Digital Hospitality

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation dives into the high-stakes world of industry trade shows and strategic networking. Featured guests Laura Wilber, Restaurant Guest Acquisition & Retention Expert with Dinova, and Mark Hatch, VP of Trade Relations and Events at Informa, share their insights on how to maximize opportunities at conferences, build […]

Shaquille O’Neal knows success isn’t a solo act. Whether it was winning NBA championships or building Big Chicken, his approach has always been the same—surround yourself with smart people, trust them to do their job, and focus on culture. That philosophy has fueled the rapid rise of Big Chicken, with 4,700 franchise applicants eager to […]

In this session, we explore the art of lead generation and why understanding its nuances is essential for businesses, entrepreneurs, and hospitality professionals. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group dives into effective strategies for attracting and converting leads in B2B, B2C, and H2H (human-to-human) interactions. The conversation highlights real-world examples […]

Josh Bucens, the Director of Food & Beverage at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Chicago, has built a career defined by passion, resilience, and a deep love for hospitality. From his early days working in nightclubs and bars to leading operations at one of Chicago’s most exciting brewery destinations, Bucens has embraced every step of […]

In this session, we explore the power of direct outreach and why mastering this skill is a game-changer for businesses, entrepreneurs, and creators. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group dives into effective strategies for personalizing outreach, building relationships, and leveraging digital tools to connect with potential clients and partners. The […]

At the California Restaurant Show, Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media took the stage to share an important lesson: Every business has a story that deserves to be told. While his session emphasized digital storytelling, it was a particular moment—his Orange Tree Story—that truly resonated with the audience. Walchef recounted the significance of an orange […]

In this session, we dive into the fundamentals of social selling and why mastering this skill is essential for business owners, content creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group explores how building an authentic digital presence can create meaningful connections and drive business success. The conversation […]

Joshua Sharkey, CEO and founder of Meez, has built a career around his passion for the culinary industry. A former chef with years of experience, Sharkey saw firsthand how recipe mismanagement, inaccurate food costing, and inefficiencies hurt restaurant operations. His solution? Meez—an all-in-one culinary operating system designed by chefs, for chefs. Unlike traditional recipe storage […]

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the restaurant industry. Featured guest Jesse Stein, co-founder of Hermetic AI, shares his insights on how AI-driven automation is transforming private event bookings, guest engagement, and operational efficiency. Jesse joins host Shawn Walchef to discuss the biggest opportunities […]

In this latest Digital Hospitality episode, host Shawn Walchef sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and mentor David Meltzer to discuss Stage Theory, content creation, and how businesses—especially in hospitality—can leverage events for growth. The conversation explores Meltzer’s insights on business development, post-production content, and why strategic content capture is more valuable than ever. David Meltzer […]