Discover How Your Competitors Keep Users Hooked The Dojo.live Show / Interviews With Visionaries Shaping Travel Tech podcast

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In this dojo.live episode, hospitality experts Scott Pusillo, Josh Graham, and Shridhar Padmanabhan help hospitality organizations adapt for the future with the latest solutions, actionable advice, and inspirational stories from The Hospitality Show 2024, discussing: Defining and driving ‘impact’ and ‘innovation’ in hospitality Game-changing tech trends and innovations shaping the industry Predictions for the future of hospitality technology Building stability and resilience in hospitality organizations VP & Head of Sales & Account Management – North America @ Sabre Corporation Personal LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpusillo/ Company LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/showcase/sabre-hospitality/ Company URL : www.sabrehospitality.com/ Scott Pusillo , CRME, spent more than 18 years in the hospitality industry, including senior leadership roles in revenue management, distribution, and sales with leading global hotel brands. Scott currently leads the North America sales & account management teams at Sabre Hospitality . He lends his industry experience to help deliver the next generation of hospitality technology solutions to a hotelier community excited to step into the next decade of revenue and distribution. Head of Market Development, North America @ Cloubeds Personal LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamjosh/ Company LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloudbeds/ Company URL : https://www.cloudbeds.com/ After taking a gamble on a hotel job (literally, it was at a casino), Josh Graham spent 10 years in hotel operations at branded and independent hotels in Washington, DC, before transitioning to hospitality technology at TravelClick. Over 13 years, he held a number of senior sales, marketing, and go-to-market roles, working with CRS, Business Intelligence, and e-commerce/digital marketing. In his final role, he served as Regional VP for their guest management/CRM product. Following TravelClick’s acquisition by Amadeus in 2018, Josh joined Revenue Analytics in 2020 to help launch their RMS solution, N2Pricing. After roles at Salesforce in their Travel and Hospitality unit, and FLYR for Hospitality, Josh found his home at Cloudbeds . As Head of Market Development for North America, he drives market awareness and introduces Cloudbeds to new hotelier segments. When not on the road, Josh lives in the DC suburbs and clings to the notion that he is still punk AF while always having antacids and ibuprofen handy to offset spicy food and working out. He enjoys live music and attempts to stay relevant by taking his kids to concerts, despite occasionally questionable musical choices. SME in Travel @ Encora Inc. [ LinkedIn ] Shridhar is known for his empathetic approach and close partnerships with clients and stakeholders, effectively solving complex problems at scale. His strong background in sales and business development within the Travel & Hospitality sector enables him to drive innovation and achieve strategic outcomes. This extensive experience also makes him an excellent co-host, capable of asking solid questions and fostering engaging discussions. Scott PusilloJosh GrahamShridhar Padmanabhan…

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AI Meets Hospitality: Crafting Personalized Experiences at Record Speeds 35:29

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Callum McPherson reveals how AI is ushering in the next generation of hotel guidebooks, providing tailored and localized experiences. Callum is the founder and CEO of Obvlo , an AI platform used by hotel and travel brands like Virgin Hotels to produce, maintain and personalize local area content for any destination on Earth. An avid traveller, following university Callum spent 4 months driving overland from Scotland to South Africa before crewing a yacht across the Atlantic. This passion took him into hotels, initially working as the night manager for what was at the time the 3rd highest-rated luxury hotel on TripAdvisor in Europe. The last decade has seen Callum following another passion into the technology world, first in fintech using bank data for credit risk and identity and now applying data to personalisation and travel. Travel is one of the last major sectors of the economy to be disrupted by data in the way that finance and banking has been.…

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Tuzmo Take Two: Scaling Connections Between Travelers and Local Artisans 36:09

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With the rising desire for authentic cultural experiences, how is technology evolving to enrich both travel and artisan livelihoods? Rana Saad is an entrepreneur and innovator connecting cultures through technology. Rana Saad is the founder of Tuzmo – a startup that helps travelers and tourists find authentic, local artisans. He is a former Presidential Innovation Fellow at the White House. Prior to that, in his role as the North America Digital Innovation Lead at Accenture, he helped some of the largest corporations and organizations innovate like startups and at startup speed. Previously he founded a global technology services company spanning four countries, that exited with a listing on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. He advises many early stage companies and has built digital innovation labs and programs at multiple organizations.…

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Building the Ultimate Hospitality Platform 31:51

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How Bodhi has pioneered a new business category that manages all aspects of technology in common areas, guest rooms, and residences. Will Gilbert , originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, began his career in the tech industry at the age of 14, starting as a network engineer for an internet provider. Although he left college before completing his computer engineering degree, he leveraged his IT skills to become the co-founder and partner of several companies, employing more than 100 professionals in three different countries. Fast forward 25 years, he and his Co-Founders are focused on their software company, Bodhi . Drawing from their two decades in custom hardware and control system integration, Bodhi offers a much-needed manufacturer-independent approach across various sectors, notably hospitality. As a pilot with two jet type ratings, a member of the Airplane Owner and Pilots Association, and vice-chair of the City of Fort Lauderdale Aviation Advisory Board, he is deeply passionate about the aviation industry and frequently flies with friends and colleagues. Additionally, Will is a golf fanatic and loves to travel.…

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Revolutionizing Group Travel: Optimizing Your Group Sales Strategy 28:39

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From automation to instant booking - what tools are transforming the group travel experience for suppliers? Oral Muir Oral Muir is the Vice President for Partnerships, Experiences, and Distribution at Hilton Worldwide . In this role he has global responsibility for new enterprise partnerships, in-destination travel experiences and adventure offerings ranging from city tours to glamping and safaris. Prior to joining Hilton, Oral most recently served as Global Vice President for Groups, Meetings, and Events strategy at Marriott International. Prior to that Oral served as Marriott’s Vice President and Global Brand Leader for the Autograph Collection independent luxury and lifestyle hotel portfolio, and as Global Vice President for Cross-Channel Distribution Strategy. Oral is a member of the Board of Directors for Groups360 software and a member of the Board of Directors for the Executive Leadership Council. Oral holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Tim Flors With a highly successful career in the hospitality industry that spans over two decades, Tim Flors has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Groups360 for over 10 years, since it was founded in 2014. In this critical leadership role, he is responsible for overseeing all sales and customer-facing operations for the company, including its proprietary GroupSync online marketplace that empowers both planners and hoteliers to make more precise decisions and reduce inefficiencies in group transactions. Designed to simplify and transform the way meetings are booked, the solution uses proprietary matching algorithms to save meeting planners time and money in sourcing hotel venues for group events. Before joining Groups360, Flors served as a Global Account Executive at Marriott International. Prior to that, he spent over seven years with Gaylord Hotels, most recently as Director of National Sales. During his tenure there, he held several sales leadership positions at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center near Orlando, including Executive Sales Manager and later National Sales Manager. Previous roles included Sales Manager at Radisson Hotel Opryland and Regional Sales Director for Baymont Inn & Suites, when he began his career. Flors holds a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Florida, as well as dual MBAs from Cornell University and Queens University.…

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Revolutionizing the Guest Journey Part 2 of 2: Arrival, Stay, Departure, and Reflection 34:43

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Now that the guest is here, are hotels ready to deliver an exceptional stay? Gregg Hopkins , Founder and President of Get Hoppy Consulting , has nearly 40 years of international experience as a hospitality and travel industry professional and is known as a subject matter expert on strategic business planning, travel and hospitality technology, guest and customer loyalty, business growth development, strategic marketing frameworks, and sales strategy. His professional career is highlighted with executive roles as CEO of PROVision Partners, VP of Strategic Marketing for Quore; Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Intelity; VP of Global Marketing for Newmarket International & Amadeus Hospitality; Founder, President, and CEO of Libra OnDemand; VP of Technology and Distribution for Palmer Hospitality Group; VP of Karyon Distribution Services for SoftBrands Hospitality; and Chief Business Officer of MAI Systems. He has served or currently serves, as a committee member of select organizations and industry associations including the MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees, the HFTP Executive HITEC Vendor Council, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, the HTF Content Council, and a member of various Board of Advisors for hospitality technology organizations. In addition to serving as an industry-leading consultant, Hopkins is a published contributor to the hospitality trades, and a participant in industry webinars, roundtables, and podcasts.…

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Supercharging Property Performance in 2025: A Data-Driven Approach to Hospitality Excellence 32:48

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How can automation, forecasting, and AI revolutionize your property’s efficiency, from budgeting to guest loyalty? Jill Wilder is the President of Aptech , a leading provider of enterprise accounting, business intelligence, and budgeting and forecasting solutions for the hospitality industry. She has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 40 years, 38 of which have been with Aptech. Wilder manages all day-to-day development functions, as well as the financial, administrative and customer support teams. She, as well as the Aptech team, is known for her high attention to detail and the priority she places on customer relationships. During her tenure, Wilder created Aptech’s customer support department and doubled its size, and she helped create the company’s training certifications and implementation programs. Prior to joining Aptech, Wilder was on the accounting team at the Longue Vue Club where she supervised financial reporting for the Pittsburgh-based country club. Wilder is active with Hotel Financial and Technology Professionals’ (HFTP) Pittsburgh Chapter, where she has been instrumental in helping build its membership development and program departments. Wilder has a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Accounting from Robert Morris College and resides in the Pittsburgh area.…

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Hotel Accounting – How You Keep Score Matters: A Conversation with M3 28:24

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Why does detailed accounting matter for hotels, and how can innovative hotel accounting software benefit your business? Jon Harden joined M3 in 2017 and has 29 years of experience in the software and services industry. Jon’s background in technology sales includes banking and finance, custom software development, and hospitality technology. In his current role, Jon is the Sales Manager of the M3 CoreSelect™ sales team and covers the Mid-U.S. as a sales territory. Jon promotes CoreSelect™, M3’s latest accounting software, specifically designed for customers with smaller portfolios seeking a customized and elevated accounting solution. Jon takes pride in his emphasis on proactive customer growth and satisfaction, embodying M3’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions.…

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Revolutionizing the Guest Journey Part 1 of 2: From Inspiration to Pre-Arrival 34:35

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How can hotels create personalized guest experiences from the moment of inspiration to pre-arrival? Gregg Hopkins , Founder and President of Get Hoppy Consulting , has nearly 40 years of international experience as a hospitality and travel industry professional and is known as a subject matter expert on strategic business planning, travel and hospitality technology, guest and customer loyalty, business growth development, strategic marketing frameworks, and sales strategy. His professional career is highlighted with executive roles as CEO of PROVision Partners, VP of Strategic Marketing for Quore; Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Intelity; VP of Global Marketing for Newmarket International & Amadeus Hospitality; Founder, President, and CEO of Libra OnDemand; VP of Technology and Distribution for Palmer Hospitality Group; VP of Karyon Distribution Services for SoftBrands Hospitality; and Chief Business Officer of MAI Systems. He has served or currently serves, as a committee member of select organizations and industry associations including the MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees, the HFTP Executive HITEC Vendor Council, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, the HTF Content Council, and a member of various Board of Advisors for hospitality technology organizations. In addition to serving as an industry-leading consultant, Hopkins is a published contributor to the hospitality trades, and a participant in industry webinars, roundtables, and podcasts.…

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Navigating the Impact of Climate Change on Global Travel 36:38

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How is climate change reshaping the travel industry and what does it mean for the future of global tourism? Marcus Räder is co-founder and CEO of Hostaway , the leading all-in-one vacation rental management software. Originally from Finland, Marcus has lived in many countries around the world including Sweden, Poland, and The Netherlands before settling in Canada. It was this passion for travel, real estate and his dedication to learning about the vacation rental ecosystem that enabled the creation of Hostaway. The company quickly grew thanks to the deep technological expertise of its founders, with over a decade of tech start-up success between them. Hostaway gives property managers all the tools needed to compete with hotels and other vacation rentals, including sales channel management, dynamic pricing and hospitality services. It now boasts preferred partnerships with Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com, in addition to a marketplace of over 100 integrated software partners. With Marcus at the helm, Hostaway has quickly become one of the leading PMS and Channel Management solutions in the market, growing revenue by 175% in 2023 year-on-year. In May 2023, Hostaway received a $162 million growth investment from growth equity firm PSG to accelerate innovation, enhance its platform and expand its offering through acquisitions.…

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Revolutionizing Group Travel: Group Travel Made Easy for Event Organizers 32:56

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From conferences to weddings, how can event planners make smarter, faster decisions? Jason Bond Jason Bond is the Executive Vice President of Enterprise Event Solutions at Prestige Global Meeting Source . With over 25 years of experience in the event agency industry, Jason has consistently been at the forefront of founding, growing, and leading event agencies. His passion lies in delivering client-focused, value-driven solutions to a global clientele. At Prestige, Jason oversees comprehensive Enterprise Event Solutions for Meetings & Events (M&E) clients. His team works closely with clients to identify opportunities for business improvement and growth within their event operations. They provide value by delivering insights, conducting analysis, and offering tailored solutions that help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of clients’ event-related businesses. The services provided by Jason’s team include centralized enterprise hotel and event vendor sourcing programs, logistics planning and management, event technology solutions such as housing/registration systems, mobile apps, and virtual/hybrid event technology. They also handle group air travel, provide customized reporting, offer full-service housing and registration management, and design and implement enterprise event onboarding and integration plans. Additionally, the team provides consulting on preferred supplier programs, creative services, and experience design tailored to each client’s needs. Tim Flors With a highly successful career in the hospitality industry that spans over two decades, Tim Flors has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Groups360 for over 10 years, since it was founded in 2014. In this critical leadership role, he is responsible for overseeing all sales and customer-facing operations for the company, including its proprietary GroupSync online marketplace that empowers both planners and hoteliers to make more precise decisions and reduce inefficiencies in group transactions. Designed to simplify and transform the way meetings are booked, the solution uses proprietary matching algorithms to save meeting planners time and money in sourcing hotel venues for group events. Before joining Groups360, Flors served as a Global Account Executive at Marriott International. Prior to that, he spent over seven years with Gaylord Hotels, most recently as Director of National Sales. During his tenure there, he held several sales leadership positions at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center near Orlando, including Executive Sales Manager and later National Sales Manager. Previous roles included Sales Manager at Radisson Hotel Opryland and Regional Sales Director for Baymont Inn & Suites, when he began his career. Flors holds a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Florida, as well as dual MBAs from Cornell University and Queens University.…

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Beyond the Booth GBTA 2024 with Sabres Todd Arthur 10:52

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In this "Behind the Booth at GBTA 2024" segment, travel industry expert Todd Arthur, Senior Vice President, North America Agency, Americas Delivery and Global Corporate Solutions at Sabre Corporation, discusses: The basics of New Distribution Capability (NDC) and its revolutionary impact on content distribution in the airline industry, enabling more personalized and efficient travel options. Sabre’s leadership in the NDC journey, with over 20 airlines already NDC-enabled and plans to expand to 35 airlines by the end of 2024. This enablement enhances booking experiences and servicing, which is crucial in corporate travel where ticket changes are frequent. The significance of partnerships, such as Sabre’s collaboration with Google, to leverage AI and machine learning. This collaboration aims to transform the travel ecosystem by using data more effectively to improve user experiences and operational efficiencies.…

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Modern White Label Travel Platforms & Solutions 31:17

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On this dojo.live show we will be talking about "How can loyalty and rewards and recognition companies add travel capabilities to their points programs without building a custom solution?" with Nowell Outlaw, CEO @ Switchfly. You can check out all the shows here: www.dojo.live/interviews/ #technology #culture #innovation #dojolive #Travel #Loyalty…

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Secure Data Sharing: The Key to Hospitality’s AI Revolution 34:27

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In this series we are speaking about how a variety of companies in the Travel & Hospitality industry have embraced the use of AI technologies in both their internal operations and in the creation of their products. In the second episode, hospitality expert David Chestler and Data and Analytics expert Nagaraj Sastry are discussing: Why the Hospitality Industry is or is not yet positioned to embrace secure data sharing The seeming juxtaposition of wanting to lock down data vs. the crucial need to access relevant, accurate, and diverse data for training AI models How the willingness to and ability for organizations to data share across disparate systems enables the minimization of spend, maximization of revenue, and enhancement of the guest experience This interview is part of the series “The Hospitality Advantage: Real Stories of AI in Action” This is Segment 2.…

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Transforming Workforce Travel 35:43

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