What does the future of hospitality look like as hotels balance rising costs, evolving guest expectations, and the rapid growth of AI?
In this special roundtable episode of The Modern Hotelier, Steve Carran and David Millili welcome four hospitality leaders to The Gallery at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach for an in-depth conversation about the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry.
Joining the discussion are Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide; Luis Segredo, co-founder of Data Travel, LLC and developer of Hapi; Amber Asher, former CEO of Standard Hotels and Bunkhouse Hotels; and Josh Johnston, CEO and founder of TrayAway.
Together, they explore how technology and artificial intelligence can streamline hotel operations, connect fragmented systems, improve decision-making, and create new revenue opportunities without sacrificing the human connection that defines exceptional hospitality.
The conversation also examines the growing pressure on hotel profitability, the challenge of maintaining consistent four- and five-star service standards, and how independent hotels can preserve their unique identities while competing in an increasingly technology-driven market. From AI-powered personalization and operational automation to staff development, company culture, and the importance of trusted guest data, the panel shares practical insights into what it takes to build a sustainable future for hospitality.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- How AI can simplify hotel operations while empowering frontline teams to deliver better guest experiences
- Why trusted, connected data is essential for effective hotel technology and AI adoption
- The challenges of balancing profitability, labor costs, and luxury service standards
- How independent and lifestyle hotels can differentiate themselves through creativity, culture, and authentic guest experiences
- How to embrace meaningful innovation without overcomplicating the experience for hotel staff or guests
As the hospitality industry evolves, one message remains clear: technology should not replace hospitality. It should give people more time, better tools, and greater opportunities to make every guest experience memorable.
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BB9XxYjLusY
This episode is sponsored by Hapi & TrayAway:
Hapi: https://www.stayhapi.com/
TrayAway: https://trayaway.com/
Links:
Amber Asher
Amber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-asher-6b388a5/?isSelfProfile=false
Stuart Greif
Stuart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartwgreif
Forbes Travel Guide: https://www.forbestravelguide.com/
Luis Segredo
Luis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luissegredo
Hapi: https://www.stayhapi.com/
Josh Johnston
Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-johnston-261a8342/?isSelfProfile=false
TrayAway: https://trayaway.com/
For full show notes head to:https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/341
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Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.
