Digital Version In the vibrant world of New York’s hospitality scene, where every corner tells a story, few narratives stand out as much as that of Sofia Vandaele. As the General Manager of InterContinental New York Barclay, Sofia goes beyond traditional hotel leadership; she creates memorable experiences for guests. Her journey—from a young girl inspired by her family’s restaurant in Belgium to leading one of Manhattan’s prestigious hotels—reflects her deep passion for hospitality. “Hospitality is about connection; it’s about making people feel welcome and valued.” Sofia’s love for this industry began in her childhood, surrounded by the warmth of her parents’ restaurant. “For me, hospitality was always about connection,” she recalls. “I loved interacting with different people and creating memorable experiences.” This early spark ignited her pursuit of a degree in Hotel Management, laying the groundwork for a career that would lead her to remarkable heights. Her professional journey began at Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Brussels, where Sofia’s determination quickly opened doors. Following pivotal roles, including Hotel Manager at the Sheraton Belgravia in London, her path took her across the globe, from New York to Paris. Each experience honed her skills in hotel operations and guest relations, shaping her into the leader she is today. “Every step in my career taught me something invaluable; each city had its unique flavor that shaped my perspective.” In 2018, Sofia embraced the opportunity to lead InterContinental New York Barclay, a historic property steeped in charm. “The Barclay is not just a hotel; it’s a New York institution,” she reflects. “It’s an honor to be part of a place that has welcomed so many remarkable guests throughout its history.” With its rich legacy dating back to 1926, The Barclay is a symbol of elegance and hospitality in Manhattan. The Art of Leadership As General Manager, Sofia’s role encompasses a diverse array of responsibilities, guiding a team of over 400 dedicated professionals. “My job involves engaging with our guests, refining our services, and shaping the hotel’s vision,” she explains. Her leadership style emphasizes authenticity and inclusivity, fostering a culture where every voice is valued. “Celebrating our small wins is crucial; it creates a sense of unity and reminds everyone that their contributions matter,” she adds. In an industry where change is constant, Sofia understands the evolving expectations of guests. “Today’s travelers seek more than just a comfortable bed; they want personalized, anticipatory service,” she shares. To meet this demand, The Barclay continuously evaluates and adapts its offerings, ensuring that each guest’s experience is uniquely tailored to their desires. Innovative strategies play a pivotal role in enhancing guest satisfaction. By incorporating advanced technology—like digital concierges and modern room features—The Barclay aims to blend high-tech with high-touch service. “We want to not only meet but anticipate our guests’ needs,” Sofia emphasizes. “It’s the thoughtful details that create lasting memories.” Embracing Sustainability In an era where sustainability is paramount, Sofia is dedicated to embedding eco-friendly practices into The Barclay’s operations. “Sustainability is essential to our guest experience,” she insists. From eco-conscious in-room amenities to the Barclay Conserve Program, every initiative reflects a commitment to responsible tourism. One of her proudest achievements is the “Barclay Bees” program, featuring beehives on the hotel’s rooftop. “We incorporate the honey harvested from our bees into our culinary offerings, forging a unique connection between our guests and the environment,” Sofia explains, her enthusiasm palpable. This initiative not only supports local biodiversity but also enhances the hotel’s culinary artistry. Balancing Legacy and Innovation Sofia understands the delicate balance between honoring The Barclay’s rich history and meeting the modern expectations of today’s guests. Following a substantial $180 million renovation, the hotel beautifully marries its storied past with contemporary luxury. “We pay homage to our heritage while embracing innovations that enhance comfort and experience,” she reflects. This commitment to maintaining The Barclay’s legacy while adapting to current trends has solidified its status as a leader in New York’s luxury hospitality landscape. “It’s a careful dance, one that we approach with respect and vision,” she notes. Overcoming Challenges Sofia’s journey has not been without its hurdles. The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges that tested the resilience of the entire hospitality industry. “It was the most significant challenge I faced as General Manager,” she admits. Yet, Sofia witnessed the unwavering spirit of her team and the hotel itself. “We rebounded swiftly, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and adaptability.” The pandemic highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding in leadership. “Prioritizing mental health and well-being has always been vital for me,” she shares. “It became even more crucial during this time for both my team and myself.” Inspiring the Next Generation As a role model in the hospitality sector, Sofia is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders. Her advice is both straightforward and impactful: “Follow your passion, stay focused, and seize opportunities as they come.” She believes that every chance to learn and grow leads to invaluable connections and unexpected paths in one’s career. “Your passion is your compass in this industry, Let it guide you through challenges and inspire you to create meaningful impacts.” Conclusion: A Legacy of Hospitality Sofia Vandaele’s story exemplifies the transformative power of hospitality. Her dedication to excellence, paired with her innovative spirit and compassionate leadership style, sets a remarkable standard within the industry. As General Manager of InterContinental New York Barclay, she continues to shape experiences that resonate deeply with guests, reminding us that at the heart of hospitality lies a genuine desire to serve and connect. “In the fast-paced world of luxury hospitality, my journey encourages us to embrace our passions, celebrate our unique journeys, and strive for excellence in everything we do.”

Digital Version Over the last few years, AI has become a key word in many sectors, and one of its prominent faces is Dan Banas. As the Head of AI, Strategy, and Analytics at Continuum Global, Dan is more than a mere observer of the fast-changing scene of AI and Generative AI, he is leading how novel technologies should be implemented. In this day and age where change is the only constant, what does this process look like, and how does he ‘keep one step ahead’? Buckle up — Dan’s journey is about to take you into the future of AI! Merging Different Worlds Dan Banas’s career showcases continuous development and a transformative pursuit of improvement. With 15+ years of experience developing and integrating ideas of finance, operations, strategy, and technology, Dan has always welcomed opportunities to combine his broad knowledge of business processes with modern technologies. Since the beginning of his career, Dan was invited to join executive boardroom meetings with C-Suite executives and the top decision makers, often being the youngest in the room by a wide margin. According to Dan: “I got my start by assessing the financial impact of strategic decisions that executives were discussing, then leading teams to make the overall vision happen. I’m very thankful to have such central roles and to have that much visibility across businesses throughout my career”. His curiosity and flexibility brought him to the intersection of AI, data analytics, and its application to solve business problems. Nowadays Dan is looking at how organizations engage and interact with their target audiences. “There’s always been a tendency for me to start with the big picture, recognize opportunities, then work with individual business units on optimizing those operations. When it became apparent how powerful AI could be, it was only a matter of bringing together business thinking and technology,” says Banas. AI: The Business Industry’s Revolutionary Catalyst Today, AI can be regarded as an engine of change in almost every field— from repetitive business mechanics to the development of unique user-oriented approaches. Dan is at the cutting edge of AI + GenAI model implementations, helping companies better engage and communicate with their end users. From Business Development → Product Development → Operational Efficiency → leading industry relationships, Dan brings it all together as Head of AI, Strategy, and Analytics at Continuum Global “There are a range of AI + GenAI applications companies can be using, yet the complexity can get confusing. That’s why the market is looking to experts like Continuum Global. Things are changing quickly and some companies are getting left behind,” says Dan. “A great deal of advancement has been made with Generative AI in particular. Companies are no longer relegated to sending out blanket messages and are now able to customize their messaging during the interaction as well as expedite personalized content across users.” In Dan’s view, this technology is no longer a high-end pursuit reserved exclusively for large companies, but rather an economical necessity for organizations of all sizes to remain competitive in today’s volatile market. As he states, “It’s now table stakes, the bare minimum, for companies to at least be testing AI. It is a business requirement if an organization is to stay competitive in today’s fast-changing environment.” It’s now table stakes, the bare minimum, for companies to at least be testing AI. It is a business requirement if an organization is to stay competitive in today’s fast-changing environment. Scaling AI for Every Business Dan sees one of his primary challenges as bringing new AI technologies to the market for a broader audience— businesses of different sizes and with varying depths of technical knowledge. Along with Audience Strategy, Business Intelligence Dashboarding, and High Velocity Analytics, Dan’s group at Continuum Global helps companies leverage the latest AI + GenAI technologies He emphasizes, “It’s about designing and developing holistic AI integrations that work and that are easy to use.  It’s more about your approach and the systems you put in place.” These goals underpin the mission of Continuum Global, helping companies leverage powerful end-to-end Engagement Marketing and AI capabilities. What matters is partnering with the right people, who have the right expertise. Ethical AI: A Sense of Duty When Inventing Banas understands that with the growth of technology comes a growing responsibility. While issues such as data security and privacy are crucial, Banas outlines a common goal for the AI solutions being developed at Continuum Global and the ethical frameworks they adhere to. He states, “Balancing technological innovation with responsible AI development is more important than ever. Working for a global company with global solutions, we are definitely looking at regulation across the world and watching that landscape change. Similarly, I’m hearing companies with a global presence echo sentiments of wanting to partner with the industry’s best and brightest in this space.” AI-Driven Engagement Marketing: The Next Frontier Continuum Global specializes in Engagement Marketing, which is when companies have already acquired their audiences and are looking to best engage their customers across channels like email, in-app, push, SMS, social media, etc. Customer engagement is crucial for brands that want to nurture meaningful relationships with consumers, shifting away from ordinary transactional exchanges. “Being the industry specialists in this space means we can offer more nimble, tailored, and scalable solutions. Luckily, one of AI + Generative AI’s most applicable use-cases is scaling marketing activities. AI has the potential to assist brands in communicating with their customers in ways that never existed before,” explains Banas. “It’s not just about getting their attention. It’s about creating a tailor-made approach for every customer, backed by real-time data and feedback.” For Banas, the future of marketing is not just automation, but smart automation focused on adding value to the customer’s experience. Strong Interests in Wearables and Sports Analytics Outside of work, Dan also has a great enthusiasm for Analytics + AI in the future of smart wearables data and performance analytics. “I’m enjoying partnering with various universities’ Sports Analytics and AI programs. Seeing a lot