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Indhold leveret af 50 Shades of Hospitality. Alt podcastindhold inklusive episoder, grafik og podcastbeskrivelser uploades og leveres direkte af 50 Shades of Hospitality eller deres podcastplatformspartner. Hvis du mener, at nogen bruger dit ophavsretligt beskyttede værk uden din tilladelse, kan du følge processen beskrevet her https://da.player.fm/legal.
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Matt Deseno is the founder of multiple award winning marketing businesses ranging from a attraction marketing to AI appointment setting to customer user experience. When he’s not working on the businesses he teaches marketing at Pepperdine University and he also teaches other marketing agency owners how they created a software company to triple the profitability for the agency. Our Sponsors: * Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com * Check out Mint Mobile: https://mintmobile.com/tmf * Check out Moorings: https://moorings.com * Check out Trust & Will: https://trustandwill.com/TRAVIS * Check out Warby Parker: https://warbyparker.com/travis Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…
Indhold leveret af 50 Shades of Hospitality. Alt podcastindhold inklusive episoder, grafik og podcastbeskrivelser uploades og leveres direkte af 50 Shades of Hospitality eller deres podcastplatformspartner. Hvis du mener, at nogen bruger dit ophavsretligt beskyttede værk uden din tilladelse, kan du følge processen beskrevet her https://da.player.fm/legal.
A global podcast dedicated to learning from industry players around the world. Our podcasts are a series of interviews with international hospitality and tourism industry professionals. We prompt our guests to share their personal experiences, as well as analyse the current trends, technology and innovations.The podcast’s goal is to inspire people in the field and to encourage young people to join this exciting industry. We are committed to evaluating the current educational and training opportunities for industry professionals in the hopes of finding solutions to the challenges the industry is now facing.
Indhold leveret af 50 Shades of Hospitality. Alt podcastindhold inklusive episoder, grafik og podcastbeskrivelser uploades og leveres direkte af 50 Shades of Hospitality eller deres podcastplatformspartner. Hvis du mener, at nogen bruger dit ophavsretligt beskyttede værk uden din tilladelse, kan du følge processen beskrevet her https://da.player.fm/legal.
A global podcast dedicated to learning from industry players around the world. Our podcasts are a series of interviews with international hospitality and tourism industry professionals. We prompt our guests to share their personal experiences, as well as analyse the current trends, technology and innovations.The podcast’s goal is to inspire people in the field and to encourage young people to join this exciting industry. We are committed to evaluating the current educational and training opportunities for industry professionals in the hopes of finding solutions to the challenges the industry is now facing.
Jacquy Pfeiffer embodies the French pastry chef’s persona with style and grace and shares his many career choices and experiences across the world. From his native Alsace to Chicago via California, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Brunei and Hong Kong, Jacquy has brought his pastry magic to the many places he has worked. He explains how he started as a young apprentice in the Alsace region and the importance of hard work, a strong sense of perfectionism and a good dose of humility when it comes to creating his signature pastries. He also describes the artistry and creative focus needed to become a sought-after pastry chef. Jacquy has shared his pastry passion with many and has co-authored several books. In addition, he created a pastry school in Chicago with Chef Sébastien Canonne , where they trained thousands of professional pastry chefs. Baking is Jacquy’s passion. He comes from a long lineage of family bakers. He started learning the craft like many do, at a young age in his father’s kitchen. This is where he learned that when you can make a beautiful croissant or a baguette, you bring joy and happiness to others. What drives Jacquy is not just to be the best at his craft, but also to share his passion with others. Twenty-five years ago, he co-founded The French Pastry School in Chicago with Chef Sébastien Canonne. He is happy that all the pastry chefs they have trained can, in turn, bring joy and happiness to many more people. More recently, they have taken their 25 years of instructional knowledge and have put it into an online, on-demand, educational format that allows both enthusiasts and professionals to build on their knowledge in Baking and Pastry Arts. This is available through The Butter Book ( www.thebutterbook.com ) which offers an on demand online education as well as their partnership with Rouxbe (www.rouxbe.com) which offers a wide range of educational programs in Pastries and Breads.…
In this podcast, entrepreneur Brandon Burnett describes how his next generation of hotel equipment is poised to improve and transform the hotel industry. He also describes his career path from completing a hospitality management degree in Switzerland to working for some of the major hotel chains in different capacities. Brandon shares his views and opinions about the hospitality industry, tech trends and staffing challenges. Brandon in the founder of Abellcart LLC, a hospitality tech startup. Abellcart’s first product in the self-driving luggage cart that is trying to profoundly impact productivity in lodging properties worldwide. These self-driving luggage carts can be used by staff and guests and they operate safely and reliably, reducing the risk of workplace accidents and creating a safer environment for hotel staff. By creating affordable connected tools to reduce the physical labor necessary to work in the industry, Abellcart allows hotels to control labor costs, optimize scheduling and gives hotel staff the ability to focus on more important guest centric tasks. ABELLCART is customizable to the operation it serves. It is designed to withstand frequent usage and heavy payloads, providing a faster alternative to the older model bell cart. Staff can regularly spend up to 8 hours a day handling loaded carts. The design is centered on their needs, enhancing safety and drivability to create a tool that prioritizes physical well-being. Brandon Burnett is a hospitality veteran and has held various leadership roles within Marriott and Starwood across Hawaii, Florida, and New Orleans, gaining valuable insights into the operational needs of the industry. Abellcart specializes in autonomous cargo delivery and is fundraising to bring its innovative autonomous luggage carts to hotels across the United States, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve guest experiences in the hospitality industry.…
In this podcast we speak to Aoife McArdle, an Innovation & Disruption Expert. Aoife was an early leader in the most disruptive industries the world has seen in the last 20 years. She was a key initiator and driver of rapid growth at Airbnb (travel and hospitality), Skype (telecommunications) and Apple (music, e-commerce). Aoife shares her personal stories as a host on Airbnb before she began working there and how the company’s mission and values won her over. It’s hard to think of a more quintessential story in disruption than Airbnb — the global platform that changed the way we think about staying in other people’s homes, which disrupted an incumbent industry. It pivoted and thrived during the pandemic and floated 3 years ago with a market cap of over $80bn. At Airbnb, Aoife pioneered and expanded regulations for home sharing and spearheaded cross-functional efforts that resulted in the implementation of some of the first ever home-sharing laws in the world. She shares some remarkable anecdotes with our listeners and describes some unforeseen experiences in meetings she had with city officials who were concerned with how Airbnb would change the local tourism scene. After 4 years as General Counsel EMEA, Aoife became a founding leader of Airbnb’s Experiences business, leading Business Affairs, Social Impact and Diversity & Inclusion. She also initiated, led and closed Airbnb’s largest global partnership, a 10-year landmark deal with the International Olympic Committee, which will drive economic empowerment opportunities for millions of hosts, athletes and local communities during the next 4 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She is an expert at navigating complex policy and risk for disruptive companies that are expanding globally and will share her take on what companies need to consider when they have to make difficult trade-offs between scale and risk. Aoife previously worked as European Legal Counsel at Apple and as Global Head of Commercial & Regulatory Affairs at Skype. During her time at Apple and at Skype, Aoife also saw huge growth and scale in her role including the launch of the iPod and the first partnership that enabled Skype on mobile. Aoife is an Advisor and Board Member in the USA and Europe, as well as an angel investor. She coaches entrepreneurs and founders, prioritizing female and minority founded companies.…
In this podcast, Nicola Gryczka informs our listeners about equitable and sustainable food systems in the hospitality industry and how she became, in her words, “a change-maker, dreamer and social entrepreneur”. As co-founder and leader of the Social Gastronomy Movement (SGM), Nicola connects communities globally to drive equitable and sustainable food systems. Her background includes pioneering solutions to combat food waste, advancing educational content for underserved communities, and consulting in the social enterprise space. The Social Gastronomy Movement cultivates connections, collaborations and partnerships that strengthen our individual and collective capacity to co-create an equitable future, inclusive society and healthy planet. SGM advocates for positive changes in local food systems so that together we move towards global progress creating a new ecosystem for change. With experience at the World Economic Forum, TIME Magazine, and Gastromotiva, Nicola brings a unique multi-stakeholder approach to her work. With a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, and an Entrepreneurship specialization from the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, a Masters in International Negotiation and Policy Making from the Graduate Institute, and an MBA with a specialization on social enterprises, her passion lies at the cross road of grass root activism and policy making, especially in fields of food, agriculture and education. Since 2016 she has started to work with innovative solutions to stop the vicious circle of food waste, such as a food surplus product line, online educational content for underprivileged communities and tech solutions to scale impact globally, involving the powerful convening power of chefs. Most of her career was in the development world, continuously focusing on solutions through a multi-stakeholder approach. She started her career at the World Economic Forum, working with Strategic Partnerships and later within the Latin American Centre for Regional Strategies, and has since worked for TIME Magazine, as the CEO of Brazilian social enterprise Gastromotiva during the internationalization and expansion, as well acted as a consultant in a variety of areas. She sits on the board of social organizations such as Catalyst2030 in Holland and Mater Foundation in Switzerland, while actively coaching and supporting young women and social entrepreneurs around the world. Most recently she is also an entrepreneur in residence for the prestigious the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne / EHL Group. Nicola has become a motivational speaker and consultant at renowned organizations and events such as IADB, FAO Latam, WFP, WEF and SxSW among others.…
With over 40 years-experience as a luxury hotel concierge, Robert Watson shares his career path and choices along with some unforgettable experiences with our listeners. Starting as a page boy at the InterContinental Hotel in London, Robert has also worked at some of London’s famous hotels such as Mayfair Hotel, the Park Hyatt Carlton Tower and the Grosvenor. In this podcast, Robert describes what a concierge does, why this position is still important for prestigious hotels and for their role in satisfying demanding client requests. Robert explains the importance of having a strong network that can be relied upon when a request is particularly challenging. Robert also gives our listeners an inside look into the International Clefs D’Or, (translated as The Golden Keys), a professional association of hotel concierges, with approximately 4000 members working in over 80 countries and 530 destinations, in literally every corner of the world. In 2009, Robert became the President of this prestigious organization and he has served this organization in other positions such as the Treasurer and Delegate for Great Britain. With roots dating back to 1929, Les Clefs d’Or was officially founded in France in 1952 as a not-for-profit organisation based on two pillars: Service and Friendship. Before earning the right to wear the golden keys, those who aspire to become a member must have several years of experience as a hotel concierge, pass comprehensive testing and prove, beyond doubt, their ability to deliver highest quality of service. Joining the Willard InterContinental Washington in February of 2006, Chef Concierge Robert Watson brings to the DC landmark hotel over 48 years of Concierge service experience accrued from working in properties all over the world. Prior to this, Robert has held Chef Concierge positions at the Grosvenor House Hotel, the Park Hyatt Carlton Tower, and the MayFair InterContinental Hotel in London England. He has also held this prestigious position at the Hotel InterContinental in Luxembourg, the Cape Sun InterContinental Hotel in Cape Town, the InterContinental Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg both in South Africa where he aided in the hotel’s opening. His duties during this time included creating hotel policy and procedure as well as the development of their training manual for all concierges, porters, doormen and drivers. In 2009, Robert became International President of Les Clefs d’Or. Robert has also held the positions of International Delegate for the Golden Keys of Great Britain and Treasurer of the Golden Keys of Great Britain in addition to being a member for over 40 years. He is currently an active member of the Les Clefs d’Or, USA. Fluent in four languages, including Spanish, French and Italian, Robert’s international perspective began during his childhood where he was raised in both Uruguay and Costa Rica, and attended a French school before settling back in the United Kingdom to begin his illustrious career. Now based in Washington DC with his wife Paula and son Brooks, Robert Watson offers each guest an in-depth knowledge of Washington DC with a professional and pleasant demeanor.…
In this podcast, we interview Estelle Vassallo, who is the General Manager of the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel in Italy. Estelle answers our questions about crisis management in the hospitality field and about what it takes to become a GM. We ask Estelle to describe what it is like to manage a hotel in an iconic location like the Amalfi Coast and she explains what kind of clients the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel attracts. We also discuss the selection and hiring process for a luxury hotel GM, gender equality in the Hospitality Industry and the increasing number of women who are filling GM positions. We also discuss the importance of having a cool and calm demeanor in the face of crises such as terrorist attacks, union strikes or political instability and Estelle explains how she goes about managing these very difficult situations. Estelle Vassallo is a passionate hospitality leader with extensive background in all hotel areas, both on-property as well as regional. Being half-German, half-French, married to an Italian and having lived in 7 European countries, she considers herself a proud and multi-lingual European. She loves every aspect of the hotel life, especially team motivation and engagement, as well as delivering quality service to her guests, always keeping innovation and change as a priority. Estelle is very organized and has a strong orientation for results, with a lot of budgeting, forecasting and cost adjustment experience. Crisis management is one of her specialties, having had unfortunately to deal with many crises throughout her career, including various terrorist attacks, difficult union situations and strikes, and political instability. In 2010, Estelle was the winner of Hospitality Career Award and she speaks five languages.…
Claude Achaume has been working as the private rooms manager for the exclusive 5 Hertford Street Private Club in London for several years and in this podcast, he shares his experiences and some interesting anecdotes that have made headlines! Claude describes how his years at the iconic Connaught Hotel in London shaped his sense of hospitality and taught him the importance of discretion and tactfulness. While working at the Connaught, Claude met actors, royalty, celebrities and politicians and he describes some of his most memorable moments. He tells our listeners why the Connaught was unique and highly appreciated by its guests. After the Connaught, Claude moved on to the London Ritz where he continued his Food and Beverage career there until 1991. It was Mr. Julian Payne, the former manager at the London Ritz and a much-appreciated mentor, who introduced Claude to the London private club scene and gave him the opportunity to start working for them. Claude shares his hospitality acumen, his values and why he hasn’t considered retirement as of yet. As a Frenchman living in England for many years, Claude tells us why he appreciates London and why he decided to come back from France after working eight years at the Château de la Pioline in Aix en Provence. Claude also tells us why it’s no longer easy to find experienced and dedicated staff and how he has seen the hospitality field struggle, change and evolve. We also ask Claude to share his ideas on how the private club niche is just one of the many places young people can aspire to work and what skills are needed for this kind of employment. Finally, Claude talks about how 5 Hertford Street Private Club welcomed guests as part of the Coronation of Charles celebration in May of this year. Understanding royal protocol is just one of the many reasons why Claude is a very popular, admired and treasured hospitality expert.…
Claire Dupleix is a Hospitality and Hotel Reception Ambassador in France and a MOF (Mellieur Ouvrier de France / Best Craftsman of France). She was the first to receive this prestigious honour for Hotel Receptionist in 2015. In this podcast, Claire describes her passion and enthusiasm for the hospitality industry and elaborates on her educational and career paths. In this podcast, we learn more about what it takes to be a MOF and how this competition is run. The title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France is a unique and prestigious award in France, according to different categories of trades in a contest among professionals. This competition is organized and recognized as a third-level degree by the French Ministry of Labour . The President of the French Republic is granted honorary membership with the title MOF honoris causa. The awarding of medals occurs at the Sorbonne , in Paris , during a large reunion followed by a ceremony at the Élysée in the presence of the President of the French Republic. Claire goes on to explain that this award for special abilities is unique in the world. Created in 1924, this competition celebrated its 100-year anniversary this year in Lyon. Claire describes this historical event and why this competition continues to inspire young people. With the diversity of specialities, the list of which is regularly updated, the MOF award currently has also been awarded to more modern trades and high technology fields. Claire also describes the different competitions she has participated in including AICR and how she has gone from being a competitor to a judge and teacher. She explains her involvement in the AICR competitions and why she believes these events are relevant and important to promote Front Desk and Receptionist careers. Finally, Claire talks to our listeners about balancing her career and personal life and she shares some insights into what it takes to have a successful career in hospitality.…
In this podcast, Cathleen Cain, explains why many hospitality businesses are not accessible for people with limited mobility and what they can do to improve this. In her opinion, some simple, inexpensive changes can make a world of difference. Cathleen has travelled around the world and in this podcast, she describes the particular challenges she has had to face as a paraplegic in a wheelchair. As a California native living in Switzerland, Cathleen went from an accessibility friendly environment in the USA to limited accessibility in Europe. She also explains that accessibility isn’t just about physical improvements, but attitudes towards people with limited mobility. Although she has seen some major improvements, Cathleen thinks that many places need to be more pro-active and sensitive to limited mobility issues. Cathleen Cain has a Master’s in Mental Health and is a certified Somatic Experiencing therapist. After 18 years as a licensed psychotherapist in the US, Cathleen Cain moved to Switzerland in 2006. The driving force in her work is to help others find or re-find ease and comfort in their being. Her own journey of healing after a traumatic accident 40 years ago had her searching for a therapist who had both psychological and body work skills. As these professionals are difficult to find, studying both somatic and cognitive approaches to help others re-establish their equilibrium has been her focus. She works in English and French. With 30 years of experience in mental health as a body-oriented therapist, Cathleen enjoys creating a safe environment for explorations that lead to personal solutions. The approach she has developed taps into her clients’ existing resources. Her professional training includes Somatic Experiencing, Soma Embodiment, EMDR, Solution Focused and Milne Cranio-Sacral training. Her personal interests are dance, sports, meditation, nature experiences as well as reading, bee keeping and family.…
Podcast Description: In this podcast, Chris Horn who is currently the General Manager at Gold Key Media, discusses his career path and answers our questions about the synergies between the Media and Hospitality. Gold Key Media has a hard earned and formidable reputation for quality and credibility in the industry for providing a reliable, competitive service and consequently represent all of the world’s leading hospitality brands with the world’s most respected and trusted publications. In addition to supplying some of the finest hotels in the world, the company now also supplies airlines, private jets, superyachts, private medical, Corporate HQ’s, UK Armed Forces, Embassies, Private Clubs etc. We ask Chris pertinent questions about how and why he created Gold Key Media and what are its vision, values and objectives. Chris also discusses the decline of media advertising and how this is affecting current media outlets. He shares his impressions and predictions of how media outlets will continue to evolve and change. Finally, Chris discusses his involvement with AICR and his personal ties to the hospitality industry and why young people should embrace careers in this ever-changing, ever-growing field. Chris Horn began his career in the media industry back in 1991 when he joined America’s largest newspaper, USA Today as Circulation Manager for Europe, before going on to become Circulation Director Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong. He returned to the UK in 1996 to become Managing Director of Johnsons Inflight News, responsible for the distribution of international media to the world’s leading airlines, including global brands such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific and others. Chris set up Gold Key Media in 2020. Using the same “one stop shop” media distribution solution he’d successfully provided to the airline industry, Chris’s vision was to create a similar business model for the hotel industry. In his previous role at USA Today, Chris had established strong links with many of the world’s finest hotel concierges and had become an associate member of the prestigious and globally renowned Les Clefs d’Or, otherwise known as The Golden Keys Association. In his desire to forge a new working relationship with his new company, Chris asked the Golden Keys Association if he could call his new company Gold Key Media in recognition of the key role these individuals would play in the success of the new business. Since those early days, Gold Key Media has thrived and evolved into becoming the world’s largest provider of media to the hotel industry. Supplying over 4,000 hotels globally with print and digital media solutions for their guests. Chris’s first publishing client was world renowned National Geographic magazine, and his first hotel clients were Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Cliveden Hotel and The Waterside Inn. They all remain as clients today, 24 years later. A testament to the quality of service provided. Gold Key Media is proudly associated with organisations such as The Master Inn Holders, The AICR Association, Institute of Hospitality and Chris is also a proud Ambassador for the industry charity, Hospitality Action.…
Francesco Bonotto has been the manager of the legendary Venice-Simplon Orient Express for over five years. In his own words: “I am the Hotel Manager of a 5 star hotel moving on rail tracks across 5 different countries with an international luxurious clientele looking for a lifetime experience. A very wide knowledge and a multitasking mind set are necessary tools to cover such a role. Additionally, the variables involved in the operations are many and most of the time, unforeseen.” Francesco discusses the importance of making sure the guests have a unique, unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience. In this podcast he shares some memorable moments and the particular challenges he has had to face. We also discuss the literary and cinematic legacy of this mythical train and what guests are looking for when they board. Francesco describes his professional path and what led him to this remarkable hospitality position. Several years working in China allowed Francesco to gain invaluable experience and knowledge of another culture and in this podcast, he talks about his time spent there. Francesco Bonotto in an experienced Operations Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverage industry. He is skilled in catering, the hospitality industry, multi-unit management and restaurants. He has strong business development experience and a Bachelor’s degree focused on Business Administration in Hospitality from GLION institute for Higher Education in Switzerland.…
Romain Faure is the founder of itsRomainFaure , an up-and-coming YouTube channel focused on personal finance in the United States. Originally from France he has spent the last decade in the US, honing his expertise in personal finance through experience with some of the largest US corporations. In this podcast we ask Romain to describe his career path from obtaining a degree in Hospitality Management and Finance at a prestigious Swiss Hotel Management school to his current You Tube success. Romain also explains how his background in hospitality has shaped his career and explains what motivated him to pursue a path in Finance. itsRomainFaure’s programming is available across all social media including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as most importantly YouTube. Romain seeks to provide insightful financial guidance through a video podcast format called 'Finance Action'. Through these segments, Romain delves into the finances of individuals with unique backgrounds, some with high net worth, and others with substantial debt, assessing their financial situation and providing tailored recommendations for their financial goals. Dynamic, highly motivated, and results-driven, Romain has worked in Finance at Amazon, with a proven track record in leading business strategy and financial analytics. With over eight years in Finance and Strategy, he specialises in data analysis, forecasting, and business modeling, coupled with robust skills in business development and negotiation. An ivy-league MBA in Finance complements his expertise in driving financial plans and enhancing acquisition efforts. Committed to innovation and customer-focused strategies, Romain excels in cross-functional collaboration, ensuring alignment with a company’s vision and mission, and impacting digital consumer behaviors.…
In this podcast, chocolatier Aditi Malhotra Ahooja shares her unique path from her childhood in New York City, to a Swiss hospitality school and onto becoming a successful entrepreneur. Aditi talks about her family’s love and support, learning to become a pastry chef, some inevitable bumps along the way and her passion for chocolate. She describes how her labor of love, Tache Chocolates, came into being. Tache Chocolate was founded by pastry chef Aditi Malhotra Ahooja. Her delicious and unique chocolates draw inspiration from her travels around the world and her Indian background. Each bite sized treat tells a story and captivates the senses! Aditi describes them as a “Journey of the Senses” She is a graduate of The Glion Hotel School in Switzerland and The French Culinary Institute. Aditi first started her career working under acclaimed pastry chef Pichet Ong and then went on to work as a Japanese chef at Morimoto. Aditi had an opportunity to learn from a chocolatier in Paris before opening her own storefront in NYC. Since opening Tache in 2012, Aditi and her chocolates have taken the confectionary world by storm. She was the winner of Zagat’s 30 Under 30 Award and selected as one of Forbes 30 under 30 game changers in Food & Wine. She competed twice as Forbes best young chef in America as the only dessert chef invited. All of Tache’s creations are handcrafted in her mini Willy Wonkaesque factory and are handmade from the finest ingredients in the world. Tache is also famous for its chocolate-making classes, which have gained the attention from the New York Times and Time Out Kids. Her chocolates have been featured in The New York Times, Time Out, TV Asia, The Huffington Post, The Village Voice, Business Insider, Food and Wine, InStyle Magazine, Gotham Magazine and an HSBC commercial. Tache’s name comes from the French word “tache” which means spot or smudge. When it comes to Aditi, she always has a “tache” of chocolate smeared all over her chef’s coat. There was no other option then to name it after the evidence of a whimsical chocolatier!…
In this episode, Andrra Berisha describes how she has dynamically created an envious hospitality management path for herself after her hospitality studies in Switzerland. As the Business Development Manager at Lighthouse , the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry, Andrra uses her hospitality acumen to drive revenue growth and foster long-term client partnerships. We ask Andrra to describe her hospitality education and how it has helped her to succeed in the hospitality sector and she gives our listeners some insights on how to creatively and dynamically approach a successful management career. Working in the luxury hotel sector gave Andrra the skills she needed to engage with demanding clients and to understand the importance of having a service-based approach to business. In addition, Andrra understood early in her career the importance of technology and how to use it optimally. She also explains how she moved from a traditional hospitality role into a more technology-based position and the challenges she faced during this time. Finally, Andrra gives us her opinion of AI and how this new technology can improve the customer experience while underpinning her solid conviction that the human touch will always be appreciated and needed. With a proven track record in academia and business development, Andrra is a dynamic force in the field. As the Business Development Manager at Lighthouse , Andrra drives growth by forging strategic partnerships and securing enterprise-level contracts. Based in Pristina, Kosovo, Andrra excels in remote environments, leveraging strong relationships with C-level executives to expand market reach and drive sales. Previously, Andrra served as a Business & Sales Consultant for Everguest, where they pioneered entry market strategies and elevated client portfolios through innovative approaches to online reputation management. Prior to this, Andrra demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Front Office & Revenue Manager at Four Points by Sheraton, optimizing guest experiences and increasing satisfaction scores through Design Thinking methodologies. With a background spanning pre-opening project management, client experience design, and sales, Andrra brings a wealth of expertise to every endeavor. From internships at neuvoo to roles at renowned hospitality establishments like Perry Lane Hotel and Penha Longa Resort, Andrra has consistently delivered outstanding results, earning accolades for her dedication and innovation. In summary, Andrra is a strategic thinker, a dynamic leader, and a results-driven professional who continues to illuminate pathways to success in the ever-evolving landscape of business.…
In this podcast, Philippe Rey-Westlund and Byron Rey-Westlund talk about their labor of love and fine dining with the creation of Underground Dining at Naglee Park in the Silicon Valley. We learn about how this idea was born, how it blossomed into a full-time job for its creative chef Byron and how Philippe’s family history of running a hotel and restaurant in Crans-Montana, Switzerland helped him to become the welcoming host for an eclectic clientele. Both Byron and Philippe talk about their travel and dining experiences and how cuisine from different places influenced Byron’s culinary explorations and dishes. With humour and a touch of irreverence, they describe some of their underground dining events, give advice to people who may be interested in creating an Underground Dining venue and their favourite places to go for Underground Dining. Byron Westlund Jr. grew up in Cupertino, California surrounded by fruits orchards. Cupertino, before becoming the Apple Corp. headquarters was a small village one hour south of San Francisco populated mostly by Italian and Mexican immigrants. There he was introduced early to the delicious tasty layers of ancestral Mexican cuisine. After college, Byron worked in technology and with the responsibilities of holding leadership positions, he was afforded the opportunity to travel the world for business. As an adventurous and curious person, Byron would explore the food scene everywhere he landed. With offices and staff he would visit, on an almost monthly basis, Grenoble, Lyon, Geneva, Mexico City, Tokyo and Singapore. Byron would go out of his way to sample all local tastes and traditional dishes. Upon his return home to Silicon Valley, he would spend hours recreating the flavors and structures of the dishes he so loved while out in the world. Underground Dining at Naglee Park was inevitable and for ten years, became Byron's retirement-from-technology job, but way more fun and creative. Byron always loves nothing more than welcoming friends and family to his table to share with them his passion and love for good, heart-warming, soul-lifting food and good times. Dr. Philippe Rey is the Executive Director of ACS in the Silicon Valley, California. He first joined Adolescent Counseling Services in 1998 as Caravan House Program Director. After three years at Caravan, he became a member of the executive team as Associate Director and has now been the agency's Executive Director since 2004. Philippe was born and raised in the French-speaking region of Switzerland and came to the United States in 1984 to attend the University of California at San Diego. In 1997, his doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in child and family therapy was conferred by Alliant International University in San Diego. Before pursuing graduate studies and a career in psychology, Philippe graduated from business school in Sion, Switzerland. With his husband Byron, Philippe operated an "Underground Dining" establishment which served as a cultivation & fundraising vehicle for ACS since 2011.…
In this podcast, Philippe Clarinval discusses the role of the Hotel GM and what makes this role appealing and challenging. He also shares his passion for life-long learning and why continuing educational pursuits are important in our ever-changing world. Philippe’s role as General Manager of the Carlton Hotel in St.-Moritz Switzerland and the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel allowed him realise the importance of transformational leadership. In this episode, Philippe delves into what transformational leadership looks like and how the hospitality sector must encourage and support service excellence by inspiring and cultivating their employee experiences. We also ask Philippe to share his rich educational and career path and to comment on the current lack of qualified hospitality staff. Philippe explains why hospitality education must continue to adapt if they want to inspire and prepare a new generation of hospitality employees. Finally, Philippe shares his thoughts on what makes a great GM and encourages young hoteliers to continue learning and pursue their dreams. Philippe Clarinval started his career in the United States and Asia with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. He is a luminary in the international luxury hospitality industry. He is renowned for his roles as the Managing Director of The Omnia Mountain Lodge, General Manager of the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz, and, most recently, the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel. His transformational leadership is characterised by a steadfast commitment to service excellence, uncompromising engagement, inspiration, and the cultivation of a refined employee experience, making his hotels bastions of luxury. A solid academic foundation, with degrees from Ivy League Universities and Management Schools such as the Glion Institute of Higher Education, underpins Clarinval's journey in hospitality. His commitment to excellence has garnered industry accolades and recognition, affirming his status as a thought leader in hospitality. Beyond his professional endeavours, he contributes to the academic sphere, offering insights into leadership, service quality, and management. As such, he is the Vice Chairman of the Hoteliers Guild Academy of Hospitality Arts, a member and author of the Forbes Business Council and a former Board Member of Swiss Deluxe Hotels. His influence extends across other industries, inspiring professionals on executive boards and students alike.…
In this podcast, Mohammed Marghalani, currently the Saudi Chief of Franchised Assets Operations for PIF Hospitality Projects, talks to us about the enormous changes that have occurred over the past five years in the Saudi hospitality field. With over 18 years in the hospitality field and an MBA from the Ecole Hotelière de Lausanne, Mohammed also discusses Swiss Hospitality education and how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is bringing best educational practices to hospitality schools there. Mohammed also shares his passion for hospitality and describes how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is moving quickly to meet the hospitality and tourism demands that the country is facing. The Vision 2030 project is focusing on opening up new destinations for tourists and creating unforgettable experiences for them. Finally, Mohammed discusses the efforts the Kingdom has made to be more open and to project a more modern image of their country. He also discusses the work opportunities for women in Saudi hospitality and what is being done to promote their employment. Mr. Mohammed Marghalani is currently the Saudi Chief of Franchised Assets Operation at one of the PIF hospitality projects. He has more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He was the former Cluster General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and Jeddah where he managed and oversaw the overall operations and strategic direction of the five-star property that consists of 493 rooms and suites, including its nine dining outlets. Mohammed joined The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh as a member of the pre-opening guidance team in 2011 in the role of Assistant Director of Finance. Prior to this, he had a progressive and successful career with other well-known luxury brands. In January 2020 Mr. Marghalani became the General Manager for the iconic property and drove it successfully through the Covid -19 crisis and the return to its normal phases while achieving impressive results financially and qualitatively. He was recently awarded the best General Manager in Ritz-Carlton globally for 2023. Marghalani began his educational career by acquiring a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management in 2006 from Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland. After that, Mohammed went on to advance his knowledge in the field by obtaining his MBA with a concentration in hospitality management from the Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne in Switzerland. He was also enrolled with the Marriot Ascent Leadership Program at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in the United States to thrive and grow his leadership skills. Marghalani has several leadership qualifications, as he is a member of the Saudi Council of Leaders, and he has been one of the participants in the first version of the Leaders 2030 Program for the MiSK Foundation. This program has over 1000 leaders who contribute to achieving the goals and strategies of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.…
Rebecca Li is a force to be reckoned with and some of the many hats she wears include entrepreneur, hospitality expert, investment banker and educator. Rebecca was born into a Chinese hotelier family and left China in 2003 to pursue her studies in England and China. In 2011 she became an investment banker and returned to China in 2014. In this podcast, Rebecca shares her educational and career path choices and how she juggles her career with having two young children. Rebecca also describes her family’s hotel business and how it has evolved over the years. As an entrepreneur, Rebecca is constantly looking for ways to grow and improve her family’s businesses and she recently visited Switzerland to discover Swiss hospitality and Swiss hospitality education. After commenting on her impressions of Switzerland, she describes the hospitality sector in China and how China is meeting the ever-growing hospitality needs through education, technology and innovation. Finally, Rebecca discusses some of the challenges that the Chinese hospitality market is currently facing and conveys the need for more hospitality education and training. She addresses the ever-changing travel and hospitality market and how hoteliers can better meet these challenges. Rebecca Li is a seasoned hotelier with a rich background in the hospitality industry, stemming from her family's heritage business. She grew up in Beijing and was immersed in the hospitality sector through her family's 140-key Palace Hotel in Lijiang, China. Under her leadership, the Maple Palace Hotel Group has expanded to own and operate 16 properties across Yunnan, Hainan, and Thailand, encompassing various types of accommodations, including business hotels, resort hotels, and boutique hotels. Rebecca pursued her education abroad, studying in the UK and Canada. She began her professional career as an investment banker in Toronto before returning to Asia to contribute to her family's business. To further enhance her expertise in hospitality management, she obtained a master's certificate from Cornell University. As the Chief Director of Corporate Development for Maple Palace Hotel Group, Rebecca is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the hospitality industry. She co-founded InnCube, a co-working space in Beijing, and Les Petite Ecuries, a French fusion restaurant in Yunnan, while also expanding operations to Thailand. In addition to her role in hospitality, Rebecca serves as the Executive Director of the Yunnan Association for International Science and Technology Cooperation. In this capacity, she supports regional development initiatives in her hometown and has established an international innovation and entrepreneurship platform (YiiEC) with a presence in countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, France, Canada, and the US. Driven by a passion for hospitality and a commitment to innovation, Rebecca Li continues to build upon her family legacy while exploring new opportunities for growth and collaboration in the industry.…
In this episode, we talk to Yannick Bouyidou, whose hospitality career with Ritz-Carlton led him to work on four different continents in different leadership positions. Currently, Yannick wears several hospitality hats including entrepreneur, mentor, guest speaker, philanthropist and educator. Yannick has a 360 -degree vision of the current hospitality trends and business stakes and understands how business, performance, excellence in customer service, technology, and innovation can go hand in hand with philanthropy and giving back to society. Yannick also discusses how to interest and motivate young people to join the ever-changing hospitality environment and best practices when it comes to training and retaining young talents. Yannick has an contagious passion for hospitality training and education while recognizing the importance of matching knowledgeable and dedicated hospitality educators with young minds. Yannick Bouyidou, MBA, is a driven, multi-lingual hospitality professional turned entrepreneur who holds a bachelor's in Hospitality Management and an MBA in Business Transformation & Entrepreneurship. Yannick worked for over a decade for the luxury hotel chain The Ritz-Carlton, holding various leadership positions on 4 continents tasked with improving customer experience, employee engagement, and ultimately financial performance. Today, Yannick decided to reinvent himself with a vision of giving back by sharing his passion and expertise in customer success strategies and entrepreneurship with recipients such as industry experts, startup founders, and students around the world. Yannick co-founded two companies and is actively involved in the Swiss start-up ecosystem, working as a judge & mentor for MassChallenge Switzerland, leader in helping startups across Europe grow their businesses by accelerating nearly 400 startups across multiple industries (+CHF 196M in funding). Today, Yannick’s mission is to create an ecosystem of products and services that allows individuals and companies to achieve their personal goals by collaborating and sharing a meaningful journey together.…
In this podcast, Olivier Bracard, the co-founder and CEO of the highly successful hospitality recruitment platform Hosco, describes how this platform was born and why it is the go-to website for people looking for job offers in the hospitality field. As an EHL graduate, Olivier describes his time at the famous Swiss Hospitality School and how his international networking skills began there. He also gives insights on Hospitality Education in Switzerland and apprises us on the current educational trends. In addition, Olivier discusses the fallout from the COVID pandemic, how the hospitality industry was strongly hit, and why it has become more challenging to find qualified talent in an ever-growing competitive field. Obviously, Hosco has had to navigate these challenges, and Olivier explains how the recruitment process has evolved over the past few years. Finally, Olivier describes the current hospitality recruitment trends and how he sees the field's future changing and evolving. In his opinion, it is still a great industry that allows young people to travel to widen their horizons and to be part of an industry that allows for rapid development and career growth. Olivier Bracard co-founded Hosco in 2011 with Carl Julien, whom he met at the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). After graduating in 2007, Olivier joined Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels (JLLH) in Spain, overseeing hotel financial valuations, feasibility studies, and management negotiations for nearly four years. During his time with JLLH, Olivier was asked to help recruit junior talents from several hotel management schools. After realizing how time-consuming the process was, he imagined a central meeting point for top talent and recruiters in the industry: Hosco was born.…
Tim Oberli is currently the Front Desk Manager at the world famous Bürgenstock Resort near Lucerne, Switzerland. He is also the current World Skills Vice Champion of Hotel Reception. In this podcast, Tim describes first becoming the Swiss Skills champion and subsequently his participation in the World Skills competition in October 2022 in Montreux, Switzerland. Tim describes his experience in Montreux and the lasting impressions he has from participating in this important event. He recognises the importance of his support team and family during a increasingly demanding preparation for this three-day event. He also talks about the mental and physical challenges of competition and how he learned how to overcome moments of doubt and stress. Finally, Tim talks about the support he received from his team at the Bürgenstock and how his employment at the reception desk was a vital part of his competition performance. He also shares his impressions of meeting competitors from around the world and the lasting friendships that he developed with the other contestants.…
In this podcast, Robert Recupero shares his extraordinary career path with our listeners and explains how this path led to the creation of Moomenti, a high-end marketplace for booking luxury hotel experiences. This entrepreneurial adventure was Robert’s answer to making hospitality luxury easier to navigate and enjoy. Early in his career, Robert worked at Swissport, which enabled him to learn essential service and leadership skills that have helped him throughout his career and triggered his passion for travel and hospitality. His move to Thomson Reuters, the multinational information corporation, as the Senior Vice-President of Sales and Services allowed him to hone his leadership skills and he brought these skills to JP Morgan Private Banking. In 2021, Robert started his own company, Moomenti and he explains his reasons and motivation for moving into the Luxury Hotel Experiences sector. Robert also describes how the hospitality sector is an ever-changing landscape that is creating new avenues and why technology is at the forefront of this movement. Robert’s broad experience allows him to evaluate and understand what travelers and guests are looking for and how to meet their growing expectations. Finally, Robert explains his bold decision to become an entrepreneur and what he has learned so far. Robert Recupero is an expert in organizational design, technology metrics, and user experience/customer experience (UX/CX). With an impressive career spanning senior leadership roles in banking, finance, and technology, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his current endeavors. As a former Managing Director at JP Morgan Private Bank and Senior Vice President at Thomson Reuters, Robert has demonstrated exceptional leadership in banking technology operations and high-end client service. His strategic vision and expertise have driven significant advancements in these areas, making him a respected figure in the industry. Following his tenure in banking and finance, Robert transitioned to a successful career as a Senior Independent Consultant. In this role, he advised numerous organizations on organizational design, IT leadership, and governance, helping them navigate complex challenges and achieve their strategic objectives. Currently, Robert is the founder and CEO of Moomenti, a high-end marketplace for booking luxury hotel experiences. Launched in Switzerland, Moomenti is now expanding to Asia, Latin America, and the United States, reflecting Robert's innovative approach and global vision. Don’t hesitate to reach out to him should you want to know more about Moomenti. Robert holds a Finance degree from the University of Geneva in Switzerland. His academic background, combined with his extensive professional experience, positions him as a thought leader in the fields of finance, hospitality and technology.…
This podcast was by far one of our most popular and features Tom Su, a former hotelier who has found a unique way of combining music with hospitality. After working several years in the hospitality industry in Taipei, Tom chose a different path in telecommunications. But his love for music and his desire to share this passion has finally led him to bringing musical joy to hospitals and senior care facilities. Listen to this episode to learn how he combines music, hospitality, communications, counselling and volunteering in his life. Tom Su is a musician, a hotelier, a telecommunication manager, a life counsellor and a volunteer. He was born in Taiwan and has a fine arts bachelor degree in violin. He also graduated from Glion Hotel School in 1996. He later became the director of sales and marketing at The Ritz Taipei at the age of 30. In 2003, he emigrated to Canada where he earned an MBA at the University of Victoria, specializing in Service Management. During the pandemic, he recognized the mental health crisis, so he went back to school and got his certifications in Life Coach and Life Counseling. Currently Tom is working at Telus, a telecommunications company in Canada. Since 2006, he has also been playing the violin with the West Coast Symphony. Most importantly, he is an active volunteer in senior care facilities, hospitals and his community. Recently, Tom was awarded as a Local Hero from the mayor of Burnaby in June 2023, to recognize his contribution to the community and an article about his volunteer work was featured in Pancouver , a local Vancouver publication. (https://pancouver.ca/violinist-tom-su-spreads-joy-and-builds-empathy-by-taking-his-music- to-the-people/).…
In this podcast, Razvan Pirjol, CEO of Turism Felix and the owner of Leading Choice , a global hospitality counselling company in Romania, answers our questions about the hospitality and tourism industry in Romania and gives his insights on current hospitality education and training opportunities. A Glion Hospitality graduate, Razvan ended up spending several years in Switzerland and he talks to us about this unique experience, how it influenced his career choices and why he still has a strong connection to the Montreux region. Romania is home to historically rich architecture, jaw-dropping landscapes, and gorgeous cities. It’s less expensive than most European travel destinations, less crowded and it is considered one of the safest countries in Europe. In 2019, over 13 million tourists visited Romania. Razvan describes the growing appeal of Romania as a Central European destination and how the government and tourism boards should welcome and improve their hospitality and tourism offerings. As the former Secretary of State for Tourism, Foreign Trade & Investment, Razvan has an insider’s view of the challenges that Romania faces and gives our listeners his ideas on what direction Romania is headed. Razvan also answers our questions about why Romania has become an appealing destination for many university students and how its renowned and exceptional academic standards have made it specifically attractive with regards to its Faculty of Medicine. Finally, Razvan gives us his suggestions for improving hospitality education and training in Romania and how he believes synergies can be created to meet the current hospitality and tourism challenge. Razvan Pirjol is the current CEO of Turism Felix and Owner of Leading Choice - Global Hospitality Counsellors in Romania. Razvan studied International Hospitality and Tourism Management at Glion Institute of Education in Switzerland and he has 30+ years of hands-on experience in international hospitality management with a focus on operations, education, training and quality management at both the corporate and entrepreneurial levels. In addition, Razvan was the former Secretary of State for Tourism, Foreign Trade & InvestRomania at the Ministry of Economy, Romania.…
In this podcast, Marina Franolic talks about hospitality in Croatia, a popular Mediterranean destination with rave reviews. Marina explains why Croatia has become a favourite tourist destination and why so many tourists return there for their holidays. Marina also discusses her work at The Bench, a global investment event organization and hospitality trends and innovations such as long-term stay that are focused on travellers that would like to be more comfortable in their accommodation, or are staying for a week, a month or more in the city. Marina also speaks about lifestyle hotels that are particularly attractive to younger travellers who want to experience the local atmosphere even within the hotel. Lifestyle brands bring the community inside by creating different rooms and social spaces and also serving the local clientele. Finally, Marina talks about the future of hospitality and the importance of sustainability and gender equality and what the industry needs to do to improve on these vital topics. Marina Franolic is the Managing Director at The Bench, a global hospitality investment event organiser. Marina joined in 2019 when her Adria Hotel Forum – now IDEEA Hospitality Investment Forum, was acquired by The Bench. Marina began her hospitality career at the Glion Institute of Higher and the Hotel Savoy, Rocco Forte group, in Florence. After several years outside of the hospitality industry, in 2012, she established her company with the goal of bringing global trends to the regional industry. In 2013, Adria Hotel Forum was launched with the idea of showcasing world trends, sparking the creation of new ideas and partnerships and overall development of the hotel industry. Within years, AHF was confirmed to be the only internationally recognized hotel investment conference within South-Eastern Europe whose partners were global companies. The company then started another unique event with the goal of bringing trends into everyday hotel operations – HOW /Hotel Operations Weekend/ Festival that gathers every year more than 500 participants. In 2018, the company was rebranded as HESA Group and served as the connoisseur of the regional market and opportunities. In addition, Marina serves as the Industry Advisory Board Member at Glion Institute of Higher Education and holds both Croatian and Italian citizenship.…
In this podcast, Lama Jammal Houssami describes her educational and career path and why she was inspired to create a cooking school, Mamalu Kitchen, in Dubai. Mamalu Kitchen was inspired by her 3 boys and the need to help fellow mums and families simplify their day-to-day lives without having to worry about feeding their family fuss-free healthy food. The first concept launched under the Mamalu Kitchen brand in 2016 was cooking classes for nannies and housekeepers. Using recipes in their native language from traditional Arabic cuisine, Lama taught them how to cook for the ultimate dinner party. That was shortly followed by cooking classes for mums/children, schools, couples, corporations & even husbands who also wanted to learn how to create delicious, all-natural food for their families. Mamalu Kitchen has created a cooking movement under the slogan #feedingfamilies. In line with her cooking movement in 2020 she started Eazy Freezy; an all natural, easy to cook frozen food product line for families on the go. Hassle free yumminess without the bad stuff. The products are available online and across Spinneys & Waitrose outlets all over the UAE. By engaging every single member of the household/family and various members of the community, to be involved and empowered by cooking, Mamalu Kitchen is enabling lifestyle changes in the region. This ‘cooking movement’ is leading families to live a healthier and happier life. Born in Lebanon and raised most of her life in the UK, Lama has always had a passion for cooking since the age of 6. By shadowing her mother from a young age she acquired the knowledge of all of the classic Arabic dishes. Her specialty is family food, large beautiful mouthwatering dishes to be shared amongst friends and family in a fuss-free way. Her love of cooking led her to study at Glion Hotel Management School in Switzerland and she earned a Hospitality & Tourism degree. She gained experience with some of the top 5 star luxury hotel groups such as Four Seasons, Rocco Forte and Hyatt hotels in London, Paris and Rome. Mamalu Kitchen is not Lama’s first entrepreneurial venture, she has had over a decade of experience in the fashion industry under her independent private label. She has opened two concept stores in Beirut, Lebanon {Ribbon & Lace and Birdcage} She has also been a part of the prestigious London & Paris Fashion weeks for 7 consecutive years and has extensive experience as a designer for high end clothing brand, Mojo World.…
In this podcast, Mary Mayenfisch-Tobin discusses gender equality, sustainability and corporate responsibility in the hospitality and tourism fields. Using her lifetime experience as a lawyer, educator and activist, Mary looks at the current global situation with a critical eye and explains why it is in the interest of hospitality and tourism companies to ensure that they put ethical and sustainable business practices into practice. Mary also touches on why it is important for business to be inclusive and the disastrous consequences of making decisions without all the stakeholders around the table. Finally, Mary stresses the importance of including law and human rights courses in hospitality, event, tourism and sport management curriculum. Mary Mayenfisch-Tobin is a lawyer and accredited mediator with substantial experience in private practice with corporate in-house capacity. Mary has a lifetime of experience in Business and Human Rights, Corporate Social Responsibility and issues pertaining to male/female equality. She is an expert in issues relating to Hospitality and Tourism Law and in matters relating to Common law succession and contract law. Mary formerly worked as Law Professor at the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne lecturing in Hospitality and Business Law and went on to become Director of the Pepperdine University program in Lausanne, where she established the campus in Switzerland in 2006. She also lectured on International Business law with a focus on human rights. Mary is experienced in matters of education, works in the area of student counselling, stakeholder relations and outreach, business development, as well as the organisation of internships. She is a specialist in the area of Business and Human Rights, she has worked, lobbied and lectured in the Swiss Romand area since 2005.…
Filippo Perricone is the co-founder and Managing Director of Back label, a line of Italian lounge, athletic and leisure wear sold exclusively in luxury hotels and resorts. In this podcast, we ask Filippo about his educational and career path from a History and Philosophy student to working in the textile industry in Hong Kong. In 2010, Filippo co-founded Back Label with his wife Amy and they have successfully continued to grow their company with exclusive clothing lines for the luxury hotel and resort sector around the world. Filippo explains why quality lounge, athletic and leisure “slow fashion” wear made in Italy are a reference in the fashion world and therefore greatly appreciated by hotel and resort clients. Free from polyester or any other toxic substances, Back Label brings out the pureness of its natural fabrics through an unprecedented sensorial experience on the body. Filippo’s dedication to running a sustainable and ethical company is discussed as well as his desire to keep his company in line with equitable principles. Filippo explains that Back Label’s “purpose is to actively contribute to the creation of a sustainable economic system and business that regenerates society and the environment. We want our workplace to have a positive impact on our employees, the city and the environment around us, in the hope that other companies will join us on this virtuous path. Because the future is now. Unlock the Change.” Filippo also describes the hotel retail niche and why his company chose this industry to market and sell their clothing line. Given Filippo’s Italian background, he possesses a thorough comprehension of not only the culture of Italian craftmanship but also its market dynamics. Filippo Perricone was born in Bergamo in 1978. After completing his scientific studies, he earned a master's degree in Modern History and Philosophy. In 2004, upon finishing his studies, he moved to Hong Kong where he worked for two major companies in the textile industry. It was only in 2010 that he moved back to Bergamo with his wife Amy and founded Back Label. Together, they started the first offices and soon after, the first production chain. Before long, they were joined by a wonderful team of innovators. In 2016, Back Label began its exclusive journey dedicated to the Hospitality sector and gradually moved away from the mainstream fashion world. Since 2016, Filippo has remained firmly at the helm of Back Label, continuing to lead the company towards new innovations and successes in the Hospitality sector.…
Andrea Obertello is currently the General Manager of the Four Seasons Hotel in Milano, Italy. In this podcast, Andrea talks about her career choices and how she became General Manager in an industry that is predominately male. She talks about working in the iconic Milano Four Seasons Hotel, located in a 15th century convent, the second oldest Four Seasons hotel in Europe. Andrea compares hospitality in Italy to other places she has worked and analyses the changes she has seen in the hospitality industry over the past 10 years Originally from Argentina, Andrea has worked at Four Seasons Hotels in Miami, Doha and Marrakech but she feels at home in Italy where her family originated from. Andrea is upbeat and positive when she talks about the challenges she has had to face in the hospitality industry and she shares some of her success stories and emphasizes the importance of creating and welcoming opportunities. Finally, she gives our listeners insight into her leadership and communication styles and shares some of her hospitality philosophy and anecdotes. Andrea holds a degree from Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland and began her career with Four Seasons as a receptionist in Uruguay. She has worked in many hotel positions during her career, which has led to her understanding of the many faceted aspects of running a successful hotel. She has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities Four Seasons has given her to work in different places such as South America, North America, the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.…
Khulan Berger is currently the Regional Director at MY BLUE PLANET and the Swiss Coordinator of The Climate Reality Project Europe. In this podcast, Khulan explains why sustainable tourism has become such an important endeavour and how MY BLUE PLANET is working closely with companies to transition and implement sustainable practices. Khulan describes what tools are being used to engage and inspire the hospitality and tourism sectors and what areas are particularly challenging. She also explains why it is important to reduce CO2 emissions before trying to compensate for them. In addition, Khulan explains how being more sustainable supports employee engagement while giving her insights into the limitations that the hospitality and tourism sectors face. Finally, Khulan explains why sustainability is so important and why the hospitality and tourism sectors should make it a priority. Khulan Berger is the Regional Director at MYBLUEPLANET and the Swiss National Coordinator of The Climate Reality Project Europe . Leading a dedicated team, she focuses on scaling impactful climate projects and programs in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. One of MYBLUEPLANET's programs includes ClimateActions4Companies , whereby her team works closely with companies from the touristic sector to implement climate actions, serving the transition to sustainable tourism. Her commitment lies in making a practical and tangible difference in the ongoing transition to a more sustainable future.…
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