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Josiah Mackenzie

1093 posts
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  • 1 min

Sunday Slowdown: A Bespoke Sound Takeover with Clay Bassford

🎧 Hospitality Daily released their first-ever musical special, "Dream Resort: A Mediterranean Escape," on April 13, 2025, created by Clay Bassford and Bespoke Sound. This 53-minute audio journey simulates a day at a Mediterranean resort, blending music with natural soundscapes and narration. The episode is designed for hospitality lovers to experience escapism and is available on Spotify with a recommended use of headphones.
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  • 21 min

The Red Carnation Blueprint: Making Every Guest Feel Like the Only One – Suzie Thompson, Red Carnation Hotels

📍 In a recent episode of Hospitality Daily, Suzie Thompson, Vice President of Commercial at Red Carnation Hotels, was interviewed by Danica Smith about guest experience. Red Carnation Hotels, a family-owned collection of 18 boutique hotels worldwide, prides itself on exceptional guest experiences. The interview delved into how the company blends data, culture, and creativity to personalize stays, emphasizing the importance of guest satisfaction and the empowerment of staff to exceed expectations. Suzie shared insights into the company's strategy for creating unique and personalized experiences, such as curated tours with chefs and partnerships with local theaters. Red Carnation Hotels focuses on the entire traveling party's experience, including pets, and has worked on optimizing their tech stack for future-proofing. They also prioritize getting their data in good shape to leverage AI and other tech tools effectively. The conversation highlighted the shift in guest expectations post-COVID, with a demand for more personalized and unique experiences.
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  • 17 min

Tariffs, Unfolding Travel Trends, and San Francisco’s Comeback – Zach Demuth, JLL

📌 In the hospitality industry, optimism peaked in late 2022 due to interest rate cuts beginning in September and strong performance in urban travel, particularly international group and business demand. However, by 2023 and 2024, geopolitical developments and potential trade wars introduced uncertainty. While the fundamentals of travel demand remained robust, hotel investment decisions faced increased uncertainty from tariffs, immigration policies, and inflation, which could lead to higher interest rates. Despite global concerns, the success of individual hotels or hotel collections largely depends on local market conditions. Detailed market knowledge, understanding demand drivers, and leveraging third-party resources like STR and CoStar are essential. Immediate impacts from tariffs include increased construction costs and supply chain disruptions, while longer-term impacts might include reduced consumer discretionary spending, affecting travel demand. San Francisco's hotel market, hit by multiple challenges including the loss of conventions, tech company relocations, and a decrease in Asian travel, particularly from China, saw further declines in 2023 and 2024. Yet, JLL anticipates a recovery starting in 2025, with strong events returning, tech companies reestablishing offices, and investor interest rising, positioning San Francisco for potential growth. Overall, navigating uncertainty requires focusing on controllable factors, understanding local markets, and seizing opportunities during uncertain times.
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  • 25 min

Hospitality’s Early Warning Signs: What the Data Reveals About the Economy Ahead – Jamie Lane, AirDNA

???? Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA, with experience at CBRE and PKF, discussed the evolving role of data in hospitality in a podcast. Data interpretation is vital for trends in demand, internal vs. external market data, and strategizing. Short-term rental (STR) demand trends indicate market changes and development opportunities. STR lead times can provide insights into future hotel demand. Since the start of 2025, uncertainties in the economic climate, like stock market corrections, have impacted consumer travel decisions and increased recession fears. Jamie emphasized the 'wealth effect,' where consumers' perceived wealth influences their spending on travel.
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  • 28 min

My Journey to GM: Lessons in Leadership, Culture, and the Power of Resilience – Hazel Hagans Farris, Le Meridien Washington, D.C., The Madison

📝 Hazel, pivoting from chemistry graduate to hospitality during the 2008 recession, became a PBX agent at W Atlanta Buckhead, which sparked her career in hospitality. She quickly ascended from a "whatever, whenever agent" to Director of Style (housekeeping) within 5 years at W, thanks to strong work ethics and seizing every opportunity. Hazel's journey then led her through various cities and roles: she assisted her sister's move to New York in 2013, landed a front office manager position at W New York Times Square, and later became Director of Operations in Chicago and Dallas. After familial events in 2019, Hazel moved closer to family in Washington, D.C., eventually becoming the General Manager at Le Meridien, Washington D.C. She champions building a positive team culture, honest communication, and developing leadership potential within her team, especially amongst women and underrepresented voices.
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  • 13 min

Navigating Career Change: Practical Advice for Finding What’s Next for You in Hospitality – Anna Blue

📌 U.S. layoffs reached their highest level since the pandemic over the past month. Anna Blue, a seasoned hospitality leader, shared her experience navigating career transition during this time. She underscores the privilege of having time to explore options and acknowledges the difficult reality for many who have lost their jobs. Anna reflects on determining her next steps, seeking opportunities to make an impact and the "three things" career advice from her father: money, people, and work. She also emphasizes the importance of knowing what you want to do next, nurturing relationships, and being open about being in a time of exploration. Anna is open to connecting with others on LinkedIn or via email during her period of "fun employment.
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