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Design Nerds Anonymous Podcast Season 6, Episode 1
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What Hospitality Teams Are Really Up Against Right Now
In this episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider, Founder & President of ThinkLab, is joined by Erica Waayenberg, Head of Custom Research at ThinkLab, to take listeners inside ThinkLab’s private hospitality research.
Unlike the live experiential events featured in other episodes this season, hospitality decision-making insights were gathered through confidential virtual sessions with end users representing major hospitality brands. This episode becomes the “room,” inviting listeners to actively participate in the conversation and apply the insights directly to their own teams and projects.
What emerges is a clear picture of a sector under intense pressure—navigating rising costs, accelerated timelines, talent shortages, and growing expectations around business acumen—while searching for more sustainable ways to work.
After listening, you will be able to:
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Recognize why hospitality decision-making feels slower, heavier, and more risk-averse—and what’s driving that shift
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Identify what hospitality end users value most in partners today as budgets tighten and expectations rise
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Understand how burnout, pace, and staffing gaps are reshaping project teams and timelines
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Apply practical ways AI is being used in hospitality to relieve pressure without replacing human expertise
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Spot opportunities to support faster, more confident decisions across the hospitality project ecosystem
How it Works
If this is your first audio-CEU experience you might have some questions – like, "Can I really get CEU credit for listening to a podcast?" and "How exactly does this whole CEU podcast thing work?" And the answer is yes, you CAN earn CEU credits for tuning in and the process is quick and easy.
Here's how to complete your entire CEU podcast process in 3 simple steps:
Step 1: Listen to the episode.
Step 2: Visit this link to take a short, 5 question quiz,
*Scoring an 80% or above on the quiz will earn you 0.5 CEU/0.5 LU.
Step 3: Upon passing the quiz, receive your certificate of completion from the CEU provider.
Special thanks to our CEU episode sponsor Mohawk, for partnering with us to provide valuable insights on compelling topics for the design industry.
- Download the Podcast Discussion Guide.
- Take the QUIZ, get CEU credits.
- Learn more about End-User Decision Making.
- Sign up for ThinkLab’s Newsletter to keep up with industry trends.
- Follow Amanda on LinkedIn for more workplace insights.
- Join ThinkLab's Research and get paid for your perspective.
Design Nerds Anonymous is a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode of Design Nerds Anonymous was produced and edited by SANDOW DESIGN GROUP, with music from Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to the podcast production team: Hannah Viti, Rob Schulte, and Rachel Senatore.
Special thanks to our podcast sponsors, Mohawk– companies doing big things to move the design industry forward.
Want to sponsor an episode?
Design Nerds Anonymous is the only podcast of its kind – holding an engaged audience of architects, designers, CRE leaders, and end users – and delivering the most insights per minute on the forces shaping the built environment. With over 100K+ downloads, the show features industry powerhouses from brands like Chik-fil-A, Hilton, and StoryBrand, having bold conversations on what’s next in business and design—market shifts, process innovation, and the hidden dynamics driving change.
Learn more about becoming a sponsor.
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