Join us for an inspiring episode of Travel Talk as we sit down with Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Casino Bristol, to explore her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Brazil to leading one of Virginia’s most exciting hospitality and entertainment destinations.

In this interview, Allie shares how her passion for hospitality began with a life-changing internship at Walt Disney World and evolved into a thriving career that took her across seven states and into the world of gaming. Her story highlights the power of perseverance, learning, and embracing every opportunity — no matter where you start.

We also dive into the rapid growth of Hard Rock Casino Bristol, including:
🎸 The property's first year successes and major milestones
🏨 What makes Hard Rock Bristol’s hotel, entertainment venue, and gaming floor a must-visit
🎰 How the team built a brand-new gaming market in Virginia
🎤 Expanding national entertainment acts and plans for the year ahead
🌍 Allie’s favorite travel destinations and her upcoming bucket-list trips

Whether you're passionate about hospitality, travel, leadership, or simply love the Hard Rock brand, this episode delivers valuable insights and inspiration.

• How a Disney internship launched a global hospitality career

• The challenges & triumphs of opening a new casino in a new gaming market

• Why Bristol, VA is becoming a rising travel destination

• The importance of team culture, learning, and professional growth

• Allie’s travel philosophy: “I work to travel.”

Offering 303 hotel rooms, nationally recognized entertainment acts, 24-hour dining, gaming, spa, indoor/outdoor pools, and year-round experiences, Hard Rock Casino Bristol is redefining hospitality in the region. Follow them on social media for upcoming shows, giveaways, and events.

👉 Hard Rock Casino Bristol – Facebook & Instagram
👉 The Hotel Guide – thehotelguide.com
👉 Subscribe for more Travel Talk episodes!

If you enjoy stories of leadership, travel, and hospitality excellence, make sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🌟 About Hard Rock Casino Bristol📲 Connect & Follow

Get ready for a high-energy conversation with Tim Morrow, the forward-thinking CEO of the San Antonio Zoo—one of the fastest-growing and most innovative zoological destinations in the United States. In this episode of Travel Talk with Edward Leos, we explore how the Zoo is redefining wildlife conservation, elevating family travel experiences, and creating unforgettable eco-tourism adventures in the heart of Texas.

Tim shares insider stories, bold ideas, and the Zoo’s mission to protect species, inspire visitors, and transform the way people connect with wildlife. Whether you're planning a trip to San Antonio, passionate about conservation, or love powerful leadership stories, this episode is full of high-value insights and must-know travel tips.

• How the San Antonio Zoo became a national leader in conservation and guest experience

• Innovative wildlife and habitat projects shaping the future of zoological parks

• The Zoo’s approach to animal care, education, and environmental stewardship

• New attractions and immersive experiences for families, travelers, and nature lovers

• Tim Morrow’s leadership philosophy and vision for sustainable tourism

• Wildlife conservation & endangered species

• San Antonio travel guides and Texas attractions

• Family-friendly destinations & zoo adventures

• Eco-tourism and sustainable travel

• Leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation

Discover how one of America’s most historic zoos is creating a dynamic, modern, conservation-focused experience that inspires millions.
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE → Your next adventure starts here.

🔥 What You’ll Discover in This Episode:🐾 Perfect for Viewers Interested In:🎧 Tune In Now

In this episode, host Edward Leos sits down with Laura Penney, CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation about leadership, culture, community, and the remarkable evolution of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique destinations.

Laura shares:
✨ The story of opening the resort’s doors in 1993
✨ How tribal values & heritage shape every aspect of the property
✨ What makes the Coeur d’Alene experience truly unforgettable
✨ The power of people-first leadership in hospitality
✨ Her journey as a CEO in the gaming & resort industry

If you’re passionate about travel, hospitality, business leadership, or culturally driven destinations, this episode delivers insight and heart at every turn.

📌 Subscribe to Travel Talk for more interviews with leaders, creators, and innovators shaping the world of travel.
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & Amazon Music.

#CoeurdAleneCasino #TravelTalk #TheHotelGuide #HospitalityLeadership #NativeOwnedBusiness #ResortLife #WomenInLeadership #TravelPodcast #PacificNorthwestTravel #CasinoResort #LeadershipStories

From bellman to VP of Marketing — Andrew Ladd’s journey is a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and people-first leadership.

In this inspiring episode of Travel Talk, host Edward Leos, publisher of The Hotel Guide, sits down with Andrew Ladd, VP of Marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts, to explore how one of hospitality’s most respected brands continues to redefine luxury and authenticity across its properties.

✨ Listen in as Andrew shares:

• His incredible rise through the ranks of hospitality — and what he learned along the way

• The art of creating unforgettable guest experiences that build lifelong loyalty

• How Noble House blends boutique luxury with authentic storytelling

• Leadership lessons that inspire growth, creativity, and connection

Whether you’re in the travel industry, a marketing professional, or just love a good success story — this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration for anyone passionate about people, purpose, and hospitality that makes a difference.

🎙️ Hosted by Edward Leos — Publisher of The Hotel Guide
🌍 Subscribe to Travel Talk for more behind-the-scenes stories, leadership lessons, and insider perspectives from the world of travel.

#TravelTalk #TheHotelGuide #AndrewLadd #NobleHouseHotels #HospitalityLeadership #LuxuryTravel #TravelPodcast #EdwardLeos #BoutiqueHotels #CustomerExperience #HotelMarketing

What if every destination could make the planet better—one guest at a time? 🌎

In this episode of Travel Talk, host Edward Leos sits down with Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International, to explore how sustainability, hospitality, and leadership are reshaping the travel experience.

Christine shares powerful insights into:

• How hotels, resorts, and golf destinations are embracing green certification

• What it really means to run an eco-conscious business

• How travelers can make smarter, more sustainable choices

• Why sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business growth

💡 Watch now to discover how visionaries like Christine are driving change across the hospitality and tourism world.

🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring travel stories, industry insights, and exclusive interviews: @TheHotelGuide

#TravelTalk #TheHotelGuide #SustainableTravel #HospitalityLeadership #ChristineKane #AudubonInternational #EcoTravel #HotelManagement #TravelIndustry #Leadership #TravelPodcast #EcoFriendlyHotels #GreenTouris

Discover how The Hotel Guide selects its Publishers’ Picks—now expanded to 15 categories—and what’s new in our 2025 Awards Edition (publishing November 25, 2025). Hosts Edward Leos and Roxann Leos take you behind the scenes of the hospitality industry: how winners stand out, which hotels, resorts, destinations, and experiences rise to the top, and what trends will shape 2026.

Why watch:

• The exact criteria that separate award-winning hotels from the pack

• New Awards categories + what they mean for properties and destinations

• Insider look at our Board of Advisors, media partnerships, and trade show plans

• How brands can partner, pitch, or get featured across print, digital, and the Travel Talk podcast

If you’re a traveler or hospitality pro, you’ll get actionable insights on hotel marketing, guest experience, and destination storytelling—plus how to be on our radar for future features.

Chapters
00:00 Intro & milestone
01:02 What’s new in the 2025 Awards
03:15 How we evaluate hotels & destinations
06:10 Publishers’ Picks: category expansion
09:25 Media partnerships & trade shows
12:40 How to get featured with The Hotel Guide
14:30 2026 trends to watch
17:00 Final takeaways

Work with us / Get featured:
• Pitch your property or destination: erleos@thehotelguide.com
• Follow for more: @officialthehotelguide
• Listen to Travel Talk on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

Keywords: The Hotel Guide, Travel Talk, hotel awards 2025, Publishers’ Picks, best hotels and resorts, hospitality trends 2026, destination marketing, hotel marketing, travel media, board of advisors, trade show hospitality, tourism awards, guest experience, boutique hotels, luxury resorts

What if travel could change the world — and you along with it?In this moving episode of Travel Talk, host Edward Leos sits down with Adam Asher, the visionary behind Rugged Compass and the Humanitarian News Feed, to explore how adventure, faith, and compassion intersect to create purpose-driven journeys. 🌍✨Adam shares powerful stories from the road — moments that reveal the heart of humanity and remind us that true travel isn’t just about where you go, but how you give back.Whether you’re a traveler, leader, or storyteller, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to see the world — and your impact — in a whole new way.💡 In This Episode:The story behind Rugged Compass and its humanitarian missionHow the Humanitarian News Feed connects people doing good around the globeThe role of faith and courage in meaningful travelTurning compassion into action through storytellingWhy giving back is the true destination#TravelTalkPodcast, #TheHotelGuide, #RuggedCompass, #HumanitarianNewsFeed, #Purpose-DrivenTravel, #FaithandAdventure, #HumanitarianStorytelling, #TravelwithMeaning, #GlobalGood, #AdventureThatMatters, #TravelandCompassion, #GivingBackThroughTravel, #LuxuryTravelwithPurpose, #EdwardLeos, #AdamAsher

🎯 What defines true boutique luxury—and how do independent hotels stay authentic in a world of big brands?

In this episode of The Travel Talk Podcast, host Edward Leos, CEO of The Hotel Guide, sits down with Frances Kiradjian, visionary Founder of the Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA), to explore the movement redefining hospitality around individuality, creativity, and soul.

From intimate design to heartfelt service, Frances shares the philosophy behind boutique hospitality—and how it continues to inspire travelers and hoteliers worldwide.

🎟️ Discover why boutique hotels aren’t just places to stay—they’re stories brought to life.

🎤 In This Episode:
✅ The evolution of boutique and luxury lodging
✅ How authenticity fuels traveler connection
✅ Why independent hotels are thriving post-pandemic
✅ The impact of BLLA on innovation and community
✅ Frances’s insight on leadership, legacy, and the art of storytelling

💡 Key Takeaways:

🏨 Authenticity is the New Luxury
• Boutique hospitality is built on originality and heart.
• Travelers crave experiences that reflect local culture and creativity.

💬 Connection Creates Loyalty
• Personal touches turn stays into stories.
• Purpose and personality are what set boutique properties apart.

🌟 About Frances Kiradjian:
As Founder of BLLA, Frances has championed independent hospitality for over a decade—empowering boutique hoteliers and thought leaders to shape the industry’s most creative, inclusive, and forward-thinking community.

📲 CONNECT WITH THE HOTEL GUIDE
Instagram: @officialthehotelguide
LinkedIn: The Hotel Guide
YouTube: The Hotel Guide Podcast
Website: www.thehotelguide.com

🛎️ Subscribe to The Travel Talk Podcast for inspiring stories, travel insights, and conversations redefining the art of hospitality.