Thirsty Bandit - Strategy Sessions cover art

Thirsty Bandit - Strategy Sessions

Thirsty Bandit - Strategy Sessions

By: Corey Krejcik & Rachel Brown
Listen for free

At Thirsty Bandit, we’re not your typical consultants—we’re brand wranglers and strategy shakers for the wine and hospitality world. We believe the best growth happens where sharp strategy, fearless adaptability, and authentic identity all meet for a toast. Our approach? Think less cookie-cutter, more custom blend. We dig into your strengths, uncover hidden opportunities, and craft bold brand strategies built to deliver real, measurable results. And because we love stirring the pot, we host Strategy Sessions—our weekly micro-podcast where we swap stories and insights with industry pros, tackling the challenges (and cheers-worthy wins) that make this business so endlessly exciting.

Corey Krejcik
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Tech in Hospitality with Geoffrey Toffetti
    Jun 25 2026

    In this episode, Corey and Rachel interview Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, about the evolving role of technology in hospitality. They explore how to balance high-tech solutions with human touch, scale operations effectively, and leverage AI for personalized guest and employee experiences.

    Key topics covered:

    • The role of technology in enhancing guest experience
    • Scaling hospitality operations without losing culture
    • Using AI for personalized employee coaching and guest service

    About our guest: Geoffrey Toffetti is the Founder and CEO of Frontline Performance Group (FPG), a global hospitality technology and performance company helping hotels and other food and beverage businesses unlock revenue through smarter frontline engagement, coaching, and guest experience strategies. Under Geoffrey’s leadership, Frontline has expanded to thousands of properties across more than 100 countries, partnering with some of the world’s leading hospitality brands. Learn more about FPG at https://frontlinepg.com

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • What Guests Actually Remember
    Jun 8 2026

    In this episode of Strategy Sessions, Corey Krejcik and Rachel Brown explore the art of creating memorable guest experiences in wine tasting and hospitality. They discuss the importance of storytelling, emotional design, pacing, and genuine enthusiasm to leave lasting impressions and foster customer loyalty.

    Key takeaways:

    • Guests remember how you made them feel more than technical details.
    • Storytelling and enthusiasm create memorable experiences.
    • Reading guest cues and pivoting is crucial for engagement.
    • Intentionality in service design enhances guest satisfaction.
    • Personalized experiences foster loyalty and repeat visits.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Embracing the Grey with Jamie Cooperstein
    May 27 2026

    In the world of hospitality, service standards and procedures are essential for maintaining brand integrity and ensuring consistency. But what happens when you find yourself in a situation that requires flexibility? How do you know when to adhere strictly to the rules and when to bend them for the sake of exceptional guest experiences? In this episode, Corey and Rachel discuss how to navigate the grey areas of hospitality service standards with insights from expert Jamie Cooperstein. The conversation uncovers practical strategies to enhance guest experiences while maintaining brand integrity.

    About our guest: Jamie Cooperstein in the owner and CEO of J. Cooperstein Hospitality Consulting, LLC and the author of True Hospitality: Lessons Learned from Behind the Concierge Desk. After having spent a decade as a concierge at both a luxury hotel and a luxury residence, Jamie now passes along her acquired knowledge to employees at a myriad of hospitality businesses. Jamie uses the principles of AAA “Five Diamond” service, which shaped her career, to educate employees who work behind or supervise those that work at front desk counters, host stands, customer service windows, in lobbies or over the phone. Learn more about Jamie at https://jcoopconsulting.com

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet