232 | Don't Skip Seasoning

Leora Lanz is an associate professor at Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration and a former global marketing leader who helped grow HVS from seven offices to forty worldwide. After decades in destination marketing, hotel operations, and consultancy, she turned her classroom casework into two books on developing a marketing mindset. Susan and Leora talk about critical thinking, conscious marketing, and career courage.   What You'll Learn: • Why you need to "know enough to be dangerous" in digital marketing • What crisis communication in hotels teaches about compassion • Why today's marketing funnel feels more like a pinball machine • Why hospitality and marketing are fundamentally the same • How to shift from "you should" to "we will" with owners • When the ROI of a hospitality degree really kicks in • How set-jetting and streaming shows shape travel trends • Why wellness, sustainability, and community are marketing power plays • Why career reinvention requires courage and community *** Our Top Three Takeaways Marketing Is a Mindset, Not a Tactic Marketing isn't about flashy campaigns or one-hit wonders. It's about critical thinking, strategic planning, and starting with clear goals and KPIs. Everyone in hospitality (not just the marketing team) needs to think this way to build real, lasting impact. Shift from "You" to "We" Great marketing happens when teams act as true partners, not outside advisors. Saying "we" instead of "you" creates a sense of shared ownership and stronger alignment with stakeholders. That mindset builds trust, buy-in, and better results. Hospitality Is a Competitive Advantage Hospitality is more than an industry; it's a philosophy that can differentiate any business. Purpose-driven marketing rooted in wellness, sustainability, and community creates deeper, more meaningful connections. The future depends on honoring both emerging talent and seasoned voices while keeping that purpose front and center. Leora Lanz on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leorahalpernlanz/ Buy the Books http://www.tinyurl.com/MarketingMindsetseries Cayuga Hospitality Consultants https://cayugahospitality.com/ Hive Marketing https://www.hive-marketing.com/ ***Ad Giveaway*** Enter here! https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/win