Teague heads west to Phoenix for a conversation with Sam Fox—the visionary force behind Author & Edit Hospitality and Fox Restaurant Concepts. Known for building some of the most beloved restaurants across the country, Sam now brings his creative lens to hotels with The Global Ambassador, his first foray into hospitality that rethinks the food and beverage experience and avoids the pitfalls many hoteliers face.With more than 150 restaurant concepts to his name and a $353 million transaction with The Cheesecake Factory behind him, Sam has proven he knows how to scale without losing the magic. Having earned a Michelin Key less than two years in, he shares how creativity and consistency is shaping The Global Ambassador, why focusing on today is the key to unforgettable guest experiences, and the lessons he’s carrying from restaurants into hotels. And of course—Teague asks the question we’re all wondering: what’s tougher to run, restaurants or hotels?Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive tour of The Global Ambassador in Phoenix, coming next Friday.

Teague travels to Nashville to sit down with Anup Patel, Managing Director at Tara Investments, inside the firm’s recently opened dual-branded Canopy and Homewood Suites in the heart of The Gulch. Anup shares how his family’s journey from textiles in the UK to U.S. hotel ownership led to over $275 million in developments and acquisitions, including this $150 million flagship project.From balancing family and business to navigating financing, construction challenges, and design details, Anup offers a behind-the-scenes look at building from the ground up—and why this property cements Tara’s confidence in their long-term development strategy.Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive tour of the Canopy and Homewood Suites Nashville Downtown The Gulch, coming next Friday.

Growing up around the hotel business, Amar Shah and Rahul Rohatgi never felt called to operate properties themselves. Instead, they felt compelled to tell the stories behind them—and how South Asians helped reshape the trajectory of the American hospitality industry.In this episode, Teague sits down with the directors of "The Patel Motel Story," a short-film making waves at the Tribeca Film Festival. For Amar, a self-described “counter kid” who grew up working at his family’s gas station, the project is deeply personal. Rahul’s path was different, but their shared roots and vision brought this story to life.The film is the result of years of research, interviews, and time spent at AAHOA conventions—piecing together a narrative that had never truly been told on screen. Together, they talk about heritage, the hustle behind the American Dream, and why the time was right to tell it now.

Teague travels to Wrightsville Beach to sit down with Mike Weiss and Ben Weinberg, the visionaries behind Trailborn and founders of Castle Peak Holdings. These Goldman Sachs alums share how they built a vertically integrated hospitality platform, from development to operations, and landed a deal with Marriott with just four open properties. Trailborn is reimagining experiential lodging with thoughtfully designed hotels in iconic destinations, combining curated itineraries, local flavor, and outdoor access for a stay that feels anything but standard. Fresh off raising $315 million in just four months, Mike and Ben talk capital, brand building, and what’s next for the industry’s most-watched new brands. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive look at the brand-new Trailborn Surf & Sound coming next Friday.

With 20+ years in Wall Street investment banking and a sharp eye for brand growth, Phil Zrihen—Brand COO and Head of Americas at Ennismore—brings a strategic lens to lifestyle hospitality. Through immersive design, integrated F&B, and a culture-driven operating model, he shares how Ennismore is building brands that owners want to invest in and travelers want to experience. With 180+ properties open and 140+ in the pipeline, Phil discusses how Ennismore is scaling across the Americas, what makes a lifestyle brand financially viable, and why evolving guest expectations are reshaping development strategy.

There’s a reason the Savannah Bananas have a 3 million-person ticket waitlist. And there’s a reason their next game is set to draw 80,000 fans. It’s more than the wild choreography or the sea of yellow—it’s a business model built entirely around one thing: the fan.Teague sits down for an exclusive interview with founder and entrepreneur Jesse Cole to explore how the Bananas have reimagined what a sports franchise can be. From eliminating all sponsorships to paying the taxes and fees from tickets, the Bananas are proof that putting fans first isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a sustainable, strategic advantage.He shares the 10+ year journey it took to get there—filled with tough decisions, financial risk, and a relentless belief in doing things differently. Learn how you can apply the same bold thinking and long-game vision to build something that truly lasts.

After announcing that the Hunter Conference will be moving to the Signia by Hilton Atlanta—Teague sits down with Hilton’s President & CEO, Chris Nassetta, for a candid conversation.After serving over 250 million guests last year, Hilton is expanding its footprint with 8,400+ properties across 140 countries—and more in the pipeline. Chris shares why he believes we’re in a "new golden age of travel", how Hilton continues to thrive despite industry challenges, and his perspective on interest rates, expense creep, and asset values.Despite 2024’s headwinds, Hilton had a record-breaking year—hitting an all-time high stock price, launching four new brands, and forging multiple key partnerships. Don’t miss this conversation about what’s next for Hilton and the hospitality industry.

Teague Talks? More like Teague Tip-Off! This month, Teague takes it to the next level for an unstoppable conversation with Mit Shah, the Founder and CEO of Noble, at the Atlanta Hawks' elite training facility. Mit’s journey is a masterclass in ambition, from working the front desk at his parents’ motel to building one of hospitality’s most respected private equity firms with over $6.0 billion in assets. They go deep on family-driven grit, the power of top-tier talent, and why education is the ultimate game-changer in leadership and philanthropy. Looking to 2025 and beyond, Mit reveals where Noble is making its biggest plays and offers a first look at the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the upcoming Hunter Conference. And because no great episode is complete without a bit of action, they take the court for fast-paced, rapid-fire questions. Big moves. Big insights. Big episode.

NEW YEAR, NEW TEAGUE TALKS! Kicking off Season Five of Teague Talks, Teague sits down in the new Regent Santa Monica Beach with Andre Zotoff, CEO of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, to explore his journey from a 16-year-old restaurant worker in Germany to a leader in luxury hospitality. Overseeing a portfolio of 13 iconic properties, Andre discusses how his culinary, operational, and cultural backgrounds shape his leadership at Strategic. From innovative renovations and redefining the luxury guest experience to a surprising IMDb connection, this episode offers plenty of laughs and an up-close look into high-end hospitality to start off 2025.  Stay tuned next week for an exclusive tour of the brand-new Regent Santa Monica Beach.

This week, Teague sits down in the brand new Regent Santa Monica Beach during its opening week for a conversation with IHG's Leanne Harwood, SVP, Managing Director, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas. With a luxury and lifestyle portfolio spanning 700 hotels across 70 countries, Leanne highlights IHG's goal to establish themselves as the core player in the space by bringing back the iconic Regent brand to the shores of America. Leanne shares what else IHG is focused on, what each brand brings to the table, and the trends she's seeing amongst travelers.

This week, Teague chats with Al Patel, President of Baywood Hotels, for an inside look at managing a vast portfolio of 125 properties, with over 10 new hotels under construction and an additional 20 projects in the pipeline. From growing up in the business to leading one of the biggest hotel management companies today, Al shares what Baywood is currently focused on, the details behind the newly-developed Moxy Miami Wynwood, and his outlook on the industry going into 2025.

With the election right around the corner, Teague sits down with AHLA's Kevin Carey and Chirag Shah to discuss what we know so far about how the presidential race may shape the future of the hospitality industry. From economic policy shifts to critical workforce decisions, they dive into the potential implications on the horizon and what they could mean for hospitality leaders, real estate, and travel alike. Tune in to learn how to navigate the polls and ensure your voice is heard. 

This week, Teague sits down with Rob Blood, Founder of Lark Hotels, for a candid conversation about the evolving boutique and independent hotel space. Recently awarded seven Michelin Keys within his portfolio, Rob shares how he began as an innkeeper in his mid-20s, what motivated him to purchase his first property in Kennebunkport, and how he transformed a nine-room inn into a profitable business that manages over 30 design-focused properties today.

This week, Teague chats with Lindsey Ueberroth, Chief Executive Officer of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Lindsey leads the world's largest independent hotel brand, which represents more than 600 distinctive hotels spanning 80 countries. With rapid growth in the boutique and independent space, Lindsey shares her insights on hotels de-flagging, travel trends, and the benefits of being independent while still receiving brand support. 

Teague travels to Athens, GA, where college football is in full swing, to sit down with James Whitley, COO and Co-Founder of Landmark Properties, the leader in student housing. From flipping houses as a college student to building Landmark into an industry powerhouse, James shares the inspiration behind his recent venture into the hotel space, including his purchase of the iconic Old Edwards Inn and the transformation of an abandoned denim factory into his first independent boutique hotel, Rivet House.

Teague sits down with Rob Smith, newly appointed President & CEO of Stonebridge Companies, to discuss his journey in overseas operations, his time at Aimbridge, and the lessons learned from industry icon Navin Dimond. Rob also shares insights into Stonebridge's future growth plans following the recent acquisition of Real Hospitality Group, along with his macro view on the industry and interest rates.

Teague is joined by Jin Lee, CEO of ARA US Hospitality Trust, a Singapore-based REIT focused on select-service hotels across the U.S. Jin shares the unique story behind the company's formation, discusses the challenges of managing a Singapore-based REIT while operating in the U.S., and outlines how their investment strategy has evolved over the years.

Teague sits down with Steve Palmer, Founder & Chief Vision Officer of Indigo Road Hospitality Group, at the newly opened Rivet House in Athens, GA. Known for his remarkable success in the restaurant business, Steve talks about his transition into hotel management and the journey that led him there. Behind the scenes of his incredible career, Steve opens up about his personal battle with addiction and how he's now giving back to others in the industry who have faced similar challenges.

With a recent NYC hotel bill taking over headlines, Teague sits down with AHLA’s Kevin Carey for a quick update on the details behind the proposed legislation. Tune in to learn how this could trickle down and affect other markets.

Teague is joined by Chan Patel, Chairman and CEO of the largest community bank in the U.S. focused on hospitality. From migrating to the States and purchasing his first hotel in 1976, Chan shares the incredible story behind what led him to raise $2 million and open the State Bank of Texas. The two discuss Chan's unique approach to lending, the recipe behind running a successful bank, and how he has seen the industry evolve over the years.