Hospitality Unpacked with NEWH

A special edition of Hospitality Unpacked with NEWH celebrating Stacy Garcia, NEWH’s 2026 ICON of Industry. Host and NEWH CEO Chris Tucker sits down with the designer, trend forecaster and founder of LebaTex and Stacy Garcia Design Studio for a conversation about the person behind one of the most recognized names in hospitality design.Stacy Garcia is a globally recognized designer, trend forecaster and entrepreneur with over 30 years in hospitality and commercial interiors, developing product collections in textiles, wallcovering, flooring and decor for leading manufacturers. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Hospitality Design and Interior Design, and her expertise in trend forecasting and color direction has made her a sought-after keynote and CEU speaker. She also serves as executive chairperson of Martha’s Mentors, NEWH’s professional development and mentorship program.In this episode, Stacy traces her path from a seven-year-old who wanted to train dolphins to the high school art teacher who showed her that tile design was a real career, and the lesson she still carries: you never know what seeds you are planting in people. She shares the origin story of LebaTex, a check for most of her savings written for a few pieces of antique wallpaper that became her first collection and launched her business. She talks candidly about the chair that was designed perfectly and sold zero units, why good enough is sometimes good enough in product development, and how true collaboration with manufacturing partners produces better hospitality products than any solo vision.Stacy and Chris dig into what has changed in the hospitality industry and what has not. Stacy explains why she picks up the phone when email threads start to ping-pong, why relationships still drive this business through every disruption from the internet to COVID to AI, and why she sees herself as an observer of people first and a designer second. Hospitality, she says, is about creating the spaces that hold people’s memories.Born in Guadalajara to an entrepreneurial family, Stacy always knew she would work for herself. She reflects on the American dream as she lived it, why she believes it has never been easier to start a business than it is today, and the honest reality of entrepreneurship: the years when her body was in the room but her mind was on payroll, hiring and growth. As Martha used to tell her, running a business is not for sissies.The heart of the episode is Martha Tillum, the veteran textile mentor Stacy met at Richloom who was thirty-one years her senior to the day. Stacy recounts her first NEWH event with Martha, the informal trade show training that shaped her career, and how Martha’s passing led her to pitch a formal mentorship program to NEWH. Martha’s Mentors is now heading into its fourth year and expanding at the chapter level, with a wait list of mentees and mentors who say the program has re-energized their careers.Stacy also opens up about confidence, hair loss and the wigs she wears, the cost of running a business while raising a family, and why she believes everybody at a NEWH event is a person of value regardless of what is on their name badge. She closes with advice for anyone considering a career in hospitality: it is a calling more than a career path, and it needs every kind of talent, from design and purchasing to front desk, sales and management.Whether you work in hospitality interior design, product development, procurement, hotel operations or are a student exploring hospitality careers, this conversation is about mentorship, entrepreneurship and building a life in an industry devoted to how people feel.About NEWH: NEWH, Inc., The Global Hospitality Network, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit connecting hospitality professionals through scholarship, education and networking. Learn more about NEWH membership and Martha’s Mentors at newh.org.Subscribe to Hospitality Unpacked with NEWH wherever you listen to podcasts and follow NEWH for new episodes.Guest: Stacy Garcia, founder of LebaTex and Stacy Garcia Design Studio, NEWH 2026 ICON of IndustryHost: Chris Tucker, CEO, NEWH

Traditional environments rely on a "one-size-fits-all" model, but designing for an average user means designing for no one. In this episode, Jess Herring, Creative Manager of Product Design at Milliken Floors, shares professional expertise and personal insights as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent designer to unpack the impact of neuro-inclusive design in workplace and hospitality spaces.The conversation explores how everyday choices—from background noise to lighting—can create invisible sensory strain for individuals with ADHD, autism, or anxiety. Jess breaks down how low-cost physical adjustments and spatial control eliminate cognitive friction, boost employee retention, and help hospitality brands build fiercely loyal consumer bases through predictable sensory experiences.

The hospitality design landscape is shifting faster than ever—from the double-edged sword of AI renderings to hyper-localized sensory spaces. In this cross-generational panel, industry leaders dissect the future of hospitality interiors while reinforcing that great design requires a rock-solid blueprint. The discussion highlights why, amidst evolving technology and tight client budgets, success still relies on the fundamental principles of professional integrity, client trust, and human-centric relationships.

Growth is not accidental—it’s built with intention.This episode highlights Trisha Poole’s journey from the early stages of her career to founding and scaling Design Poole, Inc. into a globally recognized brand. From expanding across Florida and into Canada to shaping a distinct voice in hospitality design, her story reflects a commitment to vision, resilience, and strategic growth.Along the way, we briefly explore her connection to NEWH and the broader impact of her work on the hospitality industry—revealing a legacy defined not only by what she’s built, but by the influence she continues to have on the spaces, teams, and communities she touches.

Wellness is no longer a feature—it’s a design philosophy.This episode offers an inside look at the design transformation of EVEN Hotels and how well-being has been thoughtfully embedded into the brand’s next generation. The design team behind the reimagined concept shares a holistic approach to wellness—one that recognizes balance, individuality, and choice as central to the guest experience.From nuanced color theory and biophilic cues expressed through texture and pattern, to a flexible definition of wellness shaped by each guest’s needs, this conversation unpacks how design can support both physical and emotional well-being. The result is a hospitality experience rooted in intention—where wellness is not prescribed, but personally defined.

Leadership is defined not only by success, but by impact.This episode honors Chris Rice as the 2025 NEWH ICON of Industry, exploring his enduring relationship with NEWH as a Corporate Partner and the values that have shaped his leadership journey. Through reflection and insight, we examine the influence of his work across the hospitality industry—highlighting a legacy built on partnership, purpose, and lasting contribution.

Hospitality is transforming faster than ever, with greener practices quietly reshaping hotels and restaurants from the ground up. Resource use, design choices, and operations are being reimagined to reduce waste, save energy, and create lasting impact. In this episode, we explore how GreenVoice by NEWH is helping turn sustainable ideas into everyday action.The conversation covers the real challenges the industry faces, including costs, evolving guest expectations, and balancing eco-friendly practices with top-notch service. Practical examples include cutting single-use plastics, reusing existing buildings, and rethinking housekeeping routines. We also highlight how better product information, clear certifications, and new regulations help teams make smarter, more sustainable choices.For anyone in hospitality, design, or operations, this episode delivers practical insights on embedding sustainability into every project. It shows how thoughtful decisions today can lead to meaningful change tomorrow.

Great businesses are not built by products. They are built by people who never stop learning. This episode of Hospitality Unpacked explores how education shapes not only what is made, but who people become.Leaders from TLS Furniture share how cross training, mentorship, and real world learning help teams stay strong through change. From industry shifts to uncertain seasons, their approach has stayed the same: invest in people.Real progress does not come from doing more. It comes from learning better, together, over time.This conversation is packed with practical insights on how education, mentorship, and continuous learning build stronger teams and drive lasting success in hospitality.

Diversity is not a detail—it’s the experience.This episode explores how cultural identity, lived experience, and inclusive thinking shape truly memorable hospitality environments. Through an engaging conversation with visionary entrepreneurs, we examine how design becomes a storytelling tool—authentically weaving diverse narratives, perspectives, and traditions into spaces that resonate with guests on a deeper level.By centering culture as a source of creativity rather than a constraint, this dialogue highlights how inclusive design choices enhance connection, meaning, and belonging. The result is hospitality that doesn’t just welcome guests—but reflects the richness of who they are and the communities they engage with.

Nature has already solved the problems we’re trying to design around.This episode explores biomimicry—the practice of learning from nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies—and its powerful role in shaping biophilic hospitality design. From coral reefs and sunflower heads to pinecone spirals, we examine how natural systems inform spaces that are not only visually compelling, but deeply restorative and inherently efficient.Through real-world examples, we uncover how nature-driven design can elevate the guest experience, support energy performance, and create environments that feel intuitive and alive. From the fractal rhythm of tree canopies to the passive cooling intelligence of termite mounds, this conversation reveals how the natural world offers both inspiration and instruction.Designed to spark curiosity and participation, this episode invites you to rethink conventional approaches, reconnect with natural intelligence, and rewild the way we design hotels, resorts, and wellness spaces.