The Uber Effect: How Ridesharing Apps Are Influencing Hospitality Design
It’s getting more and more difficult to remember a time before rideshare apps like Über and Lyft ever existed, essentially putting a taxi service in our back pockets. Hotel properties receiving these guests are beginning to feel the impact that this ubiquitous technology is having on the design of their spaces. In this episode, Shannon Suess, principal at Seattle-based MG2, sits down with chief content director Robert Nieminen to dig deeper into the ways in which ride sharing apps are forcing hospitality designers to rethink the guest arrival and departure sequence, as well as the challenges and opportunities that exist for hotel to engage this captive audience.
Meet Our Guest
MG2 Principal Shannon Suess is an award-winning hospitality and interior designer who has dedicated over 25 years of her career to crafting world-class destinations. Working with clients around the globe, she seamlessly fuses interiors, exteriors, and the spaces in between to create memorable venues that harmonize local culture and brand. Shannon thrives on finding unique solutions to programming barriers and solving complex architectural challenges with holistic design.
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Market Content Director
Market Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Market Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.