In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Dean Compoginis, the iconic voice of The Modern Hotelier, to break down the biggest hospitality stories from July.

They discuss how the World Cup boosted hotel revenue across the U.S., why food and beverage experiences are becoming a major factor in hotel bookings, and how the rapid expansion of AI data centers is creating new opportunities for extended-stay hotels. The conversation also explores how travelers are adapting their summer vacation plans despite rising costs and what these trends mean for the future of the hospitality industry.

The episode concludes with an inspiring conversation about Dean's remarkable career—from commercial radio and hospitality technology marketing to becoming one of the industry's most recognizable voiceover artists.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How the World Cup increased hotel occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR
• Why hotel restaurants and food experiences are influencing booking decisions
• The impact of AI data centers on extended-stay hotel demand
• How travelers are adjusting vacations amid higher travel costs

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zl1b8tGGjSk

Links:
Website: http://www.deancompoginis.com/
Dean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deancompoginis/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/314

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 does it take to build a hospitality career that breaks barriers while staying ahead of constant industry change?

In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Karima Zaki, COO of Town and Desert Hospitality, to explore her remarkable journey from immigrating to the United States without speaking English to becoming one of the first female hotel executives to lead major hospitality organizations.

Karima shares the lessons she learned as the first female General Manager in Red Lion Hotels' history and later as Hilton's first female Area Vice President. She discusses why leadership is about guiding people—not managing them—how boutique hotels can embrace AI without sacrificing authentic guest experiences, and why collaboration between hotels, tourism organizations, and local communities is essential for long-term destination success.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why embracing different cultures and experiences creates stronger hospitality leaders.
• The leadership mindset that separates managing processes from leading people.
• How boutique hotels can use AI strategically without losing the human touch guests value most.
• What independent boutique hotels can offer that large hotel brands often can't replicate.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uaYqYP268dc

Links:
Karima on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karimazaki/
Town & Desert Hospitality: https://townanddesert.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/313

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 the future of hospitality isn't just about exceptional service—but about creating meaningful human connection?

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran welcome Elizabeth Mullins, President of Evermore Hospitality and former executive with Ritz-Carlton and Disney, for an inspiring conversation on the future of guest experiences.

Elizabeth shares her remarkable journey from discovering her passion for hospitality at just five years old to leading some of the world's most iconic hospitality brands. Drawing on decades of leadership across Ritz-Carlton, Disney, The Fifth Avenue Hotel, and Evermore Hospitality, she reveals why the industry's next competitive advantage is creating spaces that foster togetherness.

The conversation explores Evermore Hospitality's innovative concept of relational wellness, designing destinations that help families, friends, and groups reconnect in an increasingly disconnected world. Elizabeth explains how hospitality can move beyond delivering outstanding service to creating transformational experiences that guests remember long after checkout.

The episode also covers the evolution of independent luxury hotels, lessons from leading global hospitality brands, the growing role of AI in enhancing—not replacing—human hospitality, and practical ways hoteliers can intentionally design experiences that build lasting memories.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why relational wellness is emerging as one of the industry's most important trends and how it helps combat loneliness through meaningful travel experiences.
• What it takes to design hotels and resorts that foster authentic human connection rather than simply providing accommodations.
• How AI can remove friction from the guest journey while allowing hospitality professionals to create more personalized, memorable experiences.
• The leadership principles Elizabeth learned from decades at luxury hospitality brands, including Ritz-Carlton, Disney, and The Fifth Avenue Hotel.
• How intentional service design and thoughtful programming help build unforgettable guest memories that inspire lifelong loyalty.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v7xVRPx4e1o

Links:
Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-mullins-263935127/
Evermore Hospitality: https://evermoreresort.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/312

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.