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.

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, host David Millili sits down with Hospitality Creators Summit co-founders Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri to unpack one of the most exciting new movements in the industry.

They dive into the mission behind the Hospitality Creators Summit, an invite-only (but free) event designed to bring together creators, storytellers, and community builders across hospitality. From the growing importance of content creators in B2B spaces to the massive gap between traditional industry players and modern digital voices, this conversation explores why creators are no longer optional—they’re essential.

Anna and Anthony share why the summit focuses on real, practical value: helping creators grow their platforms, increase engagement, monetize content, and build meaningful partnerships. They also tackle bigger themes like collaboration over competition, the power of community, and why the future of hospitality belongs to those willing to create, share, and show up authentically.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring creator, this episode highlights a major shift happening in hospitality—and why you don’t want to be left behind.

Key Topics:

• The rise of B2B content creators in hospitality
• Why traditional marketing is no longer enough
• The vision behind the Hospitality Creators Summit
• Bridging the gap between generations and technology
• Collaboration vs. competition in the creator economy
• How creators can grow, monetize, and stand out

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YoYVR6gUP8o

Links:
Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-blue/
Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymelchiorri/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/266

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.

Join Steve Carran and David Millili on this month’s episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics as we break down the biggest happenings in March for the hospitality industry. This episode features a candid conversation with Bashar Wali, CEO, founder, and one of the world’s top social media influencers, as he shares insights from his global travels and perspectives on hospitality trends, hotel design, and industry challenges.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Government Shutdown & Airport Security
• Hilton adds Yotel as First in Select by Hilton
• Design Focused Hotels
• Good-Bye to the Goodtime Hotel
• Size Does Matter

Bashar also shares his thoughts on creating hotels that inspire, deliver authentic experiences, and stand out in an increasingly copy-paste industry. Whether you’re a hotelier, traveler, or hospitality enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lively discussion.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LASK2yVHBU0

Links:
Bashar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/265

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, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dr. Sharmin Dharas, Chief Experience Officer at Hotel ZAZZ and Chief Storyteller at HERstory Hospitality.

Sharmin’s journey is anything but traditional. From growing up in a 13-room Route 66 motor lodge to becoming a physician, entrepreneur, author, and boutique hotel visionary, she shares how her diverse background shaped one of the most unique hospitality concepts in the country.

The conversation dives into the creation of Hotel ZAZZ, a colorful and rebellious boutique motor lodge in Albuquerque that blends wellness, storytelling, and experiential design—including a hidden speakeasy unlocked by tapping the famous Golden Banana. Sharmin also shares how authenticity, creativity, and community partnerships helped the property gain global attention, including recognition from Forbes as one of the must-see hotels in the world.

Along the way, the discussion explores entrepreneurship, Route 66 tourism, scaling independent hospitality brands, and Sharmin’s mission to empower more women to become hotel owners through HERstory Hospitality.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Sharmin transitioned from medicine to boutique hotel ownership
• Why authenticity is the secret to creating viral, Instagram-worthy hospitality experiences
• How Route 66 tourism brings international travelers to boutique properties
• The importance of community collaboration and hyper-local experiences

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SjlSwSoSD-M

Links:
Dr. Sharmin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmindharas/

Hotel ZAZZ: https://www.hotelzazz.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/264

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 can hotels, especially independent and boutique properties, build effective marketing strategies that drive bookings, maximize revenue, and stand out in a competitive market?

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jody Merl, Founder and President of Innovative Travel Marketing, to dive into her incredible journey from aspiring actress to hospitality marketing powerhouse.

Jody shares insights from her decades of experience working with luxury hotels, launching campaigns for JetBlue and iconic properties like the Paramount Hotel, and building long-term client relationships that have stood the test of time. She also reveals what separates successful hotel marketing campaigns from those that fall flat and offers actionable advice for hotel operators and marketing professionals.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The story behind launching JetBlue with a $2M radio campaign funded entirely through trade
• How to fill gaps in hotel marketing and maximize underutilized inventory
• What are the key strategies for aligning marketing campaigns with long-term business goals
• The importance of integrated, multi-channel campaigns across digital, print, and PR
• Why is the landscape of hospitality marketing evolving from traditional advertising to targeted digital campaigns

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I6vpIq8JcBs

Links:
Jody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymerl/
Innovative Travel Marketing: https://www.innovativetravelmarketing.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/263

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, recorded live at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta, host David Millili sits down with Peter Wenzell, CEO of Wenzell and Fisher Hospitality Group. Peter shares his journey into hospitality, inspired by his father’s work in airport concessions, and how that early exposure to travel and hotels shaped his career path.

The conversation dives into one of the hospitality industry’s biggest challenges today—staffing. Peter explains how Wenzell and Fisher’s hotel task force services help hotels quickly fill operational gaps, from unexpected staff resignations to temporary leave coverage, ensuring properties continue running smoothly.

They also discuss the evolving workforce landscape, why hotels must get creative with employee retention and incentives, and how the industry can compete with employers offering higher wages. Peter shares his perspective on the growing role of technology and AI in hospitality, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with the human connection that defines great hospitality.

In this episode, you’ll learn more about:

• How Peter Wenzell got his start in the hospitality industry
• What hotel task force services are and how they solve staffing gaps
• The biggest staffing challenges hotels are facing today
• Strategies hoteliers can use to retain and motivate employees
• Why networking and industry events like the Hunter Conference matter in hospitality

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ltHaV05Elo8

Links:
Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wenzell-b11b9414b/
Wenzell & Fisher Hospitality Group: https://www.wenzellfisherhg.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/262

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.

David Millili sits down with Brian Popelmayer of Lockton Companies at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry today: rising hotel insurance costs.

In this episode, Brian shares insights from more than 23 years in the insurance industry, including how the hotel insurance marketplace has evolved, why liability insurance costs are rising, and what hotel owners and management companies must do to protect their balance sheets.

Brian also breaks down emerging risks in hospitality such as human trafficking, sexual misconduct liability, environmental exposures, mold, and Legionella claims, and explains how hoteliers can secure the right coverage in an increasingly complex insurance market.

If you’re a hotel owner, operator, asset manager, or hospitality professional, this episode will give you a clear look at the risks shaping the industry and practical strategies to manage insurance costs while protecting your business.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Brian Popelmayer got into the hospitality insurance industry
• Why hotel insurance costs have risen from 1.2% to nearly 2% of operating revenue
• How hotel owners can secure better insurance coverage
• The positive trends in the property insurance market

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DUIM79T4FuY

Links:
Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianpopelmayer/
Lockton: https://www.global.lockton.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/261

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.