HEARTFELT HOSPITALITY

Bahl first met Gisi, the President & CEO of 322 Hospitality in 2012 while he was a student and a part of Dakota Venture Group, a student-run venture capital organization.

“Ever since, Phil has written me letters of recommendation, we would stay connected through coffee and dinner meetings, and now we work together,” says Bahl. “At the end of the day it was the connections I made through UND that led to all of the experiences I’ve had post-graduation.”

After his internship in Nashville with CMT (Country Music Television) and graduating from the UND NCoBPA in 2016, Bahl moved back to Nashville to work for CAA (Creative Artists Agency).

Bahl eventually tapped into his UND network by connecting with Chris Semrau, a UND alumni, previous sport business professor and mentor for Bahl. Semrau was able to help Bahl land a job as the Booking Manager for Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City where Semrau served (and still does) as the General Manager, “I loved that job, but there was a glass ceiling,” says Bahl.

Ultimately, Bahl found himself back in North Dakota where he owned and operated a dock and lift business, coowned a jewelry store in Minot with his mom, and started a music festival called Lando LIVE. He then started working as a Development Officer for the UND Alumni Association & Foundation (UNDAAF). In 2022, Bahl made the decision to run for office in the State of North Dakota legislature. With that decision, Bahl parted ways with the UND Alumni Foundation.

“At that time Phil was on the UND Alumni Association & Foundation board,” says Bahl. “I was down in Florida for a UND event so I met up with Phil for cocktails. It was then Phil said, ‘Landon, I think I have the perfect thing for you.’ The rest is history.”

Nearly two-and-a-half years later, Landon now works as the VP and COO of 322 Hospitality Group alongside Gisi. 322 Hospitality Group has eight entities and over two-hundred-and-fifty employees.

Five of those entities opened within a 100 day timespan. “It was craziness for a while,” says Bahl with a chuckle.

Bahl says each entity is unique in its own way. Their properties include dining experiences, fast casual restaurants, a hotel, and event venues.

“At the end of the day, I’m in the business of creating memories for people,” says Bahl. “We are luxurious and we are firstclass, but we are still humans serving humans. You need that human interaction and I think that’s where the term heartfelt hospitality comes in. Bahl heard this term from a fellow fraternity brother and it stuck. People know ‘North Dakota nice’ and to me that is synonymous with heartfelt hospitality and that’s what we try to deliver in everything we do here at 322 Hospitality Group.”

Schwartz, a current student at UND, employee at The Olive Ann Hotel, and fellow fraternity brother of Bahl says Bahl has been a mentor to him for many years.

“I owe Landon a great deal for where I am today,” says Schwartz. “It was thanks to his recommendation that I landed my current role at The Olive Ann hotel, where I work at the front desk. What I love most about working at The Olive Ann Hotel, aside from the fact that many of my friends are also on staff, is the unique opportunity I have to interact with such a diverse range of fascinating and influential people. Being at the front desk allows me to engage in quick but meaningful conversations with individuals I would never meet otherwise, making each shift an exciting experience,” he adds.

One of those recent guests being Kevin O’Leary of NBC’s Shark Tank.

“Not everyday do you get a Kevin O’Leary who loves North Dakota but also loves Grand Forks come through your hotel,” says Bahl. “There is a lot of special stuff happening here, there’s momentum.”

Meanwhile Bahl attributes his momentum to the UND alumni base. “I would not be leading this company had I not met Phil,” says Bahl. “I am a perfect example of what networking can do for UND students and graduates,” says Bahl. “It may not happen right away, this job happened for me about six years out of college, but maintaining those relationships I made during my time at UND was so worth it.”

Bahl says 322 Hospitality Group is in the process of adding The Olive Ann Hotel to Marriott’s prestigious group of independently curated hotels known as the “Tribute Collection.” The organization also plans to open their latest event venue in December called “The Opal.” As of October, 2024, their event venues have over 450 future events on the books. Their goal? To continue to provide heartfelt hospitality across a variety of verticals and states.

On his 8th birthday, Michael Hennen was gifted a guitar. Hennen was excited about his gift, so he quickly started playing and taking guitar lessons in his hometown of Jordan, MN. When his father suggested he get a job, Hennen loved playing guitar so much, he decided to approach his instructor to ask how he could start a music career by performing shows. After talking to his instructor, Hennan was confident he could do it, so he purchased equipment and launched his solo career. Hennen was officially an entrepreneur.

Hennen’s first live performance was at a bar in Jordan, MN. Hennen’s classmate’s parents owned the bar and had agreed to let him perform. He played for nothing but tips, and Hennen says it went well. From there, Hennen continued to build his network, reaching out to countless venues with the hopes of the opportunity