Defining Hospitality

Dina Lamanna is the Principal, Director of Hospitality Interior Design at The HOK NY Studio. She is a seasoned veteran in the design and development of international hotel projects. Her passion for guiding the next generation of designers is evident in her work as an adjunct professor at New York School of Interior Design. Dina joins host Dan Ryan to talk about her journey through #hospitality and what it all means to her.Takeaways: There’s a visual aspect to learning and teaching design, and it doesn’t always come to people naturally so you have to get creative with it.There’s a stigma against being a designer that tends to scare people away but it is very different from what people would expect it to be.Hospitality is providing guests and patients with an experience and a feeling when they enter a certain place. People spend 90% of their time indoors, so designers have a responsibility to create spaces that are unique and feel different from other places.If you can make a space feel familiar and comfortable, then the stress level for that person will go down.The last two years have actually opened up a tremendous opportunity for design to create the next space of buildings and environments that define our future.Collaboration with others can help to unlock a new potential or opportunities for the design space.Quote of the Show:7:26 “We want to bring a return on investment that isn't always measured in a spreadsheet, that there's an instant impact that our guests or our patients feel when they enter these spaces.”Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/HOKNetworkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-lamanna-aa827430/Website: https://www.hok.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hok_nyc/?hl=en Shout Outs:9:52 Aaron Anderson25:46 Rudy RuettigerWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/7KtOlKYME8k

Jim Looney is the Owner and Founder of Looney & Associates. With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he’s an industry leader and a mentor to many. His passion for hospitality is obvious in how he carries a tradition of integrity, quality and service in all of his projects. Jim joins host Dan Ryan to talk about his journey though #hospitality and what it all means to him.Takeaways: You want to make sure that you are always meeting your deliverables and that you are keeping the clients and your employees happy.Gaining the trust of a client is a big responsibility. It is your responsibility to make sure that trust is rewarded.Hospitality is making others feel comfortable in your presence. You want others to feel comfortable around you.Travel is something that can inspire people and help them come up with new and innovative ideas.It’s important to sit back and take time to yourself occasionally and disconnect from all the technology around you.The pandemic allowed people to explore hospitality and the world around them in a different lens.A design has to feel immediately comfortable. You want guests to feel welcomed by the design and enjoy being where they are.Quote of the Show:11:01 “Hospitality to me is making people feel comfortable in your presence.” Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/looneydesignLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-looney-209a15a/Website: https://www.looney-associates.com/James D. Looney Award at Fay Jones School of Architecture at University of Arkansas - https://uark.academicworks.com/opportunities/22004Shout Outs: 4:36 Michael Bedner4:41 Lenny Parker4:51 Trish Wilson12:38 Dallas Independent School District22:12 Museum of Modern Art23:52 Marriott Wailea24:39 John Stobbe34:28 James Dunlop29:24 Jim Romelspa43:40 The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand43:43 Ayn RandWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/qC4W3Ta10lw

Staci Patton is a Principal of Hospitality Interior Design Director at DLR Group. She's a passionate and creative designer who creates indigenous and authentically curated spaces. Staci joins host Dan Ryan to talk about her journey through #hospitality and how she brings her southern hospitality charm and collaborative effort to a wonderful industry.Takeaways: Leadership in the hospitality industry is incredibly important and it can lead to new ideas in the industry.Innovation can bring different perspectives to a project and can help separate you from others in your field.Hospitality is the soul and spirit of how we welcome people in. It’s not limited to just hotels and restaurants.Southern hospitality is a big influence for the meaning of hospitality as it provides people with a sense of feeling welcomed and at home.You want to make others feel like you are working together, especially with clients. You want them to feel like it’s a collaborative effort.As a leader, it is your responsibility to teach others and have them reach their highest points so that they can become a leader themselves and continue the cycle.Putting others first is a key trait in this industry. You want to make sure there is space to grow for others and have their ideas heard.A lot of people have left the hospitality industry during the pandemic, and now with things returning to normal there is a staffing shortage and it makes it more complicated to work on a project.Quote of the Show:16:35 “It's the soul and the spirit of how we welcome people in. It doesn't have to be a hotel. It doesn't have to be a restaurant. it's really about how you welcome someone in and what are those delights that you want them to receive?”Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/DLRGroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staci-patton-107bb726/Website: https://www.dlrgroup.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staci_patton_sp/Shout Outs:5:56 Joe Chikora8:28 Ed Williams9:07 Concord Hospitality30:26 Hilton Hotels33:06 Sherman Associates42:37 Joanna Abrams42:38 MindclickWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube: https://youtu.be/jwXFEb93iGM

Will Meyer is the Owner and Co-Founder at Meyer Davis Studios Inc. He believes that great design works on multiple levels and designs seamless physical experiences tailored to his clients individuality. Will joins host Dan Ryan to talk about his journey through #hospitality and what it all means to him.Takeaways:  When working in a partnership, it’s important to have respect for the other person's ideas and recognize that it doesn’t matter where the idea comes from as long as it is good.Residential and hospitality projects have similar demographics which can make for interesting design options. Hospitality is an elevated sense of home. You want people to feel comfortable and connected to the elements in hospitality and have it feel welcoming.It’s important to encourage people and make a special environment that allows them to grow and flourish. The work that is done in the hospitality world tends to look like it is based on where it is and who it is about rather than being about the designer themselves.Using the environment as inspiration for your design in hospitality is something that creates an even better experience for guests and the community.Use design as a way to connect with guests and the surrounding areas. Quote of the Show: 21:37 I look at hospitality as an elevated sense of the home. A heightened sense of residential comforts and elements that create a new space within the hospitality world that make people feel comfortable, make people feel inspired that create a new turning of the dial of their experience in hospitality. But grounded by that sense of residential home feel that makes people feel comfortable.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-meyer-7685677/Website: https://www.meyerdavis.com/Shout Outs: 1:01 David Gaddie1:02 “A Beautiful Dreamer” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVCNh6_YpI8 3:30 HD Summit3:57 Michael Bedner3:59 Trish Wilson5:55 “Rookie Smarts” by Liz Wiseman7:35 Auburn University8:42 David Raleigh14:24 V Bar in Las Vegas14:31 David Raybin 14:32 Will Regin15:21 Venetian17:10 Moss Farmhouse28:30 Four Seasons28:31 Mandarin Oriental28:32 Rosewood28:36 W Hotels34:50 BaccaratWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/phYIUjTnxwQ

Jennifer Barnwell is the President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection. She can see through the maze of real estate economics and is passionate about hospitality. She is also a member of and also on the Board of Advisors at the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association. Jen joins host Dan Ryan to talk her journey in #hospitality and what it all means to her.Takeaways:  You want to surprise and delight your guests. You want to make them feel welcomed and at home when they stay at your hotel.Sometimes a switch in products or a switch in systems is something that can really help drive your bottom line. Make sure that your team is being used efficiently. You don’t want to overload them or put them on tasks that aren’t their strong suit.Having the owner's finger on the pulse helps to make decisions and changes run smoother. Hospitality is about the experience. You want to peak the senses of your guest and make them feel interested and excited about where they are. You want to create memories for your guests and have them be positive and something they can take with them when they leave the hotel. Independent hotels have the ability to connect to a place in a very powerful way. It feels authentic and natural. Quote of the Show: 22:12 “For me, it's all about the experience. I step inside, how does it make me feel, what catches my eye, what do I see? That's interesting. What kind of peaks my curiosity, what about all my senses? That's how I tend to define it, because that is what is memorable to me.”Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-barnwell-a8689ba/Website: https://blla.org/Shout Outs: 0:48 Pebblebrook0:50 CapEx1:09 Independent lodging Congress8:49 Bill Kimpton9:34 Sir Francis Drake in San Fransico 28:16 Death & Company28:17 Dave Kaplan28:59 Bashar Wali41:33 Cameron SperanceWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/4J-0t8VjsqE

Ian Rolston is the Founder of Decanthropy and the President at Interior Designers of Canada He knows how huge of a role that community and diversity play in hospitality and design, and he wants everyone else to see that. Ian joins host Dan Ryan to talk about his journey through #hospitality and what it all means to him.Takeaways:  Hospitality is a great opportunity to serve humanity. It allows you to connect with others and the world around you.Interior design really speaks to the guests as a whole. It brings a sense of community to the guest and makes them feel welcomed and at home.You want to try and collaborate with other professionals who are not like you or think differently than you, as that brings a whole new perspective to your work.Align with other great organizations and community leaders so that you can better solve issues within your community.It’s important to shift the conversation around diversity to how it really is a fantastic business approach for companies and organizationsYou need to have the confidence to stand up if you are being overlooked but also some vulnerability as well.Part of hospitality is about sharing. Everyone can benefit from sharing and it can help shorten other people’s journeys.Quote of the Show: 5:40  “There's just something about interior design that I think really speaks to the heart, body, mind and soul of end-users that provides this real sort of connective tissue to both the community of users and how they're interacting with space.”Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-rolston-51180215/?originalSubdomain=caWebsite: https://decanthropy.com/ Shout Outs: 2:04 Yabu Pushlberg2:07 Hirsch Bedner31:51 AiLun Ku31:53 Opportunity Network35:26 Chief Robert Joseph45:24 John Doyle47:27 Alice Stanky47:30 Anne Garis47:47 Talking HeadsWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/6uzJeu-P6MQ

Clodagh is the Founder of Clodagh Design. After suffering a horrible accident, she found her passion for being a designer. Her Irish heritage gives her a unique perspective of design, which she approaches with love and reckless abandon. Clodagh joins host Dan Ryan to talk about her journey through #hospitality and how she got to where she is now.Takeaways:  Approach design with love and reckless abandon. You need to be brave and bold to create something new and innovative. At the age of 17, Clodagh opened her first business. She used her determination to persevere through all the challenges.The BBC made a documentary about Clodagh called The Fashion Designer. She has been all over the world and met many interesting people during that time. Hire people that are better than yourself. That way you can surround yourself with people who can make you better and teach you more. Focus on trying to design the irritations out of people’s lives. You want to bring them joy and make the furniture feel like it is giving them a hug.Everyday, take a breath of the new day and appreciate where you are. Taking a moment to sit down and just focus on your breathing brings you a calming sensation.Take some time to get outside and enjoy your surroundings. Quote of the Show: 22:00 “All of my learning comes from observation really, since I haven't had any formal training of any kind, just observing what makes people happy…I'm trying to design the irritations out of people's lives.”Links: Website: https://clodagh.com/Shout Outs: 9:43 Irish Cancer Society9:48 Hibernate Hotel Ireland9:59 Irish Times10:26 Henri Bendel10:29 Lord and Taylor11:56 The Fashion Maker documentary by BBC19:43 Ashford Castle28:07 Cranwell29:15 Robert Kennedy30:46 Sarah Klymson30:47 Hyatt34:45 Brickell Miami35:39 Caledonia45:45 Edward DeBono45:59 Dr. Richie Davidson49:38 Coretta Scott King49:39 Martin Luther King JrWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/H9AuinR_CrU

Kristen Conry is the Senior Vice President of Global Design for Marriott International. She is a hospitality design guru and is the embodiment of the spirit of generosity. She’s worked with some of the most influential leaders in this industry and she shares their passion for creating unique experiences for guests. Kristen sits down with host Dan Ryan to talk about her journey in #hospitality and what it all means to her.Takeaways:  Innovation and new design ideas are something that should be at the forefront of all aspects of hospitality.Hospitality has influenced other settings such as corporate settings and other places. The design aspect has launched a new way of looking at spaces. Many hotels don’t live up to the value of “people first”. You want to make sure the core of your industry is reflected by how you treat your employees.Hospitality is the spirit of generosity. It is the feeling you get when you give to others in a way that is selfless to you.Design can’t make up for bad service. It is still important but you need to make sure the service you provide is at the top of its game.Given the constraints with architecture now, it has forced companies to be more creative and create different experiences by focusing on what really matters and what has the most impact. We’ve seen the baseline for design in American culture elevate in recent years and that is a positive and exciting aspect.Quote of the Show: 19:09 “To me, hospitality is that spirit of generosity. And it's when we anticipate and we delight people and we do it in that really selfless way that it delights us to do so.”Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-conry-32aba558/Website: https://www.marriott.com/default.miPanel: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/conry_im-speaking-at-hd-expo-conference-2022-activity-6921903747656757248-s5CE?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_webShout Outs: 0:33 Hyatt0:36 Larry Traxler13:18 Arnie Sorenson16:01 Marriott Bethesda Hotel16:07 Berman Falk16:49 Marriott Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership16:55 Howard University16:56 Damon Lawrence34:40 United Nations36:15 Ed Webber36:23 Scott Fortman36:24 Richard Gibbons38:07 John Meiser38:27 Emily Keip38:54 Jordan Mozer39:01 Adam Lara39:26 Jay Pecotte45:05 Back to the Future47:34 Starwood1;01:23 HD Expo1;01:24 BDNYWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/Kl5fFwQjppg

James Cull is the Design Director at Rottet Studio. He has had a passion for design since he was 10 years old, and he brings that passion to every project that he works on. James sits down with host Dan Ryan to share his journey through #hospitality and what it all means to him.  Takeaways:  It’s the job of the hospitality expert to take a hotel and make it a special place that feels warm and kind. There are two approaches to design, you want to understand the customer and the ethos of the brand. That way you can tailor the design to the guests.You want the guests to leave the hotel where they feel like they had an enriching experience and make sure to interest them.Hospitality is all about making people feel comfortable in a space that isn’t familiar to them. You want to make them feel like it’s a home away from home. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. That is how innovation is created and it allows for new opportunities.It’s good to have people with different views or ways of working all on the same project. That can allow for different perspectives to overlap and create new ideas. There is a lot of flexibility and openness in different disciplines of design. Quote of the Show: 15:55 “There’s a romance in that, I think ties back to this idea of hospitality and making people feel comfortable in a space that they're not typically because they're not familiar with it.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameserwincull/Website: https://www.rottetstudio.com Shout Outs: 0:43 Marriott Headquarters Hotel0:52 Arne Sorenson8:44 Pratt Institute10:09 Barack Obama23:00 Yabu Pushelberg23:10 Lizette Viloria23:15 Rockwell23:26 George and Glenn24:26 David Davis24:27 Lauren Rottet30:59 Platinum Circle Awards31:03 Larry Traxler31:13 Jordan Mozer38:44 Belmond39:12 LVMH44:57 “Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty EdwardsWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/4lihXw-97BY

Shari Bayer is the Founder and President at Bayer Public Relations. She’s been working in the restaurant industry since she was 16, so she knows the industry inside and out. Her passion for this beautiful industry is evident, especially through her podcast “All In the Industry”. She sits down with host Dan Ryan to talk about her journey through #hospitality and what it all means to her.Takeaways:  Hospitality has the most transferable “soft skills” that anyone can have. Hospitality isn’t just limited to hotels and restaurants, it is everywhere.Every restaurant is different with what is unique and what their story is. It can be hard to talk about yourself but it’s important to be vulnerable and show the world who you are. Hospitality is all about making the guest feel welcomed and important. You want the guest to leave feeling happy and return often.Design plays a huge role in the feeling of a restaurant or a hotel. It’s part of the complete package that is hospitality.The pandemic has changed how restaurants work, with the guidelines shifting from outdoor to indoor dining back and forth.You can’t teach someone to be a nice person, but you can teach them nice skills. When hiring someone, you want them to have the right personality. Hire for culture and not skills. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone pieces at a time.Quote of the Show: 12:44 “When people understand hospitality or get it right, they make you feel so special and so welcome, and so important and that they're genuinely happy to see you. They want you to feel good.”Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shari-bayer-2272862/Website: https://www.bayerpublicrelations.com/Podcast: https://www.allintheindustry.com/ Shout Outs: 3:39 Sullivan Street Bakery4:30 Jim Lahey 5:37 Mark Bittman5:40 New York Times13:33 Glen Coben13:46 Architect's Cookbook by Glen Coben18:30 Barbara Sibley18:31 La Palapa21:36 Independent Restaurant Coalition 22:25 Prune22:26 Gabrielle Hamilton25:22 Danielle Boulud31:41 Gramercy Tavern32:34 Le Bernardin34:36 Danny Meyer41:37 Line Hotel42:38 Spoken English restaurant in DC49:32 Heritage Radio Network49:34 Roberta’s Restaurant51:59 Charlie Trotter57:40 HOST Conference 52:58 William Vale in Brooklyn1;01:12 Jimmy Yui1;07:03 Rock Bottom BreweryWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/Youtube : https://youtu.be/wBp1GBCqVJk