Episode Details

This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Christine McGinnis, Director of Design at Wave Design Consultants, to make the case that the most powerful tool a designer can carry isn't a software subscription or a portfolio, it's a passport and a willingness to ask why. A Canadian kid who got locked in a Tiffany's display window in Hong Kong and never really looked back, Christine has spent over two decades designing across Asia, North America, and now the Canary Islands, chasing a single throughline openness. From restoring a termite-eaten 19th century Bangkok landmark to drawing her first full set of plans in Spanish, she isn't just designing spaces, she's designing a life.

About the Guest:
On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Christine McGinnis, Director of Design at Wave Design Consultants, a Canadian born, world traveling hospitality designer who logged her first miles in the Starwood design lab before most people knew that lab existed. Christine has spent 20 plus years designing hotels and restaurants across Asia, Europe, and Africa not by following the work, but by following the question. And the question, in her case, is always the same one… why?

Chapters:
00:38 Meet Christine McGinnis

01:15 Journey Westward

03:15 Early Career Plans

04:09 Generations And Nomads

05:46 Starwood Innovation Lab

14:31 Openness Defines Hospitality

20:38 Spain Projects And Asking Why

26:03 Design Fatigue and Surprise

27:26 Waldorf Respite After 9/11

29:13 Hospitality Alchemy From the Heart

30:30 Design vs Service That Brings Guests Back

31:32 Aloft Seminyak Bali Success

33:48 Being Present Wherever You Land

35:31 Just Go Travel Advice

39:48 Resurgence of Analog Connection

Quote of the Show:
"People come to your joint once for the design, but they come back for the service and how you made them feel." - Christine McGinnis

Building a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.

Links:

• Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 
• Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ 
• Christine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemcginnis/ 
• Wave Design’s Website: https://www.wave.global/ 
• Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ 

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