Shaping tomorrow by understanding today
Hospitality is shaped by people at every level, across roles, hotels, and regions. Through authentic conversations, the Future of Hospitality explores the bigger picture, with deeper perspectives unfolding through focused series.
Featured guests
Experiment, Fail, Win: How Great Leaders Adapt in Hospitality
Dr. Florian Ilgen joins HSMAI Studio to unpack why change is so difficult, and why the best leaders learn to embrace it anyway. From failure culture to curiosity to AI, this episode explores the mindset hospitality professionals need to adapt faster and lead with confidence.
Florian Ilgen
Keynote Speaker
The Contact Center is Not a Cost, it’s a Conversion Engine
Anita Travis and Megan Becker have spent careers running contact centers that drive real revenue - and watching the commercial team underestimate it anyway. In this episode they break down how to align the contact center with revenue management, build teams that sell on instinct, and capture pre-arrival revenue before the guest even arrives. Essential listening for commercial leaders who want the full picture.
Anita Travis & Megan Becker
HSMAI Studio
The GM who builds future GMs
From Laguna Beach fame to leading flagship hotel transformations, Dieter Schmitz reveals how hospitality grounded his life and built a culture-first leadership playbook. He shares lessons on openings, navigating public perception, and mentoring future general managers. Expect candid stories and hard-earned advice.
Dieter Schmitz
General Manager
our hosts
Private leadership sessions for hotel executives
A limited number of in-person sessions for hospitality leaders. Closed rooms, honest dialogue, and shared experience. Details coming soon.