I sat down with Vince Schiller for a thoughtful conversation about hospitality, creativity, and the power of community. Sure, Vince’s background in music and a life shaped by creative curiosity might have you believing you’ve got to be born ‘creative’ but we unpack how play is essential, everyone can practice creativity and the benefits for guests and industry. If you care about hospitality, community, or the art of making people feel included, this one is for you.
Show Notes
In this episode, Vince and I explore how hospitality can become a space for creativity, community-building, and playful experimentation. Vince shares his journey from Chicago to New Zealand, how a background in music and creative problem-solving shaped his approach, and why he sees hospitality as more than a job — it’s a way to bring people together. We dig into the role of community in Auckland hospitality, the importance of creating third places where people can connect, and how events like Auckland Cocktail Week can make hospitality feel more inviting, collaborative, and fun. Vince also talks about how creativity thrives within boundaries, why play matters for adults just as much as it does for children, and how atmosphere, design, and storytelling can add real value for both guests and hospitality teams.The conversation closes with Vince’s thoughts on leadership, finding people’s strengths, and how small, intentional actions can help make hospitality more meaningful for everyone involved.
Key themes
Creativity as a practice, not a personality trait
Community-building through hospitality
Playfulness and imagination in bars and events
Creating value for guests through experience
Leadership through facilitation and support
Notable moments
Vince on how travel helped him reconnect with hospitality
The story behind Auckland Cocktail Week’s energy and growth
Why boundaries can actually make creativity easier
The idea that hospitality spaces can feel like “third places”
Vince’s belief that giving others space to shine builds stronger communities
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