Uta Birkmayer, born in Germany and having lived and worked internationally most of her life, brings a diverse educational background to her work. Her journey spans from studying the hands-on Art of Hospitality in Germany to delving into the science/business of hotel development and design at Cornell and Harvard University. Graduating with a master’s degree in hospitality, she has worked in Japan, Hong Kong, China and on a cruise ship.
Uta understood early on that no matter how elaborate and beautiful a place may be, if the customer experience is not authentic and meaningful, projects fail. To solve this problem, Uta founded Xsense authentic places in 2002, a paradigm-shifting idea that earned her the industry innovation prize from Cornell University.
Xsense’s "Roots Up" methodology uniquely combines the art and science of placemaking. Leveraging her expertise in hospitality, health, and design, Uta inspires, connects, and guides development teams in creating authentic experiences that resonate deeply with customers. From visioning to design, construction, marketing, and management, Uta ensures that projects are culturally rooted in their location. Her extensive international travels and multifaceted career as an executive, life coach, nutritional therapist, and functional food chef deeply influence her approach.
Recognized as an Authenticity Whisperer by her clients, Uta creatively taps into the inherent value of their places. She empowers them to transform these values into meaningful, powerful, and sustainable customer experiences that ultimately contribute to the bottom line.
