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In today's show we discuss the importance of group business and how it relates to a hotel's healthy bottom line. Topics include how to win group business in all economic times by avoiding commoditizing the group experience for better pricing power, reinventing the sales experience, avoiding cookie cutter responses and more. Guest:   Bob Post, CEO. Knowland Time:  28 minutes

First up, Andrew Nielsen, GM, The Current Hotel, Autograph Collection on his experience opening up a new hotel and creating community impact. Plus, Brian Povinelli SVP, Global Brand Leader for Westin, Le Meridien, Renaissance, Autograph, Tribute & Design Hotels. In this show we focus on Westin and how it's affecting the full service hotel business. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Text hotel to...

Recently Branded hotel groups such as Marriott and IHG have announced plans to eliminate the use of single use plastic bottle amenities in all their guestrooms within the next couple of years.  In addition,  California just passed AB1162 requiring hotels to use 6 oz or larger bottles in the showers of all guest rooms by 2023.   NY State has proposed something similar and will take up the issue in...

First up are Lauren Bacon, Senior Manager, Military Programs at Hilton & Noelle Jewell, Hilton Worldwide Sales Manager discussing Operation Opportunity, a program created by Hilton supporting military vets and their spouses. Plus Jim Alderman, EVP & CDO of Extended Stay America with a company update; then Kirk Pederson, President of Sightline Hospitality on consolidation to create a new management...

Today we investigate why travelers care so much about reviews of your hotel before they book, and while addressing the importance why hoteliers must care.  Experts from Zingle, Volara, Swire Hotels, and Knowland give their take on guest reviews, the keys to creating positive reviews, and the impact that the guest stories told online have on their revenue potential.  We speak with:   o   Patricia S...

Jenna Hackett is Global Head of Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection by Hilton where she's responsible for the strategic direction, vision, growth and performance of the Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection brands. First, Eugene Jung and Michal Jung; owners of Portland, OR's Pips & Bounce share why they invested in a bar focused on ping pong and what this means for your hotel business. Fin...

What do travelers trust more when they are looking to choose travel accommodations? The advertising a property shares or the reviews of fellow travelers who have visited a property first-hand?  A majority of travelers rely heavily on reviews to validate a hotel's marketing efforts before they book.  We spoke with  Alliants, Hilton Hotels, and Loews Hotels to better understand why they believe hote...

Chip Rogers, President & CEO of AH&LA shares his experience during first year running AH&LA as well as critical industry issues and what AHLA is doing to stop human trafficking.   First, Johnathan Capps, VP of Revenue at Charlestowne Hotels, on the rise of secondary markets, why Charlestowne loves the trend and how they plan to continue dominating those markets. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter....

5G is coming, and it'll empower an IoT (Internet of Things) revolution. What does that mean for your hotel? With the adoption of IoT--think Apple Watch, Smart TVs, Amazon's Alexa, etc., 5G could become table stakes for your hotel as guest demands mirror the same experience they have at work and home. A huge opportunity is coming for your hotel and how it will engage its guests. Michele Depré, from...

Aly El-Bassuni, SVP, Franchise Operations, Americas at Radisson Hotel Group shares company update on franchise sales,  brand changes and more including landing Treasure Island in Las Vegas and several NY properties. First, Amanda Frasier, EVP, Standards and Ratings, Forbes Travel Guide reveals the world's best bar and what they doo to make them the best. View the 2019's World's Best Hotel Bars Ann...

After 10 years of good times the industry is facing decreasing margins and supply growth outpacing demand. How do you compete in times of increased uncertainty? Listen to my conversation with IDeaS Chief Evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr about the state of the industry and what action hoteliers need to take to remain competitive in 2020. visit. www.ideas.com  

Gary Isenberg, President, LWHA® Asset Management Services, and Glenn Haussman discuss how the traditional hotel business, the sharing economy, co-working, co-living and more are transforming the future of the hotel business into something new. Learn more about Gary and LWHA here:  http://lwhospitalityadvisors.com Subscribe to the show via the No Vacancy News network:   iTunes , Google Play , Stitc...

Sloan Dean, COO and Jarrad Evans, CIO of Remington Hotels explain their corporate strategy, the state of the hotel business as they see it, and discuss their portfolio and what it's like having a property in Alaska. First, Jeff Crabiel, GM Westin Nashville discuses what it's like running his hotel, catering to the convention crowd, the explosive growth of the hotel business in Nashville and lots m...

The key to a traveler's heart nowadays seems to be through the stomach. Food tourism already makes up over a quarter of total travel revenue, and it is expected to grow significantly in the next 5 years.  Not only are food and beverage (F&B) experiences a giant source of additional revenue, but prosperous hoteliers have already discovered that these experiences are a lucrative source for driving l...

What is conversational ecommerce? Our guest explains that it's the intersection between messaging apps and shopping, empowering brands to interact directly with consumers. How does this impact the guest journey? The guest experience during their stay? Your hotel revenue? Only one way to find out…listen in now! Guest: Lex ten Veen, EVP Strategic Partnerships, Uberall, former CEO of Navads Time: 28...

Some more insight gleaned at The Lodging Conference. We speak with Geoff Andrew, CEO of World Hotels about why they were acquired by Best Western Hotels & Resorts. First, Peter Berk, PMZ Capital on state of hotel financial markets as interest rates are at "generational lows" according to Berk. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Text hotel to 66866. Visit www.novacancynews.com Send us your thought...

This past week we had The Lodging Conference in Phoenix AZ and Glenn up his analysis on the event from all perspectives. Then we learn about the new Atwell Suites brand by IHG in an interview with VP Jenn Gribble. They're making a play for what they call the long stay of four to six nights. Then Glenn speaks with industry icon Kirk Kinsell. From leading IHG and Loews, to starting his own investmen...

Glenn and Estella are joined by Cliff Galitz from Google Travel to break down Google's efforts to simplify the guest's travel planning process and how to secure your hotel strong leads by leveraging Google My Business and all the cool intelligence and automation wrapped up in Google Hotel Ads. Guest: Cliff Galitz,  Partner Development Manager, Google Time: 18 minutes

According to the execs at Selina, the brand is not just a hostel, it's a place to connect with others. It's also a place for creating community and coworking. Essentially, it's the future of hospitality, a trends Glenn has been squawking about for years. He talks to Ravi Govada, Head of Global Market Research at Selina about the brand and how it's leveraging the latest trends. But first, Glenn and...

We attended the Legislative Action Summit this week and caught up with AAHOA Chair Jagruti Panwala, Congressional Representative Ed Case, Best Western Hotels & Resorts' COO Ron Pohl. But first, Glenn and his special cohost Anthony Melchiorri discuss the major issues affecting the hotel business in this unique crossover with the Checking in with Anthony and Glenn podcast ! Subscribe to Checking In...

Savvy hoteliers are taking control of their hotel's reputation with guest feedback technology, but it's their embrace of Customer Experience 2.0—dealing with issues, real-time, and putting that data in motion, that is making a huge difference. Why is this different than historical hotel surveys? It's easier than ever to engage with a guest while still in-house, gathering positive, and negative fee...

Recorded during Red Roof's brand conference this week, Glenn chats with both red Roof President Andy Alexander and Chief Development Officer Phil Hugh. They discuss the annual conference, respective brand updates and much more. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Text hotel to 66866. Visit www.novacancynews.com Send us your thoughts and comments to Glenn@rouse.media , or via Twitter and Instagram...

Hey hoteliers! It's budget season.  Gary Isenberg, President, LWHA® Asset Management Services, and Glenn Haussman discuss what you need to be thinking about most when it comers to figuring out next year's spend for your hotel assets.  Learn more about Gary and LWHA here:  http://lwhospitalityadvisors.com Subscribe to the show via the No Vacancy News network:   iTunes , Google Play , Stitcher

Grand Rapids wants your business, so they created a special Hotel District. What it means and why this might be a great idea for your community. We chat with George Aquino, vice president and managing director, AHC+Hospitality to learn more. Then, with Lindsay Wilkinson who is Director, Corporate Responsibility – Environment and Commercial Integration at IHG shares why the company is jettisoning i...

Big news from Aimbridge Hospitality and Interstate Hotels & Resorts as they announce plan to merge. Bruce Ford of Lodging Econometrics and Glenn break the deal down and analyze the ramifications. What do you think of the deal and how do you think it'll affect the overall hotel business Watch the video version on FB, LinkedIn, You Tube and at NoVacancyNews.com