forward-thinking insights, this conversation with Roger and Jesus is a m...
2024-12-041h 24
Virtual GM - A Hotel Management PodcastCreating Moments that Matter with Hovr: A Conversation with Jason CraparoPodcast Description: Season 2, Episode 14 of the Virtual GM PodcastIn this exciting episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, we are joined by Jason Craparo, CEO & Founder of Hovr, the cutting-edge content delivery software that is revolutionizing the way marketers engage with their audience. Discover how Hovr's patented technology is transforming hospitality websites, driving engagement rates that soar 2000%-4000% above the industry average.Episode Highlights:Hovr Overview: Learn how Hovr enables marketers to deliver the right content to the right person at the right time, creating "Moments that Matter"...
2024-08-2936 minThe Modern Hotelier#88: Helping Hoteliers Use Content to Drive More Conversions | with Jason CraparoIn this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jason Craparo, CEO of Hovr, a technology company revolutionizing guest engagement in the hospitality industry. Jason shares his fascinating journey from dishwasher to successful entrepreneur, including his experiences as a Sonic Drive-In franchisee and his time at Babson College.The conversation dives deep into how Hovr is transforming the way hotels showcase their amenities and drive direct bookings. Jason explains how their innovative video content solution helps hotels increase conversions by 20-40 times the industry average. He discusses the importance of reducing risk and increasing...
2024-08-1346 min
Entrepreneur's EnigmaJason Craparo From Burger Flipping To Entrepreneur & FounderJason Craparo is the founder & CEO of Hovr. Prior to Hovr, Jason was on the executive management team of Juma Ventures, a national social enterprise operating in six US cities. Prior to Juma Ventures, Jason owned and operated restaurants for the national chain, Sonic Drive-in. Jason holds an MBA from Babson College, the #1 ranked entrepreneurship school in the world for 22 consecutive years, where he won the school’s top honor, the Roger W. Babson award and the top academic award, the Sorenson Scholar. Jason has won numerous leadership awards, most notably the ABC 10News Community Leadership award. He serves on...
2023-01-0321 min
Free IdeasThe Future of BrandingOn our first episode of our Penji Master Class series, we’ll delve into design thinking for branding, as well as the future of branding in a changing environment with guests Vic Steinman of the True Hand Society and Jason Craparo from ConTap.
Vic Steinman
Vic is a designer at the True Hand Society in Fishtown, Philadelphia, being there since November of 2018. True Hand is a small studio that specializes in branding as well as tattoos in separate departments.
Jason Craparo
Jason is the founder of the new app startup ConTap, which is a...
2019-04-1127 min