In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chas Scarantino, CEO of RoomPriceGenie, to explore how modern revenue management is transforming the independent hotel space. From his early career in logistics and HVAC sales to leading global SaaS companies, Chas shares the experiences that shaped his leadership style and his passion for hospitality tech.

The conversation dives deep into the evolution of revenue management, the growing role of AI, and how independent hotels are now leveraging automation and data-driven pricing strategies once reserved for large chains. Chas also breaks down real-world pricing mistakes hoteliers make—and how smarter systems are helping them unlock significant revenue growth.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How Chas Scarantino’s background in logistics and global tech shaped his approach to leadership in hospitality SaaS
• Why face-to-face sales experience still matters in a highly digital, AI-driven world
• The biggest lessons from building and scaling startups across health tech, product analytics, and hospitality
• How RoomPriceGenie’s Revenue Intelligence is helping hotels make faster, smarter pricing decisions in real time

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fVQqGYwMBO0

This episode is sponsored by Room Price Genie: https://roompricegenie.com/

Links:
Chas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chas-scarantino-31a5673/
Room Price Genie: https://roompricegenie.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/274

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 of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Jennifer Olson, the Director of Commercial National Accounts, SERVPRO Team Zubricki, for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest trends shaping hospitality today.

They dive into the growing concern around hospitality as a long-term career path for younger generations and discuss what the industry can do to attract and retain new talent. The conversation then shifts to the airline industry, unpacking the attempted American–United merger and what it signals about competition, consumer impact, and the future of air travel.

The trio also explores shifting travel behaviors, including the rise in domestic travel driven by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, and what that means for hotels needing to elevate guest experience. From there, they break down the growing popularity of glamping and how major hotel brands are entering the outdoor hospitality space.

A timely, insightful episode packed with real-world hospitality trends, industry strategy, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why hospitality is struggling to attract younger talent—and what the industry can do to change that
• What the attempted American–United airline merger reveals about competition and the future of air travel
• How rising costs, geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty are reshaping travel habits and driving more domestic trips
• How SERVPRO supports hotels in restoring operations quickly after catastrophic events

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6S0HRgof9_8

Links:
Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-olson-a74651a0/
SERVPRO: https://www.servpro.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/273

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, host David Millili brings listeners inside Indie Cultivate Boston, hosted in partnership with ILC.

David sits down with leading vendors and innovators including Airbnb, Watermelon Ghost, Direct Booker, Stash Rewards, Cloudbeds, Directful, and Canary Technologies. Across these conversations, a clear theme emerges: the independent hotel space is at a turning point driven by AI, evolving guest expectations, and the ongoing battle for direct bookings versus OTAs.

Guests discuss how AI is reshaping discoverability, guest engagement, and operations, while also raising critical questions about visibility in AI-driven search. From loyalty programs and retention platforms to booking infrastructure and guest experience tools, each guest shares how they’re helping independent hotels compete, differentiate, and thrive.

You’ll hear perspectives on:

• How AI is changing hotel discovery and booking behavior
• The future of direct bookings and OTA dependency
• Experiential stays and evolving guest expectations
• Why independent hotels have a unique opportunity in the AI era

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wZUi1eIuS5A

LinkedIn Links:
Audrey Yates - VP of Hotel Partnerships, Stash Rewards
Adam Harris - CEO, Cloudbeds
Tim Kinsella - Global Sales - Strategy, Canary Technologies
Ron Sandel - Director of Hotels, Airbnb
Georgie Downie - Co-Founder & CEO, Watermelon Ghost
Lindsay Wenger - VP of Sales, Directful

Sanjay Vakil - Co-Founder & CEO, Direct Booker
Meg Gutowski - ILC

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/272

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, host David Millili sits down with Richard Aday, CEO and Co-founder of ThinkReservations, for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, technology, and the evolving hospitality landscape.

Richard shares his journey from building websites as a child in a tech-savvy family, to studying electrical and computer engineering, working at Amazon, and ultimately founding ThinkReservations after a chance encounter with a boutique hotel in Puerto Rico sparked a bold idea. He also reflects on growing up in a Cuban-American family in South Florida, the influence of a strong work ethic, and how his passion for travel and guest experience shaped his career in hospitality tech.

The conversation explores how ThinkReservations is redefining property management systems by prioritizing guest experience, simplicity, and customer support. Richard discusses the company’s evolution from a bootstrapped startup to a full hospitality platform, now including booking engines, channel management, marketing websites, payments, and accounting solutions.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• How independent hoteliers can compete with OTAs and increase direct bookings
• The role of AI and automation in guest engagement
• What defines high-performing modern hoteliers today
• The biggest friction points in the guest journey and how technology is removing them

This is a must-listen episode for hoteliers, hospitality tech leaders, and anyone interested in how innovation is reshaping the guest experience and the future of independent hospitality.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qTgezcv7DbU

Links:
Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-aday-59182452/
ThinkReservations: https://www.thinkreservations.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/271

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 special episode, host David Millili takes listeners inside Indie Cultivate Boston in partnership with ILC, capturing candid conversations with some of the most forward-thinking leaders in hospitality.

Across the discussions, a common theme emerges while AI and automation are transforming back-of-house operations, the future of hospitality remains deeply human—rooted in creativity, storytelling, and meaningful guest connection. Leaders also reflect on the importance of independence in hotel development, the value of intimate industry gatherings like ILC, and how new models are reshaping ownership, management, and guest experience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How leading hotel operators are thinking about AI—not as a replacement for people, but as a tool to automate and augment hospitality operations while keeping guest experience human-first
• Why independent hotels continue to thrive through creativity, storytelling, and strong emotional connection with guests
• How technology platforms like integrated PMS systems and “hospitality operating systems” are helping smaller hotel brands scale more efficiently
• What “Powered by Kasa” and similar models mean for hoteliers looking to build brands faster without losing creative control
• The emerging balance between technology-driven efficiency and analog, human-centered hospitality experiences

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A6U4jtjfbpg

LinkedIn Links:
Roman Pedan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-pedan-594897325/
Steven Rubin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenmrubin/
Jen Parks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferfigariparks/
Jason August: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaugust/
Brian Meyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-meyer-b004832b6/
John Flannigan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-flannigan-73550a1/
Jen Barnwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-barnwell-a8689ba/
Matt Schwartz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewaschwartz/
Andrew Benioff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/llenrockgroupbenioff/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/270

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 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.