The importance of keeping humanity in hotel sales in the AI era (with Doug Kennedy)

Aimbridge Hospitality Chief Commercial Officer Allison Handy speaks with CoStar News Hotels' Bryan Wroten about the latest developments within her department, including its new global sales office, as well as the ongoing evolution of commercial strategy and how Aimbridge is adapting to travelers increasingly using AI to plan and even book their trips. 

Automation and artificial intelligence are looking to take a bigger role in hotel sales, particular the group RFP process, and Doug Kennedy, president and co-founder of the Kennedy Training Network, joins the podcast to share why and how hoteliers must keep a human touch in sales.

Jenna Villalobos, senior vice president and chief revenue officer at Outrigger Hospitality Group, joined CoStar News Hotels' Trevor Simpson for an interview at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sage Hospitality Groups’ Senior Vice President of Sales, Revenue and Distribution Strategy Priya Chandnani joined the podcast during the recent Hotel Data Conference to discuss how commercial strategy teams are adjusting to heavier use of AI, owners' focus on profitability and more.

2026 is the first year for hotel real estate investment trusts in China, and STR's Jesper Palmqvist joins the podcast to talk about what that means for their broader hotel industry, along with other news around the Asia Pacific region.

In an interview at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference, Crestline Hotels & Resorts' Executive Vice President of Operations Aaron Olson talks with CoStar News Hotels' Bryan Wroten about strategies to maintain and grow profit margins, the current labor environment, the company's outlook and more.

Michael Goldrich, founder and chief advisor for Vivander Advisors, joins the podcast (recorded live at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference) to discuss his work in helping the hotel industry get ready for artificial intelligence, which he said is changing the industry faster than other major tech innovations in modern history.

In an interview at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference, Kasa's Kelly McGuire talks to CoStar News Hotels' Bryan Wroten about what guests want from their stays in an aparthotel accommodation, how revenue strategy for an aparthotel unit compares to a traditional hotel room and more.

During an interview with CoStar News' Natalie Harms at the 18th annual Hotel Data Conference, Highgate Hotels Chief Revenue Officer Kerry Mack says that even with domestic hotel demand performing well, the U.S. hospitality industry needs to see a return of international inbound travel. 

In an interview at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference, PM Hotel Group's Erica Lipscomb talks to CoStar News Hotels' Sean McCracken about the demand dynamics at play for Hawaii, budgeting season, guest booking behavior and more.