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Get ready for an enlightening episode of Hospitable as host Rob Napoli sits down with Daniel and Trevor from Event Temple at HITEC 2024! Discover how technology is shaping the hospitality industry to be more human-centered. We discuss the importance of in-person interactions, the balance between human touch and automation, and the future of AI in hospitality.
Daniel and Trevor, seasoned professionals from Event Temple, share insights from their experience at HITEC in Charlotte, North Carolina, and highlight the value of partnerships in driving innovation. Their balanced perspective highlights how technology can enhance, but never replace, the human touch that defines hospitality.
From leveraging high-tech solutions for small businesses to integrating AI in hotel operations, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies. Tune in to learn about the latest trends in the hospitality space and how Event Temple is simplifying processes to enhance customer experiences. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation!
Audio Timestamps
[00:03:36] Industry Shift Towards Integrations.
[00:07:14] Automation and AI in events.
[00:09:40] Partnerships in business growth.
[00:14:09] Integration partnerships in hospitality.
Quotes
00:00:41 - "So with AI, it's going to have to be the balance between human and a balance between the automation."
00:03:35 - "the world has globalization is amazing with all the technology, but also at events like this, it's fun to talk about and learn about what's happening in the market."
00:06:43 - 00:06:53 "I'll talk through Event Temple and events again are such a human facing machine. So with AI, it's going to have to be the balance between human and a balance between the automation and it's finding that harmonious balance."
00:08:53-00:09:03 - "Automation and AI is not going to replace people's jobs. It's going to make them more efficient and allow them to spend more time with the customers."
00:10:43-00:10:53 - "and what they're looking for is an exceptional guest experience or customer experience."
00:17:22-00:17:32 - "And that's why partners are key for that too, right? Because nobody wants to go and enter their group in their sales and catering and then go and enter it in their PMS."
Connect
Event Temple: https://www.eventtemple.com/
Trevor MacLean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormacleanvancouver/
Dan Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodsdan/
Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/
Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/
Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/
Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com
Creators & Guests
Host
What is Hospitable?
Hospitable is a podcast that discusses how to make hospitality MORE human through technology.
Hospitable focuses on discussing the leading challenges facing the hospitality industry and to explore the latest trends, technologies, and best practices that are shaping the industry. Each episode features interviews with hoteliers, restaurateurs, chefs, industry analysts, and other experts who share their insights and experiences on topics such as customer experience, sustainability, innovation, staffing, and more.
Hosted by Rob Napoli
00:00:00:04 - 00:00:08:11
Rob Napoli
The whole point of this podcast is how do we make hospitality more human through technology? Why is it important to be here? What does it mean for Event Temple to be at events like this?
00:00:08:16 - 00:00:14:18
Dan Woods
We want to represent and meet our partners prospects and obviously fly the flag and represent our brand Event Temple.
00:00:14:20 - 00:00:18:20
Rob Napoli
Being in-person beats a 2D version of yourself.
00:00:18:22 - 00:00:28:07
Dan Woods
And it's also good to put a face to a name as well. We see each other on LinkedIn, actually grab a table and have a coffee and talk through things as well. Talk about being human.
00:00:28:09 - 00:00:31:08
Rob Napoli
What are some of the things that you've learned or some key takeaways that you've gotten?
00:00:31:09 - 00:00:36:18
Trevor MacLean
The world is really growing in the space and everybody's getting to be experts, which is really, really cool.
00:00:36:19 - 00:00:41:11
Rob Napoli
You know, talk about AI like it's a great buzzword. Everyone's talking about it. But what does it mean, Dan, to you?
00:00:41:14 - 00:00:54:22
Dan Woods
So with AI is going to have to be the balance between human and a balance between the automation. And it's finding that harmonious balance. So we're not losing that event type or thinking about it. We're cooking stuff up in the lab as we speak.
00:00:55:00 - 00:01:03:06
Rob Napoli
Partnering with those other people who believe that same motto makes such a difference in the way that the hotel can do their job and that the technology works, right, like
00:01:03:07 - 00:01:04:04
Dan Woods
One hundred percent.
00:01:04:09 - 00:01:14:22
Trevor MacLean
So that's why we love partnerships and integrations, because it's like, why would we want to do five things bad when we can do one thing right and work with five other people who would also be that great.
00:01:15:04 - 00:01:21:02
Rob Napoli
So how do you balance being on the show floor all day, but then having all those other things on top and stay sane through the events?
00:01:21:06 - 00:01:34:03
Dan Woods
It's not easy. Get your sleep meeting in advance, knowing who you're going to speak with. Looking at the different events that are running, you want to go to all of them, but you have to narrow them down. Just make sure that you're getting an impact where you're going. Drink lots of water.
00:01:34:05 - 00:01:39:02
Rob Napoli
I think if you're going to be on a show floor for multiple days, wear good shoes as well.
00:01:39:04 - 00:01:39:22
Trevor MacLean
I'll shout.
00:01:39:22 - 00:01:40:21
Dan Woods
Out like Trevors
00:01:40:21 - 00:01:49:07
Trevor MacLean
Wear this one
00:01:49:09 - 00:02:12:11
Rob Napoli
How are we doing y'all? We are here in Charlotte, North Carolina at HITEC with my friends from Event Temple. We've got Daniel, we've got Trevor, VP, sales, director of partnerships. these guys are killing it. I've been seeing them basically while Trevor and I met HITEC last year, because I had just started, I was two months into the business, joining Omniboost and, met up with Trevor.
00:02:12:11 - 00:02:24:14
Rob Napoli
And since then, we've been keeping conversations going and love what you guys are doing in this space. I wanted to jump on a podcast with you while we're here and, talk about it a little bit. So thank you for letting me take over the stand for a hot minute.
00:02:24:15 - 00:02:25:19
Dan Woods
Thanks for having us.
00:02:25:21 - 00:02:26:04
Rob Napoli
Yeah.
00:02:26:04 - 00:02:27:04
Trevor MacLean
Same here.
00:02:27:06 - 00:02:38:11
Rob Napoli
So let's, let's start with why we're here, right? We're at HITEC Great show. Like, why is it important to be here? What does it mean for Event Temple to be at events like this?
00:02:38:12 - 00:02:54:00
Dan Woods
I think it's super important to be here. This is arguably the hottest hot tech show in the world for hospitality. And we're obviously in the market. And we want to represent and meet our partners prospects and obviously fly the flag and represent our brand Event Temple
00:02:54:02 - 00:02:55:14
Rob Napoli
Yeah. What about you, Trevor?
00:02:55:16 - 00:03:20:15
Trevor MacLean
Well, I mean, we are a meetings and events, company as well too, so we got to support that and believe in that. it really that's what we, really believe in, too, is that Event Temple we want to see more meetings, events, people gathering. It's such a natural part of us. So I think when you're here and you get that chance to work with everybody in person, not just the like partners, but you're hoteliers it's really cool.
00:03:20:17 - 00:03:25:02
Trevor MacLean
And it's like you kind of learn a lot about each other and a lot about the industry.
00:03:25:04 - 00:03:43:07
Rob Napoli
Yeah, I love that because I think one of the cool things is one, you know, being in person beats a 2D version of yourself, and we can do a lot over zoom. And, you know, the world has globalization is amazing with all the technology. But also at events like this, it's fun to talk about and learn about, like what's happening in the market.
00:03:43:07 - 00:03:55:15
Rob Napoli
It's really easy to get stuck in, kind of like what you're doing day to day just to get out and kind of like see what everyone's doing and getting a pulse and saying hi and getting to see others who have the same goal of making hospitality human, right.
00:03:55:20 - 00:04:12:06
Dan Woods
Just that. And it's also good to put a face to a name as well. We see each other on LinkedIn. We last hooked up in Sweden in six months ago and actually grab a table and have a coffee and talk through things as well, other than the email chain. So I mean, yeah, talk about being human.
00:04:12:08 - 00:04:32:05
Rob Napoli
I love that. And to be fair, when we were up in Sweden, that was a blast cold as shit back then. Yes. but, I am a little jealous that you don't have the ski machines. So these guys came rocking up to this event in Sweden. I mean, Canadians, of course, had a show off with their ski machine, and it was literally I tried every day of that conference to try to come jump on that ski machine.
00:04:32:05 - 00:04:37:12
Rob Napoli
And you had a fricking line the whole time, and it was so jealous. I was hoping you'd have it here so I could jump on it.
00:04:37:13 - 00:04:38:16
Dan Woods
Maybe next time.
00:04:38:18 - 00:04:40:15
Trevor MacLean
Definitely yeah next time
00:04:40:17 - 00:04:53:06
Rob Napoli
So, being here and going through and meeting all these people, what are some of the high points mean? What are some of the things? And I know we're kind of technically day two, but day one on the floor. What are some of the high points for you? What are some of the things that you've learned?
00:04:53:06 - 00:04:59:09
Rob Napoli
Are some key takeaways that you've gotten from being on the show floor so far today?
00:04:59:11 - 00:05:24:14
Dan Woods
First and foremost, it's just great to see all the partners that we work with, going in and talking about deals or opportunities that we haven't played together and then obviously the buzzword that's always out there is AI. And we're seeing that in a lot of conversations that we're having and how our company is looking to drive, AI and also learning from them and then how we can better bring that to the market as well.
00:05:25:07 - 00:05:47:00
Trevor MacLean
And my favorite things is actually like to see just how the industry is shifting, I could tell you I remember the first HITEC I was at, it was 2019 and at that time was like pretty much all on prem and integrations was like a dirty word like people didn't like that idea right there.
00:05:47:00 - 00:05:59:22
Trevor MacLean
Like, no, everything needs to be done in one. I don't want too much assistance now to see, like, you can really see it open up. Yeah. And like, the world is really growing in the space and everybody's getting to be experts, which is really, really cool.
00:06:00:00 - 00:06:26:08
Rob Napoli
Yeah, I love that. I mean, coming from us as a data unification platform, right. Formerly middleware, to dirty word. IT integrations. And yeah, you're seeing this, amazing kind of shift to more openness and transparency with open APIs and different things like that. a lot more partnerships kind of happening, which I think makes the space better because there's when more things can work harmoniously together, it makes it better customer experience.
00:06:26:08 - 00:06:42:22
Rob Napoli
Right. So you kind of use the but, you know, talk about AI. When do you think about AI and hospitality from a big picture? What does that even mean? I think like it's a great buzzword. Everyone's talking about it, but what does it mean, Dan, to you? whether it's for Event Temple or for the industry as a whole.
00:06:43:01 - 00:07:06:12
Dan Woods
We'll talk through Event Temple and events again, are such a human facing machine. So with AI is going to have to be the balance between human and a balance between the, the automation. And it's finding that harmonious balance. So we're not losing that event type or you're shaking someone's hand, but it's also again using technology so we can, you know, better help, our customers.
00:07:06:12 - 00:07:18:14
Dan Woods
And I think that's the big thing all along, is just making sure that you have a human element to it, but you're automating in the back end, and it's not easy to do. But we're thinking about it. We're cooking stuff up in the lab as we speak.
00:07:18:16 - 00:07:19:20
Rob Napoli
I love that. Trevor what about you?
00:07:19:22 - 00:07:38:03
Trevor MacLean
I think to me, it's all of us. Like, probably the most important job we can do, especially with, like, what Event Temple provides is finding ways actually for users to kind of use it less. Like, I know we use products for you that term you get partner. We like to think, we like to say we think we kind of like them that way.
00:07:38:05 - 00:07:59:23
Trevor MacLean
But like so for us, things like AI or really anything with tech is really about letting people spend more time with their restaurants, spending more time with those people who are doing their career and spending more time with them, planning their event for their wedding, whatever Event Temple can do all that other stuff so that they're not sitting in that little back office typing on their computer.
00:07:59:23 - 00:08:01:20
Trevor MacLean
And then that's how we know that we're doing our job.
00:08:01:23 - 00:08:18:03
Rob Napoli
Yeah, I love that. I think that it's great to hear that you're cooking some stuff up and I know, I mean, I feel like Event Temple this over the last year has been on everyone's radar. Y'all been doing some amazing stuff and growing like crazy. So it's exciting to hear that there's, you know, some stuff going on in the lab.
00:08:18:03 - 00:08:31:15
Dan Woods
There is. There definitely is. We can't get to it too much, but, we're baking some stuff up, some new innovations that we hope to come up with in the next 12 months or so, if not sooner. And we'll be on the map and we'll definitely be marketing those
00:08:31:16 - 00:08:47:13
Rob Napoli
I love that, you know, I know that something that we've been looking and, from Omniboost standpoint, we've been playing around with some stuff as well. And, you know, we're in the lab as well. And I think to that point, you know, we've been talking about partnerships for a while, and I know that we're getting close to finally doing some really cool stuff with Event Temple
00:08:47:15 - 00:09:05:15
Rob Napoli
And I think when we're all on the same page, we're talking about this and we're starting to look at these things. I think that what's going to happen is something amazing, where automation and AI is not going to replace people's jobs, it's going to make them more efficient and allow them to. What you said, Trevor spend more time with the customers, make them happy.
00:09:05:15 - 00:09:28:07
Rob Napoli
Those events, especially events like you think about the most like the things you never forget about. The best memories of your life are usually around travel and events, right? I don't remember half my wedding, but I remember the key points, right? And that was an amazing time. But I do remember that, you know, from a planning perspective, oh, we were going to have a small wedding.
00:09:28:07 - 00:09:32:06
Rob Napoli
I may end up having a way too big wedding and it was absolutely fine, but like, I'll not do it again.
00:09:32:08 - 00:09:50:22
Trevor MacLean
All right. So how much went into that. Right. Like that's a it's a big event. And so the more that someone can be taking care of you at your wedding, it's like what the most important day of your life. One of them. Yeah exactly. So when you're doing that and they get to really spend that time, it's building guest & customer confidence.
00:09:51:00 - 00:09:52:17
Trevor MacLean
So it's like you get to do your job.
00:09:52:19 - 00:10:07:10
Rob Napoli
Yeah I think I you know, and I think when we all think of events, we think of big events like a wedding or like a big trade show like this. But I think about all the events that happen on a daily basis from, you know, needing an event space or a meeting to a happy hour to a book launch.
00:10:07:10 - 00:10:21:09
Rob Napoli
Like there's so much happening in that space. How do you look at the market and how do you all make an impact to that market? And what are some of the things that, you know, you feel like Event Temple just does better than anybody else out there?
00:10:21:11 - 00:10:47:07
Dan Woods
It come down to our core pillars and I think ease of use is our biggest value proposition, where we can have a venue or a hotel up and running in four weeks or less, with a minimum for maybe training sessions and sales and event. People like to use our software. I always use this adage that the guests or the customers, they don't really care what technology that you're using, as long as you're providing and what they're looking for is an exceptional guest experience or customer experience.
00:10:47:09 - 00:10:59:07
Dan Woods
And we find our software allows their event planners and coordinators to offer that and to give back and to actually face their customers and do that. And, that's why the sales and event management system is this fit in the bill.
00:10:59:09 - 00:11:18:09
Rob Napoli
Absolutely love that. And Trevor from a partnership. You've been out there. You know you talked about Mews and so the other partnerships that you got going on, you know what's been for you is some of the things that you've love seeing in this space as you're developing these partnerships and, you know, looking at doing bigger things, what are some of the things that you really like love to see happening with the partner like partner channel.
00:11:18:09 - 00:11:28:12
Rob Napoli
Right. Like there's two sides of it. But the partner channel, this has been so collaborative lately you highlight that earlier. So what are some of the things that have really shown to you that this year has been a year of partners?
00:11:28:14 - 00:11:47:00
Trevor MacLean
I think it's like, well, I mean, the number one thing is you really do seem like experts in their field. And one of the things we often say is like, probably if there's a business doing it, there's a reason. And it if you start trying to do multiple businesses as one business, you usually end up doing a lot of things.
00:11:47:01 - 00:12:09:21
Trevor MacLean
Okay. Yeah. So that's why we love partnerships and integrations because as I, why would we want to do five things bad when we can do one thing right and work with five other people who would also be that great. And then it, you know, it's while you're leveraging that you're getting like masters in everything they do. And that result is going to turn into way more success
00:12:09:23 - 00:12:29:00
Rob Napoli
I love that. And I think you kind of nail in the head, I think thinking about it in that regard, why do five things bad and instead of one thing exceptionally well and partnering with us, other people who believe that same motto makes such a difference in the way that the hotel can do their job or the event planner, but also the way that the technology works.
00:12:29:00 - 00:12:52:16
Rob Napoli
Right like 100% . Technology is so much smoother when everyone's on the same page and there's this, you know, mutual benefit that we're going to delight a customer, we're going to make hospitality exactly what it should be more human, by just being better partners. I think that's such a cool thing. I think this year you've seen the partners just explode, like so many more partnerships are happening this year that I think you've been doing this for a lot longer than I have traveled.
00:12:52:17 - 00:12:58:06
Rob Napoli
But like, the partners have been so much bigger and so much more happening in that channel.
00:12:58:08 - 00:13:22:19
Trevor MacLean
Well, I can say this, I probably, 2018 event when we did a show like this, I think we were probably the only sales and catering solution because everyone was at that time, we talked about everything was all in one, and it's so crazy to now see, like, I'm here and I can see a lot of people that are in our space that are like integration partners right next to us here.
00:13:22:21 - 00:13:36:15
Trevor MacLean
And they're like an integration partner and they're doing their part. We work together and I just see this space grow. It's really, really cool, right? Because I think sales and catering is kind of always been a bit neglected. So it's nice to see that it's getting a lot easier.
00:13:36:17 - 00:13:53:14
Rob Napoli
I love to hear that. And yeah, I think, kind of hit the nail on the head with the partners. Everyone you still want all at one, but all at one is it's tricky to do and not at all possible to pull off when you think of all the areas of hospitality that are out there. So I do love that it's getting there.
00:13:53:16 - 00:14:18:04
Rob Napoli
the love of desired especially on the sales and catering side and the events and things like that. You know, when we think about an event like this, obviously we're meeting with partners doing this face to face, but there's always some fun parties and things like that. Right. So how do you balance being on the show floor all day, but then having all those other things on top, all the extra conversations, all the extra events, how do you balance that, and stay sane through the events?
00:14:18:08 - 00:14:37:20
Dan Woods
It's not easy. Get your sleep. I think it comes down to prioritization. So, meeting in advance, knowing who you're going to speak with, looking at the different events that are running, you want to go to all of them, but you have to narrow them down and, just make sure that you're getting an impact where you're going and drink lots of water.
00:14:37:22 - 00:14:40:02
Trevor MacLean
Absolutely and some foods to
00:14:40:10 - 00:14:55:16
Rob Napoli
I think the most exciting for me is the food part, like, so easy to just forget to eat. Yeah. I mean, I live in New York and I forget to eat all the time for lunch, and I'm like, oh shit, it's 3:00 and I haven't eaten the damn thing yet. so I feel that at such a core level.
00:14:57:00 - 00:15:12:08
Rob Napoli
I've been doing events for a long time in my previous life, and I remember the first event I went to when I was, you know, didn't know much, was still very green. I wore, like, a really nice pair of shoes. I was like, when did I look good? Right? I was all dressed up halfway through the event.
00:15:12:08 - 00:15:19:10
Rob Napoli
I had to sit down. I couldn't walk for the next three days. I think, if you're going to be on a show floor for multiple days, wear good shoes as well.
00:15:20:04 - 00:15:21:02
Trevor MacLean
I'll shout out.
00:15:21:03 - 00:15:22:13
Dan Woods
Like Trevor's.
00:15:22:15 - 00:15:25:03
Trevor MacLean
Wear this one this are like comfiest shoes I've ever.
00:15:25:05 - 00:15:27:00
Dan Woods
Really you got some lululemon's on the feet.
00:15:27:02 - 00:15:27:21
Trevor MacLean
Yeah,
00:15:29:06 - 00:15:29:21
Rob Napoli
I love it.
00:15:30:02 - 00:15:33:23
Trevor MacLean
I'll shout out the local
00:15:34:01 - 00:15:57:13
Rob Napoli
So, you know, when you think about next year, you know, we got stuff cook in in the lab, right? We're halfway through 2024. what are some of the things you think you're going to happen next year in the hospitality space? What are some of the trends? I think speaking people should be paying attention to, as we head into next year, maybe some things that, you know, that you're cooking up that you can't wait, to be seen and more visible in the space.
00:15:57:15 - 00:16:16:17
Dan Woods
I think it's just along the lines of what we've been talking about through this podcast. I think the integration parts are going to continue to accelerate. I think over three times today we had different partners come up to us. That dramatically changed over the last couple of years. And like Trevor mentioned as well, we want to work with the right partners who want to deliver that customer experience.
00:16:16:17 - 00:16:37:10
Dan Woods
And we want to be known to have the deepest and narrowest integrations in the marketplace for whoever we partner with. And that will never change next year or the year after. That's really one of our core values. and then it's just keeping up with the market conditions that you see that things are changing constantly. So I six months from now, we could be talking about something completely different.
00:16:37:12 - 00:16:49:16
Dan Woods
So staying abreast of the market conditions, but staying true to your core pillars in the business, that's what we'll be continuing to do. And then yeah, dropping some new things out sooner than later.
00:16:49:18 - 00:17:11:14
Trevor MacLean
I could also say it's like for how we see it, it's always about making it easier. And it's so hokey. Right. And you know, when guys said it's like, oh yeah, easy to use. Everybody says that. But we kind of approach it differently because we know how easy to use is about understanding what the problems are. The hotelier faces and asking them constantly and learning and growing and really trying to make it easier.
00:17:11:15 - 00:17:31:23
Trevor MacLean
Why is it like that? Sort of and top of there I always focus on that simplifying, making it much easier to do the job, to have to do less, to do the job. and that's why partners are key for that tier, right? Because nobody wants to go in any of their group and their sales and catering and then go in and hide in their PMS.
00:17:32:00 - 00:17:45:15
Trevor MacLean
It's like, I mean, nobody wants to do that. So those kind of things are about ease of use and making it there. And at Event Temple we're just trying to find new ways to simplify the process. So lots of things are coming around.
00:17:45:17 - 00:18:01:04
Rob Napoli
That is awesome. Well, I know that you just you two man in the booth today, so I don't want to take up too much of your time. As we close out day one of the show. is there any big talks are things you're looking forward to or going to be going to this week are mostly just work in the room while we're here?
00:18:01:06 - 00:18:02:18
Dan Woods
I'm working in the room. Trevor.
00:18:02:23 - 00:18:20:00
Trevor MacLean
Yeah, we're working the room. E20 X always good to see. So yeah. Out there, new faces. we have some great friends here helping judge it as well, too. I mean, there's always the fun events after the show as well to paint cloud beds. Looks like they're having a pretty good one.
00:18:20:02 - 00:18:21:11
Dan Woods
Battle of the bands.
00:18:21:13 - 00:18:32:23
Rob Napoli
That could be kind of fun. Looking forward to that one. They put a great party after, at ITB Berlin that they had a great party as well. so looking forward to that one for sure.
00:18:33:01 - 00:18:34:04
Trevor MacLean
Absolutely.
00:18:34:06 - 00:18:44:05
Rob Napoli
Well, I appreciate you guys for coming on. for those out there listening, if they want to get in touch with you, how do they get in touch with Event Temple and how they get touch with you personally what is the best way to reach out?
00:18:44:07 - 00:18:46:02
Dan Woods
Trevor, talk to us about the marketing
00:18:46:03 - 00:19:07:13
Trevor MacLean
Eventtemple.com Always check it out. You can try it free book a demo. We're here to help. if you ever wanted to reach me, reach me at trevor.maclean@eventtemple.com. I think if you just type in partnerships at eventtemple.com, it'll forward to me too. So I'll try that one out. Let's see if he's reachable. I'm reachable. Connect with me on LinkedIn. I love to chat.
00:19:07:15 - 00:19:20:19
Dan Woods
Same channels LinkedIn or email. dan.woods@eventtemple.com. if you're interested in trialing the software, we offer trials as well. Get a demo with our sales team will be responsive and, yeah. That's it.
00:19:20:21 - 00:19:36:05
Rob Napoli
Well, I'll make sure to put the website, both you on LinkedIn, in both our emails, in the show notes, all you got to do is click the show notes and you'll be able to reach them really quick. appreciate you fellas for jumping on with me today. It's been a blast. enjoy the rest of HITEC
00:19:36:07 - 00:19:45:03
Rob Napoli
As out there listening as always, be a tier one. Like, subscribe. if, you know, specially on the podcast you want to be on the podcast, let us know until next time stay well.