A brief Coffee Table Chat: STIRRING PASSIONS: EXPLORING LIFE BEYOND WORK One-on-One with Julieta Chan In this discussion, we explore how a lifelong passion for sports has shapeda commitment to personal and professional growth. From running as achild to playing basketball on a scholarship, the love for physical activitycontinues today with a disciplined gym routine. Paired with a deepinterest in empathic communication, this journey shows how physicalwellness and thoughtful connection can foster authentic leadership andteamwork in all areas of life. 1. WHAT PERSONAL INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE? I have always had a lot of interests in life, and they have changed depending on where I am, what I am doing, and what opportunities come my way. However, one thing that has been a constant in my life is my love for sports and exercise. Growing up in the 80s and 90s as a hyperactive kid, my mom’s strategy for managing my energy was to send me running whenever I started to “misbehave” in class or elsewhere. So, running became my first love. Later in school and high school, I developed a passion for volleyball, and for 20 years, my main sport was basketball. This passion allowed me to receive a scholarship in business, make lifelong friends, and develop discipline and teamwork ethic. While I no longer play basketball, I go to the gym five times a week to lift weights, and it has been my primary interest for almost four years. 2. WHAT ELSE DO YOU ENJOY DOING? I enjoy continuous learning, and at the moment, I am focused on empathic communication. I am taking a course to thoroughly understand the methodology of nonviolent communication. My goal is to become proficient in facilitating and managing groups using this approach, both professionally and personally. 3. HOW DO YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS INFLUENCE YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? I believe that sports and communication are key to creating authentic relationships, fostering mutual growth, and developing genuine leadership. Engaging in sports allows me to be more in tune with my body, understand how it feels and reacts to external stimuli, and be more compassionate towards myself and others. It also helps me learn from my mistakes and work towards common goals.
A One-on-One with Jesús Parrilla | Stirring Passions
A brief Coffee Table Chat: STIRRINGPASSIONS: EXPLORING LIFE BEYOND WORK One-on-One with Jesús Parrilla Join us for a conversation with Jesús Parrilla as he shares how his personal passions—football, nature, wine, and cooking—shape his professional approach to leadership and hospitality. From his lifelong loyalty to Sevilla FC to his love for storytelling through wine and food, Jesús reveals how life beyond work fuels his creativity and commitment to sustainable travel experiences. 1. WHAT PERSONAL INTERESTS 1. DO YOU HAVE? I have several personal interests, but football—what I affectionately call “the suffering game” because for 30+ years I have followed from another continent— is one of my earliest passions. My childhood is filled with memories of the crowd’s roar, a sea of red and white flags, and the comforting presence of my father and older brother as we watched Sevilla FC battle it out on the pitch, week in and week out. Just as my father did with his father and siblings, supporting Sevilla, the resilient underdog, is more than just a pastime for our family—it’s a way of life. Owning a few shares in the club has only deepened that connection. For me, being a one-club person isn’t just about loyalty; it’s about a lifelong commitment that has profoundly bound our family together. Beyond football, I find solace, inspiration, and gratitude in long-distance walks through nature. There’s a regenerative power in those quiet moments when the rhythm of my steps and the sound of my heartbeat bring peace, spark creativity, and offer clarity like nothing else. Walking through the wild, I feel a deep connection to the world, to my thoughts, and to the boundless potential of what could be. 2. WHAT ELSE DO YOU ENJOY DOING? Food and wine aren’t just pleasures for me; they’re passions that resonate deeply with the soul. I have a particular affinity for complex, structured wines and a special appreciation for the robust, earthy notes of Chilean wines, especially those from the Apalta region. There’s something profoundly satisfying about the alchemy of flavors in a well-crafted wine—how it tells the story of the land, its people, the sun, the rain, and the hands that nurtured it. Cooking is another joy of mine, a creative and therapeutic outlet where I blend influences from the places I’ve called home—Southern Spain, Texas, Tennessee, and Chile. My culinary style, if I were to describe it as such, is deeply rooted in soulful food—the kind that’s slow-cooked, comforting, and rich in flavor, yet not overwhelming. It’s deeply satisfying and replenishing. Each dish I prepare is a tribute to these diverse regions and to the people I’ve met along the way—a celebration of the cultures and traditions that have shaped both my palate and my life. 3. HOW DO YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS INFLUENCE YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? My personal interests have deeply shaped my professional life in meaningful ways. From football, I’ve learned the value of resilience and loyalty. Supporting Sevilla FC as an underdog has taught me that true commitment comes from standing by something through both triumphs and setbacks, unlike those who follow only when success is guaranteed. This rebellious spirit of the underdog and steadfast dedication inform my approach to leadership and innovation. My love for nature has inspired my work in outdoor hospitality. The deep appreciation I have for the natural world drives my commitment to preserving and celebrating it through immersive, sustainable travel experiences. This passion for nature influences how I design and manage outdoor projects, ensuring that they respect and enhance the environment. Wine has offered me insights into the importance of storytelling and culture in hospitality. Learning about different wine regions and their histories has shown me how a well-curated wine selection can foster meaningful connections and great conversations, enriching the guest experience. In cooking, I have gained a profound respect for local cultures and traditions. My culinary experiences have deepened my gratitude for the diverse people and places that have shaped my life. This respect for cultural heritage and the joy of sharing meals with others inform my approach to hospitality, emphasizing the importance of honoring and celebrating local traditions. Together, these experiences drive my social commitment and understanding of the importance of sharing and fostering harmonious coexistence. They remind me that personal growth and professional success are intertwined with a deep appreciation for the world and the people around us.
Founded with Conviction, Driven by Purpose
EXPERIENTIAL HOSPITALITY FOUNDED WITH CONVICTION, DRIVEN BY PURPOSE At Experiential Hospitality, our foundation rests on the firm principles of transparency, accountability, and measurable success. For any of our hotel development projects, we analyze each destination through a holistic lens, integrating social, environmental, and economic impacts from the very beginning. Our project inception process is built on a robust “5 Ps” model, inspired by John Elkington’s framework: People, Planet, Place, Prosperity, and Perpetuity. The 5 Ps Model: Our Guiding Principles PEOPLE We uphold respect, dignity, and parity, fostering educational opportunities, fair remuneration, and sustainable local entrepreneurship. We are dedicated to preserving the culture, traditions, and identity of local communities. PLANET Our commitment to land and marine stewardship includes rewilding, careful management of natural resources, regeneration of vital resources and ecosystem services, and low-impact operations. PLACE We honor the local environment, cultivating a sense of place, identity, and belonging. PROSPERITY We strive for social and economic advancement that harmonizes with nature, ensuring no stakeholders are left behind. We believe conservation and ecosystem restoration must go hand in hand with alleviating poverty and hunger. PERPETUITY We are dedicated to building lasting, resilient hospitality experiences that stand the test of time. Our projects are designed with long-term sustainability in mind, ensuring a positive legacy for future generations. Passion: The Key to Sustained Success PASSION – The Driving Force Behind Greatness At the heart of every enduring success story, you will find a core of unwavering passion. Passion is the fuel that ignites our drive, inspires our creativity, and sustains us through the inevitable challenges we face. Without passion, our efforts quickly lose their luster and fade into mediocrity. At Experiential Hospitality, passion is not just a word – it is a way of life. Our team is fueled by an ardent commitment to redefining the hospitality industry, driven by a desire to create experiences that leave a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve. This passion permeates every aspect of our work, from the planning stages to the day-to-day operations. It is the spark that keeps us innovating, adapting, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Passion is the key that unlocks sustained success. It keeps us motivated, resilient, and constantly striving for excellence. With passion as our guiding light, we are confident that we can build hospitality experiences that stand the test of time, creating a lasting legacy that enriches the lives of all who encounter it. Our Commitment to Holistic Development Holistic Analysis We analyze each destination through a holistic lens, integrating social, environmental, and economic impacts from the very beginning. Rigorous Evaluation We rigorously evaluate our pillars on a situational, dynamic, and adaptive basis, championing our core concepts. Reconciling Goals By embracing social, environmental, and economic impacts with steadfast conviction, our development projects reconcile the greater good with financial targets.