Rising Tides Live - Why Hospitality?

Rising Tides Live - Why Hospitality?

Scott Kleckner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkleckner/]and Spencer Michael [https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-michiel-b9764241/] led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on Why Hospitality, where restaurant operators, creators, technologists, and entrepreneurs shared why the hospitality industry continues to pull them back despite the chaos, pressure, and unpredictability that comes with it. From restaurant operations and catering to podcast production, technology, and customer experience, the group explored how hospitality is ultimately about making people feel seen, valued, and cared for. The conversation reinforced a common theme throughout the community: hospitality is not limited to restaurants. Whether through service, storytelling, leadership, or small unexpected gestures, creating meaningful human connection remains one of the most valuable skills in any business. * Hospitality Is About Human Connection – The group emphasized that hospitality goes far beyond restaurants. Whether through podcast production, restaurant service, sales, or technology, hospitality is ultimately about making people feel seen, welcomed, and valued. * Small Gestures Create Lasting Impact – From sprinting down the street in Mexico to grab avocados for a guest to surprising loyal customers with thoughtful details, the conversation highlighted how small acts of care often become the moments people remember most. * Showing Up For Others Creates Opportunity – Many speakers shared that hospitality is rooted in consistently showing up for people, anticipating needs, building relationships, and creating opportunities for both guests and team members through genuine care and service. Episode Links * Scott Kleckner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkleckner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkleckner/] * Spencer Michiel on LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-michiel-b9764241/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-michiel-b9764241/] * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]

Rising Tides Live - Summer Business Storytelling

Shawn Walchef [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/] led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on Summer Business Storytelling, where restaurant operators, creators, and entrepreneurs shared how businesses can stay relevant during slower seasons by documenting the real moments happening inside their companies. From restaurant openings and catering events to renovations, staff culture, and community partnerships, the group emphasized a simple truth: you do not need polished production or a full media team to tell meaningful stories. You just need to consistently show up, share the process, and stay connected to your community. * Document the Real Work – Businesses do not need polished production or a full media team to create meaningful content. Some of the best stories come from sharing real moments happening inside the business every day. * Consistency Builds Connection – Regularly posting behind-the-scenes moments, staff culture, renovations, events, and community involvement helps businesses stay visible and build trust over time. * Community is Part of the Story – Highlighting local partnerships, neighboring businesses, and customer experiences helps restaurants create stronger connections beyond just selling food or services. Episode Links: * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]

Pitch The Tide - Bill Crawley: Founder and CEO of advark.ai

In this Pitch the Tide session, Bill Crawley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-crawley1/], founder and CEO of Advark AI [https://advarkai.com/], shares how his frustration with digital advertising and small business marketing led to building an AI-powered platform designed to simplify restaurant marketing. Advark AI helps restaurant operators manage ads across platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok through automated campaign creation, AI-powered recommendations, budget optimization, and performance tracking tools that reduce the complexity of running digital ads. By combining creative tools, live reporting, and daily optimization insights into one platform, Advark AI aims to help busy restaurant owners market more consistently without needing a dedicated agency or marketing team. * AI Can Simplify Restaurant Marketing – Bill Crawley believes most restaurant operators are overwhelmed by digital advertising complexity. Advark AI was built to simplify ad creation, campaign management, and budget optimization so operators can spend less time managing marketing and more time running their business. * Consistency Matters More Than Complexity – One of the biggest problems restaurants face is inconsistent marketing. Advark AI helps operators stay active across platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok through automated recommendations, reporting, and campaign management tools designed to keep marketing efforts running consistently. * Restaurant Operators Want Clarity on ROI – Many operators feel like digital advertising is a gamble. Advark AI focuses on helping restaurants better understand where their ad dollars are going through live reporting, AI insights, and recommendations that explain what is working and what needs to change. Episode Links * Bill Crawley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-crawley1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-crawley1/] * Advark AI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advark-ai/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advark-ai/] * Advark AI: https://advarkai.com/ [https://advarkai.com/] * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]

Rising Tides Live - Takeaways From NRA 2026

Shawn Walchef [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/] hosted this Rising Tides Live conversation recapping the 2026  National Restaurant Association Show [https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/home/] in Chicago, where operators, creators, and founders shared the biggest lessons and moments from the industry’s largest event. The discussion explored storytelling, networking, AI, hospitality leadership, and why the real value of NRA comes from showing up, building relationships, and being ready when opportunity finds you. From escalator pitches to late-night networking and unexpected introductions, the episode highlighted how small moments and consistent effort can create long-term impact. * Storytelling Creates Opportunity – Attendees shared how practicing their story, creating content, and showing up consistently led to unexpected introductions, business conversations, and real-world opportunities throughout the show. * Relationships Matter More Than the Booths – While technology, AI, and innovation were everywhere at NRA, many of the biggest takeaways came from the connections built through meetups, dinners, after-hours events, and spontaneous conversations across the show floor. * Small Moments Can Have Long-Term Impact – From quick escalator pitches to chance encounters and late-night networking, the episode highlighted how being open, prepared, and willing to engage can turn ordinary moments into meaningful opportunities. Episode Links * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]

Rising Tides Live - The Story You Should Share More

With Mike Bisceglia filling in for Shawn Walchef, this Rising Tides Live conversation explored the stories people often hesitate to share and why vulnerability, failure, and difficult moments can become the experiences that shape us most. Guests opened up about career setbacks, personal struggles, leadership lessons, and the pressure that comes with growth, while reflecting on how those moments ultimately created resilience, perspective, and connection. From sports radio failures and life-changing surgeries to business collapses and hard-earned lessons in hospitality, the discussion highlighted how sharing honest stories can help others feel less alone and remind us that setbacks are often part of the journey forward. * The Stories We Avoid Often Matter Most - The conversation showed how sharing difficult moments can create stronger connection and perspective for others. * Failure Often Leads to Growth - Guests reflected on how setbacks, pressure, and adversity helped shape their careers and personal lives. * Everyone Is Carrying Something - The episode highlighted the importance of empathy and remembering that every person is navigating challenges others may not see. Episode Links * Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ [https://content.calibbq.media/] * Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ [https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/] * Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/]