David Millili sits down with Brian Popelmayer of Lockton Companies at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry today: rising hotel insurance costs.

In this episode, Brian shares insights from more than 23 years in the insurance industry, including how the hotel insurance marketplace has evolved, why liability insurance costs are rising, and what hotel owners and management companies must do to protect their balance sheets.

Brian also breaks down emerging risks in hospitality such as human trafficking, sexual misconduct liability, environmental exposures, mold, and Legionella claims, and explains how hoteliers can secure the right coverage in an increasingly complex insurance market.

If you’re a hotel owner, operator, asset manager, or hospitality professional, this episode will give you a clear look at the risks shaping the industry and practical strategies to manage insurance costs while protecting your business.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Brian Popelmayer got into the hospitality insurance industry
• Why hotel insurance costs have risen from 1.2% to nearly 2% of operating revenue
• How hotel owners can secure better insurance coverage
• The positive trends in the property insurance market

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DUIM79T4FuY

Links:
Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianpopelmayer/
Lockton: https://www.global.lockton.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/261

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Recorded live at the 2026 Hunter Conference in Atlanta, this special episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality’s Most Engaged Podcast brings together key voices from the Hunter team to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s hotel investment market.

In this episode, Host David Millili sits down with Mayank Patel, Sophia Pittaluga, and Kami Burnette to discuss the forces shaping hotel deals right now—from economic uncertainty and rising operating costs to shifting buyer expectations and the growing demand for luxury and lifestyle properties.

The conversation explores the biggest disconnects between buyers and sellers, how macroeconomic factors and local market dynamics are influencing investment decisions, and why financing and renovation costs are playing a critical role in today’s negotiations. The group also looks ahead to what the hotel investment landscape could look like by the next Hunter Conference, including the potential impact of AI on underwriting, asset management, and deal-making.

Plus, they share why the Hunter Conference remains one of the industry’s most important events—bringing together everyone from regional developers to Wall Street investors to spark conversations and close deals.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What hotel owners and investors may be overlooking in the current market
• The biggest buyer vs. seller disconnects affecting transactions today
• Why financing and renovation costs are shaping deal negotiations
• How AI could transform hotel investment and operations
• Why lifestyle and luxury properties are attracting more attention from investors

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2q_byG5bf60

Links:
Mayank Patel

SVP, Hunter Hotel Advisors

Mayank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayank-patel-2b15206/?skipRedirect=true

Sophia Pittaluga

SVP, Hunter Hotel Advisors

Sophia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiapittaluga/?skipRedirect=true

Kami Burnette

SVP, Hunter Hotel Advisors

Kami on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamiburnette/?skipRedirect=true

Hunter Advisors: https://hunteradvisors.co/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/260

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Ever wondered how hotels set the “perfect” price, why AI is changing the game, and what the future of travel really looks like?

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chris Anderson, Professor at Cornell University and former Director of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, to unpack the evolving world of hotel revenue management, pricing strategy, and guest analytics.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The evolution of revenue management and pricing in hotels over the last few decades
• How AI is transforming demand forecasting, guest intent analysis, and revenue optimization
• Strategies for independent hotels to compete with big brands
• What are the predictions for travel, luxury hospitality, and pricing trends in 2026 and beyond?

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Pksb5lJZfKI

Links:
Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskanderson/
Cornell University: https://www.cornell.edu/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/259

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.