Sales & Marketing Episodes

This week I sat down with Adam Hamadache, founder of Formula and host of the Hotel Growth Podcast, a man who has spent the last 15 years helping hotels figure out how to grow in an industry that never seems to sit still for more than five minutes. What followed was part hospitality strategy masterclass, part therapy session for modern business owners, and part beautifully chaotic conversation about AI, audience-less keynote speeches, and why hiring experts only to tell them exactly what to do m...

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Newton Fernandes - and this is one of those conversations that reminds you just how non-linear careers in hospitality can be. From starting out as a journalist, to working in airline reservations, to quite literally being invited across the road into a hotel career… Newton’s journey spans continents, cultures, and some seriously big roles. We’re talking global brand, marketing, and communications at a scale that’s hard to get your head around, but alway...

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Dawn Lister - and honestly, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get someone from the world of sales on the show. And what an introduction to it this was. From wanting to be an air stewardess at 10 years old, to building a 20+ year career in hotel sales, Dawn’s journey is packed with graft, growth, resilience… and a lot of persistence (some might call it “relentless follow-up” 😅). Now Sales Director for B&B Hotels UK, Dawn brings a no-nonsense, p...

Hospitality Meets - Episode 200 Welcome to the 200th episode of "Hospitality Meets"! In this landmark celebration, we delve into some of the best bits from the last 100 episodes including the extravagant tales, pivotal moments, missteps and inspiring journeys shared by our incredible guests. Each story is a testament to the laughter, dedication, creativity, and resilience inherent in the world of hospitality. What you can expect in this episode (Bed in, it's epic!):- Eddy Tannous haircut disa...

Episode Overview: This week I was lucky enough to grab some time with for an entertaining and insightful conversation with the eminently engaging Imran Hussain, the innovative Chief Marketing Officer of Chateau Denmark (https://www.chateaudenmark.com). This episode of “Hospitality Meets” sheds light on the quirky, unpredictable, and exciting world of hospitality, capped with laughter and memorable anecdotes. Episode Highlights: Behind-the-Scenes Comedy : Imran shares a hilarious story of his ...

What a total thrill it was this week to open my little black book of old work mates and get one of the nicest gents on the planet onto the show in the form of Marc Thompson. He also has a wonderful job title, Manager - Enrichment Programming which he does for the quite marvelous Seabourn Cruise Line. You can learn all about what enrichment programming covers in this episode as well as:- Marc's awesome job The cruise industry Indirect Marketing Taglines Thomson Holiday Repping Jobs on a Crui...

Hospitality is awesome isn't it? And as if to prove that theory, In was on the receiving end of top class hospitality as I was welcomed to Pan Pacific London to chat to their amazing Director of Marketing Communications, Michelle Whittemore. Michelle oozes hospitality and our chat is packed full of stories and learning from someone who has forged a superb career so far. We get through:- Welcomes - Pan Pacific Style Starting in medicine Moving into Marketing Dictation Experiencing Agency Ma...

Another wonderful CEO journey for you this week. I got some time with Kalindi Juneja, CEO of PoB hotels. Kalindi is a first time CEO and its a fascinating journey to get to that point. We get through:- Growing up in Singapore Going against the expectation Singapore Airlines Attention to detail Relais & Chateaux Sales & Marketing Learning and Progressing Serendipity Food Becoming a CEO Authenticity POB Hotels Dogs And so much more. Kalindi's story is brilliant and is a shining ligh...

Did you know that it's International Margarita Day today? Well, sit down, pour yourself a beautifully crafted Mockarita and listen into my wonderful chat with the awesome Pooja Sharma-Jones, Chief "Mock"eting Officer (You see what they did there?) at Mocktails (https://mocktails.com/) And it's quite a bizarre story how we came across each other, but we talk about that in the chat so I won't bore you with it twice. We also get through:- Nicknames Finding the fun Being inspired by parents S...

We love a bit of storytelling on this show and so why not get someone on the show who likes a bit of that himself. We got some time with Branding expert Dan Nash. Founder of Six Eight Agency (https://www.sixeightagency.com/) and our chat does not disappoint. We get through:- The weather Moving to Margate Being creative Self belief Being a digital Nomad Discovering the food & drink passion Finding your purpose Self employment Building the cult following Making the world a better place...

Another cheeky bonus for you this week as I got some time with Mark McCulloch, Founder of Supersonic Inc. (https://www.supersonic.marketing/) and also the brains and energy behind Hospitality Rising (https://hospitalityrising.org/), the largest Hospitality recruitment campaign the world has ever seen. As well as a little bit about Mark's story, we touch on loads in this chat as Mark gives us an in depth update on where things are at with the campaign and how you can get involved. We chat about...

I was first alerted to today's guest as she featured in the 2021 Acorn award winners, celebrating 30 people under the age of 30 to look out for. She then very kindly agreed to be a panelist at the inaugural Rooms101 event later that year and I knew then that I totally needed to get some time with Amelia Harper, Director of Communications for Rosewood London (https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london). We cover off so much as always including:- The suites at the Rosewood Living above a pub Pi...

I love how some things work out, you read an article and then you are immediately captivated by someone's story. I stumbled on today's guest through a late night LinkedIn feed trawl. And boy, am I glad that I did. Inspiring from start to finish, I got some time with the inspirational and absolute force of nature that is Amber Staynings, CEO of Bums On Seats (https://bumsonseats.org/). It's all action from the get go as we cover off:- Frogs in throat Moving to Guildford Being a glass half fu...

What a treat we have for you today as we have someone who has built an amazing career so far but backs this up with extra work she does for the Institute of Hospitality and Charities such as Hospitality Action We got some time with the amazing Brenda Collin, Executive Vice President for Europe at Preferred Hotels & Resorts (https://preferredhotels.com). As usual, we get in loads including the Budget, job titles, life on the farm, wanting to travel, working in a pub, applying for University, Uni...

This week we got some time with rising superstar and all round bundle of energy Catrina Pengelley, Founder of the Nerdy Hotelier (https://thenerdyhotelier.weebly.com). Like a lot of people in the hospitality industry, 2020 saw Cat lose her job in sales but rather than getting all down beat about that, she dusted herself off and got on with it, founding the Nerdy Hotelier Blog and generally making a positive nuisance of herself. In our chat, we get through loads, including The glory of a podcas...

Q. What happens when you put two spaghetti brains in front a microphone and set them off to chat? A. Today's podcast. We got some time with Majella O'Connell, Managing Director and Head Photographer at Pavlova & Cream Ltd. (www.pavlovaandcream.com) and Founder of Manchester Kitchen Social and London Kitchen Social. Majella talks about her craft with such verve and passion it's difficult to not get sucked in to what she does, even if you have a slight interest in food and fun is never very ...

What does it take to get your Brand and experience right? Find out along with so much more in our chat with Simon Taylor, Brand Guru and Founder of Swipe Right Experience (https://swiperightexperience.com/) and The Hospitality Portal (http://thehospitalityportal.com/). We chat about so much including ship life, events, branding (Of course), experiences, chicken & chips and Matteus Rose and Simon's Story. Simon is a laugh a minute but backs this up with some great content on marrying your b...