Convene’s Ryan Simonetti on Premium Workspaces, IRL Experiences & the Future of Business Travel

Convene’s Ryan Simonetti on Premium Workspaces, IRL Experiences & the Future of Business Travel

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Ryan Simonetti, president and CEO of Convene Hospitality Group, to explore the evolving intersection of hospitality, work, lifestyle, and travel. From his early roots around restaurants and hospitality through his father’s Martin’s potato roll delivery business to building one of the leading platforms for premium meetings, events, and flexible workspaces, Ryan shares how Convene is redefining where—and how—people come together. Ryan unpacks how Convene Hospitality Group is building spaces designed for a world where the lines between business travel, lifestyle, community, and experience are increasingly blurred. Ryan breaks down how CHG is: * Turning meetings and conferences into experience-driven gatherings * Designing premium workspaces through a hospitality-first lens * Using human-centered design to support productivity, connection, and brand identity * Reimagining third spaces for entrepreneurs, creators, and modern teams * Bringing NeueHouse into its next chapter as a home for the curious and creative * Scaling thoughtfully across markets while preserving high-touch service and local nuance The conversation also explores the rise of IRL experiences in an AI-driven world, the transformation of business travel, the importance of design in workplace culture, and why the future of conferences may look more like festivals, private dinners, wellness breakouts, and curated cultural moments. Whether you’re a founder, hospitality operator, event strategist, business traveler, or someone thinking about the future of work, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how premium spaces can help people gather with more purpose, creativity, and connection. 🏢 Learn MoreExplore Convene Hospitality Group, Convene, and NeueHouse, or follow Ryan Simonetti on LinkedIn for more on the future of hospitality, work, and experience. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/convenehospitalitygroup [https://www.instagram.com/convenehospitalitygroup] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convene-hospitality-group/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/convene-hospitality-group/] Ryan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-simonetti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-simonetti/]

OtherShip’s Robbie Bent on Sauna Culture, Sober Socializing & the Future of Emotional Wellness

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Robbie Bent, CEO and co-founder of OtherShip, a fast-growing wellness concept blending sauna, ice baths, breathwork, music, comedy, and emotionally driven group classes into a new kind of social experience. What started as a backyard ice bath community in Toronto has evolved into a cult-favorite wellness brand with locations in Toronto and New York, designed for people looking to connect, decompress, and socialize without alcohol. Robbie breaks down how OtherShip is: * Reimagining sauna and cold plunge culture as a platform for emotional wellness * Creating sober social spaces through DJ nights, comedy, singles events, and guided classes * Using hot and cold exposure to help people feel more open, present, and connected * Building community around shared experiences instead of phones, alcohol, or nightlife pressure * Designing spaces that feel more like a boutique hotel or social club than a fitness studio * Scaling from a backyard experiment to major New York buildouts with a deeply loyal following The conversation also explores Robbie’s own path from sobriety to entrepreneurship, the rise of sober-curious culture, the loneliness epidemic in major cities, and why OtherShip’s most powerful product may not be the sauna or the ice bath—but the permission it gives people to be human together. Whether you’re interested in wellness, hospitality, nightlife, community building, or the future of alcohol-free social spaces, this episode offers a look at how OtherShip is turning recovery, connection, and emotional release into a new kind of modern ritual. 🧊 Learn More Follow Robbie Bent on LinkedIn or Instagram, and explore OtherShip to learn more about its sauna, ice bath, and emotional wellness experiences.

Mandarin Oriental’s Alex Schellenberger on Luxury Branding, Service & Global Growth

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Alex Schellenberger, former Global Chief Marketing Officer of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, to explore how one of the world’s most iconic luxury hospitality brands balances heritage, growth, and modern brand building. From his early career at Procter & Gamble, Hugo Boss, Coty, and Accor to leading brand strategy for Mandarin Oriental, Alex shares how classical brand management principles translate into the world of ultra-luxury travel—where emotion, recognition, and service define the guest experience. Alex unpacks how luxury hospitality is evolving through: * Preserving brand DNA while scaling Mandarin Oriental’s global footprint * Building loyalty among ultra-high-net-worth travelers through recognition, access, and emotional connection * Keeping the iconic “I’m a Fan” campaign relevant after more than two decades * Using celebrities and cultural figures as authentic brand ambassadors, not just paid endorsers * Applying AI and guest data to improve personalization while keeping the human touch at the center * Designing transformational experiences, from monk-led retreats in Japan to private museum access and champagne house immersions The conversation also explores why service memories matter more than room design, how Asian hospitality continues to shape global luxury, and why the future of high-end travel depends on both technology and deeply human moments. Whether you’re a luxury traveler, hotelier, brand marketer, or simply fascinated by what makes a hospitality brand iconic, this episode offers a rare look inside the strategy behind one of the most respected names in global travel. 🏨 Learn More Explore Mandarin Oriental’s hotels, residences, and experiences at mandarinoriental.com [http://mandarinoriental.com].

Inside Hospitality’s Human Future with Sander Allegro: High Tech, High Touch & the Power of Experience

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Sander Allegro, hospitality strategist, international speaker, and founder of Allegro Innovations, to explore one of the industry's biggest questions: as hospitality becomes increasingly automated, how do we preserve the human connection that makes great travel memorable? Drawing on decades of experience across hotel operations, education, consulting, and his leadership role with Quality Lodgings, Sander shares why the future of hospitality isn’t a choice between technology and service—it’s about mastering both. Sander unpacks how the industry is: * Using AI and automation to eliminate repetitive tasks while creating more meaningful guest interactions * Shifting from a gut-feel industry to a data-driven one without losing its soul * Helping independent hotels compete by offering authenticity, personality, and unforgettable experiences * Creating communities of hoteliers who share knowledge, resources, and innovation * Preparing the next generation of hospitality leaders to balance business analytics with emotional intelligence * Redefining luxury through personalization, storytelling, and genuine human care The conversation also explores why boutique hotels may have an edge in an increasingly standardized world, how brands outside hospitality—from dentists to automotive companies—are embracing hospitality principles, and why the most valuable travel experiences often come from people, not amenities. Whether you're a hotelier, entrepreneur, hospitality student, or traveler searching for more meaningful experiences, this episode offers a thoughtful look at why the future of hospitality may be more human than ever. 🏨 Learn More Explore Sander’s work at Allegro Innovations and discover Europe’s leading collection of independent luxury hotels through Quality Lodgings.

Inside GuestOS with Jessie Fischer: AI Hospitality, Yosemite & the Future of Guest Experience

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Jessie Fischer, founder and CEO of GuestOS, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming hospitality—not by replacing people, but by giving hotel teams more time to create meaningful guest experiences. Raised in a family that has operated hotels near Yosemite National Park for more than 50 years, Jessie grew up answering phones, calming guests during wildfires and power outages, and learning firsthand what hospitality looks like when nature keeps you on your toes. Today, she’s channeling those experiences into GuestOS, an AI-powered hospitality platform helping hotels automate repetitive tasks while elevating service and personalization. Jessie breaks down how GuestOS is: * Automating repetitive guest inquiries so hotel staff can focus on hospitality, not busywork * Creating customizable AI “teammates” trained on each property’s unique brand and personality * Helping hotels unlock underutilized spaces and create new guest experiences * Using AI to improve communication during emergencies like wildfires and road closures * Supporting outdoor destinations like Yosemite through better visitor information and coordination * Reimagining hotels as hubs for experiences, community, and connection—not just places to sleep The conversation also dives into the future of hospitality tech, overtourism in national parks, outdoor travel, female founders in hospitality, and why the best travel memories almost always come from human connection—not amenities. Whether you’re a hotelier, travel tech founder, outdoor enthusiast, or simply curious about how AI can make hospitality feel more human, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where the industry is headed next.