What do tequila, ghost peppers, and hotel pricing have in common?

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Bobby Marhamat, the CEO of TakeUp.ai.
The conversation covers Bobby's background, including his upbringing in Nebraska and California, his education at San Jose State, and his career progression in sales and tech. Bobby shares insights about his passion for hot peppers and hot sauces, and his COVID-era venture into starting a tequila company.

The episode concludes with a detailed demonstration of TakeUp's web-based platform, and its features designed to enhance revenue management for hotels. The show promises valuable insights for those interested in the intersection of AI and hospitality.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• What real AI actually means (and why most tools are just pretending)
• How hotels are making 22% more revenue using TakeUp
• The new rules of proactive pricing, demand prediction & transparency

Tune in now to learn how AI + Human Strategy is reshaping hospitality, one rate at a time.
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vwuO_NNXO24

This episode is sponsored by TakeUp: https://takeup.ai/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Bobby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbymarhamat/
TakeUp: https://takeup.ai/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/167

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we’re coming to you from the floor of the HITEC Trade Show to celebrate a decade of innovation, grit, and startup brilliance with the Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) competition.

Hosts David Millili and Steve Carran are joined by:

• Lyle Worthington – Founder of E20X & tech visionary
• Jonathan Rojas – First-ever E20X winner & Co-Founder of Whistle
• Al Lagunas – 2025 E20X People’s Choice & Judge’s Award Winner, CEO of Levee

Together, they unpack what it takes to build, pitch, and thrive in the hospitality tech world.

🔑 In this episode, you'll learn:

• How E20X was born out of a bourbon-fueled dream and a passion for tech
• Why storytelling and preparation are more valuable than stats in a 4-minute pitch
• The behind-the-scenes chaos and scrappy beginnings of the first E20X winners
• Advice from mentors and judges on what makes a startup stand out on stage
• How winning E20X can fast-track your startup into enterprise conversations
• Why emotional resonance, not just innovation, wins over judges and investors

Tune in now to hear how it all started—and what’s next for the future of E20X.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2BzxnLlGlR8

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Lyle Worthington
Lyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyleworthington/
HITEC: https://www.hitec.org/

HFTP: https://www.hftp.org/

Jonathan Rojas
Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanrojas0226/
Cloudbeds: https://www.cloudbeds.com/

Al Lagunas
Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allagunas/
Levee: https://www.levee.biz/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/167

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

On this episode, we head to HITEC 2025 in Indianapolis. We sat down with Members of HFTP to talk about HITEC's growth, vision for the future, and what makes HITEC truly special.

Thanks to Justin Taillon, the Global President of HFTP, Arlene Ramirez, the Senior Vice President of Learning for HFTP, and Scot Campbell, Principle at Integrated Resort Advisors, for sitting down with us and talking about HITEC with us!

Links:

HITEC: https://www.hitec.org/

HFTP: https://www.hftp.org/

Justin Taillon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-taillon/

Arlene Ramirez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlenedramirez/

Scot Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scot-campbell-chtp-2543a02/

Join the conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...
For full show notes head to:

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

On this episode, we sit down with Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. From her family’s bold acquisition of the brand to her leadership in shaping global luxury travel trends, Lindsey shares a candid look into what it takes to lead with purpose, evolve with the market, and inspire a new era of independent hospitality.

With over 100 countries under her belt and a passion for curating meaningful travel, Lindsey offers insights that will resonate with hoteliers, entrepreneurs, and experience-driven brands alike.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How Preferred Hotels & Resorts was acquired and revitalized
• The 2015 rebrand and the creation of the brand’s five hotel collections
• Building a points-based loyalty program that works for independents
• Why more hotels are de-flagging and choosing independence
• How to foster authenticity while maintaining consistent quality

Tune in to hear how Lindsey is redefining what it means to lead in the world of independent luxury travel.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5PeDfzFA2VQ

This episode is sponsored by Actabl: https://actabl.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyueberroth/

Preferred Hotels: https://preferredhotels.com/

Luxury Travel Report: https://preferredhotels.com/bulletin/preferred-hotels-resorts-launches-luxury-travel-report-2025

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/164

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How do you maintain a deep understanding of the evolving needs of hotel owners and operators?

In this episode, we sit down with Jill Wilder, President of Aptech, for an honest, insightful, and inspiring conversation on leadership, longevity, and what it really takes to serve the hospitality industry at the highest level. With over 38 years at Aptech, Jill shares her journey from pencil-and-paper accounting to pioneering enterprise-level business intelligence solutions for hotels worldwide.

We talk about:

• The value of staying small to serve big
• Why customer service still wins in hospitality tech
• How Aptech’s acquisition by Jonas Hospitality is opening new doors
• What hoteliers really want from their financial systems
• Why AI is a tool—not a replacement—and where the human touch still matters
• Jill's biggest lessons in leadership

Whether you're a hotelier, tech leader, or just someone who believes in putting people first, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what long-term success really looks like in this industry.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pRapsxBAdyg

This episode is sponsored by Jonas Hospitality: https://www.jonashospitality.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Jill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillewilder/

Aptech: https://www.aptech-inc.com/

Jonas Hospitality: https://www.jonashospitality.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/163

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we sit down with Summer Shoemaker, General Manager of the stunning San Diego Mission Bay Resort, to talk all things independent hotels.

Summer shares how growing up across California, Colorado, and Hawaii sparked her love for travel and hospitality. She opens up about what makes independent properties so powerful, the creative freedom they offer, and how tools like Curator Hotel & Resort Collection give GMs the backup they need to thrive in a competitive market.

From slashing wine costs by 50% to saving over $200,000 on AV, Summer walks us through the real-world wins that prove independents can compete with the big brands, and win. If you’re a hotelier who wants to stay independent and profitable, this is the episode for you.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q9EZscjVCDc

This episode is sponsored by Curator: https://www.curatorhotelsandresorts.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Summer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/summer-shoemaker-53a1535/
San Diego Mission Bay Resort: https://www.missionbayresort.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/162

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili are once again joined by Josiah Mackenzie, Head of Marketing at Actabl, to break down the biggest stories in hospitality from May 2025.

From Marriott’s bold acquisition of CitizenM to Airbnb’s major relaunch of Experiences, Josiah shares sharp insights into how innovation, scale, and branding are reshaping the industry. They also dive into Springboard’s merger with Hotel Equities, the $1.1B Sabre hospitality tech deal, and why transparency in resort fees is long overdue.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Marriott Buys Citizen M
• Springboard merged with Hotel Equities
• Airbnb Relaunches Experiences, Adds Hotel-Style Services
• Sabre Sells Hospitalty Business for $1.1 Bill
• Resort Fees Must Now Be Disclosed
• Running Vacations, next travel trend?
• Latest things happening at Actabl

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GUOswVHyGzA

This episode is sponsored by Actabl: https://actabl.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Josiah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/161

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Get ready to set sail with one of the most innovative minds in hospitality.

In this episode, we're joined by Colin Hughes, Director of Operations & Experience at Virgin Voyages. From spa decks to tattoo studios, Colin walks us through how Virgin is redefining the cruise experience, making it simpler, sexier, and more sustainable.

We dive into:

• How Virgin Voyages creates stress-free, all-inclusive adventures for adults only
• Personalization strategies that keep both sailors and crew at the heart of the experience
• What hotels can learn from Virgin’s award-winning approach to entertainment, F&B, and sustainability
• Colin’s inspiring journey from Manchester to becoming a U.S. citizen, cruise industry veteran, and change-maker at Virgin

Whether you’re a cruise sceptic, or seasoned traveler, this episode might just have you booking your first voyage.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zBG0kfmC4AY

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Colin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-hughes-a8596215b/

Virgin Voyages: https://www.virginvoyages.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/160

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.