podcast

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In this inspiring episode, I connect with the incredible Julia Hsieh—a hospitality leader who has successfully navigated both sides of the industry, from hotels to now a meeting broker. Julia shares her unique journey, leadership wisdom, and some eye-opening advice for hoteliers looking to stand out in today’s fast-paced meetings landscape.

🌟 Key highlights from our conversation:

• Real talk about imposter syndrome and what it feels like to put yourself out there online—even with years of experience
• The value of working your way up through every hotel department and how that builds stronger, more relatable leaders
• The two critical mistakes hoteliers make when responding to RFPs—and how to fix them
• Why timing, transparency, and attention to detail matter more than ever in the site selection process
• The power of encouragement and representation in building a stronger hospitality community
   

Whether you're a hotelier, planner, or hospitality student, this episode is full of actionable tips and heartfelt moments that remind us all: we don’t need to have it all figured out—we just need to keep showing up.

🎧 Listen to the full interview on:
👉 Sptofy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SgGMBTvAxfWapnQD2QuAB?si=nouBzfvCR0Sp05MWfpeIew

Hospitality Professionals - this one’s for you! 

I had the pleasure of talking with Marisa Obando, and she brought so much gold to our conversation - from networking gems to how hotels and CVBs can truly partner for impact.

Marisa focuses on the SMERF market (Social, Military, Education, Religious, Fraternal), working hard to drive meaningful business into the Plano market - and she’s amazing at it! 

Here are some of my favorite takeaways from our convo:

🗓 “If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening.”

Stay organized, stay focused, and prioritize what matters.

🤝 CVBs are your secret weapon

Hoteliers are experts on their property. CVBs are experts on the destination. When you join forces, you create a next-level experience for clients.

🎤 Top Networking Tips from Marisa

▪️ Walk into conferences with the goal: “I want to leave with three new best friends.”

▪️ Don’t feature-dump. 

▪️ Connect with clients personally 

▪️ Follow up with intention

▪️ Be yourself. Be real. That’s what makes you memorable.

🌱 Networking opens doors

Marisa built her industry knowledge by talking to as many people as she could, learning the business, and saying yes to every opportunity to network. 

✅ Action steps for hotels

Trust your CVB

Go on sales calls together

Collaborate on city-wide events and group wins

💡 Future hoteliers

Be active on LinkedIn

Volunteer with local chapters

Get involved in industry associations

Find a networking buddy (yes, really!)

💡 Industry challenge:

At your next show—if you see someone standing alone, go up to them. Introduce yourself. Bring them into your circle. Most of us know what it feels like to be the “new person.”

And her final tip?

💬 “Be yourself and just have fun…”

Simple, powerful, and so true.

🎙 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/enw6SJ2t

I had an inspiring, joy-filled, and real conversation with Taylor Snow, Director of Sports at Connect Meetings.
We talked about all things sports tourism, women in leadership, travel hacks, and building meaningful careers—and trust me, this one is a must-listen.

Taylor shared so much wisdom, but here are a few key takeaways that hit home:
GOLDEN TAKEAWAYS from Taylor:
"Take up space."
Don’t wait for permission to lead - step into the room, own your voice, and uplift others as you rise.

Authentic networking changes everything.
Every opportunity Taylor’s had came through real, intentional connections. Show up, be kind, stay curious.

Women’s sports tourism is an untapped market.
She envisions influencer-style FAM trips that blend sports, culture, and wellness - destinations, are you ready?

Mentorship matters.
Taylor’s committed to opening doors for college students and women to see what’s possible in our industry.

Ready to be inspired?

For audio only - tune in on Spotify and listen to my latest conversation
🎧 https://lnkd.in/e8x8XPNT

Let's keep celebrating the voices behind the scenes who are building the future of hospitality, events, and sports.

My full interview with Bri Seifert, Sports Sales Manager at Visit Ft. Collins 

We dive into some fun and insightful topics, including: 

• Favorite local restaurant 
• Favorite sport(s) 
• Her journey in the industry 
• What she loves most about her job ❤

Then, we get into the good stuff for hotels and CVBs: 

•  Tips for hotels looking to partner with their CVB 
•  How hotels can leverage a CVB relationship 
•  How clients can use the CVB as a resource 
•  The role of AI in event planning (optional but insightful!)  

Listen to our conversation!

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EPFqyZDYYDYvyxXGUWrTw?si=aXZ_qJ7PSCytHD9-ABBXT

My full interview with Tylar Kinkade—a hospitality rockstar and sales leader at AutoCamp.

We kicked things off by discussing:

• Walk-up songs
• Must-visit travel spots (shout-out to Apteka)
• Travel essentials
• The ultimate debate: Are you a carry-on or checked bag person?

Tylar also shared her favorite quote:

• “People do this every day.”
  • A powerful reminder that YOU are capable of chasing your dreams and making things happen!

We then dove deeper into:

• How hospitality shaped her journey
• What led her to AutoCamp
• What makes this company so unique

If you’re looking to grow in hospitality sales, this one’s for you! Tylar discusses:

• The key qualities that make a great sales leader
• Practical wisdom for anyone looking to excel in this industry

Tune in and get inspired!

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yzIdrMwr7kWdnlYcdNcyt?si=zdLcSb5kQRaulMRea2K4PA

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Diana Moorer - a hospitality powerhouse, who shared incredible insights on leadership, authenticity, and career growth in the hotel industry.

💡 Key Takeaways:

🔹 Leadership is about standing up for your team – True leaders support and advocate for their people.

🔹 Authenticity over bubbliness – Front desk agents don’t need to be overly outgoing, but they do need to genuinely enjoy connecting with people.

🔹 Embracing possibilities – Be open to new opportunities in your hotel career; you never know where they’ll lead!

🔹 Mentorship for women – More guidance and support are needed, and men can play a key role in fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment.

We started with a fun round of authenti-questions so get ready for lots of giggles. 

Additional Topics:

🔹 Career beginnings & pivotal moments 

🔹 Adapting to change

🔹 Keys to success 

🔹 Breaking barriers in leadership – women in hospitality 

🔹 Advice for future leaders – Words of wisdom for those looking to grow in the industry.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/17wrIA9GkFCjH6vZP7IOmv?si=-u3ivCAVRgSK1oTk20FMvg

LinkedIn https://lnkd.in/e4RWaq5D 

It’s Here! The Full Interview is LIVE! 🎉  

I had an incredible conversation with Heather Condeluci – a former teammate, a trusted friend, and a powerhouse in the hotel industry. Heather’s talent, leadership, and passion for hospitality shine through in this interview, and I can’t wait for you to hear it!  

Here’s what we covered: 

•  Heather’s journey in the hotel industry 
• What makes a great hotel sales professional 
• Her top advice for future hoteliers
• Problem solving with tech
•  Plus, a round of authenti-questions 🎶

Listen to the audio-only version on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jqtLfat2KMVHjTSKQ5Icz?si=4q6Jn09fTpeLX1vLvY1yvA   

📺 Watch the full video 

Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring conversation! 

LIVE NOW ⬇️

🔗 Links Below

I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Werner, President of Prospect Wire Baseball and USA Premier Baseball, about sports, travel, hotel partnerships, and career growth in the industry. Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:

How We Met & The Power of Relationships

•  We met at the Relationship Sports Conference at Notre Dame during a trade show.
• The real connection? Over coffee at an airport—a reminder that some of the best business relationships start in casual settings.
•  Business is about friendships and mutual support, not just transactions.

Hotels & Sports Tournaments: What Matters Most?

• Families traveling for youth sports value hotel amenities like breakfast, pools, and gyms.
• Hotels that create family-friendly experiences (like movie nights) enhance guest satisfaction.
•  Flexible booking options are crucial, as teams often book last-minute due to tournament scheduling.

Brian’s Career: From Yankees to Youth Sports

• Worked for the New York Yankees, and he shares his most cherished moment - Taking his grandfather to the 2000 Subway Series—his first-ever World Series game.
• Now, as the President of Prospect Wire Baseball, he helps young athletes showcase their skills in tournaments across the U.S.

Advice for College Athletes & Future Industry Leaders

• If you’re a student-athlete unsure of your career path, explore roles in sports operations, event planning, and hotel partnerships.
• His idea that we should make happen- Industry conferences offering shadowing opportunities for students to learn about sports tourism firsthand.
• Networking and relationships are everything—always be open to mentorship and connections.

Personal Side: Pets & Life Beyond Work

• Brian’s a dog & cat person, sharing life with Kita (his dog) & Bronx (his 15-year-old cat)—adopted because of fate (and the name “Bronx” as a Yankees fan!).
• He believes in giving back to the next generation and encourages everyone to support and uplift young professionals.

✨ Biggest Takeaway: Success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about meaningful connections, teamwork, and making an impact.

🔗 Want to learn more? Follow along as I share more hotel industry insights and conversations!

➡️  Click Here https://lnkd.in/e4RWaq5D - for multiple ways to access the interview.