Virtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast

In this episode, Cody is joined by Nick Bonniksen, Director of Kiln St. George, to talk about the transformative power of sports, resilience, and the dynamic hospitality industry. Originally on the path to a professional baseball career, Nick’s journey took a sharp turn after sports injuries forced him to rethink his future. With no Plan B, Nick started at the front desk of a Marriott and quickly...

In this insightful episode, Cody sits down with John Bianchi, the Founder of STR Search, a data-driven mastermind behind over $70M in Airbnb investments across the country. John has successfully helped clients acquire more than 150 cash-flowing Airbnbs, all with a 100% success rate. When he's not analyzing data, John enjoys spending time with his newborn daughter. This episode dives into the...

In this exciting episode, Cody is joined by a special guest, Will Rogers, founder of Dormi.io—a cutting-edge software designed to simplify vacation rental operations. Will shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, from purchasing a small cleaning company to expanding it nationwide, focusing on commercial and hospitality cleaning. As Will's business grew, he realized a major gap in the ho...

In this light and festive Halloween episode, Cody and Meagan are here to wish everyone a Happy Halloween and share some fun, creative ways to make the upcoming holiday season exciting for property owners and guests alike! As we transition into the full holiday season, it's time to start planning how to bring the holiday spirit to your property. From decorating tips to creating themed experien...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Cody and Meagan are excited to talk about one of their favorite properties hitting the market—The Canyons Collection! Located just on the outskirts of Zion National Park, The Canyons Collection offers a rare opportunity for investors and hoteliers looking to own a prime piece of hospitality real estate in one of the most iconic natural settings in the Uni...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Cody and Meagan dive into practical, do-it-yourself marketing tips that any property owner can implement—without breaking the bank! Whether you manage a small boutique hotel, a vacation rental, or a larger hospitality business, these simple yet effective strategies can help you boost your online presence and drive more bookings. And the best part? Many of...

In this episode, Cody and Meagan share exciting news about one of their all-time favorite properties going up for sale—The Dwellings, located just outside Zion National Park. This stunning property offers an exceptional opportunity for those looking to invest in hospitality and real estate. Whether you’re an experienced hotelier or a first-time buyer, The Dwellings is a hidden gem with immense pot...

In this episode, Cody and Meagan dive deep into the crucial topic of financial management for hospitality businesses. They discuss how mastering your finances is key to transforming your business and ensuring long-term success. With over a decade of experience, the Vibrant team shares their best practices for smart budgeting and financial planning, providing actionable insights to help you stay on...

In this episode, we explore the importance of preparing your hospitality business for the upcoming 4th quarter, one of the busiest times of the year. Cody and Meagan dive into the essential steps for setting your promotions well in advance, including special pricing for key holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. We discuss how to strategically plan your pricing f...

In this episode, we dive into Cody’s most recent experience at the BITAC Independent event, held at the beautiful Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida. BITAC brings together top-level executives from independent properties across the country to discuss the future of hospitality. Cody shares key takeaways from the event, networking opportunities, and the innovative strategies being implemented by...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 16 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Cody and Meagan Adent from Vibrant Management dive into the critical topic of financial management in the hospitality industry. They share Vibrant’s proven financial process, including the creation of detailed budget sheets for all companies, the use of QuickBooks Online, and the importan...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 15 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Meagan and Cody Adent from Vibrant Management highlight the must-attend hospitality events for 2024. With show season kicking off in September and October, these events are crucial for anyone looking to stay ahead in the industry. We discuss the Independent Hotel Show, your local state to...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 14 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this exciting episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, we are joined by Jason Craparo, CEO & Founder of Hovr, the cutting-edge content delivery software that is revolutionizing the way marketers engage with their audience. Discover how Hovr's patented technology is transforming hospitality websites, driving engagement rates...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 13 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this insightful episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team dive into the top hospitality industry trends of 2024. From booking pace and booking window dynamics to rate strategy and the ever-evolving role of OTAs like Expedia and Booking.com, this episode is packed with the latest insights you...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 12 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this exciting episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team announce Vibrant’s next adventure: buying their own Airbnb! After years of working with various properties and refining their processes, they’re ready to demonstrate the success of their proven strategies with their own inves...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 11 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team dive into the "Pain Points of Opening a New Property." Fresh from the launch of their newest property, The Central Block in Bend, Oregon, they share invaluable insights and lessons learned from the experience. Episode Highli...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 10 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team share their family trip experience at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort for the 4th of July. As hospitality professionals, it's essential to experience what other properties offer, and this visit provided plenty of insights. Epi...

Podcast Description: Season 2, Episode 9 of the Virtual GM Podcast In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team welcome special guest Audrey Yates, Vice President of Hotel Partnerships at Stash Hotel Rewards. Audrey brings her extensive background in travel and customer service to the show, sharing invaluable insights into how loyalty programs c...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team are joined by special guests Erin Donnelly and Heather Loduca, Co-Founders of Pink Wall Designs. Erin and Heather share their expertise in transforming properties through strategic design and marketing. Meet Our Guests: Erin Donnelly brings a wealth of experience from her extensive background in house...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team introduce the newest hotel in Hilton's Tapestry Collection, Hotel DeNovo. We believe this stunning property will soon be the number-one Hilton Tapestry hotel in the world. At Vibrant Management, we had the privilege of being the branding agency for this incredible project, and we couldn't be...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team share some of the coolest properties they've come across lately. Get ready to be inspired by these unique and captivating locations: Stay Ombi : Immerse yourself in secluded bliss and find serenity in nature’s embrace. Enjoy a unique stay on board your floating retreat. Visit Stay Ombi Ambiente S...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team discuss owner opportunities in the hospitality industry. Whether you're a new owner looking to start your property, interested in hospitality, or already up and running but feeling like you're missing something, this episode is for you. We reveal the three must-haves for building a new prope...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team dive into the pros and cons of Online Travel Agents (OTAs). They explore popular platforms such as Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, and VRBO, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each. It's crucial to drive direct bookings for your property because guests who book through an OTA are not fully...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team reveal their top three favorite software tools to enhance operations at your property, complete with an invaluable bonus tip! Discover how PMS-WebRezPro, Akia's Text AI Feature, and Lynx Locks can transform your management practices and boost efficiency. Meagan shares her rich insights and learni...

In this exciting episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, we take you behind the scenes for a day in the life of a Virtual GM. Join your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team as they delve into Meagan's insights and learnings from over three years of managing multiple properties virtually. Discover the unique challenges and rewards of running a virtual hospitality operation and gain val...