Jeff Thomas is VP of Marketing at My Place Hotels. We chatted about the unique marketing strategies required for extended-stay hotels. Recorded during the My Place Hotels Annual Conference, this episode covers:

• How My Place leverages its brand website and OTAs to attract long-term guests.

• The importance of storytelling in creating an emotional connection with potential guests.

• New technologies like virtual tours to enhance customer online experiences.

• Insights on marketing to construction crews, nursing teams, and corporate contracts.

• Collaboration between marketing and national sales teams to capture high-value guests.

• Upcoming innovations and distribution channels at My Place Hotels. Tune in for an in-depth look at how to market extended stays in today’s competitive hospitality environment!

Ryan Rivett, is not just a CEO but the driving force behind My Place Hotels. We discuss discuss the incredible growth and vision of the brand. From the company's 6th convention to the introduction of "My Place 3.0" and the future of the conversion brand Trend, Ryan talks about the company's unique approach to blazing new trails, how they are empowering the next generation of leaders, and the importance of partnerships and delegation.

Main Points:

• Growth and excitement at the 6th My Place Hotels convention
• Introduction of "My Place 3.0" and its new prototype
• Expansion with franchisees and properties
• The launch of the Trend conversion brand
• Emphasis on leadership, partnerships, and delegation within the company
• Future opportunities in new construction and acquisitions
• Impact of the upcoming presidential election on the industry

Irene Roberts, VP of Loyalty at My Place Hotels of America, and I are kicking off the My Place 2024 Conference in Tucson.

We discuss the significance of guest loyalty in the hospitality industry, particularly in the economy sector. Irene shares how My Place Hotels’ loyalty program, Stay Rewarded, enhances the guest experience by offering immediate rewards for long-term stays.

We also discuss the challenges of encouraging hotel participation, the program’s success with over 310,000 members, and future growth strategies.

*Importance of guest loyalty in the economy sector

*Overview of the My Place Hotels' loyalty program, Stay Rewarded

*Benefits of immediate rewards for long-term guests

*Strategies for encouraging hotel participation in loyalty programs

Mike Stengel is back and he brings the new GM for the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center to talk about all the amazing things happening with this project.

Grab your favorite drink and join the barely tolerable duo of Glenn Haussman and Craig Sullivan for the 150th episode of Friday Night Audit! This podcast, which somehow made it this far, is like hanging out at a bar after a hotel conference—if that bar had a low cover charge and no dress code.

In this very 'special' episode, Bruce Ford, CJ Arlotta, Producer Dave, Dr. Producer Suzanne and more join for the usual mix of questionable humor, half-baked industry insights, and the kind of banter that makes you wonder, "Why am I still listening?" But hey, it’s a milestone! So, tune in for the unexpected, the unplanned, and maybe even a few useful tidbits about hospitality trends—if we’re smart enough to tink of any.

Perfect for hoteliers, industry insiders, and anyone who enjoys a good laugh, we're celebrating mediocrity with Glenn, Craig and maybe Producer Dave as they reflect on how they got this far without getting banned from the internet.

Ignore vegans at your peril!!! Today we discuss the vegan cuisine trend in the hospitality industry. Meredith Marin, CEO of Vegan Hospitality, shares insights on how hotels can boost profitability and enhance sustainability by offering plant-based menu options.

Learn about the importance of menu engineering, overcoming guest hesitations, and creating a seamless dining experience for all guests.

Key Points:

• The rise of vegan cuisine as a profitable and sustainable trend in hospitality.
• How Resorts World in Las Vegas set a precedent with its plant-based restaurant, Crossroads Kitchen.
• The connection between sustainability and plant-based food, focusing on lower carbon emissions.
• Strategies for integrating vegan options into existing menus without compromising on taste or guest experience.
• The importance of training staff to understand and effectively communicate vegan options.
• How offering plant-based dishes can attract a wider audience, including traditional meat eaters.
• Overcoming the "veto vote" where one vegan guest influences the choice of dining venue for an entire group.
• The role of strategic planning in successfully implementing plant-based menus in hotels.

It’s RFP (Request for Proposal) season! Cesar Wurm, VP of Commercial and Premium Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts joins us to explore crucial topics you need to know to maximize success with group business.

Main Points:

Understanding RFP Season: What it is, why it matters, and how it impacts the hospitality industry.

Market Projections: Cesar discusses the anticipated 2-3% growth in the coming year and the factors influencing these projections.

Customer Sentiment: How the general sentiment in the hospitality industry is surprisingly positive despite economic uncertainties.

Impact of Work-from-Home: The role hybrid work models play in driving group business and the demand for meeting spaces in hotels.

Evolution of RFP Processes: A look at how RFPs have evolved from static to dynamic pricing models and the importance of total revenue yield management.

Sustainability and Well-being: Increasing focus on sustainability, well-being, and how these factors are becoming critical in RFP considerations.

#HospitalityIndustry #RFPSeason #HotelManagement #Sustainability #WorkFromHome #BusinessTravel #HotelRevenue #NoVacancyLive #AnthonyMelchiorri #GlennHousman #CesarWurm #IHG #GroupBusiness #TravelTrends

We're getting ready for an end of summer blast here on FNA and we're joined by Alex Coury, CEO and Founder at Coury Consulting, who's better at impersonating celebrities than Glenn is impersonating a podcaster.