Which hospitality events should YOU be attending in 2026?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with John Burns, President of Hospitality Technology Consulting, to review the top hospitality events of 2026. From tech expos to independent hotel shows, cruise industry summits, and AI-focused conferences, we cover what’s happening, who should attend, and why these events are game-changers for hoteliers, developers, and investors.

In this episode, we cover:

• The global power of ITB Berlin and why it’s more than just a trade show.
• Networking gold at Hunter Conference Atlanta and what makes it a must-attend.
• Insider tips from HFTP Executive Vendor Summit, AAHOA Philadelphia, Sea Trade Cruise Summit, and more.
• How direct bookings and AI are shaking up the hotel industry.

Whether you’re a hotel owner, operator, developer, or just love staying ahead in hospitality, this episode is your roadmap for networking, learning, and making deals happen.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UbP3xSHCc-M

Links:
John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-burns-1a6139/
Hospitality Technology Consulting: https://www.burns-htc.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/252

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.

Can AI stop your next big hotel claim before it happens?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Sriram Nalla, Hospitality Vertical Lead at WithCoverage, to discuss his unique journey from music management and entrepreneurship to transforming the insurance industry for hotels.

Topics Covered:

• How WithCoverage is disrupting traditional hotel insurance with AI-powered solutions
• Stories of hotels saving 20-25% on premiums and improving coverage
• Tips for aspiring leaders in hospitality and entrepreneurship
• The importance of curiosity, networking, and building trust in business.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7cegKtiXR-I

Links:
Sriram on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriram-nalla/

WithCoverage: https://withcoverage.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/251

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.

Steve Carran & David Millili sit down with Mark Harmon, Founder of Auberge Resorts Collection, on this episode of The Modern Hotelier.

From studying law at Princeton and UC Law to becoming one of the most influential leaders in luxury hospitality, Mark shares how he transitioned from Silicon Valley attorney to visionary hotel developer behind some of the most iconic boutique resorts in the world.

Mark also shares his philosophy on leadership, empathy, innovation, and why hospitality is ultimately about creating meaningful experiences — not just rooms.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Auberge Resorts redefined luxury hospitality
• Why 50-room hotels can be wildly profitable
• The power of design, real estate, and residential-style experiences
• Workforce housing challenges in resort markets
• Advice for the next generation of hospitality leaders

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/luY77HXb6f0

Links:
Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-harmon-2184851/
Auberge Resorts: https://auberge.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/250

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.

In today’s episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ashley NeQuent, Director of Product Strategy at Jonas Hospitality, for an in-depth conversation about hotel tech, operations, and creating unforgettable guest experiences.

We kick things off with a lightning round to get to know Ashley, then dive into her journey from working at a small resort in upstate New York to leading product strategy for one of the biggest names in hospitality tech.

Along the way, Ashley shares:

• How mentorship and teamwork shaped her early career in hotels
• Moving from front desk to tech leadership in hospitality
• The power of unified tech stacks and breaking down siloed hotel systems
• Using data to personalize guest experiences without losing the human touch

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NKlc9_j_AQc

Links:
Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleybooton/
Jonas Hospitality: https://www.jonashospitality.com/
Jonas Hospitality on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jonas-hospitality/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/249

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.

How does a pro snowboarder become a hospitality innovator?

Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Bradley Steward, Co-founder and President of Caravan Outpost, to explore an extraordinary journey from professional snowboarding to creating one of America’s most unique boutique hospitality experiences.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The transition from sports to media, directing projects for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and even influencing early Jackass.
• How he co-founded Bonfire Snowboarding, turning it into a global apparel brand before selling to Adidas.
• The inspiration behind Caravan Outpost, and how he and his wife designed it as an experiential travel destination, blending luxury, community, and the outdoors.
• Tips for independent hoteliers and entrepreneurs on creating a brand that fosters emotional connections rather than just products.

Get ready for candid stories, unexpected adventures, and behind-the-scenes moments from snowboarding competitions, Hollywood projects, and a luxury outdoor retreat that feels more like a community than a hotel.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/leosxe5M0-0

Links:
Bradley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-steward-7b829a23/
Caravan Outpost: https://caravanoutpostojai.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/248

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.

What if your hotel could know exactly what your guests want before they even check in — and deliver it automatically?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Scott Buelter, CEO of Ascent 360, to dive into the transformative power of AI, data, and personalization in the hospitality industry.

In this episode you'll learn about:

• How hotels are using Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) to unify guest data from multiple systems.
• The current and future role of AI in hospitality, from marketing automation to operational efficiency.
• How AI can support staff rather than replace them, improving the human touch in guest interactions.
• The shift from providing tools to delivering outcomes, and why marketers who embrace AI will thrive.

If you want to understand how AI and data are shaping the next generation of hotel marketing, guest experiences, and operational efficiency, this episode is a must-watch.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wM8cOSoRIXs

This episode is sponsored by Ascent360: https://ascent360.com/

Links:
Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbuelter/
Ascent360: https://ascent360.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/247

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.

Join Steve Carran and David Millili as he welcomes Jon Bumhoffer, producer of The Modern Hotelier, for a deep dive into hospitality trends and industry forecasts for 2026.

In this episode, we break down everything hotel owners, operators, and travelers need to know—from group business rebounds, rising labor costs, and food & beverage innovations, to AI-driven bookings, lifestyle brands, and the latest in hotel tech investments.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Food & beverage shifts: pop-ups, healthy options, and tech-driven dining experiences
• Rising labor and operational costs impacting the hospitality industry
• AI in travel: how large language models are reshaping hotel bookings
• Hotel tech spotlight: MEWS secures $300M funding and what this means for cloud PMS
• Controversial hotel design trends: the debate over doorless bathrooms

Subscribe to The Modern Hotelier for more industry analysis, expert interviews, and hospitality hot topics.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gDHkSaG0Wu0

Links:

• 2026 US Industry Forecast
• 5 Trends to watch in 2026
• MEWS Secures $300 Million in Funding
• U.S. Hotel Bathroom “Privacy Backlash” Goes Viral

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/246

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.

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kunal Shah, Managing Partner of Travel & Hospitality at ZS, to explore the future of the hotel industry in 2026, key revenue strategies, and how technology is reshaping guest experiences.

Kunal shares insights from his global career—starting at United Airlines, earning an MBA at London Business School, and now leading ZS’s travel and hospitality practice. He breaks down the biggest opportunities and challenges hotels face today, including RevPAR pressure, AI adoption, guest personalization, and new revenue streams beyond rooms.

Whether you’re a hotel operator, GM, revenue manager, or hospitality investor—this episode is packed with practical strategies and industry foresight.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 2026 hospitality trends & industry outlook
• Why RevPAR growth is plateauing
• How hotels can improve guest engagement & incremental revenue
• The most promising new revenue streams beyond rooms
• Why relationships & intellectual curiosity matter in hospitality leadership

This episode is sponsored by ZS

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7y2WcNmOwfo

Links:
Contact ZS
Kunal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksshah/
ZS: https://www.zs.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/245

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.