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Why More Women Aren't Becoming Hotel General Managers Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

I caught up with Rachel Moniz, Chief Operating Officer of HEI Hotels & Resorts, at The Hospitality Show. She's passionate about getting more women into #HotelLeadership roles, especially those who hesitate because they don't feel quite ready. Rachel shared an interesting approach HEI takes to give aspiring general managers real experience running hotels before they accept the position permanently.

We also talked about something that deserves more attention: the pressure women face when they pursue GM positions while raising families. Rachel has some particularly good advice about the expectations hotel leaders place on themselves and what they should tell their teams when family commitments come up.

Check out my conversation with Rachel to hear how HEI prepares aspiring GMs for their next big career move and why she wants more women in #Hospitality to stop waiting for the perfect moment.

Thanks so much to Entegra for supporting this podcast. EntegraPS.com, your GPO partner in hospitality.

Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.

The Art of Turning Neglected Historic Buildings Into Extraordinary Hotels Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Turning a century-old building into a luxury hotel sounds like a great idea until you start opening walls and uncovering expensive problems, potentially threatening the entire investment. Yet some developers see enormous opportunities where others see financial headaches.

Dr. Producer Suzanne Bagnera and I spoke with Jim Brady, President of Fathom Companies, about the economics of #HotelDevelopment and why he continues pursuing historic conversions despite the risks. His latest project in Portland, Maine, includes a 1910 bank vault, a marble teller counter, and some creative thinking about what luxury hotel guests want today.

Jim reveals how historic tax credits change the financial equation, why some old buildings simply aren't worth converting, and how he decides which historic features deserve a second life. His plans for that enormous bank vault took us in a direction I certainly didn't expect! #AdaptiveReuse

Thanks so much to Actabl for supporting this podcast. 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.

Why One Hotel GM Refused to Skip Her QA Inspection Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

I've never met a hotel GM who looks forward to a quality assurance inspection. Yet one GM at My Place Hotels actually complained when she earned the right to skip her next inspection. She wanted the QA team to come back!

During the My Place Hotels of America Conference held earlier this fall, I spoke with Bruce Sneller, VP of Leadership, Engagement and Development at My Place Hotels. His team works with first-time GMs, including some new to #Hospitality, and focuses on coaching and professional growth rather than simply pointing out mistakes.

Bruce shares how his team earns that kind of trust, along with a terrific story about a young GM who dramatically improved his hotel's quality scores. And there's a personal exchange between Bruce and that GM that says plenty about the impact of genuine encouragement. I think his approach offers some valuable ideas for #HotelLeadership.

Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.

Why Travelers Keep Shopping After Booking Their Hotels Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Americans aren't giving up their holiday travel plans, even as they cut spending elsewhere. They're making different choices about how they travel, where they stay, and what constitutes good value. That's an interesting challenge for #HotelIndustry leaders.

Here's the twist: Travelers book refundable hotel rooms, then keep shopping for better value. As #AI makes that process easier, a reservation no longer means a guest has stopped looking.

Dr. Producer Suzanne Bagnera and I spoke with Jonathan Kletzel, Sales, Service and Marketing Practice Leader at PwC US, about the firm's latest holiday travel research. We get into why travelers continue to prioritize experiences and how their changing booking habits could shake up #HotelRevenueManagement sooner than you think.

Thanks so much to Actabl for supporting this podcast. 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.

How Hotels Cut Costs Without Sacrificing Quality Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

I visited Avendra International to talk with Walt Sheffler, President of Avendra International North America, about some fascinating changes in #HotelOperations. Their technology identifies purchasing alternatives before operators place an order, while another tool analyzes buying habits and recommends three specific ways to save money. And that's just the purchasing side of the business.

We also got into some surprisingly clever uses of technology, including smarter equipment monitoring and a better way to determine when public restrooms need attention. As #Hospitality operators struggle with labor shortages and rising costs, I think there's a lot to like here. Check out what Walt showed me and see where #HotelTechnology offers some practical opportunities to improve operations.

Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.

Marriott Vacation's New VIP Perks: What's Changing? Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Marriott Vacations Worldwide just expanded its owner benefits program from five levels to seven, including new Reserve and Pinnacle tiers. But what makes those additional benefits valuable enough for vacation owners to deepen their loyalty to the brand?

At Marriott's Grande Vista in Orlando, No Vacancy News host Glenn Haussman speaks with Maria Lieberman, VP of Marketing at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, about the strategy behind the expansion and the opportunities for #VacationOwnership operators.

Marriott is putting greater emphasis on personalized vacation planning, flexibility and exclusive experiences that extend beyond traditional resort stays. Think concerts, cruises and guided tours. But how do those perks influence customer loyalty, and what do they mean for owners who already enjoy the brand?

Glenn and Maria examine how Marriott is approaching those questions and why personal recognition plays an increasingly important role in #Hospitality.

Thanks so much to Actabl for supporting this podcast. 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.

#MarriottVacationClub #GuestLoyalty

I Tried Cooking at Benihana Las Vegas. What Could Go Wrong? Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

I've interviewed hundreds of hospitality professionals, but nobody's ever handed me a sharp knife and asked me to cook dinner at the same time. Until now! At Benihana inside Westgate Las Vegas, I put my #CookingSkills to the test while interviewing Kyle, one of the restaurant's teppanyaki chefs. He also had the unenviable task of keeping me from injuring myself or any innocent spectators!

Between flipping utensils, launching shrimp toward my chef's hat and setting an onion volcano on fire, I squeezed in a few questions about entertaining guests while cooking their meals. Kyle shares some great #GuestExperience insights, while I demonstrate why interviewing requires considerably less coordination than cooking fried rice. Check out our #LasVegas kitchen adventure and decide whether I should stick with interviewing or apply for a job at Benihana!

Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.

FNA 223: We Destroy Second City's Legacy! Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

The Second City gave us John Belushi, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and generations of comedy legends. This week, two of their own joined #FridayNightAudit, giving Craig Sullivan, Suzanne Bagnera, and me a chance to find out whether professional comedy training could salvage any of our careers. The prognosis wasn't particularly encouraging.

What an honor to welcome James Colquhoun, Co-President of The Second City, and Nick Castellanos, Senior Client Partner at The Second City, live from Chicago!

We talked about how The Second City uses improv to sharpen communication skills, why hotel employees improvise practically every day, and what happens when people actually listen to each other. Craig had plenty of questions, Suzanne had even more opinions, and I learned that The Second City's approach involves lowering the stakes. Around here, we prefer lowering the standards.

PLUS, after six months, 32 contenders, and an astonishing amount of complaining, we FINALLY crowned the champion of our Hotel Pet Peeves Tournament! Outlet Desert faced Always Hidden Lamp Switches in a ridiculously close contest, and even our guests couldn't agree on which hotel annoyance deserved eternal infamy.

Join us for some laughs, cocktails, and the dramatic conclusion of a tournament that lasted longer than some hotel renovations. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.

Why Hotel GMs Should Be Checking Competitors' Parking Lots Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes the smartest #HotelSales strategy starts with driving through a competitor's parking lot and checking out the trucks! Those company names might reveal your next extended-stay customer, and no fancy algorithm replaces that kind of local intelligence.

At last month's My Place Hotels of America conference, I spoke with Jeff Wermager, VP of Sales and Revenue, about combining sophisticated #RevenueManagement technology with some good old-fashioned detective work. My Place's Market Force program already has 75% of its hotels participating, and Jeff sees opportunities well beyond pricing rooms.

He's focused on finding the right guests at the right rates for the right length of stay. Watch how My Place combines technology and local sales intelligence to strengthen #ExtendedStay profitability and why Jeff wants GMs out from behind their computers.

Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might've missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.

A VIP Resort Inside a Luxury All-Inclusive? Here's Why Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

AMResorts co-founder Javier Coll lasted just two months in retirement before jumping back into #Hospitality. Now he's bringing a new level of luxury to #AllInclusive resorts with a JW Marriott in Costa Rica. His philosophy? Guests shouldn't spend their vacations constantly reaching for their wallets. I couldn't agree more!

On a recent episode of No Vacancy, Suzanne Bagnera and I spoke with Javier, President of Mullen Hospitality Management, about the economics of upscale all-inclusive resorts and his Griffin Club concept. He's creating a VIP experience within an already luxurious resort, giving owners another opportunity to command premium rates. But how much more are guests willing to pay, and what convinces them it's worth the price? Javier offers an interesting perspective on #HotelDevelopment and how owners can capture more revenue from luxury experiences.

Thanks so much to Actabl for supporting this podcast. 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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