In this episode of Strategy Sessions, Corey and Rachel dive into the growing importance of non-alcoholic (NA) options within the hospitality industry. With the rise of NA offerings, many establishments are rethinking their beverage programs to ensure inclusivity and enhance the overall experience for all guests.

We champion eating locally, but why don't we think about drinking locally in the same way? In this episode of Strategy Sessions, we sit down with Maryam Ahmed, founder of Maryam + Company, to explore the ideas behind her Bon Appétit op-ed article, “We Champion Eating Locally. Why Not Drinking Local?” We discuss why local wine and beverage producers often struggle to gain the same visibility as local farmers and food producers, and how restaurants, retailers, and hospitality businesses can use beverage programs to tell a stronger story about place.

Maryam also challenges us to think beyond the bottle and consider the broader economic and cultural impact of what we choose to pour. From distribution and purchasing practices to sustainability, community-building, and the guest experience, this conversation explores how drinking local can become a meaningful extension of the farm-to-table movement and a powerful way for hospitality businesses to create a deeper connection between people, producers, and place.

About Our Guest: Maryam Ahmed is the founder of Maryam + Company, a strategic consultancy focused on food, wine, community, and social impact. A writer, speaker, strategist, and experiential producer, Maryam works at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and purpose, helping organizations develop meaningful experiences and stronger connections with their communities. She is also a recognized voice in the wine industry on sustainability, inclusion, and place-based hospitality. Learn more at https://www.maryamandcompany.com

In this episode,Corey and Rachel celebrate 30 episodes of their podcast, delve into the history and relevance of the Judgment of Paris, and explore the evolving landscape of the wine industry, emphasizing regional diversity, climate impacts, and industry challenges.

Key topics include:

• History and significance of the Judgment of Paris
• Impact of climate change on wine regions
• Emerging wine regions and their potential
• Industry challenges and industry evolution
• The importance of regional diversity and transparency in wine

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

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.

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

In this episode, Corey and Rachel chat with Dr. Kimberly McGlonn to discuss the intersection of ethical leadership, purpose-driven business, and social responsibility, emphasizing the importance of morality, emotional literacy, and vulnerability in leadership. The conversation explores how hospitality brands can align profit with purpose and create cultures where people and communities thrive.

Key topics discussed, include:

• The role of morality in leadership decisions
• Emotional literacy and emotional design in organizations
• Building authentic and purpose-driven brands
• The importance of vulnerability and courage in leadership
• Aligning business practices with social and environmental impact

About Our Guest: Dr. Kimberly McGlonn is a speaker, author, and executive advisor working at the intersection of leadership, design, and social impact. Her work challenges leaders to move beyond performance and toward purpose, responsibility, and systems-level thinking. Kimberly is the author of The Leader's Work and Build It Boldly, as well as a columnist for Philadelphia Magazine, where her “Dear Kimberly” column explores leadership, identity, and navigating complexity with clarity.

More information about Kimberly can be found at:

https://www.drkimberlymcglonn.com/

https://builditboldly.com

Corey and Rachel chat with executive coach and leadership advisor David Dressler about the power of daily rituals and how small, intentional practices can create clarity, structure, and momentum in both life and work. Drawing from his experience co-founding Tender Greens and coaching high-performing founders and executives, David shares how rituals act as anchors in an otherwise chaotic day, helping you transition with purpose, show up more intentionally, and build deeper connections.

This conversation breaks down how to identify your core values, start small with sustainable habits, and create space for reflection so your rituals actually evolve with you. If you’ve ever felt stuck in reactive mode, this episode offers a practical framework to move with intention and is grounded in one simple but powerful question: Who do I need to be right now?

About Our Guest: David Dressler is an executive coach and leadership advisor with extensive experience working with founders and executives. He has a rich background in building and scaling businesses, including co-founding the successful restaurant chain Tender Greens. His unique perspective on rituals stems from his journey through the corporate world, where he learned the importance of mindfulness and intentionality. More information on David can be found at https://www.daviddressler.co/