In this episode of Bed & Butter, host Sean Riley sits down with Danielle Diersing, Senior Manager of Product Experience & Prototypes at Hilton, to explore how thoughtful design, innovation, and operator insight shape the modern hotel guest experience.

Recognized as a 30 Under 30 hospitality leader, Diersing shares her career journey into Hilton’s corporate ecosystem and offers an inside look at how Hilton designs and refreshes its focused-service and all-suite brands, including Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, Embassy Suites, and Tru. From in-room furniture and amenities to lobby flow, breakfast layouts, sustainability initiatives, and cost-effective brand standards, Diersing explains how guest experience decisions are tested, refined, and implemented at scale.

The conversation also dives into leadership development, mentorship, and career pathways in hospitality, including Hilton’s internship, management development, and early-talent programs. Diersing offers practical advice for students and emerging professionals on asking questions, building relationships, and finding the right organizational culture.

This episode is a must-listen for students, hospitality professionals, designers, and future leaders interested in hotel design, brand standards, guest experience strategy, sustainability, and corporate hospitality careers.

In this extended episode of Bed & Butter, host Sean Riley welcomes Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, for an in-depth conversation on tourism’s role in economic development, workforce opportunity, and community identity. Drawing on more than two decades of leadership in destination marketing—including her tenure in Salem—Fox discusses how strategic storytelling, cultural tourism, and strong public-private partnerships drive visitor engagement and sustainable growth across the Commonwealth.

Listeners gain insight into statewide initiatives such as Massachusetts 250, season-extension strategies, and the use of data and economic impact reporting to guide policy and investment. Fox also outlines the wide range of career paths within tourism, from marketing and communications to analytics, heritage preservation, and outdoor recreation. The episode closes with forward-looking perspectives on technology, AI, accessibility, and what the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders should know as they enter the field.

Join host Sean Riley, a seasoned hotel executive and CEO of Maine Course Hospitality Group, for this inspiring conversation in partnership with Southern Maine Community College (SMCC). This episode features Matthew Boettcher, Senior VP and Global Brand Leader for the Distinctive Brands at Marriott International. Matthew shares his remarkable career path, which began as a sommelier in fine dining and led him to a leadership role shaping global brands like Moxy, Westin, and the newly acquired CitizenM.

Listen in for an insider's look at Marriott's brand strategy, distinguishing between Classic and Distinctive brand houses (such as Renaissance, Autograph, and Tribute). Matthew discusses the crucial role of the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem in driving customer and owner loyalty and the importance of hiring diverse teams to stay ahead of long-term trends—not fads. He emphasizes a pivotal piece of career advice: focus on execution and be prepared to take risks. This episode is a must-listen for professionals and students interested in hotel management, brand development, and the future of hospitality and lodging.