Joey Jalleo

WHAT DO YOU DO AND HOW DID YOU GET HERE?

I’m the VP of Culture & Communications for Standard International, the company that manages The Standard Hotels in New York,/a>, Los Angeles and Miami. I’ve been with The Standard for five years now and before that I was a freelance event publicist. When The Standard, High Line was set to open in 2009, André Balazs called and asked if I would want to join his team and help launch the hotel…I couldn’t really say no.

WAS HOSPITALITY SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO? WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?

Not to sound cliché, but I totally fell into this job by accident. I was an event publicist producing high-end events in the fields of art, entertainment and fashion. Hospitality wasn’t on my radar until I received that phone call. Growing up, I wanted to be an archaeologist. I’m still OBSESSED with Egyptology.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION IN THE INDUSTRY TODAY?

I’m most inspired by the future of travel…the possibilities of what may be. Being given the opportunity with The Standard to help make that future a reality is what drives me daily.

IF YOU COULD THROW A PARTY FOR ANYONE, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?

I think it would be really interesting to host a dinner for Leonardo da Vinci and to incorporate all of his revolutionary ideas into some sort of reality for him. He was an inventor, a visionary, a dreamer. He first came up with the idea of the helicopter so, of course, I’d arrange for him to arrive in one.

YOU’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE MOST FABULOUS HOTEL OPENINGS OF THE PAST DECADE, WHAT’S THE WILDEST THING YOU’VE SEEN?

That’s a very dangerous question. One that takes great risk in answering, so I’ll kindly ask that we carry on.

WHAT'S THE NEXT BIG IDEA IN HOSPITALITY, WHAT ARE WE MISSING?

I’ve always wanted to see automated restaurants where you order from touch screens and food and drink are delivered from within the table, right to your place setting. It’s a futuristic view of my childhood fantasies…but I still want to see it happen one day.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MINI BAR ITEM?

A really great candle. It’s the one thing you always wish you had handy when you’re lying in bed at the end of the day or when you’re in the bath. There is nothing better than the perfect scent to evoke the true feeling of the hotel in which you’re staying. People underestimate the power of a property’s fragrance.

IF YOU HAD THE DAY OFF TODAY, WHERE WOULD YOU BE?

By the ocean. Under a dark starry sky.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HOTEL IN THE WORLD?

Las Ventanas al Paraiso in San Jose del Cabo is truly one of the most spectacular experiences I’ve ever had. The service. The pristine beach. The 83-degree pools. It’s truly a window to paradise.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING 10 YEARS FROM NOW?

Re-reading this post to see if my prediction was right.