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Hospitality Net
3 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
EHL Innovation Rewind: Rainer Stampfer on AI, Personalization, and the Human Touch at Four Seasons
During the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne, we sat down with Rainer Stampfer, President of Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Our conversation explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in luxury hospitality, the evolving expectations around personalization, and why the human element continues to be the ultimate marker of excellence in high-end service. Which technology or innovation do you think will have the biggest impact over the next 5 to 10 years? There is a lot of conversation about artificial intelligence, and for good reason. We are still in early stages, but the potential to enable our team members is enormous. Our industry has not always been tech forward. For many years, funding and business models have limited innovation. But I believe we are at a turning point. We are finally in a place where we can move faster. The integration of AI is helping us break down silos and bring systems together. Today, our systems are still fairly fragmented, which makes it difficult for teams to use technology effectively. The opportunity now is to converge those systems in a way that enables our people to serve customers better. That is the real transformation. In luxury, there is a lot of talk about hyper-personalization. Do you think it will be seen as a true differentiator or just status quo? And is there a line that should not be crossed? There is always a line not to cross. But first, let me say that in luxury hospitality, we have always talked about personalization. I would argue the industry has not done a particularly good job at it. Historically, personalization has depended on individual team members. We have given them a framework, some support, but really it has been up to them. If you have the right people, it works. But structurally and systematically, we have not enabled it well. Technology now allows us to do that better. How we apply and execute it will make the difference. Will it be a success? Will it feel like too much? That depends on execution. Personalization still requires human judgment. It has to be contextual. It cannot be scripted. It has to show that we care. In a world of increasingly artificial experiences, do you think the human element will become the ultimate luxury? Yes, absolutely. In luxury hospitality, it all comes back to human connection. Socialization, real interaction, that is the essence. I do not know if luxury is the perfect word, but it is certainly how we label it. If you look at other segments, transactional or lower service tiers, the customer might not expect or even want a human interaction. But in luxury, human engagement will always be the key differentiator. It is what defines how well we deliver. And it justifies the value. So yes, humans are still the common denominator of hospitality at the top end. You are part of a globally recognized brand with deep legacy. How do you stay agile in this fast-moving world of tech? I would actually not call Four Seasons a Goliath. We are proud of the brand and its strength, but we are still a small company. We operate 133 hotels, 56 private residences, and we are building a yacht. The brand is strong and trusted, 64 years old, but we are a focused organization. We know one another. We have strong tenure across the team. And our concentration is laser sharp. Everyone talks about the same themes in hospitality today, but the difference is in how well you deliver. Focus and enablement make that possible. We serve a specific customer with consistent expectations, and we deliver that across 50 countries. In a sea of sameness, that clarity plays in our favor. About the EHL Open Innovation Summit 2025 This interview was recorded during the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne, where Hospitality Net joined as official media partner. The event brought together a global mix of thinkers and doers to explore the future of hospitality, food, and travel through open innovation. What made it special was the mix of ideas, formats, and people. It was not only about tech or talks. It was also about people showing up, working together, and sharing energy in real time. Key Figures 385 participants 48 speakers and contributors from more than 20 countries 7 innovation challenges collectively addressed 45 sessions 25 student volunteers 15 F&B startups letting us taste the future 1.5 days of connection, learning, and co-creation Key Insights from the Summit
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
NextPlat Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
Company Reports $14.5M in Q1 Revenue; Operating Expenses Decline 26% as Expected, with Continued Focus on Cost Reduction, Efficiency Improvements, and Strategic Planning Amid Rising Drug Prices and Potential Tariff Impacts COCONUT GROVE, Fla., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NextPlat Corp (NASDAQ: NXPL, NXPLW) ('NextPlat' or the 'Company'), a global e-Commerce provider, today announced the financial results for the quarter-ended March 31, 2025, reflecting the performance of its e-Commerce and Healthcare Operations. 'The first quarter results reflect a series of challenges that we are addressing both domestically and internationally as our teams work to improve the efficiency of the business, focus on growing our exposure to higher margin services all while continuing to support the needs of a diverse range of customers. In addition to the short-term steps we are taking in response to the volatility we see, over the longer-term, we believe we have multiple opportunities to leverage the value of our existing businesses, strong balance sheet and cash position to transform our Company. Through both organic growth and strategic developments we are actively pursuing, we believe we can respond to the challenges in our markets and drive value to the benefit of our customers, partners and shareholders,' said Charles M. Fernandez, Executive Chairman and CEO of NextPlat Corp. First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights: Organizational Highlights and Recent Business Developments: David Phipps, President of NextPlat and CEO of Global Operations, added, 'The broad global reach and scale of our e-Commerce business continues to be an important differentiator for NextPlat and our partners and customers as we work to address the evolving challenges we see both domestically and internationally. Whether it is providing reliable connectivity for individuals, the government or the military, or providing consumers with access to novel health and wellness products for themselves or their pets, we are committed to building upon the value of our platform as we continue to advance our growth plans.' NextPlat's Executive Chairman and CEO, Charles M. Fernandez, Chief Financial Officer, Cecile Munnik, and President and CEO of Global Operations, David Phipps, will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern today to discuss the results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and recent developments. To access the call, please use the following information: Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay at and via the investor relations section of the Company's website at A replay of the conference call will be available after 12:00 p.m. Eastern time through May 31, 2025. The financial information included in this press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About NextPlat Corp NextPlat is a global e-commerce platform company created to capitalize on multiple high-growth sectors and markets including technology and healthcare. Through acquisitions, joint ventures and collaborations, the Company intends to assist businesses in selling their goods online, domestically, and internationally, allowing customers and partners to optimize their e-commerce presence and revenue. NextPlat currently operates an e-Commerce communications division offering voice, data, tracking, and IoT products and services worldwide as well as pharmacy and healthcare data management services in the United States through its subsidiary, Progressive Care. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements include the capabilities and success of the Company's business and any of its products, services or solutions. The words 'believe,' 'forecast,' 'project,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'plan,' 'should,' 'would,' and similar expressions and all statements, which are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the Company's ability to launch additional e-commerce capabilities for consumer and healthcare products and its ability to grow and expand as intended, any of which could cause the Company to not achieve some or all of its goals or the Company's previously reported actual results, performance (finance or operating), including those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at The Company assumes no, and hereby disclaims any, obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Media and Investor Contact for NextPlat Corp: Michael Glickman MWGCO, Inc. 917-397-2272 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NextPlat Corp.
