Innovation

📈 Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy, Innovation & Operating Officer at Forbes Travel Guide, operates across 85+ countries. Formerly, he was Microsoft's Senior Executive for Travel & Hospitality, led J.D. Power's Global Hospitality & Travel group, and was the Travel & Hospitality leader at Amperity, a unicorn startup. Greif serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council and was on the Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association board for 3 years. He partners with top travel brands and is recognized for DEI advocacy and thought leadership.

💧 Effective water management is crucial for facilities like hotels and fitness centers, utilizing real-time data monitoring to maintain optimal water conditions—pH levels, chlorine concentration, and temperature. VivoAquatics offers a dashboard for tracking water usage, identifying inefficiencies, and supporting proactive maintenance, which can lead to reduced operational costs and environmental impact. Submetering advances precision in management, providing detailed data for specific water system sections, aiding in sustainability and cost savings. Predictive analytics using historical data forecast future usage, optimizing maintenance scheduling and minimizing guest disruption.

💻 Post-incident forensic analysis aids businesses in learning from cyberattacks to bolster future defenses. It involves identification and containment using tools like SIEM, collection of data logs, analysis to determine intruders' methods, and detailed reporting, which can take weeks to months. Best practices include regular SOC audits, penetration testing services, leveraging AI-driven technologies like UBA, and fostering a strong cybersecurity culture. Nazy Fouladirad, President and COO of Tevora, emphasizes its importance for secure business environments.

🍞 Porto's Bakery & Café, established in 1976 by Rosa Porto, partners with Tillster to upgrade its digital ordering system. Serving over 2 million guests monthly across six Southern California locations, with a seventh to open in Downtown Disney Anaheim in 2025, Porto's is celebrated for Cuban treats and voted Best Bakery by the Los Angeles Times. Tillster will enhance the online experience for Porto's, which also offers nationwide shipping of its popular pastries and cakes through Porto's Bake at Home.

💰 Nashville-based Twice Daily, part of Tri Star Energy, saw a 225% sales increase after incorporating Paytronix Order and Delivery with their mobile app and loyalty program, between January 23 and December 22, 2023. Alongside, the brand experienced a 55% monthly boost in orders and a 95% rise in unique customers. Tri Star Energy, founded in 2000, operates over 200 convenience stores and 20 White Bison Coffee shops across 17 states.

💰 Twice Daily, a Nashville-based convenience store, saw a 225% sales increase after integrating Paytronix Order and Delivery into its loyalty program. Between January 23 and December 22, 2023, the company also had a 55% monthly lift in orders and a 95% increase in unique customers. The Twice Daily & White Bison Rewards app combines loyalty with online ordering. Tri Star Energy, the parent company, operates over 200 stores in 17 states and owns 20 White Bison Coffee shops in Tennessee and Alabama.

🤝 Nashville-based Twice Daily, a convenience store brand by Tri Star Energy, saw a 225% increase in sales dollars after adding Paytronix Order and Delivery and a custom app to its loyalty program. This surge occurred from January 23 to December 22, 2023, alongside a 55% monthly lift in orders and a 95% increase in unique customers. The Twice Daily & White Bison Rewards app has improved the purchasing process by integrating loyalty with online ordering. Tri Star Energy, founded in 2000, owns over 200 c-stores and supplies fuel across 17 states.

🏨 Cloudbeds in San Diego, CA, enhances hospitality management tech with the hiring of AI experts Amit Popat and Nikhil Shah. The duo, with backgrounds from the University of Cambridge and experience in AI sectors ranging from energy to travel, aims to integrate intelligence and machine learning for hoteliers. Cloudbeds, led by CEO Adam Harris, anticipates advancements in real-time operations insights, automation, and collaboration across hotel departments. Popat previously established an AI consultancy; Shah co-founded S-Cube and contributed to high-stakes energy decisions. Together, they created Hotel Cloud in 2020.

🍺 BrewLogix users reportedly reduce draft beer inventory time by 99% with accuracy over 99%, cut draft waste by up to 20%, and increase ticket sales by up to 15%. Named among "The World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024" by Fast Company, BrewLogix provides real-time kegged inventory management and insights to bars and restaurants. Its Performance Platform aids in keg planning and workflow automation. BrewLogix's ecosystem also includes MarketMyBrewery for brewers and a consumer mobile app, BreweryDB, which lists over 9,500 craft breweries and 132,500 craft beer products.

🍴 Over 1,000 restaurant leaders surveyed reveal operational strain: 36% state online ordering comprises over half of revenue; 35% of staff spend most time managing digital orders; 67% feel constrained by outdated tech; 93% planning tech upgrades in 2024, with focus on ordering/delivery systems (29%), payment processing (27%), POS integrations (26%). Successful restaurants prioritize flexible tech and strategic partnerships.