Brand M3dia: Leading the Charge in Interactive Hospitality Tech

Restaurants and hotels are tapping into digital ordering kiosks that personalize recommendations, AI-powered smart robots that engage guests and enhance service, and gamified loyalty programs that turn visits into rewards-driven experiences. These innovations create seamless, data-driven interactions that boost sales, streamline operations and strengthen loyalty. By blending convenience with engagement, hospitality brands can turn every touchpoint into an opportunity for new and compelling customer connections—and a competitive edge in an industry where experience is everything.

Brand M3dia is a trusted RC Show Event Partner and has ridden the curve in changing the way hospitality businesses interact with their customers. This year, Show attendees will see firsthand how interactive kiosks and AI-powered robots have evolved from flashy gimmicks to practical tools making guest experiences smoother and more engaging. Whether it’s a kiosk guiding visitors to their next session or a robot providing wayfinding assistance with a touch of personality, these innovations are designed to make interactions seamless and, well… fun. As hospitality continues to evolve, Brand M3dia’s interactive portfolio gives a glimpse of how technology can elevate service while keeping it human at its core.

As RC Show 2025 approaches, we caught up with Brand M3dia founder Antonio Hondo Parente to discuss why restaurants and hotels must embrace smart tech—fast. He breaks down what’s holding businesses back, the real-world impact of AI-driven solutions, and key lessons from working with operators worldwide. If you’ve ever questioned whether interactive technology is worth the investment, Antonio makes a compelling case: in today’s competitive landscape, it’s not just an upgrade—it’s a necessity.

Restaurants Canada: Why is now the moment for restaurants and hotels to embrace interactive marketing technology, and what’s at stake for those that don’t?

Antonio Hondo Parente: Because expectations have changed, and businesses that don’t adapt are going to struggle. Customers want speed, ease and something memorable when they visit a restaurant or hotel. Interactive technology delivers all that. At Brand M3dia, we’re obsessed with making these experiences better—whether it’s a kiosk that helps people order faster, a digital display that actually catches attention, or a robot that enhances service instead of replacing staff.

The businesses that figure this out now are the ones that will thrive.

RCS: How does interactive tech actually improve the guest experience?

AHP: Interactive marketing is all about engagement, automation and personalization. The hospitality industry has evolved from static signage and printed menus to AI-powered kiosks, digital ordering and gamified brand experiences. Businesses are no longer just displaying information; they’re creating immersive, two-way interactions that drive sales and customer loyalty.

It’s all about making things smoother and more intuitive. Picture walking into a hotel where a digital concierge knows you, reminds you of your last visit, and helps you book dinner reservations with a couple of taps. Or imagine a restaurant where the menu is more than just words on a page—it’s an interactive, high-resolution display that helps guests customize their meals and get exactly what they want. We’re hyper-focused on removing friction and making service feel effortless.

RCS: You’ve said, surprisingly, that North America is lagging in this space. Who’s ahead, and what can we learn?

AHP: Some of the most exciting innovations are coming from places people might not expect—Argentina, Colombia, and even Ethiopia. They’re not just experimenting; they’re implementing. Grocery stores are rolling out kiosks that recognize shopping habits and generate grocery lists. Restaurants are integrating AI to predict customer preferences and enhance service.

It’s surprising that in countries often labelled as “third world,” technology is advancing at such a rapid pace—sometimes even outpacing so-called developed nations. Through my travels, trade shows, and conferences—where I’ve had the privilege to speak on these topics globally—I’ve been blown away by the level of innovation in these regions. It’s a testament to how necessity breeds creativity, and how emerging markets are setting the stage for the future of AI and automation.

The lesson in all of this is that tech is already proving itself. It’s already in place and providing solutions to some of the hospitality industry’s perennial pain points like consistency, guest engagement and convenience. The data shows that interactive signage and features increase dwell time—the length of time consumers are engaged with a brand or message—by 47 per cent. If businesses here don’t start embracing it, they’ll fall behind fast.

RCS: What kind of return on investment can a restaurant or hotel expect from kiosks and AI?

AHP: The investment is more than worth it. A kiosk can increase upselling, reduce ordering mistakes, cut food waste, and save on labour. Here are some statistics, and the math is obvious. Operators will see and feel the rewards, and when customers feel that ease that AI brings, they will come back.

• A kiosk can increase upselling by 22 to 38 per cent (without any extra effort from staff!)
• AI-powered systems reduce ordering mistakes, cutting food waste by 50 per cent.
• For restaurants looking to reduce operational costs, integrating a self-order kiosk can save anywhere from 60% to 90% of what it would typically cost to staff a full-time or part-time front-line employee. At just $250/month, the kiosk provides a cost-effective alternative to hourly wages, offering seamless ordering, payment processing, and upselling—all while enhancing customer experience.
• Kiosks free up employees for more meaningful interactions and create a better guest experience.

RCS: It sounds like a no-brainer. What’s stopping some businesses from jumping on this?

AHP: Honestly? Fear. Change is hard, and operators already have so much on their plate. But the idea that AI or kiosks will replace hospitality jobs is a myth. These tools make staff more effective by removing the repetitive, low-value tasks so they can focus on service. Once business owners see that, they stop resisting and start asking how fast they can implement it.

RCS: Can you share an example of a business that’s seen success implementing this tech?

AHP: There are so many, but one of our hotel clients recently rolled out our Promobot, an AI concierge, and within a few months, guests were using it to get recommendations, book experiences, and handle simple requests—freeing up staff for more complex needs. Guests reported higher satisfaction—in part because the robot was actively soliciting their feedback right in the lobby—and the hotel was collecting richer guest data and earning more repeat bookings through post-stay marketing. These types of technologies are designed to optimize lead capture and are earning repeat visits by 30 to 50 per cent, because everything is automated and tied directly to the customer data, which makes personalization easy.

In the restaurant world, we just worked with a chain operator who implemented our interactive kiosks across the enterprise. Their sales, quality and speed have increased, errors have decreased, and guests are spending more of their time engaging with the brand instead of waiting in line. They say their biggest regret is not doing it sooner. McDonald’s has spent hundreds of millions on AI-driven self-order kiosks, and the results speak for themselves. We’re offering that same level of interactivity at a fraction of the cost, making this technology accessible to independent restaurants, hotels, and venues.

RCS: Where do you see interactive marketing going next in hospitality?

AHP: It’s going to be everywhere. Restaurants are going to shrink their physical spaces, focusing more on digital ordering and AI-driven personalization. Hotels will lean into automation for everything from check-ins to room service. Voice and gesture control are already picking up steam, and soon, guests won’t even need to touch a screen to get what they need. We’re heading toward a world where the best hospitality brands are defined by how seamlessly they integrate technology into their service.

All of this frees up staff to do the truly meaningful professional hospitality work, without being dragged down by the many small tasks that are so crucial to the bottom line, but don’t add distinction to the brand.

RCS: What’s your message to operators who are still on the fence?

AHP: If you don’t start looking into this now, you’ll be forced to later—probably when your competitors are already ahead. This isn’t a trend; it’s the future of hospitality. Start small, test it out, and see the results for yourself. Once you see the efficiency and revenue boost, you’ll wish you had done it sooner.

FIRST COME FIRST SERVE: Exclusive RC Show Discount for 10 RC Show Exhibitors!

 Save $100/month when you lease a Brand M3dia kiosk at RC Show

Regular price: $350/month

RC Show Price: $250/month and get a complimentary UVC cleaning device – a $1,000 value!

Visit Brand M3dia at booth 655 at RC Show 2025

Get a hands-on look at how this tech works in real life! Check out their AI-powered kiosks and digital signage and experience their smart hospitality robots in action.