Training & Speaking
James Kuester, an industry leader in guest experience design services, founded Küster in 2002, specializing in providing comprehensive interior design solutions for the hospitality sector. With a keen focus on interior branding, green design, and ergonomic considerations, James has built a reputation for creating spaces that evoke powerful emotions and drive guest engagement. His approach involves closely collaborating with clients to craft unique branding messages while ensuring efficient space planning, energy conservation, regulatory compliance, and ergonomic functionality.
Drawing on his expertise in project management, space planning, and manufacturing operations management, James has successfully led Küster since its inception. His commitment to understanding and shaping emotions within interior spaces has enabled him to create environments that not only captivate customers but also foster long-term loyalty for his clients’ businesses. His portfolio includes independent inns and tasting rooms, where he excels in crafting distinctive branding messages that set his clients apart from competitors while prioritizing functionality and sustainability.
Most Requested Topics
Designing the Guest Experience
During this session we will focus on those transaction points that directly influence how your guests perceive your inn and the impressions they go home with. We all know that the stronger the positive impressions, the more likely the guest will return time and time again and tell their family and friends about the wonderful time they had with you.
In our short time together, we will cover:
- Defining your guest experience – What makes your inn special?
- Identifying Touch Points – Where are all of the areas you have an opportunity to influence your guests’ perception of your inn?
- What can you change? What can you not? – Within the framework of an historic inn there are things that are readily changed and those that are not. How can we use design to enhance the context of the inn to communicate the desired guest experience?
- How do we design for the eco-friendly guest? – What are some of the more approachable things that we can do through design to offer a more eco-friendly experience for our guests?
Each attendee should be able to walk out of this session with a short of action items that they can incorporate immediately to enhance the guest experience of their inn.
Designing the Guest Experience
Spoil Your Guests
Spoil Your Guests with a Spa Like Bath
Have you ever stayed at a hotel or inn where the guest bath put a damper on your experience? Well, as an independent innkeeper, you only want to make the best impression on your guests and make sure they only have rave things to say about you on social media and to their friends. One sure way to do that is to give them a bath experience like no other. In this interactive session James will provide tips and insights into how to wow your guests and give them a bathroom experience to write home about!
Spoil Your Guests
Let James Kuester Liven Your List
Tired of recycling seminar topics at your events? Let James liven up your list! Your attendees know that there is more to running a hospitality business than a great smile. Add breadth to your seminar topics by offering a look into the intangibles that create flourishing hospitality firms and learn to design the experience.
Where is James?
James Kuester travels around the country speaking at different conferences and events. Get a sense for what James can speak at by attending one of his sessions.
New Mexico B&B Association
Albuquerque, NM– November 12th
Mid-West Inns Conference
Cedar Falls, IA- December 3rd – 5th
Texas B&B Association
Cozumel, TX – September 11-15, 2025
Association of Lodging Professionals
Contact
Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? The team at Küster Design wants to hear from you. Use the calendar to schedule a time to chat with us.
