Vince Schiller Wants You To Play More

I sat down with Vince Schiller for a thoughtful conversation about hospitality, creativity, and the power of community. Sure, Vince’s background in music and a life shaped by creative curiosity might have you believing you’ve got to be born ‘creative’ but we unpack how play is essential, everyone can practice creativity and the benefits for guests and industry. If you care about hospitality, community, or the art of making people feel included, this one is for you.Show NotesIn this episode, Vince and I explore how hospitality can become a space for creativity, community-building, and playful experimentation. Vince shares his journey from Chicago to New Zealand, how a background in music and creative problem-solving shaped his approach, and why he sees hospitality as more than a job — it’s a way to bring people together. We dig into the role of community in Auckland hospitality, the importance of creating third places where people can connect, and how events like Auckland Cocktail Week can make hospitality feel more inviting, collaborative, and fun. Vince also talks about how creativity thrives within boundaries, why play matters for adults just as much as it does for children, and how atmosphere, design, and storytelling can add real value for both guests and hospitality teams.The conversation closes with Vince’s thoughts on leadership, finding people’s strengths, and how small, intentional actions can help make hospitality more meaningful for everyone involved.Key themes* Creativity as a practice, not a personality trait* Community-building through hospitality* Playfulness and imagination in bars and events* Creating value for guests through experience* Leadership through facilitation and supportNotable moments* Vince on how travel helped him reconnect with hospitality* The story behind Auckland Cocktail Week’s energy and growth* Why boundaries can actually make creativity easier* The idea that hospitality spaces can feel like “third places”* Vince’s belief that giving others space to shine builds stronger communitiesBe sure to like, share and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Get full access to More Good Drinks at www.moregooddrinks.com/subscribe