Podcast
No Vacancy Live!
Hosted by No Vacancy Live · EN
No Vacancy is home to the hospitality industry's top podcasts. We speak to the CEOs, influencers and leaders to go behind the scenes of the hotel and travel business.
56episodes
Episodes
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The Development Engine Behind My Place Hotels' Next Growth Phase
2d ago00:08:24Tap to summarizeDuring last week's NYU IHIF, I spoke with Ryan Rivett of the Rivett Organization and Brian Quinn, Chief Development Officer at My Place Hotels, because Brian's new role points to something bigger than a personnel move. Brian matters in this story because My Place is moving into its next phase with the Rivett Organization's broader platform behind it: ownership, operations, construction management, technology, engineering, design, and franchise development. That combination separates My Place from a lot of franchise organizations. Developers aren't only hearing about a flag. They're hearing from a company that still owns hotels, operates hotels, develops hotels, and understands the parts of the process that can overwhelm owners and investors. 🏨 My Place Hotels has roughly 125 franchises and is moving into what Ryan called its next phase of growth 🛠 The Rivett Organization brings construction management, technology, engineering, and design into the development conversation 📍 Ryan sees opportunity in smaller and underserved markets where other brands may miss stability and value 🤝 Brian Quinn adds a key commercial engine as My Place takes that platform to market 📈 Extended stay demand remains strong with consumers and developers, giving the brand a timely growth story This is why I wanted them both in the conversation. Ryan could explain the platform behind My Place, and Brian could speak to how that platform now gets translated into development growth. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
Transcribe →Hilton Orlando Turns Digital Signage Into Event Revenue
3d ago00:10:26Tap to summarizeAt Hilton Orlando, Glenn Haussman talks with Shannon Butler, Director of Catering and Events, about how the hotel uses Xpodigital for flexible event branding, real-time updates, and incremental revenue through digital signage. Meeting planners want spaces that feel customized to their programs Digital signage lets Hilton Orlando update schedules, sponsor messages, sizzle reels, and award content in real time Xpodigital removes the large upfront investment barrier for the hotel and ownership Revenue share adds incremental income while improving the planner and attendee experience Association groups turn signage into sponsor inventory and build revenue for themselves Xpodigital supports the hotel team on-site and remotely, keeping updates fast and execution tight Hilton Orlando started with one screen, saw results, and expanded from there Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed? Text HOTEL to 66866.
Transcribe →Why The Historic Hamilton Princess Wins Repeat Guests in Bermuda
4d ago00:32:09Tap to summarizeHamilton Princess doesn't compete like a typical resort. The property leans on 140+ years of history, a museum-level art collection, and a luxury guest who keeps traveling even when the economy gets noisy. Glenn Haussman and Dr. Producer Suzanne Bagnera talk with Diarmaid O'Sullivan, Director of Sales & Marketing at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, about how the hotel differentiates and keeps repeat business strong. 🎨 The art collection creates an arrival moment you don't get at most beach resorts 🏨 The property uses heritage + service to attract a luxury audience that stays active through economic swings 🏢 Meetings stay meaningful here, including reinsurance and high-privacy groups 🛫 Airlift keeps the destination in play, with added routes and seat growth from the Northeast 🌊 Experiences go beyond beaches, including wild swimming and cave exploration 🛂 U.S. pre-clearance makes the trip home smoother for U.S. travelers Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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FNA 211: Tabor or Not Tabor
6d ago01:01:38Tap to summarizeWayne Tabor is President and CEO of the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel and Lodging Association and is way too classy to be having happy hour drinks with Glenn, Craig and Suzanne. Yet here we are.
Transcribe →Gen Z, Millennials, and the Vacation Ownership Shift
1w ago00:08:45Tap to summarizeSeventy-three percent of new vacation ownership purchases now come from Gen Z and millennials. That changes the pitch, product strategy, and member experience conversation for every company in vacation ownership. During ARDA Spring Conference, I spoke with Gordon Gurnik, COO of Hilton Grand Vacations, about younger buyers, points-based flexibility, AI, and the experiences HGV builds around ownership. 🎟 HGV runs about 3,800 member experiences a year, so ownership means access, not just more space 🏎 At Elara in Las Vegas, HGV brings F1 into the owner experience with viewing areas, concerts, food, and beverage 🎤 Chef dinners, wine tastings, baseball suites, and private concerts create moments members may not arrange on their own 🤖 AI opens a path toward more personal recommendations, especially in markets like Las Vegas where too many choices can overwhelm a trip 👨👩👧 Points-based ownership helps younger buyers adapt as their families, schedules, and vacation habits change Gordon also talks about why hospitality keeps people hooked: travel, food and beverage, construction, marketing, sales, entertainment, and the moments when guests create memories right in front of you. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
Transcribe →Hotel Owners Facing Tough Choice: PIP, Sell, or Switch Management
1w ago00:07:30Tap to summarizeHotel owners staring down PIPs have three choices: spend the money, sell the asset, or rethink management. During NYU IHIF, I spoke with Ben Perelmuter, CEO of Remington Hospitality, and Scott Geres, General Manager of Hotel Edison, from inside the Hotel Edison in Times Square. Ben says hotel deal activity has finally picked up after several slower conference cycles. Owners face brand pressure, capital decisions, and asset sales, and Remington Hospitality has already added 17 new third-party deals in the first four months of the year. 🏨 PIPs and capital pressure now push owners toward harder decisions 📈 Remington has added 17 new third-party deals this year 🔁 Asset sales can create new management opportunities 🌎 Remington continues expanding in the Caribbean and Latin America, including Grand Cayman, Peru, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico 🗽 Scott shares what Hotel Edison sees from the middle of Times Square, including a strong first quarter, softer international demand, and future demand around the World Cup and America's 250th anniversary We also got The Godfather hallway, Luca Brasi, and a reminder that some hotel interviews come with better scenery than others. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
Transcribe →Undergraduate by Hilton: A New Hotel Brand for College Towns
1w ago00:05:34Tap to summarizeDuring NYU IHIF, Hilton debuted Undergraduate by Hilton, a brand-new conversion product aimed at university markets where a full Graduate Hotel may not fit. Jenna Hackett, SVP, Global Leader, Lifestyle Brand Management at Hilton, joined me for a conversation about how Undergraduate by Hilton connects with Graduate Hotels while giving owners a more affordable, scalable conversion option. 🎓 Graduate Hotels brings bespoke, university-adjacent storytelling across more than 35 locations 🏨 Undergraduate by Hilton gives Hilton a growth path across hundreds of additional university markets 🔁 Owners can use the brand for conversion and new-build opportunities 🎨 Hilton created a playful university feel and gave owners room for local color through artwork, paint, and design details Jenna also talked about Hilton's broader conversion momentum, including Curio Collection, Tapestry Collection, and Outset Collection. University markets keep creating opportunity, and Hilton sees more room for growth. Watch the full conversation on #NoVacancyNews.
Transcribe →Red Roof Builds an AI-Driven Website: How It Wins Search Next
1w ago00:09:59Tap to summarizeAt NYU IHIF, I talked with Zack Gharib, President of Red Roof, because the brand made three moves worth watching at the same time: entered Canada, pushed tech growth, and rebuilt the website around AI search. Then the numbers back it up: app performance up 55%, loyalty enrollments up 29%, and 54,000 app downloads across Q1/April/May. 🇨🇦 First Canada deal: Vancouver airport market, 168 rooms, local operating partner 📈 Zack says Red Roof beat the economy-segment forecast and grew year over year through Q1, April, and May ⭐ Quality scores climbed about 2 points year over year, plus stronger social and mystery scores 📱 Tech momentum: 55% app performance lift, 29% loyalty enrollment lift, 54,000 downloads across Q1/April/May 🧠 Next push: AI-driven website strategy focused on findability and direct bookings 🚗 Summer read: strong interstate and suburban pace as families choose drive-to travel, pacing double digits over last year Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
Transcribe →Bar Profit Leaks: The 2 Quick Tests Owners Can Run Tonight
2w ago00:14:23Tap to summarize7.2 seconds behind the bar can cost about $1.1M a year. That's how Tobin Ellis, a 30-year bar industry veteran, thinks about bar design: eliminate problems before they happen, then let the team sell more with fewer steps. 👀 Quick test: nonstop walking behind the bar kills selling time and guest connection 🍸 Quick test: "order → disappear → return" kills second rounds 📏 Tobin builds "Zero Step" stations so bartenders stop running laps ⏱️ Tobin measured 7.2 seconds of waste per bartender and tied it to about $1.1M/year on one rooftop bar 🏨 Use the timing: conversions and PIPs give owners the best window to fix the bar correctly 📚 Start cheap: Bar Design Essentials Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
Transcribe →Most Hotel Websites Don't Use Video—That's Why Guests Bounce
2w ago00:07:19Tap to summarizeOne frustrating thing about hospitality: guests want to research rooms visually, but most hotel websites don't include video. When hotels force guests to imagine a room, they simply move on. So I talked with Jason Craparo, CEO of hovr, and Ethan Wiseman, VP of Product Management at aven hospitality, about what hotels can do right now to fix that disconnect. 🎥 Audit your site: count how many videos you actually show per room type, view, and suite category 📱 Build a "video path" that matches how guests shop: room → view → bathroom → balcony → public spaces ⚡ Add video without slowing the site: protect load speed or you lose the guest before they see the content ♿ Treat accessibility as a baseline, not a bolt-on: make video usable for more guests from day one 🏨 Use video to reduce uncertainty on high-consideration stays: fewer surprises means fewer abandons and fewer complaints 💰 Track what happens when guests watch video: more video consumption often lines up with higher spend, so measure it and price accordingly Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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