The Halo Effect · 2026-06-17 · 49 min
Why the best business development doesn't feel like selling If the idea of "business development" makes you uncomfortable, maybe this episode is for you. Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Katie Tobin and Karen Willey, co-founders of Always Thinking and Festival of Hospitality, two people who've spent their careers proving that the best business development doesn't feel like business development at all. It feels like keeping in touch. Making introductions. Being genuinely helpful. Connecting people who should know each other. Showing up consistently over time. With more than 50 years of combined experience across hospitality and the built environment, Katie and Karen have built careers on relationships. They've also seen first-hand what happens when the right people aren't involved in the right conversations early enough. That insight sits at the heart of Festival of Hospitality, the hospitality community and event series they created. Hotels can take years to move from concept to opening. Yet decisions made in investment meetings can shape the guest experience long after the doors open.
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