Empowering Hospitality: Chris Trick’s Insights from a Career in the Industry


In a world where travel is more dynamic and data-driven than ever, hospitality brands are under pressure to deliver both personal connection and technological innovation. As guests expect seamless digital experiences alongside authentic service, hotels must strike a balance between warmth and efficiency. This shift isn’t about replacing human interaction with machines—it’s about using tech to deepen the human touch. Successful hospitality leaders understand that the heart of the industry remains unchanged: relationships matter most. Yet, today’s tools offer new ways to strengthen those bonds, revealing insights that personalize marketing and enhance every guest encounter. At the intersection of service and strategy lies the franchise model, where delivering consistent value across brands requires not only vision but the right partnerships. For a behind-the-scenes look at how one hospitality leader blends legacy values with modern momentum, we turn to Chris Trick, Chief Marketing Officer for Sonesta Hotels, in Empowering Hospitality: Chris Trick’s Insights from a Career in the Industry for Visual Matrix.

Recent Episodes

The hospitality industry is under mounting pressure to modernize to meet guest expectations for seamless, tech-driven experiences and also develop leaders who can drive that transformation. According to Rackspace Technology, only 28% of travel and hospitality companies qualify as “AI leaders”— those aligning strategy, compliance, and training with real-world deployment. Another 28% remain in…

As the hospitality industry emerges from years of pandemic-driven upheaval, hospitality leadership is evolving to meet new challenges. Leaders are looking for new ways to retain staff, elevate guest satisfaction, and drive revenue without burning out their teams. One trend gaining traction is the power of “Yes”: empowering employees to say yes more often,…

The hospitality industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the rising expectation for hyper-effortless, personalized guest experiences. Across industries, research from McKinsey shows that 71 percent of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions—raising the bar for service excellence in every sector, including hospitality. As hotels, casinos, and resorts race to meet evolving demands,…