Check-In with Bryan

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Check-In with Bryan LISTEN NOW🎧 www.rhglink.com/CheckinPodcast Welcome to Check-In with Bryan, your essential podcast for staying ahead in the dynamic world of hospitality.

Hosted by Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality and a highly sought-after keynote speaker, this podcast dives deep into the strategic insights, evolving trends, and transformative ideas driving the hospitality and travel industries forward. Drawing from Bryan’s extensive background in hospitality management, strategic planning, and business innovation, each episode features compelling discussion

s with influential industry leaders, hotel executives, investors, asset managers, and expert consultants. You’ll gain valuable insights into operational excellence, market developments, investment opportunities, asset optimization strategies, and relevant travel news influencing the hospitality landscape. Designed specifically for hotel owners, operators, hospitality investors, travel professionals, and industry leaders, Check-In with Bryan empowers listeners to elevate their business strategies, harness industry-leading insights, and navigate the ever-evolving intersection of hospitality and travel. Stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the competition with Bryan Fish and Reliance Hospitality.

10/06/2026

What keeps someone at the same company for more than 20 years?

It’s probably not what you think.

On the latest episode of Check-In with Bryan, Jason Ballard shares why he’s spent more than two decades building his career at Hyatt.

His answer wasn’t compensation.
It wasn’t titles.
It wasn’t promotions.

It was people.

Mentors who encouraged curiosity.
Leaders who gave him room to explore.
A culture that rewarded learning instead of staying in one lane.

One of my favorite quotes from the conversation:

“If you’re interested in something, talk to people about it. Join projects. Learn about it. That’s how you’re going to grow.”

Whether you’re in hospitality or any other industry, it’s a powerful reminder that the best careers aren’t always planned—they’re built through curiosity and the willingness to keep learning.

Watch the full conversation now.

09/06/2026

“Brands shouldn’t be launched by design.”

That single idea changed how Hyatt built Hyatt Studios.

Instead of starting with renderings and aesthetics, Hyatt started with owners, operators, subcontractors, and guests.

The result?

A hotel brand designed around how hotels are actually built and operated.

Full conversation with Jason Ballard on Check-In with Bryan.

09/06/2026

For years, Hyatt was known primarily for luxury and upscale hospitality.

Today, they’re one of the fastest-growing players in the midscale and upper-midscale hotel space.

On this episode of Check-In with Bryan, I sat down with Jason Ballard, SVP & Global Brand Leader of Hyatt’s Essentials Portfolio, to discuss:

• Hyatt Studios and Hyatt Select
• The future of hotel conversions
• Why owners are looking at brands differently today
• How Hyatt is expanding into markets where it historically had little presence
• What it takes to build a hotel brand from the ground up

One of my favorite takeaways:

The best hotel brands aren’t built in boardrooms. They’re built by listening to owners, operators, housekeepers, developers, and guests.

Jason shares how Hyatt incorporated real-world operational feedback into the design and development process—and why that mindset is helping fuel Hyatt’s growth.

Watch the full conversation now.

28/05/2026

Quick thought from this week’s conversation with Jeff Emmons:

Hotels need to stop thinking that built-in AV means they can’t charge for it.

Great meeting technology creates a better guest experience—and it has value.

If you’re in hospitality, give this one a listen.

And if you’re in Phoenix, go check out The space is incredible.

28/05/2026

What if a showroom could become an entire business ecosystem?

On the latest episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan sits down with Jeff Emmons, CEO of and founder of to talk about how NextSpace went from a technology showcase to a powerful experience center for clients, partners, events, podcast production, AV integration, and hospitality innovation.

From smart hotel rooms and built-in meeting room technology to leak detection, occupancy sensors, content studios, and the ROI of better spaces — this conversation breaks down how technology can create better experiences and smarter operations.

Full episode out now. Go check it out!

23/05/2026

Technology is transforming hospitality faster than ever — but some roles should never disappear.

In this clip from Check-In with Bryan, Nick Knight from Duetto shares why positions like the concierge and maître d’ still matter deeply in an industry built on human connection, personalization, and experience.

AI and automation can improve efficiency… but hospitality without people stops feeling like hospitality.

Full episode out now. 🎙️

21/05/2026

Hotel technology is evolving fast — but is hospitality at risk of losing the human touch?

On this episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan sits down with Nick Knight of Duetto to talk AI, revenue management, hotel operations, personalization, training, and what the future of hospitality tech should actually look like.

Now available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

08/05/2026

Hotel owners — shouldn’t we be focusing on bringing the culture of the area to the kitchen?

In episode 5 of season 5 Bryan sits down with to discuss his legendary 40+ year career in F&B and how markets that understand their cuisine should have more creative freedom in the kitchen.

Episode 5 is out now! 🚀

07/05/2026

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW 🎙️

This week on Check-In with Bryan, Bryan sits down with hospitality legend Guy Reinbold — former VP of Food & Beverage and Corporate Executive Chef at Marriott International — for an incredible conversation on what truly makes hotel food & beverage concepts successful.

From brand standards and guest expectations to profitability, owner relations, hospitality culture, and the future of hotel dining… this episode is packed with real industry insight from someone who’s spent over 40 years shaping hospitality at the highest level.

If you work in hotels, restaurants, operations, ownership, or hospitality leadership — this is one you don’t want to miss.

Huge thank you to our incredible production and studio partners at NextSpace and Immedia for continuing to help bring these conversations to life. We’re grateful for the support and excited for everything ahead.

🎥 Produced by RH Media Productions
🎧 Streaming now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

02/05/2026

Not all cruises feel the same… 👀

While joining us on a Scarlet Lady trip—planned entirely by Destinations by Reliance—Belle Bakst () and Lara Eurdolian () called out something unexpected:

The vibe.

Less formal.
Less rigid.
Way more fun.

“It’s mostly people who just want to have a good time.”

Compared to more traditional cruise experiences, this felt different—more laid back, more social, and a lot more alive.

And as Lara put it…

It actually feels like Virgin.

From the energy to the people to the overall experience—it’s very on brand.

🎧 Full Episode 4 of Check-In with Bryan is live now — tap in.

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