Lodging Leaders

Mike Gelfond has more than two decades of expertise in digital marketing and advertising, with careers at iXL, Creative Digital Group, LBi and Mastermind. An expert in social media, digital strategy, mobile, ecommerce, reputation/crisis management, analytics, CRM and lead generation with key industry verticals. Mike is a graduate of the University of Georgia, a frequent read more

Mike Gelfond has more than two decades of expertise in digital marketing and advertising, with careers at iXL, Creative Digital Group, LBi and Mastermind. An expert in social media, digital strategy, mobile, ecommerce, reputation/crisis management, analytics, CRM and lead generation with key industry verticals. Mike is a graduate of the University of Georgia, a frequent speaker and contributor to TV, radio and print, and a recipient of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 award in 2010. In This Episode, Mike reveals … * How to plan for and handle a digital crisis, including some scenarios (good and bad) brands need to be prepared to face on a daily basis, and which action to take when a crisis hits. * The difference in strategy for the inevitable and sometimes daily online detractors, and a more significant crisis on social media. * The most important social media channels for the hospitality industry, and whether there are any that should be monitored more closely. * Best practices for protecting against and responding to an information privacy crisis. Resources & Links Mike Gelfond * LinkedIn * email: mike.gelfond@mastermindmarketing.com Mastermind Marketing * Website * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn

Dr. David Kubes is an international lawyer, avid entrepreneur, consultant, coach and certified facilitator of several Access Consciousness® special programs, including Right Voice for You and Right Riches for You. After graduating from law school, Dr. Kubes finalized his Ph.D. in aviation law at the age of 25, and started working for Austrian Airlines in both Vienna and Washington D.C. After four years of training, he obtained his international lawyers license and, at the age of 28, and became one of Austria’s youngest lawyers. He specializes in aviation law, finance and international project management. Dr. Kubes finalized his European license in coaching and alternative dispute resolution in 2012, and founded an international coaching and consulting company shortly after. In This Episode, David reveals … * How the pursuit of work-life balance may actually be distracting us from the happiness we are really yearning for. * Tips for starting a successful business venture, and how to know when it’s the right time to take the leap. * The power of our thoughts – good and bad, limiting beliefs, and manifesting what you believe. * And, we talk about how to find more joy in all areas of our lives. Resources & Links David Kubes * Website * Email: info@drdavidkubes.com

Dr. David Kubes is an international lawyer, avid entrepreneur, consultant, coach and certified facilitator of several Access Consciousness® special programs, including Right Voice for You and Right Riches for You. After graduating from law school, Dr. Kubes finalized his Ph.D. in aviation law at the age of 25, and started working for Austrian Airlines in read more

Alex Shashou is the Co-Founder and President of ALICE, a top-ranking staff Task Management & Collaboration platform with a global customer base of 2,000+ hotels. Born and raised in London, Alex grew up in the hospitality industry, and he’s become a sought-after hospitality thought leader, speaking on technology and innovation in hospitality at conferences around the world. In 2016, Alex was awarded the HFTP President’s Award, which recognizes a person who has made a significant contribution to the hospitality industry and in 2018, he received the Hotel Experience Next Generation Leader Award. Alex earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business. In This Episode, Alex reveals … * The ALICE platform, what it is, how it works, the vision behind it, and the problem they’re solving. * How hospitality can be defined or measured in hotels today, and the most common challenges hotels face in delivering value for their guests. * How can hotels improve how they service guests in the future, and Alex reveals what he would focus on as a hotel owner/operator. * How hotels can be more than just a place to stay for guests, and what can they do to actually make the stay more meaningful. Resources & Links Alex Shashou * LinkedIn ALICE * Website * LinkedIn * Facebook * Twitter

Alex Shashou is the Co-Founder and President of ALICE, a top-ranking staff Task Management & Collaboration platform with a global customer base of 2,000+ hotels. Born and raised in London, Alex grew up in the hospitality industry, and he’s become a sought-after hospitality thought leader, speaking on technology and innovation in hospitality at conferences around read more

Malcolm Davies is Principal/Managing Director of George Smith Parners, a leading, national provider of capital market services to the commercial real estate industry. Malcolm has over 20 years of experience as an award-winning capital advisor and developer, having advised and been involved with nearly $3B worth of financings, both in the equity and debt markets. In This Episode, Malcolm reveals … * The basics of financing for new hotel development, and some rookie mistakes to avoid. * The types of hotels lenders and investors are looking to be involved in, and why. * Which cities and locations are most desirable for lenders and investors now, and who some of the major financing players are in the market. * How to set realistic revenue projections so that your property can withstand a significant dip for an extended period of time. Resources & Links Malcolm Davies * LinkedIn * Email: mdavies@gspartners.com George Smith Partners * Website * LinkedIn

Malcolm Davies is Principal/Managing Director of George Smith Parners, a leading, national provider of capital market services to the commercial real estate industry. Malcolm has over 20 years of experience as an award-winning capital advisor and developer, having advised and been involved with nearly $3B worth of financings, both in the equity and debt markets. read more

Franck Droin is the hotel manager at The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and his 19 years of hospitality industry experience includes working with big brand hotel chains across various destinations in Europe, The Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Franck is passionate about promoting the concept of responsible luxury and has fueled ground-breaking conversations and initiatives. Some of the successful projects he is leading with his team include giving back to local communities, and ending the plastic waste catastrophe that the country is facing. Franck believes education, technology and the right mentorship is what luxury brands need to reduce waste, become eco-friendly, and to empower employees to create a more sustainable future. In This Episode, Franck reveals … * What terms like responsible luxury, sustainable luxury and sustainable tourism mean, and the business case for why they’re important. * How hotels can combine luxury and sustainability without compromising on quality or value from the guest’s perspective, as well as their profitability. * What to do when implementing sustainability programs, including how to get everyone’s “buy-in.” * Why giving back to local communities is important, and how to go about getting started. Resources & Links Franck Droin * LinkedIn

Franck Droin is the hotel manager at The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and his 19 years of hospitality industry experience includes working with big brand hotel chains across various destinations in Europe, The Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Franck is passionate about promoting the concept of responsible luxury and has fueled ground-breaking conversations and initiatives. Some read more

Adam Knight is a 20+ year veteran of the luxury hotel industry and owner of Proven Principles, a hospitality consulting firm that helps vacation rental owners and customer service focused businesses drive better performance, productivity and profitability with best-in-class operations strategy, employee training and project management. In This Episode, Adam reveals … * How managers can go about building the best team, and the best way to get a team working towards a common goal. * How managers can give purpose to the work that their employees perform. * Some of the roadblocks that managers deal with in training or developing their teams, and what to do when an employee is working against you. * How to build a strong internal culture – one where employees are raving fans of what they are doing. Resources & Links Adam Knight * Email: adam@theprovenprinciples.com * LinkedIn The Proven Principles * Website * Facebook * LinkedIn * Instagram

Adam Knight is a 20+ year veteran of the luxury hotel industry and owner of Proven Principles, a hospitality consulting firm that helps vacation rental owners and customer service focused businesses drive better performance, productivity and profitability with best-in-class operations strategy, employee training and project management. In This Episode, Adam reveals … How managers can read more

Imesh is a second-generation hotelier from New Mexico who has owned and managed hotels for more than 25 years. He currently owns and manages 7 franchised properties and he has two more under construction and scheduled to open in 2019. Imesh has served on the franchise advisory councils of LaQuinta and IHG, and has led the New Mexico Lodging Association for three years. He has also been active in AAHOA in a variety of leadership positions, and currently serves on the Board of Directors. In This Episode, Imesh reveals … * The background regarding nuisance lawsuits against hotel owners based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), how it all started, how the problem has progressed, and what you steps you can take to protect your property. * Key political initiatives today, why you should get involved, and why working with government is so important for hotel owners. * His experience as an owner/developer which led to his service on various owner councils, including LaQuinta and IHG, some of the main issues franchisees are facing today, and his objectives for improving relations between franchisors. * Why he’s running for AAHOA Secretary and what he hopes to accomplish. Resources & Links Imesh Vaidya * Email: imesh@premierhospitality.net * LinkedIn * Facebook profile * Imesh for AAHOA Secretary Facebook page * Instagram * Twitter * Website

Imesh is a second-generation hotelier from New Mexico who has owned and managed hotels for more than 25 years. He currently owns and manages 7 franchised properties and he has two more under construction and scheduled to open in 2019. Imesh has served on the franchise advisory councils of LaQuinta and IHG, and has led read more

Belinda O’Kelly brings a decade of experience, a comprehensive skill set and dedicated design focus to O’Kelly + Kasprak. She is a licensed architect in Illinois, as well as a LEED accredited professional with a specialty in building design and construction. David Kasprak has been leading the highest quality restaurant, hotel, and retail design teams for decades, and he’s known for designs that are not only award winning, but that also work functionally and are not cost prohibitive. David holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in architecture, is self-certified for the City of Chicago, and is also a LEED accredited professional. In This Episode, Belinda and David Reveal … * The biggest things often overlooked from a design perspective, including creativity, flexibility and durability. * The biggest trends they’re seeing in hotel design now, including tech, textures, authenticity and local focus. * Some game changers in the industry – what is really innovating the hotel game – again, including tech, social media, and data-driven design. * The biggest challenges in the design field right now. Resources & Links Belinda O’Kelly * Email: belinda@okellykasprak.com * LinkedIn David Kasprak * Email: david@okellykasprak.com * LinkedIn O’Kelly Kasprak * Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn