Studio IDC is excited to join leading voices in hospitality at the upcoming Bisnow South Florida & Caribbean Hotel & Hospitality Summit, where Chief Creative Officer Todd Tyler will speak on a panel titled “Beyond the Stay: Redefining Hospitality with Elevated Amenities and Experiences.”
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, 1633 N. Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33132
Todd will offer perspective on how interior environments contribute to long-term brand value, market positioning, and investment strategy. Drawing from Studio IDC’s work across South Florida and the Caribbean, he’ll speak alongside leaders from Hyatt Hotels, LEO A DALY, and Blue Suede Hospitality.
From branded residences to all-inclusive luxury, Florida and the Caribbean remain two of the most dynamic hospitality markets in the world. As developers, operators, and investors look for ways to stand out, design is critical in creating differentiated destinations that connect emotionally and function operationally.
Stay tuned for insights and key takeaways from the panel, and join us in person if you can!
Panels and Speakers
Beyond the Stay: Redefining Hospitality with Elevated Amenities and Experiences
Todd Tyler |
Todd Tyler is an experienced interior and furniture designer with over 20 years in the industry. He is the Chief Creative Officer at Studio IDC, a Miami-based firm specializing in luxury residential and hospitality design. Todd has worked with prominent firms like Kenneth Brown Design and Jennifer Bradford Davis Interior Design, contributing to high-profile projects in NYC and Mustique. He also designed furniture for Blue Leaf Hospitality. His work, recognized for its beauty and functionality, has been featured in national publications. A former elite gymnast, Todd brings discipline and dedication to his work and is a certified member of ASID and NCIDQ. |
MODERATOR - Ken Shook |
Ken Shook is a Principal at Trinity with over two decades of consulting experience. Ken is driven to provide excellent acoustical solutions customized to each client’s unique needs. Ken is known for his focus, collaborative approach, and ability to manage a wide range of projects—large or small—with uses spanning hospitality, residential, corporate interiors, and higher ed. He’s particularly adept at translating municipal requirements for building glazing and facade design, which allows him to streamline the approval process for developers. |
Rika Lisslö |
Bio Unavailable |
Kenny Lipschutz |
Bio Unavailable |
Sara Shake |
Bio Unavailable |
Mark Pratt |
Mark Pratt is VP and the Global Hospitality Practice Leader for LEO A DALY’s internationally renowned hospitality design group. With over 30 years of experience working with major hotel brands, he has devoted his career to building lasting relationships with developers, hoteliers, and brands to envision and realize extraordinary hospitality projects. His contributions have significantly impacted the development of the industry with proficiency in brand selection and approval processes, site selection and design, and the ability to source equity for the capital stack. Mark’s expertise is comprehensive, covering all phases of planning, design, and construction across the spectrum of hospitality, including luxury, full-service, boutique, resort, and convention center hotels. Working with top brands such as Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and IHG, he has been involved in hundreds of hospitality projects both in the U.S. and internationally. Mark is visionary, bringing forward-thinking leadership skills to guide the LEO A DALY Hospitality Team toward aspirational growth, working on an ever-increasing list of impressive projects with exceptional clients. |
Gilberto Garcia-Tunon |
Bio Unavailable |
Hotel Investment Landscape: Current Dynamics and Emerging Opportunities
Daniel Berman |
Daniel Berman is a visionary entrepreneur originally from Venezuela who moved to the U.S. to pursue a bold dream: to build one of the most respected hospitality and real estate companies in the industry. In 2008, he founded AD1, which has since grown into a dynamic platform known for acquiring, developing, and managing high-performing hospitality assets. With a relentless focus on excellence, Daniel led AD1 through economic shifts and personal challenges, guided by strong values, work ethic, and a deep commitment to people. His leadership has fostered long-term relationships with employees, investors, and global hotel brands, while expanding into full-scale development and mixed-use projects. Daniel believes that success is most powerful when it’s shared—a principle that continues to shape his company culture and long-term vision to elevate the guest experience, empower teams, and create lasting value through world-class hospitality and transformative real estate. |
Brian Quinn |
Brian Quinn joined Sonesta as the Chief Development Officer with 20+ years of experience in executive roles in public companies and private equity firms. Prior to joining Sonesta in 2021, he worked at Choice Hotels, Driftwood Hospitality, InterContinental, and Hilton Hotels Corporation. He served as a board member at the American Hotel Lodging Association, Intercontinental Hotels Group Owners’ Association, and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. Brian currently serves on the United States Travel and Tourism Board and the American Hotel Lodging Association Foundation. He led the development of the upscale segment strategy for IHG in the Caribbean and has experience in international strategic planning. His areas of expertise include hospitality, real estate, finance, acquisitions, and hotel operations. Brian brings these talents to Sonesta as he oversees the development effort for the company. |
Alinio Azevedo |
As Managing Director, Luxury and Lifestyle, Alinio Azevedo brings 25+ years of luxury and lifestyle hospitality experience to lead Driftwood Capital’s further expansion into these segments, as well as to support Driftwood Hospitality’s management and operating expertise in highly amenitized, service-focused and mixed-use properties. Prior to joining Driftwood Capital, Alinio was CEO of Aspen Hospitality, where he led the company’s management and expansion strategies, as well as oversaw the operation of its portfolio of owned and operated hotels and residences. These consisted of The Little Nell, Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel, and its affiliated Residences at The Little Nell, both located at the base of Aspen Mountain; and the upscale Limelight Hotel Aspen and Limelight Hotel Snowmass in Colorado, as well as the Limelight Hotel Ketchum/Sun Valley in Idaho and the Limelight Hotel in Denver. Alinio also managed $700M in capital deployment to initiate development of three new hotel properties in Mammoth Lakes, Boulder, and New York City under the Limelight and The Little Nell brands. |
MODERATOR - Daniel Lesser |
Bio Unavailable |
Brian Waldman |
Brian Waldman focuses on Peachtree Group's investment and capital deployment strategies and oversees a real estate portfolio with a market capitalization of approximately $6 billion. He joined Peachtree in 2015 and has contributed significantly to its growth and investment performance. Throughout his 20-plus-year career, Brian has had experience investing and managing a broad range of asset and portfolio types. Brian is a graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, where he completed a dual concentration in Real Estate and Finance. In addition, he serves as a board member for the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities and High Meadows School. |
Glenn Alba |
Bio Unavailable |
Russell Urban |
Russ Urban is the CEO, Principal and Managing Partner for Electra America Hospitality Group. A hospitality professional with over 45 years of U.S., global institutional, and entrepreneurial experience, Russ has served in leadership roles for multiple owner/operators including HEI, High, Lowe, and Marriott. He has also founded his own hotel ventures, including Hotel Partners. Russ has extensive expertise in resort, urban, and suburban hotel asset acquisition, and development/renovation, including site selection, entitlements, financing, pre-construction, architectural design, construction, lease negotiations, and historic tax credits. Russ has considerable experience in island communities, including Nevis, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Martha’s Vineyard. Other areas of expertise include talent acquisition and development, collaborative decision-making, culture building, and results-driven financial accountability. Russ graduated from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in 1981 and serves on the board of Cornell Hotel Society Foundation. Further, Russ is a current Trustee and past Chairperson of the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, its Presidential Search Committee, Leadership & Governance Committee, and the former Board Chair of Lancaster County Tourism Authority. |
The Power of Hospitality Branding: Strategic Expansion & Development
MODERATOR - Nolan Carter |
Nolan Carter is a standout business leader dedicated to driving real estate owners toward growth and success. With a strong skill set and a passion for helping companies thrive in a competitive market, he stands out among his peers. Currently serving as a Senior Advisor in the Hospitality Practice at The Baldwin Group, Nolan previously graduated from The University of Tampa's Sykes College of Business. In his role, he handles strategic responsibilities such as identifying clients' objectives, designing insurance programs, and building lasting client relationships. Nolan has spent his career learning the real estate business across various asset types to truly stand out as an advisor in his role. He also collaborates with colleagues and industry experts globally to develop risk management strategies. |
Alex Mai |
Alex Mai is responsible for setting the strategy, planning, negotiating/executing hotel deals, and managing the growth and expansion of all brands for IHG Hotels & Resorts in Latin America and the Caribbean. He has more than 25 years of practical, hands-on experience with hotels, resorts, brand management, real estate, and operation. He has worked on hundreds of hotel assets, negotiations, and hotel performances across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. Prior to joining IHG, Alex was the Head of Development and VP of Development for Latin America & Caribbean for Choice Hotels International and Radisson Hotels Group Americas, where he was responsible for the growth of all brands. Alex was also President & Founder of ALBA Hospitality from 2020-2022, where he was responsible for strategic asset positioning, management contract negotiations, and hotel real estate transactions. |
Pablo Maturana |
Bio Unavailable |
Michael Register |
Michael Register is Chief Development Officer for Hotel Equities CALA where he leads the division’s sourcing of new opportunities and owner relations. Before joining Hotel Equities, Michael was a Managing Director at Highgate Hotels focused on the Caribbean and Latin America, where he was instrumental in sourcing and negotiating management contracts in the CALA region. Prior to Highgate, Michael was a partner in Trust Hospitality, a boutique hotel management company primarily focused on the Caribbean and Latin America. Trust managed hotels in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, Anguilla, Aruba, Curacao, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad, and St. Lucia. Before forming Trust Hospitality, Michael oversaw business development and legal matters for Nikki Beach worldwide, opening locations in St. Tropez, St. Barths, Marbella, New York, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Marrakesh, and Koi Samui. Prior to working in the hospitality industry, Michael was the co-founder of a successful software company, AAT, which was acquired by a publicly traded Swiss company. He also practiced international corporate and business law in Brazil (Pinheiro Neto Law Firm in Sao Paulo) and Miami (Valdes-Fauli, Petrey and Bishoff). |
Pamela Vasquez |
Bio Unavailable |
Stephan Strenk |
Bio Unavailable |
