The Layover

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:

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:

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 auto...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Goedele Mangelaars, founder and CEO of Pink Notebook, an AI-powered travel platform reimagining how trips are discovered, planned, and booked. From growing up across continents to working at companies like Skyscanner and Terra API, Goedele brings a global, data-driven perspective to one of travel’s biggest pain points: too much inspiration, not enough context. Pink Notebook is built to bridge that gap—combining visual discovery, smart curation, and seamless booking into one cohesive experience. Goedele breaks down how Pink Notebook is:

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Jon Skogmo, CEO of LOST iN, for an inside look at how the brand is redefining travel media; blending physical guidebooks, digital storytelling, and real-world experiences into one cohesive ecosystem.

From betting on print in a digital-first world to building a community that spans social, newsletters, and IRL events, Jon shares why the future of travel isn’t just about where you go—but how you connect along the way.

Jon unpacks how LOST iN is:

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with D’Andra Duggans, Chief Brand Officer of the Las Vegas Aces, to explore how women’s sports, destination marketing, and live entertainment are reshaping Las Vegas into a global sports travel powerhouse. From championship culture to marquee partnerships, D’Andra shares how the Aces are designing experiences that draw fans far beyond the arena.

As sports tourism surges toward a projected $2 trillion global market, the Aces are emerging as a must-see stop on the Las Vegas itinerary—proving that women’s basketball can drive travel, culture, and economic i...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato, the award-winning luxury travel company known for designing deeply immersive, emotionally driven journeys around the world. From backpacking through the Philippines and Brazil to building one of the most influential brands in experiential travel, Tom shares how curiosity, not comfort, has always been the compass.

Tom unpacks how Black Tomato has helped pioneer the rise of transformational travel, creating trips that prioritize how travelers want to feel, not just where they want to go.

In this conversation, Tom explores:<...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan, to explore how the state is future-proofing travel through bold infrastructure projects, clean energy innovation, and cross-border connectivity.

From America’s first public wireless-charging road to an EV-friendly Lake Michigan Circuit designed to keep charging stops within reach, Justine breaks down how Michigan is making road trips more seamless for the next generation of travelers.

Ever wonder what a city is like beyond the tourist traps? LOST iN is a travel company built on curiosity...de...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Mike Richter and Erica Fieldman of Unplugged Collective to unpack how modern travel storytelling is evolving—and what it really takes to build trust, scale audiences, and create content that actually moves people.

From navigating brand partnerships and audience growth to balancing creativity with commercial realities, Mike and Erica share an insider’s perspective on building a media platform rooted in authenticity, intention, and community.

Together, they explore:

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Gediminas Varvuolis, Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States, live from CES, to explore why this Baltic nation is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most intriguing travel destinations.

From medieval old towns and Baroque architecture to lakeside castles, comfort-driven cuisine, and a booming innovation ecosystem, Lithuania blends deep history with modern momentum in a way most American travelers haven’t discovered yet.

Ambassador Varvuolis shares how Lithuania is:

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Elizabeth Cole, Undersecretary of Tourism for the Yucatán, to uncover why this storied region is quickly becoming one of Mexico’s most compelling travel destinations.

Far beyond the crowds of Cancún, Yucatán offers travelers a deeper connection—to Mayan history, sustainable communities, and a culinary heritage that’s as alive today as it was centuries ago.

Elizabeth shares how Yucatán is:

In this episode of The Layover, we catch up with Mike Petrakis, CEO and founder of Batch, the app revolutionizing how people plan group travel and celebrations. From bachelorette blowouts and golf trips to divorce parties and girls’ getaways, Batch has become the go-to destination for organizing unforgettable group experiences—now in 90 markets across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Mike shares how Batch is:

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Andy Tretiak, Chief Marketing Officer of Airshare, to explore how one of America’s fastest-growing private aviation companies is redefining what it means to fly smarter, not just higher.

From rebranding MLS club Sporting Kansas City to spearheading Airshare’s partnership with the PGA of America and Ryder Cup, Andy’s career sits at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and the business of movement. He brings a marketer’s eye and a traveler’s heart to an industry built on saving the one thing money can’t buy—time.

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In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Zachary Smith, CEO of Anywhere, to unpack how a one-way trip to Oaxaca and an unexpected detour in Costa Rica grew into a global travel company redefining what it means to plan (and actually enjoy) your trip.

Born from the simple idea of making travel less stressful, Anywhere blends technology with human connection, relying on local experts in every destination to design personalized, culturally immersive itineraries that...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Einar Garzoa, co-founder and CEO of Conserve Safari, to explore how a finance career in Europe transformed into a mission-driven journey in Africa’s wilderness. From Latvia to Uganda to Tanzania, Einar’s story is one of reinvention—trading spreadsheets for savannahs to build eco-conscious safari lodges that connect travelers with nature and purpose.

Conserve Safari isn’t just about game drives and luxury tents. It’s about creating spaces where travelers can rediscover themselves while supporting conservation and local communities.

Einar shares how Conserve Safari is...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Ian Prichard, CEO and co-founder of Black Tie Ski Rentals & Delivery, to explore how a small-town idea sparked by an Alan Jackson VIP fitting turned into North America’s leading ski and bike delivery network.

From maxing out credit cards to launch a two-van operation in Steamboat Springs, to growing into 20 licensed locations across the U.S. and Canada, Black Tie has rewritten the ski rental experience—making it less about lines and logistics and more about lifestyle and leisure.

Ian unpacks how Black Tie is:<...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Michael Shiwdin, Group Vice President of Guest Engagement, Loyalty, and Strategic Partnerships at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, to explore how the brand behind 24 hotel names is transforming travel rewards into something far more experiential and emotional.

From turning points into Applebee’s and Panera Bread perks, to launching exclusive VIP auctions with the NFL, Wyndham is rewriting the playbook for loyalty—and it’s not just about free nights anymore.

Michael unpacks how Wyndham is:

In this episode, we journey into the sacred, the obscure, and the nearly forgotten with Eliot Stein, senior journalist and editor at the BBC, and author of the powerful new book Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive.

Eliot takes us behind the scenes of a decade-long reporting journey—one that led him across five continents in search of the final practitioners of ancient rites, endangered crafts, and cultural expressions on the edge of extinction. From the last Inca bridge master to the only family that still plays Mali’s 700-yea...

What does it take to turn a beloved local destination into a multi-platform media powerhouse? In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Brian Bossuyt, Executive Vice President and CMO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, to explore how his team is redefining destination marketing—one camera, one app, and one fall foliage map at a time.

Brian shares how the Pocono Mountains region is:

In this episode, we sit down with Sebastian Schoepe, CEO of EagleRider, to explore how the iconic motorcycle travel company is steering the future of experiential travel. From reshaping the traditional rental model to embracing digital tools and immersive branding, Sebastian offers a candid look at how EagleRider is reaching younger, more diverse, and global audiences.

In this episode of The Layover, host and EVP of Partnerships at LOST iN, Dylan Conroy, hits the slopes with Dan Sherman, Chief Marketing Officer at Ski.com — the leading platform for planning and booking unforgettable mountain getaways.

Together, they carve through the evolution of ski travel, unpack how data, content, and community are transforming the way people discover and experience winter destinations, and explore the challenges of marketing adventure in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Dan shares the behind-the-scenes strategy that keeps Ski.com at the forefront of mountain tourism and offers a glimpse into the fu...