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977: Inside the World of Yacht Chefs w Below Deck's Adrienne Gang Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Chefs don't just cook, they create experiences. And when you're serving meals on a yacht or private estate, the stakes get even higher.

On No Vacancy Live, Dr. Suzanne Bagnera and I spoke with Adrienne Gang—yes, from Below Deck and now program developer at FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality. Adrienne designed a groundbreaking course that prepares chefs to thrive in the #yachting, #privateestate, and #hospitality sectors.

Here's what stood out: 👉 Success requires relentless attention to detail — from dietary needs to guest preferences. 👉 Flexibility defines the role — you might cook, source ingredients in port, or even help dock the vessel. 👉 Transferable skills matter — whether you serve millionaires, disaster relief workers, or festival guests, treat everyone like VIPs.

Adrienne's program bridges the gap for chefs moving into private service, offering the guidance she wished she had 20 years ago. If you're a culinary pro looking for adventure —or a way to elevate your skills — this course delivers.

🌐 Learn more about the FIU course: https://hospitalityexed.fiu.edu/courses/luxury-culinary-operations-logistics-for-yachts-and-estates/

Special thanks to Actabl for supporting the show. Benchmark your performance this budget season at HotelData.com.

FNA 188:The Gang Walk the Plank Sep 20, 2025

Show notes

Hospitality Pirate Chris Baggett joins Glenn, Craig, Dave and Suzanne for some yo ho hos and a bottle of rum to kick off the weekend. Join us for a cocktail and some laughs!

Why Extended Stay Hotels Dominate the Pipeline | Bruce Ford, Lodging Econometrics Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Extended stay dominates today's #hospitality development pipeline—and I spoke with Bruce Ford, SVP at Lodging Econometrics, on No Vacancy Live to break it down.

Here's what we covered: 👉 Developers signed 39% of all new hotel projects as extended stay brands 👉 34% of rooms in the pipeline belong to extended stay 👉 Franchise giants like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG push new prototypes that reshape #hotelconstruction 👉 Dual-brand projects and smaller footprints spread into secondary and tertiary markets

Bruce showed how #extendedstay continues to grow quickly while financing delays and shifting economic conditions force developers to adjust timelines.

If you invest, develop, or operate hotels, you need to know where this wave is heading.

🔗 Watch the full episode: [Insert link] 🌐 Connect with Bruce's team at Lodging Econometrics on LinkedIn

Big thanks to Actabl for supporting the show. Benchmark your performance this budget season at HotelData.com.

Bonus: Optimize and Automate Your Procurement to Fuel ROI Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

The latest Hotel Business Hot Topics session, "Optimize and Automate Your Procurement to Fuel ROI," in partnership with Entegra, explored how hotel operators are balancing rising costs, supply chain volatility and guest expectations, while using technology and strategic partnerships to strengthen operations.

Moderated by Glenn Haussman, founder/host, No Vacancy Live podcast, the panel included Lisa Carlson, SVP, operations, Remington Hospitality; Lars Schrader, VP, operational strategies, Atrium Hospitality; Jennifer Viccellio, senior director, procurement services – account initiatives and development, Choice Hotels; and Jeffrey Simmons, VP, supply management, hospitality, Entegra/Sodexo.

Enjoy this bonus show!

976: What It's Like Running Three Iconic Vegas Hotels: MGM Grand, NY-NY & Excalibur with their President Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

Not every career starts with the corner office — Mike Neubecker shares with #NoVacancyNews his story from hourly front desk clerk at MGM Grand back in 1993 to President & COO of MGM Grand, New York-New York, and Excalibur. That's three of the most iconic #MGMResorts properties on the Las Vegas Strip!

In our conversation, Mike shared insights on:

🏨 How he rose from the front desk to running three megaresorts. 📲 The future of guest experience — from mobile check-in to real-time service tech. 🎭 Why immersive entertainment and partnerships like MGM x Netflix are redefining dining and nightlife. 🥊 MGM Grand's boxing legacy, sports-driven growth, and the importance of conventions to Las Vegas. 💡 His #HospitalityLeadership advice to the next generation: raise your hand for opportunities, invest in networking, and learn to lead people — not just tasks.

Hospitality is an industry built on growth, reinvention, and opportunity — and Mike's story proves you can start anywhere and go everywhere.

A huge thanks to Uniguest for making this series possible. Their Hotel Hub solution connects the guest journey to your messaging and branding. Please check them out at uniguest.com.

This is part two of a five-part series on the executives shaping the future of MGM Resorts International.

Available Now: Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts International: https://novacancynews.com/from-bartender-to-ceo-of-mgm-resorts-bill-hornbuckle-interview/

Coming soon: • Lance Evans, SVP Sports and Partnerships on how sports are changing Las Vegas and the upcoming arrival of baseball • Sarah Rogers, SVP of Corporate Finance, on how a major company like MGM Resorts thinks about investment, refinancing, structuring deals and entering Osaka Japan • John Flynn, SVP of Global Security and Aviation – What it takes to create an amazing and seamless F1 race experience in November.

975: Why Hotel Deals Are Stalling: Suraj Bhakta on PIPs, Inflation & Transactions Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

I spoke with Suraj Bhakta, CEO & Chief Legal Officer of NewGen Advisory, for #NoVacancyNews about what's really happening in today's hotel market.

Suraj broke down why #PIPs have become one of the biggest roadblocks in #hospitality deals—lenders reluctant to fund them, costs rising, and brands sometimes using them as leverage in negotiations.

We also covered: 👉 How #inflation and tariffs are driving unpredictability in construction and operations 👉 Why the gap between buyer and seller expectations is slowing transactions 👉 The importance of being realistic about asset value before going to market

Suraj's advice to owners? Run the numbers as if you were the buyer. If it doesn't pencil for you, it won't pencil for anyone else.

A timely, no-nonsense look at hotel transactions in today's environment.

🔗 Watch the full episode: [Insert link] 🌐 Learn more at newgenadv.com

Special thanks to Actabl for supporting the show. Benchmark your performance this budget season at HotelData.com.

974: Marketing Mindset Meets Hospitality Mindset: Insights from Leora Lanz Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Thrilled to join Dr. Suzanne Bagnera on No Vacancy Live as we caught up with our longtime friend Leora Lanz, author of Developing Your Marketing Mindset: Real World Lessons from Hospitality.

Leora has spent more than a decade teaching at Boston University, blending consulting expertise with case studies to prepare the next generation of #hospitality leaders. She reminded us why every business needs a marketing mindset—and why adopting a #hospitalitymindset is just as important.

Some takeaways that stood out: 👉 Critical vs. strategic thinking — #criticalthinking helps us analyze deeply, while strategic thinking ensures insights actually shape long-term plans. 👉 Authenticity matters — customers quickly see through surface-level "green" or "wellness" claims. Real impact starts with culture. 👉 Marketing with meaning — connecting authentically around wellness, sustainability, and community drives loyalty and profitability.

Leora's book is filled with stories, case studies, and even scorecards to help leaders put these lessons into practice. Highly recommend it.

🔗 Get the book: Buy it here

Special thanks to Actabl for supporting the show. Learn more at www.Actabl.com.

FNA 187: Gangs all Here Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

No guest, just unadulterated Glenn, Craig, Dave and Suzanne joins from the road... literally!

973: Where Every Stay Creates Real Impact Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

This story is living what I have been preaching: Keep humanity in hospitality. At Saint John's Resort outside Detroit, they're all in on this concept; and a whole lot more.

Kevin Doyle, COO of the Pulte Charitable Family Foundation, and longtime friend of the show Chris Green, President of Humanitarian Hotels share their story, and it blew me away.

This isn't just another #luxuryresort. Here's what makes it different: 100% of hotel profits go to charity. Every wedding, golf outing, or stay directly supports local communities, global causes, and provides jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In just the last two years, they've given more than $6 million to nonprofits in Detroit alone—and millions more worldwide. It's living proof that hospitality can be a force for good.

One striking moment: even a simple lunch choice has impact, with proceeds feeding families in need around the globe. Guests aren't just enjoying an event or a stay—they're creating meaningful change.

How do you think hotels (or any business) can build more purpose into their model while still delivering world-class experiences?

Special thanks to our advertiser: 👉 Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com to explore tools that drive performance and benchmarking insights for budget season and beyond.

972: Scaling Up or Staying Lean: StepStone Hospitality on Leadership, Growth, and Empowering GMs Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

On the latest No Vacancy podcast, Anthony Melchiorri and I had a great conversation with Blair Wills, CEO of StepStone Hospitality, and Michael Broadhurst, COO of StepStone Hospitality.

StepStone has grown from a single property in 2007 to a 30-hotel portfolio today—and they're at that critical inflection point where management companies have to decide if they're going to stay lean or scale up.

We dug into some big topics: 👉 Why GMs are really the CEOs of their hotels 👉 The tough balance between owner expectations and on-the-ground realities 👉 How tech only matters if it actually frees up time for guest service 👉 Why "growth from within" isn't just nice to say, but essential for long-term success

One line that stuck with me: "We're in a people business. It's all about finding the right people and giving them the tools to succeed."

That got me thinking… how are you creating growth opportunities for your teams right now? Is it about training, mentorship, new tech, or just giving them more face time with guests? Would love to hear what's working across the #hospitality community.

Big thanks to Actabl for supporting the show! They're helping #hotels get smarter insights and stronger profitability—and now offering benchmarking data at HotelData.com. Worth checking out as we head into budget season.

Always grateful for great conversations on #leadership in our industry.

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