In this episode, host Michelle Pascoe sits down with Michael Johnson, inaugural CEO of Accommodation Australia, who guided the hotel sector through COVID-19, coordinated quarantine hotels with just 48 hours’ notice, and spearheaded the long-awaited merger of Australia’s two peak accommodation bodies.

Now retired from executive leadership, Michael is channelling his passion into ReLove, a Sydney charity furnishing homes for people escaping homelessness and domestic violence. By connecting hotels undergoing refurbishments with families in need, ReLove is also helping the sector achieve its ESG goals — a win for people and the planet.

Key Points

• How mentoring and saying “yes” can transform careers


• What Michael learned from crisis leadership during COVID-19


• Why the Accommodation Australia merger finally succeeded


• How ReLove is repurposing furniture to create dignity-filled homes


• Ways you can support the movement
  
  

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Intro


• 2:30 – From Diesel Mechanic to Hospitality


• 7:20 – Early Hotel Lessons & Mentors


• 12:15 – Culture Shock: Sydney’s King’s Cross


• 17:10 – Career Growth: F&B to Management


• 22:00 – Training as a Chef & Expanding Skills


• 26:50 – Leadership in Hotels & Transitions


• 31:40 – Steering TAA Through COVID


• 37:15 – Hotel Quarantine & Crisis Leadership


• 41:45 – Amalgamating Industry Bodies


• 45:55 – Lessons in Resilience & Adaptability


• 48:25 – The ReLove Initiative & Impact


• 51:20 – Global Potential & Closing Reflections

Next Steps + Resources

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  Support Relove (donate quality furniture, volunteer, or partner via ESG); ⁠https://www.relove.org.au/⁠
  
  

Work With Michelle

Michelle Pascoe helps hospitality leaders build multigenerational teams, lift service standards, and embed values-led culture. Book customer service workshops, and middle-management programs tailored to clubs, hotels, and hospitality venues.

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  Visit the website to learn more; ⁠https://www.michellepascoe.com/traininganddevelopmentprograms⁠
  


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  Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify; ⁠⁠https://www.michellepascoe.com/The-Michelle-Pascoe-Hospitality-Podcast⁠⁠ 


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  Join Michelle’s newsletter for leadership, culture, and service excellence; ⁠⁠https://www.michellepascoe.com/blog⁠⁠