Chapters
00:00 – Intro
02:27 – Setting the Stage: Reflecting on 2025, Looking to 2026
03:04 – The Waldorf Astoria Reopens
03:44 – Ultra-Luxury Is Pulling Away From the Pack
04:54 – Loyalty in Crisis: What Do Guests Actually Care About?
08:25 – Trade Show Fatigue
13:04 – Why Great Moderators Matter
13:50 – Brands Are Buying Independents—Fast
17:22 – AI Anxiety vs. AI Overconfidence
24:12 – 2025’s Real Win: Operators Protecting Profits
27:00 – 2026 Outlook: The K-Shaped Hospitality Economy
27:29 – Ultra-Wealthy Spending vs. Mainstream Strain
29:49 – From Material to Experiential Economy
31:36 – Route 66 Turns 100: Road Trips as Demand Shift
33:52 – AI Workforce Dislocation Hits Hospitality (Indirectly)
37:45 – Loyalty Moves Beyond Points to Experiences
40:39 – AI Unlock: Personalization at Scale
46:14 – Authenticity Wins: Real People, Real Testimonials
53:07 – Mint House as the Model That Feels Right
57:29 – Attention Is the Most Finite Resource
