The Thread: 2025 ICON of Industry, Chris Rice, on Building Legacy, Partnerships, and Longevity

A Seat at the Table: Trisha Poole on Design Poole & shaping hospitality legacy design story podcasts

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.

The Staylist: EVEN Hotels & Wellness Integrates Design

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.

The Thread: 2025 ICON of Industry, Chris Rice, on Building Legacy, Partnerships, and Longevity

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.

Innovations: From Concept to Commitment, The Evolution of Sustainability in Hospitality

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.

VOIS Special Edition: Education as Infrastructure in a Generational Business with TLS furniture

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.