The Modern Hotelier

Each episode we discuss industry trends, talk about new technologies, and speak to industry experts. All so that you, The Modern Hotelier, can succeed in a new age of hospitality.

The Modern Hotelier is a society podcast hosted by David Millili & Steve Carran, with 334 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

David Millili & Steve Carran hosts The Modern Hotelier, a society show with 334 episodes published.

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  The Modern Hotelier

  #337: How Revenue Management Is Changing & Giving Independent Hotels An Advantage | with Steve Taft & Tim Kolman

  Oct 1, 202628 min

  What can a modern revenue management system (RMS) actually do for an independent hotel? In this episode, David Millili sits down with Steve Taft, VP of Partnerships at ampliphi RMS, and Tim Kolman, VP of Sales at ampliphi RMS, to discuss how modern revenue management systems are helping independent hotels compete with larger brands. For many 40-room independent hotels, revenue management is still something owners and operators handle at the end of a long day. From check-ins and check-outs to laundry, breakfast, maintenance, and guest service, there is often little time left for analyzing demand and optimizing room rates. In this episode, we discuss: Why independent hotels have historically been underserved by hospitality technology How a 40-room independent hotel can approach hotel pricing and revenue management Why legacy RMS technology created the perception that revenue management requires extensive manpower The difference between an all-in-one hotel technology stack and a best-in-breed technology strategy If you're a hotel owner, general manager, revenue manager, hospitality technology professional, or independent hotel operator interested in hotel revenue optimization, RMS technology, AI for hotels, dynamic pricing, RevPAR, commercial strategy, and independent hotel technology, this episode is for you. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bmg2EWB-8NU Links: Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetaft/ Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkolman/ ampliphi RMS: https://www.getampliphi.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/337 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David: Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E... David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

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  The Modern Hotelier

  #336: What the Next Generation of Hotel Technology Looks Like | with Mark Bloomquist & Steve Burman

  Sep 30, 202622 min

  roommaster is evolving—and the future of hotel technology is all about modernization, flexibility, and helping hoteliers work smarter. In this episode, recorded at the Independent Hotel Show Miami, Steve Carran sits down with Mark Bloomquist, Chief Revenue Officer, and Steven Burman, Director of Sales at roommaster, to discuss how the 30-year-old hospitality technology platform is being reimagined for the next generation of hoteliers. They explore what “modern” really means in hotel technology, why hoteliers are looking for more unified platforms, and how roommaster is combining PMS functionality with revenue management, reporting, AI, integrations, and human support. The conversation also dives into the growing role of AI in hospitality, not as a replacement for hotel staff, but as a way to automate repetitive tasks and free teams to focus more on guest experience. Mark and Steven also explain why human account management and personalized support remain critical as technology continues to evolve. In this episode, you'll learn about: How roommaster has evolved after 30 years in hospitality What “modern” hotel technology actually means Why hoteliers want all-in-one platforms and seamless integrations Where AI belongs in the hotel guest journey Who roommaster is designed to serve Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gSHANsDJSmw Links: Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-bloomquist-a7a4639/ Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenburman99/ roommaster: https://www.roommaster.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/336 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David: Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E... David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

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  The Modern Hotelier

  #335: How Custom Furniture Help Hotels Tell A Story | with Chandler Smith & Natali Jones

  Sep 29, 20268 min

  In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier , hosted by David Millili live from the Independent Hotel Show Miami, we sit down with Chandler Smith and Natali Jones, the creative minds behind the design atelier Smith & Jones. Smith & Jones is redefining high-end residential and niche commercial spaces with custom furniture, fine decor, and art curation. Chandler and Natali break down what it truly means to operate as an atelier—collaborating closely with architects, artists, and designers to bring unique stories to life. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Smith & Jones acts as a collaborative bridge between design teams and American craftspeople. Why supporting local manufacturing ensures quality, fosters future trade generations, and speeds up problem-solving. How to achieve an interior space that feels thoughtfully collected over years—rather than bought all at once—even on tight project timelines. How advances in contract-grade material technology are enabling North American hotels to adopt bolder, more unexpected design choices without sacrificing code compliance or durability. The Smith & Jones' broader capabilities, including art curation, custom fabrication, and rapid problem-solving for unexpected site conditions. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yEoWCswFqUQ This episode is sponsored by Smith & Jones: https://www.bysmithandjones.com/ Links: Smith & Jones on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bysmithandjones/ Smith & Jones: https://www.bysmithandjones.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/335 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David: Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E... David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

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  The Modern Hotelier

  #334: Building an AI Workforce For Hotels | with Jonathan Lei

  Sep 28, 20268 min

  How are hotel AI employees and hotel software automation reshaping front-desk workload, guest messaging, and back-office efficiency? In this special Independent Hotel Show Miami episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jonathan Lei, Co-Founder & CEO of withQ. Jonathan breaks down how withQ AI builds digital workforce solutions to tackle the ongoing hotel workforce shortage, handle AI guest communications across voice, SMS, and email, and optimize complex hotel operational workflows. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why hoteliers struggle with system fatigue and how hotel AI employees free up teams to focus on 5-star face-to-face guest care. How hotel voice AI manages incoming guest inquiries, customizes holiday/vacation packages, builds itineraries, and automates reservation flows. Why guest detection of hospitality AI has dropped from 70% to under 30%—and why travelers now prioritize speed over human interaction. How withQ built 70% of its customer base organically through industry trade show networking and client referrals. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tw_XnLlUneM This episode is sponsored by withQ: https://withq.ai/ Links: Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhiwei-lei/ withQ: https://withq.ai/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/334 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David: Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E... David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

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  The Modern Hotelier

  #333: How A Loyalty Program Helps Independent Hotels Compete | with Audrey Yates & David Gavaldon

  Sep 25, 202615 min

  Independent hotels have a secret weapon that the big chains don't have, and in this episode, we unpack exactly how to use it. Welcome to The Modern Hotelier. Today's guest is David Gavaldon, a new member of the Stash Hotel Rewards team who spent years on the hotel side of the program before joining their side. He sits down with host Audrey Yates to break down how independent hotels can compete with corporate giants by building their own loyalty program without losing the independent spirit that makes them special. In this episode, you'll learn: Why loyalty beats OTA traffic — the difference between price-driven OTA guests and the loyalty guests who book direct, feel special, and come back How to compete with the chains — why "we also have a loyalty program" is a powerful line for any independent property The network effect — how getting introduced at one Stash property immediately connects guests to a portfolio of nearly 400 independent hotels across North America Why staff buy-in makes or breaks the program — the one thing hotels get wrong (hint: if the staff doesn't buy in, why should the guests?) Easy integration — how Stash works with almost every PMS and CRS, so you can tap into the network without changing your tech stack The direct-booking advantage — why booking direct is astronomically better for the hotel, and how to spread that message Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JhGTESfEPxU Links: Audrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-yates-0b5331b4/ David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-gavaldon-036b76425/ Stash Hotel Rewards: https://www.stashrewards.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/333 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David: Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E... David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

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