In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Shane O’Flaherty, Global Director of Travel, Transportation, and Hospitality at Microsoft, for a deep dive into the future of hospitality.

Shane shares his fascinating journey—from growing up in a rodeo and circus environment to shaping global hospitality standards and now leading innovation at one of the world’s biggest tech companies. Along the way, he unpacks powerful lessons on networking, reinvention, and the evolving role of technology in travel.

The conversation explores how AI is transforming the hospitality industry—from a “tool” to a true “partner”—and what that means for hotel operators, staff, and guest experiences. Shane breaks down why AI is even bigger than the internet, how personalization can be done right, and why empowering employees with better technology is the key to unlocking exceptional service.

You’ll also hear insights on:

• The future of AI and “agentic” workflows in hospitality
• Why personalization still falls short—and how to fix it
• The role of data, digital twins, and predictive maintenance in hotels
• How independent hotels and big brands can compete in an AI-driven world
• Real-world examples of next-level guest experiences

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yDJYBuefp4o

Links:
Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-o-flaherty/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/269

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 former collegiate baseball player turn his competitive edge into a career in commercial real estate, and ultimately help bring a bold concept like the Atari Hotel to life?

In today's episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jordan Taylor, Managing Partner at Intersection Development, for a deep dive into one of the most innovative concepts in hospitality—the Atari Hotel.

Jordan shares his journey from a small-town Midwest upbringing and collegiate baseball career to becoming a leader in commercial real estate development in Phoenix. Through a candid “lightning round,” listeners get a glimpse into his personal passions, from baseball cards and the Green Bay Packers to his commitment to family and meaningful relationships.

The conversation then shifts to Jordan’s professional path, highlighting the mentors and pivotal moments that shaped his career. He unpacks the vision behind Intersection Development and how the team organically built a portfolio before stepping into the spotlight.

At the core of the episode is the highly anticipated Atari Hotel, a bold, experience-driven destination blending gaming culture, hospitality, entertainment, and technology. Jordan explains how the project goes far beyond traditional hotel models, featuring immersive experiences, esports venues, live events, creator residencies, and community-driven ownership opportunities.

The discussion also explores broader industry trends, including the rise of experiential hospitality, the importance of community-building, and how developers can future-proof projects through technology and adaptability.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why meaningful relationships are a key driver of long-term success in business
• The vision and strategy behind the innovative Atari Hotel concept
• How experiential hospitality is reshaping the future of hotels
• How community-driven ownership is opening new opportunities for investors
• Why developers must think beyond traditional hotel models to stay competitive

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

Links:
Intersection Development: https://intersectiondev.com/

Atari Hotels: https://invest.atarihotels.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/268

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 hotels could turn every delivery into a revenue stream instead of a cost? What if the “last mile” wasn’t a problem—but the biggest untapped opportunity in hospitality?

In this episode, host David Millili sits down with entrepreneur and innovator Robert DeDomenico to explore a bold vision for the future of hospitality logistics and last-mile delivery.

Robert shares the origin story behind CargoFish, a concept aimed at transforming how hotels manage food and goods delivery by turning it into a utility-like infrastructure—removing friction, reducing costs, and challenging dominant delivery platforms. Drawing parallels to bridges replacing ferries, he explains why he believes the current last-mile system is inefficient, expensive, and overdue for disruption.

Throughout the conversation, Robert walks through his unconventional journey—from growing up in New Jersey and serving as a nuclear submarine reactor operator in the U.S. Navy, to working in energy and business systems, and ultimately developing his startup idea after years of technical problem-solving and research.

The episode also covers:

• His persistence through early entrepreneurial setbacks, including Shark Tank auditions
• How CargoFish aims to integrate with hotels to increase revenue and improve guest experience
• Why hotels may be uniquely positioned to compete with platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats
• The broader vision of turning delivery infrastructure into a scalable utility model for hospitality

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1GSSmv5qwN0

Links:
Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-dedomenico-0874b122/
CargoFish LLC: https://www.cargofish.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/267

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.