Marcie Merriman
Cultural Anthropologist, Brand Strategist, Founder/CEOEthos InnovationMarcie is a cultural anthropologist, business leader, and entrepreneur who has spent decades decoding generational and societal change. She's built her career in innovation at the intersection of culture, strategy, and design — helping leaders see past their own assumptions about "what is," so they can design for "what's next."
She spent nine years as a Partner leading Strategy and Insights at Big Red Rooster (sold to JLL), then founded her own strategy firm and sold it to EY, where she ran the global Cultural Insights and Strategy Practice and launched EY's Generational Dynamics Lab. Along the way, she's helped shape brands like Victoria's Secret PINK and advised organizations from Starbucks and Nike to Toyota and the U.S. Special Forces Command.
Today, as founder of Ethos Innovation and adjunct professor at Ohio State's Fisher College of Business, her thinking regularly shows up in CNBC, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal.
Beyond Buzzwords: Generational Shifts and the Future of Hospitality
The industry talks endlessly about trends, but far less about what is fundamentally changing beneath them. This session goes deeper, using younger gen…The industry talks endlessly about trends, but far less about what is fundamentally changing beneath them. This session goes deeper, using younger generations as a lens to better understand broader societal shifts and how they are reshaping expectati…The industry talks endlessly about trends, but far less about what is fundamentally changing beneath them. This session goes deeper, using younger generations as a lens to better understand broader societal shifts and how they are reshaping expectations around travel, connection, and experience. Grounded in hard data and real-world insights, we’ll explore how evolving values—from identity and wellness to technology and belonging—are influencing t…The industry talks endlessly about trends, but far less about what is fundamentally changing beneath them. This session goes deeper, using younger generations as a lens to better understand broader societal shifts and how they are reshaping expectations around travel, connection, and experience. Grounded in hard data and real-world insights, we’ll explore how evolving values—from identity and wellness to technology and belonging—are influencing the way people engage with hospitality environments. What do emerging generations reveal about where culture is headed next? And more importantly, what does “hospitable thinking” look like in response? Together, we’ll unpack the forces driving transformation and the design, service, and business decisions they demand today—moving beyond buzzwords to a more human, future-facing approach to hospitality.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
