Hospitality Unpacked with NEWH

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.

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.

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.

Nature has already solved the problems we’re trying to design around.This episode explores biomimicry—the practice of learning from nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies—and its powerful role in shaping biophilic hospitality design. From coral reefs and sunflower heads to pinecone spirals, we examine how natural systems inform spaces that are not only visually compelling, but deeply restorative and inherently efficient.Through real-world examples, we uncover how nature-driven design can elevate the guest experience, support energy performance, and create environments that feel intuitive and alive. From the fractal rhythm of tree canopies to the passive cooling intelligence of termite mounds, this conversation reveals how the natural world offers both inspiration and instruction.Designed to spark curiosity and participation, this episode invites you to rethink conventional approaches, reconnect with natural intelligence, and rewild the way we design hotels, resorts, and wellness spaces.

Cultural authenticity cannot be an afterthought.This essential dialogue examines what it truly means to design hospitality spaces rooted in Native American identity—through tradition, lived experience, and forward-thinking innovation. Centered on Indigenous voices, this conversation reframes culture not as a visual reference or design trend, but as a living, evolving narrative shaped by community, place, and purpose.Bringing together three Indigenous leaders from architecture, design, and project management, the panel explores the role of materials, symbolism, and storytelling, while confronting the risks of appropriation and the critical need for Indigenous leadership on Native projects.Through candid insight and real-world perspective, this episode challenges conventional design frameworks and offers a more respectful, informed approach to hospitality development—one that honors culture, responsibility, and long-term impact.

Recognition was not guaranteed—but impact was inevitable.This episode brings into focus the often-overlooked legacies of female designers whose vision, leadership, and business acumen quietly shaped the foundations of interior design and architecture. Working beyond the spotlight of their time, these trailblazers challenged convention, built influence, and created pathways for innovation that continue to resonate today.Through reflection and historical context, we examine how their work reshaped professional practice and why their contributions remain deeply relevant. A century later, their stories remind us that progress is rarely singular—and that lasting change is often built by those history nearly forgot.

Sustainability is no longer optional. It guides every choice, design, and decision across the entire system.In this session, we explore how manufacturers, designers, and brands or owners can come together to create impact far beyond what any one of them could achieve alone. Through practical insights and real-world examples, we uncover how aligned practices shape Human Health, Climate Health, and Social Equity, turning materials, spaces, and communities into powerful catalysts for change.Bringing into focus the unseen connections that drive meaningful progress.

Accessibility is no longer optional; it is a critical foundation of thoughtful design.In this episode, our panel dives into the real-world mobility challenges guests encounter throughout hotel spaces, from arrival to room experience and shared amenities.Through candid discussion and practical insight, they explore how ADA-informed design choices can remove barriers, enhance comfort, and create environments that work seamlessly for all guests.Highlighting how inclusive design is not only the right thing to do, but also a powerful driver of guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and long-term success in hospitality.

What does it take to make spaces truly accessible?Hear directly from people with disabilities as they share their experiences and the challenges they face every day. Get to learn practical ways to meet ADA standards while creating spaces that actually work for everyone. See how thoughtful, creative design can improve accessibility and enhance the experience for all guests. Leave inspired to approach accessibility not just as a rule, but as a way to build welcoming, engaging spaces where everyone feels valued.

Hotels and restaurants cycle through furniture at an incredible pace. Pieces meant to last a decade often barely make it five years before being tossed. In this episode, we look at how the industry can rethink that pattern and shift toward circular design that keeps materials in use longer.Our panel digs into the real barriers cost, logistics, changing trends and the pressure to deliver a constant sense of “new.” They draw from hands-on examples, including San Francisco International Airport’s commitment to zero waste, a Grand Hyatt built with circularity in mind, and a Colorado hostel that turned reclaimed materials and custom-built bunk beds into a sustainability win. We also explore innovative materials like recycled plastics, biodegradable textiles, and early-stage alternatives such as mycelium.If you work in design, purchasing, operations, or simply care about building a more sustainable hospitality ecosystem, this conversation will spark ideas and challenge the way you approach specifications and project planning.

This minisode of A Seat at the Table was recorded live at the 2025 NEWH Leadership Conference in Paris. It captures a candid and thoughtful conversation with Agnès Roquefort, drawing on her insights as a global hospitality leader and her perspective on mentorship, collaboration, and the next generation of talent. The energy of the conference carries straight into the dialogue, offering listeners a quick but meaningful look at the ideas shaping hospitality right now.

Design never sleeps—especially when your studios span continents.In this episode of Hospitality Unpacked: The Design, Adele Rankin and Brigitte Bédard of CHIL Interior Design share what it takes to lead hospitality projects that cross time zones, cultures, and expectations. From 24-hour collaboration between Vancouver, Toronto, and Hong Kong to navigating client customs in the Middle East, they unpack the creative thrill (and chaos) of designing on a global stage.Hosted by Matt DeShantz, this conversation explores cultural sensitivity, global sustainability, and the rush of creating spaces that redefine luxury—one timezone at a time.🎙️ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.Correction Notice: This episode was recorded while Adele Rankin was serving as Principal and Global Design Lead at CHIL Interior Design. Since the time of recording, Adele has moved into her new role as Vice President of Interior Design at Kasian Architecture. We’re thrilled to acknowledge her continued leadership in global hospitality design.

Theme: The PeopleEpisode: Scholarship StoriesGuests:Barbara Bischoff – Director of Scholarships, NEWH Inc. | Project Interior Design Associate, RoamValerie Coleman – Vice President of EID, NEWH Inc. | Director of Interior Design Select Brands, Marriott InternationalMichael Quaglia – Communications Chair – Scholarships, NEWH Inc. | Intermediate Interior Designer, ODADescriptionWhat happens when a scholarship becomes more than a cheque? In this episode of Hospitality Unpacked, we sit down with three designers whose careers were transformed by the support, mentorship, and community of NEWH.From changing careers to crossing continents, Barbara Bischoff, Valerie Coleman, and Michael Quaglia share how receiving an NEWH scholarship opened doors far beyond the classroom. Their stories highlight the power of generosity in hospitality—the kind that shapes not only projects, but people.Listeners will hear how each designer discovered their path, built lifelong connections, and turned scholarship opportunities into thriving careers across Marriott International, ODA, and Roam Interiors.Hosted by Matt DeShantz, this conversation brings together three generations of NEWH scholarship recipients whose experiences span design studios, hotel brands, and international chapters.Key Topics• How scholarships validate creative risk and career pivots• The network effect—why NEWH connections outlast graduation• Mentorship and giving back through chapter involvement• Inclusivity and diversity as drivers of design excellence