Hospitality and Travel Club at Harvard Business School

What an incredible evening we had with Laura Perlman as part of our Hospitality and Travel Club! ?? Our club members enjoyed a dinner with Laura, where she shared her invaluable insights on careers in hospitality, emerging trends in the industry, and her journey at Viking. From navigating the challenges of COVID to overseeing Viking’s highly successful IPO last year, Laura’s experience is nothing short of inspiring. Her expertise and advice gave us all a deeper understanding of what it takes to thrive in the hospitality space, especially in such unprecedented times. Thank you, Laura, for an unforgettable evening!

???A Memorable Visit to Faena Hotel ??? A couple of weeks ago, we had the incredible opportunity to visit the FAENA Hotel, one of the most iconic and luxurious properties in Miami. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were immersed in the stunning atmosphere that blends modern luxury with artistic expression. We were fortunate to be guided on an exclusive tour, showcasing the beautiful design of the hotel, from the meticulously curated rooms to the breathtaking public spaces. The hotel’s aesthetic is a true celebration of Latin American artistry, with vibrant art pieces beautifully displayed throughout the property. Every corner of the hotel exudes creativity and elegance, making it an unforgettable experience. A huge thank you to Vanessa Girard and Said Haykal for providing such a warm welcome and giving us the chance to explore this incredible space. We appreciate your time, insights, and the behind-the-scenes look at what makes Faena Hotel a masterpiece of both hospitality and art!

HBS Miami Trek: A Delicious Journey with Sushi Maki ??? On the final day of our Miami Trek, we had the incredible opportunity to visit Sushi Maki and learn more about the entrepreneurial journey behind this great brand. Over a delightful lunch, we were inspired by Abe, the CEO, as he shared his experiences in building Sushi Maki from the ground up. His insights into entrepreneurship and the challenges he faced along the way were both valuable and motivating. ?? It was great to meet Abe Ng and hear his story – a memorable highlight of an amazing trek! ??

HBS Hospitality & Travel Trek: Exploring Four Seasons Surfside & Brickell Offices????? During our recent Hospitality & Travel Trek in Miami this February, we had the incredible opportunity to experience the renowned?Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Surfside?property, where we were immersed in the personalized and authentic hospitality that Four Seasons is famous for. From the moment we arrived, we could feel the attention to detail and commitment to providing guests with a truly relaxing and luxurious experience. ???? The next day, we had the privilege of visiting the?Four Seasons offices in Brickell, where we met with the leadership team, including?its CEO Alejandro Reynal, and?Patricia Andrade Chevres (HBS 2020), Chief of Staff. The intimate conversation provided invaluable insights into the future of hospitality, innovation, and the strategies that continue to set Four Seasons apart in the luxury hotel market. ??

As part of the Hospitality & Travel Trek in Miami this past February, we had the privilege of dining at?Zaytinya by Jose Andres?at?The Ritz-Carlton, one of the most innovative and celebrated restaurants in Miami. The experience was truly special as we not only indulged in a delicious dinner, but also had the incredible opportunity to go behind the scenes and meet the talented chefs who bring the flavors of the Mediterranean to life??

During our Hospitality and Travel trek to Miami, the club had the incredible opportunity to visit 1 Hotel South Beach. ?? It was great to learn about the hotel's innovative initiatives in sustainability, focusing on both the environment and personal well-being. The way they combine luxury with sustainability creates a truly unique experience for guests, ensuring a positive impact on both the planet and themselves. A special thanks to Mauricio Miguelena, General Manager at 1 Hotel South Beach, Kenny Gonzalez, CHS, Director of Quality & Training at 1 Hotel South Beach, and Jasmine Pelaez, MBA, Recruitment Manager at 1 Hotels, for taking the time to share their insights with us. It was a pleasure getting to know them and learning more about the exceptional work they’re doing to enhance the guest experience while staying committed to sustainability. Thank you again to the entire team at 1 Hotel South Beach for such an insightful and inspiring visit! #HospitalityAndTravel #Sustainability #Luxury #1HotelSouthBeach #SustainableTravel #MiamiTrek

During our Hospitality and Travel trek to Miami, the club had the incredible opportunity to visit Royal Caribbean Group’s?Icon of the Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship. ?? – it was an unforgettable experience! The group had the chance to meet the Captain on the bridge and learn about the ship's operations firsthand. Additionally, we gained valuable insights into the business side of the cruise industry, further enriching our understanding of this dynamic sector. With its groundbreaking design, there were so many stunning areas to explore, including the many pools, kids’ area, shops, and lounges. We also had the pleasure of trying the delicious food served onboard, which truly showcased the high standards Royal Caribbean is known for. A big thank you again to Rob De La Espriella and Evan for making this tour so memorable! #HospitalityAndTravel #RoyalCaribbean #IconoftheSeas #CruiseInnovation #MiamiTrek

Thank you Anne Kalosh for the note! We are thrilled to see the incredible impact of The Experience Economy Conference last Saturday, where innovation, luxury, and the future of travel took center stage.

That’s a wrap!??? A huge thank you to everyone who made?The Experience Economy Conference?an incredible success! During the weekend, we explored?"The Opportunity to Create Memories for Our Loved Ones and Our Planet,"?and it was inspiring to see such engaging conversations after five years of waiting to bring this event to life. We are deeply grateful to our amazing speakers, whose insights and expertise sparked meaningful discussions and new ideas. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors The Harvard & MIT Cooperative Society Kent Hospitality Group and KSL Capital Partners, whose support made this event possible, and to our dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. Special thanks to the co-presidents Beatriz Gorostiaga Zubizarreta and Alexander Iley and CFO Michael Baldyga, whose vision and leadership were the driving force behind bringing this conference to life. Together, we’ve set the stage for impactful change and innovation. Let’s keep the momentum going! See you next year! ?? Loisse Herger Per Bjornsen Ryan Buell Gonzalo Undurraga Tom Marchant Steven Siegel Gabe Schwartz Rob Markey Sarah Phelps Jeff Voris Ryan Fiedler Douglas Prothero Carmen M. Robyn Tse Kiernan Schmitt Marc Aust #ExperienceEconomy #Gratitude #Innovation #MakingMemories #Sustainability

Excited to announce the upcoming Experience Economy Conference at Harvard Business School this Saturday, Nov 16th – and we have an incredible giveaway planned! Join us for a day of thought-provoking panels with industry leaders, and you could win one of?10+ $50 gift cards?to enjoy drinks at Overstory, Kent Hospitality Group’s iconic cocktail bar in New York. ?? ??Featured Speakers: Jeff Voris, SVP of Global Innovation & Experience Design, Marriott International Sarah Phelps, Director, Astronaut and Customer Experience, Blue Origin Tom Marchant, Co-Founder & Owner, Black Tomato Douglas Prothero, CEO Lucida Luxury Maritime & Founder and former CEO The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Steven Siegel, Partner & COO, KSL Capital Partners Gonzalo Undurraga, CEO, Explora Loisse Herger, CEO, O:LIVE Small Luxury Hotels Per Bjornsen, CEO, V.Ships Leisure V.Group Carmen M., Chief of Operations & Boston Operations, MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM & Figure8 Robyn Tse, Director of Strategy, Casamata Marc Aust, VP Operations Services, RBI Burger King Gabe Schwartz and Ryan Fiedler from Kent Hospitality Group Secure your spot today and dive into the future of experience-driven industries. ???Get your tickets now! https://lnkd.in/e7SsspiM ?? Klarman Hall, Harvard Business School ?? 12:00 PM Registration, Panels starting at 1:00 PM ????Get?your?tickets?here: https://lnkd.in/e7SsspiM For more details, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/e7SsspiM Don’t miss out on this unique chance to connect and learn from industry experts! #ExperienceEconomy #HarvardBusinessSchool #HTCConference #Hospitality #Travel #LuxuryExperience #Innovation #Networking #Giveaway