No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Your home for No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman as well as Friday Night Audit and more! Each show features incredible hospitality leaders that educate and empower listeners.
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Extended Stay Wins in Volatility: High Occupancy, Lean Model
04/11/2026
Extended Stay Wins in Volatility: High Occupancy, Lean Model
is President and CEO of as and he’s successfully scaling Premier Suites in the middle of one of the hardest building environments we’ve seen in years. 🏗️ Greg launched Extended Stay America Premier Suites in 2021, and the company invested in the first 15 hotels as proof of concept—then built the franchising system so owners could scale it 📈 Premier Suites now sits north of 50 hotels and keeps climbing, and Greg expects 100 in the next few years 🤝 Greg leans on the owner-operator advantage: Extended Stay America still owns and manages about 70% of the portfolio, so they build first and work out the kinks before they ask franchisees to invest 📊 He ties momentum to performance: extended stay runs high occupancy with a lean model—his company ran north of 76% while the industry ran about 62% 🧼 He spells out the operating win: fewer turns and fewer cleans when guests stay longer 🧱 He keeps standards pragmatic: build and operate efficiently without over-building beyond what guests pay for 🔧 He keeps the design and construction team active and adjusts the prototype so owners can build for less even with rates staying high Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from ? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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Hotel Investment in 2026: Why Buyers and Sellers Hit Pause
04/10/2026
Hotel Investment in 2026: Why Buyers and Sellers Hit Pause
Suraj Bhakta doesn’t sugarcoat the moment. He sees a strong Q1, then watches geopolitics and travel costs squeeze demand again. No Vacancy is the official podcast of AAHOACON, and I talked with Suraj Bhakta of New Gen Advisory on the show floor about how owners react when the Fed shifts, travel gets expensive, and buyers and sellers hit pause. 📈 Suraj says he saw a strong first quarter, then geopolitical issues started weighing on activity ✈️ He points to Sun Belt impact: less Canadian and overseas traffic in some areas 🏦 He expects a standstill if rates don’t fall—sellers don’t see replacement deals, and buyers wait 🔄 He calls it a conversion market, with opportunity in economy and midscale as brands roll out new tiers 🧠 He says owners stay resourceful, and tech/AI keeps moving to the front of the conversation Thanks to Red Roof for letting us shoot this on the show floor. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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Red Roof at AAHOACON: Growth Strategy, RIDE, and Franchise Support
04/09/2026
Red Roof at AAHOACON: Growth Strategy, RIDE, and Franchise Support
Red Roof treats AAHOACON like the Super Bowl, and Matt Hostetler explains why: owners, franchisees, and partners all show up in one place. No Vacancy is the official podcast of AAHOACON, and I talked with Matt Hostetler, Chief Development Officer at Red Roof, about growth, franchisee support, and how Red Roof helps owners win when the economy tightens. 🚀 Growth strategy for 2026 and why multi-unit owners keep driving momentum 🤝 RIDE program Road to Inclusivity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship with Lina Patel and She Leads 📲 Tech focus: tools that cut costs or drive revenue, plus an app refresh that delivered a 65% revenue increase year over year 🤖 AI marketing with Zeta Global to convert demand into stays ⏱️ Best AAHOACON detail: Matt tries to time how long it takes to get anywhere… and stops every ten feet to talk to people Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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How Hotels Raise Guest Scores and Upsell Revenue Together
04/08/2026
How Hotels Raise Guest Scores and Upsell Revenue Together
Sloan Dean put a number on it: Frontline Performance Group drove a 3–5% RevPAR lift in the hotels where he used it—so he expanded it across the portfolio. I brought in Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, and Sloan Dean, former CEO of Remington and now a fellow podcaster, to kick off a 3-part series on how hotels activate the front line to grow revenue and improve the guest experience at the same time. 📈 Sloan shares what surprised him: he still saw lift even in hotels that already used Nor1 🏨 He also saw real upside in select-service hotels because teams stopped giving upgrades away for free 🧠 Geoffrey breaks down the mindset shift: guests shop in “value mode,” then arrive in “experience mode” 🛎️ Geoffrey calls check-in the “last mile” of revenue because many guests only talk to the front desk ⭐ Sloan worried upselling would hurt guest scores—he saw the opposite, and scores went up 💵 Incentives changed retention too: front desk agents earned more, stayed longer, and delivered better check-ins 🏆 Geoffrey calls it a “five win”: employee, guest, hotel, owner, and FPG all win Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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MyPlace Hotels Hits 125 Properties: How They Keep Growing in Extended Stay
04/07/2026
MyPlace Hotels Hits 125 Properties: How They Keep Growing in Extended Stay
MyPlace just hit 125 properties. That milestone matters even more now, because extended stay keeps getting more competitive. During the , I talked with , VP of Franchise Development at , about how they keep growing, where they’re expanding next, and what he sees heading into 2026. 🏨 Eric says MyPlace planted its flag in extended stay early—before everyone chased the category 🗺️ He shares the growth snapshot: openings in Arizona and California, plus expansion into Florida 📅 He previews the next owner/GM conference: September 22 in Miami at the JW Marriott, with collaboration and education sessions 🙂 He says the last 18 months challenged teams, but he sees optimism building as operators look ahead to 2026 Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from ? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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Hotel Demand Shifts: Blowout Trips, Meetings, and “Value”
04/06/2026
Hotel Demand Shifts: Blowout Trips, Meetings, and “Value”
Bruce Ford keeps coming back to one idea: the next traveling economy will book and spend differently. He tracks the data as SVP at Lodging Econometrics, so he sees the shifts before they feel obvious. 📈 He talks “blowout trips” and experience travel, where guests spend big on the moment and stop sweating the room rate 🏨 He breaks down meetings demand: more meetings, smaller meetings, and a bigger need to capture total spend through #HotelOperations ⛽ He flags the cost ripple: diesel prices flow into everything, and operators feel it fast 🎟️ He talks incentives and loyalty leverage, and why discounts and perks pull travelers in when budgets tighten 💡 He reframes “value” as a three-day experience, not a 30-second transaction—club lounges and access matter more than ever 🏗️ He gives the #HotelDevelopment reality: financing still slows new starts, owners invest in renovations and conversions instead 📌 He closes with the investment climate: more hotels hit the market, transactions jumped last year, and he expects activity to continue 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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Adaptive Reuse That Pencils: Historic Tax Credits Explained
04/05/2026
Adaptive Reuse That Pencils: Historic Tax Credits Explained
The Lantern has been open four weeks, and already talks about it like a platform, not just another hotel. During the , I talked with Grey Raines, CEO and Managing Partner of , about what they’re building next, why they’ve exited some management relationships, and why adaptive reuse keeps showing up in their deals. 🏨 Grey shares why The Lantern is mission-focused and how the partnership with the shows up early 🏗️ He says the next Lantern is under construction in Rock Hill, South Carolina, with two more behind it 🤝 He explains the management churn: they walked away from relationships that didn’t align with their long-term vision 🏢 He talks deal mechanics: emerging markets plus municipalities willing to support the right projects 🏛️ He explains why historic make certain adaptive reuse projects pencil out 🧱 He frames adaptive reuse as stewardship—reset it now so it lasts another 50–100 years ✈️ He gives a summer travel read: shorter booking windows, more drive-to, and flying still feeling like a hassle Thanks to for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit . Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from ? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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How AI Frees Up Hotel GMs and Sales Teams to Execute
04/04/2026
How AI Frees Up Hotel GMs and Sales Teams to Execute
, President of , keeps AI simple: give hotel teams time back so leaders spend less time buried in admin and more time actually operating. During the , we talked about what that looks like in real life, plus why their growth focus shifts away from new builds and toward acquisitions and third-party management. 🤖 Justin frames AI as support, not stress—tools that help people operate better 📋 GM example: cut the report grind so GMs stay on the floor with guests and associates 📞 Sales example: cut prospecting time so sales teams spend more time selling 🏗️ He says new builds feel tough right now, so he leans toward acquisitions 🔄 He talks growth moves: asset sales, acquisitions, and third-party growth, with three properties joining in the next 90 days 📊 He shares one internal signal he likes: he surveyed 120 managers and directors of sales at hotels they manage, and two-thirds said they feel bullish on the year Thanks to for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit . Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from ? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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Customer Journey 6: Property-Level Execution
04/01/2026
Customer Journey 6: Property-Level Execution
Final chapter. In Chapter 6 of this CoralTree Customer Journey series, we take everything from the last five weeks and put it at the property level. Customer journey work only matters when a hotel team can execute it in real time. This chapter shows what that looks like on the ground. I talk with Curtis Bova, General Manager of Hotel Polaris, about how he turns guest journey strategy into real moments on property - from reading context clues at arrival to training teams for perceptive hospitality and building experiences guests can only get there. Here is what we cover: · How the team looks for the purpose and intent behind each stay · Perceptive hospitality and using context clues at arrival · QR-based itineraries built around guest motivations · Hotel Polaris-specific moments (paper airplanes, Flights at Five, themed details) · Small touches that also create ancillary revenue opportunities · Hiring for personality, onboarding, and empowering prepared people · Why training + freedom creates better guest moments Missed earlier chapters? Go back to Chapter 1 and watch the full series in order - strategy, people, framework, implementation, touchpoints, then property execution. Want to keep up with series like this and catch any parts you miss? Subscribe to the #NoVacancyNews newsletter by texting HOTEL to 66866. Thanks to Unifocus for supporting this series. Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com.
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1026: How Women Advance in Hospitality: The Data and the Playbook
03/31/2026
1026: How Women Advance in Hospitality: The Data and the Playbook
Women enter hospitality at the same rate as men. Then the numbers thin out hard at the top. That gap isn’t about “pipeline.” It’s about progression. Suzanne co-hosts #NoVacancyNews with me, and we talk with Emily Goldfischer of Her Tenure about the leadership study she and her team did with Forbes Travel Guide and what it reveals about what helps women advance—and what still gets in the way. 📊 Emily shares the benchmark: women lead 19% of Forbes Travel Guide partner hotels, and Her Tenure heard from 99 women leaders to dig into what drives advancement 🧭 She frames the core issue clearly: progression problem, not pipeline problem 🕰️ She calls out barriers that still show up: limited flexibility for family life and gendered expectations of leadership 🤝 We get into the stuff people don’t say out loud: networking access, mentorship vs sponsorship, and how “off-the-clock” conversations shape opportunity 🎯 Emily pushes practical moves that build careers: stretch roles, lateral moves that broaden capability, and owning your P&L 🏛️ We also talk progress you can actually see—like the shift in gender balance at conferences such as #HunterConference Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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World Cup Demand Reality: The 60–90 Day Booking Window
03/30/2026
World Cup Demand Reality: The 60–90 Day Booking Window
During the , I talked with , CEO of , about what he sees right now: demand pockets, the real booking window, and why operators need to get serious about data before AI forces the issue. 📈 Ben says South Florida Q1 is “crushing it” after a flat year ⚽ He expects World Cup momentum, but he keeps the booking window realistic—60–90 days 🌍 He watches international indicators, but he says it’s still early 🤝 He says conferences work when you get outside your echo chamber and build strategic partnerships 🤖 He says growth and tech create the opportunity—get arms around data and prepare for AI adoption 🎂 Hospitality America hits 30 years this year Want the weekly newsletter recap of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed? Text HOTEL to 66866 for .
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Remembering Kirk Kinsell: Leadership Lessons That Still Hit
03/29/2026
Remembering Kirk Kinsell: Leadership Lessons That Still Hit
We lost industry icon Kirk Kinsell this past week, and I wanted to re-share this 2024 conversation because it captures who he was and what he meant to many of us: a generous leader, a calm force in the room, and one of the people who helped shape the way this industry thinks about leadership and relationships. In this episode of Icons and Experts with my co-host from the . Kirk doesn’t do chest-thumping. He does substance. 🤝 Kirk talks about relationships the way the best leaders do: build them, invest in them, keep them for decades 🏨 He calls hospitality a team sport—from the hotel level to corporate to the industry level 👥 He makes “develop your talent” the job, not a slogan 👨👩👧 He tells the Mike Levin story that says everything about his priorities: family first, integrity always 🎁 He gives one of the most useful leadership lines in the business: “Feedback is a gift,” and he explains how to take it without getting defensive 🌎 He reflects on extended stay’s early days and how the category grew from white space into a core part of the business 🧭 He closes with advice for younger professionals: widen your view of the industry, try different lanes, and find the work that fits you Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from ? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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Hunter Hallway Talk: How Trust Turns Into Repeat Hotel Deals
03/29/2026
Hunter Hallway Talk: How Trust Turns Into Repeat Hotel Deals
I ran into of during the and asked what owners actually want from management right now—and what separates operators who keep getting repeat deals. 🤝 Wayne says trust and alignment with owners drives repeat business, because the first deal teaches both sides how to work together 🏢 Newport runs 37 hotels and keeps key disciplines in-house: accounting, HR, construction services, corporate engineering, commercial strategy, and ops ✈️ Wayne says in-house resources let them move fast—he can put the right person on a plane tomorrow instead of waiting on a third party 👥 He says successful management starts with treating people right—associates, guests, and owners 🧠 He talks coaching and mentoring over “training,” plus a mentor program that develops AGMs and executive housekeepers into GMs 🏆 He shares a stat he’s proud of: out of roughly 60 leaders coming to their retreat, only four are new faces Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from ? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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FNA 206: He's Been Here Arlotta
03/29/2026
FNA 206: He's Been Here Arlotta
Friend of the show CJ Arlotta returns to do some clever PR tricks to make people think Glenn, Craig and Doctor Producer Suzanne are actually funny over here celebrating Happy Hour to get the weekend started. Plus, Bruce Ford joins for added fun.
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Hotel Profitability in 2026: Work Every Line Item
03/28/2026
Hotel Profitability in 2026: Work Every Line Item
While I was at the , I asked of a simple question: where do you actually find profit when there’s no silver bullet—just pressure everywhere? 💰 John starts with payroll, then works every other line item 💳 He calls out the hidden killers: credit card fees, insurance, deductibles, exclusions, coverage limits 💡 He talks energy the unsexy way: walk the building, manage lights, invest in tech only when it pays back 🤖 He sees and automation shifting work that used to require people—and he expects org charts to shrink as tools improve 👥 He talks seasonal reality: managers work arrivals, directors stay on the floor, teams cross-cover instead of hiding behind titles 🧮 He lives by a simple target: find $300 a day, because $300 a day turns into $1M a year 🛎️ He explains how you drive voluntary spend: pre-arrival communication, in-stay engagement, and front desk education that feels intentional 🤝 He likes incentive alignment—give associates a reason to care about upsell and execution Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed from ? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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1025: Aftershock to Farm-to-Fork: Sacramento’s Tourism Growth Playbook
03/26/2026
1025: Aftershock to Farm-to-Fork: Sacramento’s Tourism Growth Playbook
Sacramento doesn’t have a Golden Gate Bridge. So they built demand with experiences—and then proved it with room nights. For #NoVacancyNews, I talked with Mike Testa (President & CEO, Visit Sacramento) about how Sacramento positioned itself around farm-to-fork and then stacked events that drive real overnight stays from different customer groups. 🍽️ Mike explains why “farm-to-fork” fits Sacramento: food on your plate often gets harvested that morning 📅 He points people to Sacramento 365 as the event hub that supports the brand with a steady calendar 🎸 He breaks down Aftershock: it grew from a one-day event (11,000) to four days (165,000), with 67% coming from outside the region and about $40M in four days 🏊 He talks Ironman and NCAA strategy: targeting women’s Sweet 16/Elite Eight to build toward a women’s Final Four conversation 🏨 Then he drops the hammer: Sacramento went from about 280,000 annual room nights pre-pandemic to about 409,000 after adding the event portfolio Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Customer Journey 5: Turning Strategy Into Guest-Facing Moments
03/25/2026
Customer Journey 5: Turning Strategy Into Guest-Facing Moments
Chapter 5 of this 6-part CoralTree Customer Journey series gets into the guest-facing side: how the strategy shows up in communication and touchpoints across the stay. A strong customer journey does not come from slogans. It comes from leadership decisions, team training, and operational discipline - and now you can see it in the guest-facing moments. I talk with Angela Berkey, VP of Customer Engagement at CoralTree Hospitality, about using guest preferences, local context, and property-level ideas to shape pre-arrival messages, arrivals, in-stay surprises, and post-stay rebooking moments. Here is what we cover: · How they use guest preferences to shape communication before arrival · Arrival moments like a personalized welcome beverage · In-stay surprises and delights that feel intentional · Departure touchpoints that support loyalty and return visits · Post-stay messages tied to what the guest actually did (like spa visits) · Why the experience still changes by property and destination If you are jumping in here, watch Chapters 1-4 first - this guest-facing work comes from the strategy and workshop process. Next week (final chapter): property-level execution with a GM making it real on the ground. Want to follow the full series and catch any chapters you miss? Subscribe to the #NoVacancyNews newsletter by texting HOTEL to 66866. Thanks to Unifocus for supporting this series. Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com.
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1024: Hilton + Graduate: How the Brand Scales Without Losing Personality
03/24/2026
1024: Hilton + Graduate: How the Brand Scales Without Losing Personality
Graduate has lived inside Hilton for a year and a half now, and the brand is growing without losing the personality that made it work in the first place. For #NoVacancyNews, I talked with Parker Henderson, the brand head for Graduate, at the Hunter Conference about what Hilton distribution changes, what owners should know, and how Graduate makes development easier with plug-and-play F&B concepts. 🏨 Parker says the 35 Graduate hotels thrive inside Hilton while keeping the brand’s “unapologetically unique” DNA 🎓 He calls out Hilton Honors demand, especially on redemption stays during football weekends and graduation move-ins 📈 He shares the development picture: signed deals plus about 60 opportunities in different stages ☕ He breaks down Poindexter, the barista-led café concept (breakfast only or all-day), with recipes, menus, and bar program tools 🍻 He introduces two more owner-ready concepts: Double Major (social bar-led dining) and Debate Club (more refined) 🧭 He ties the whole brand back to walkable university markets with built-in annual demand rhythms Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com. Graduate has lived inside Hilton for a year and a half now, and the brand is growing without losing the personality that made it work in the first place. For #NoVacancyNews, I talked with Parker Henderson, the brand head for Graduate, at the Hunter Conference about what Hilton distribution changes, what owners should know, and how Graduate makes development easier with plug-and-play F&B concepts. 🏨 Parker says the 35 Graduate hotels thrive inside Hilton while keeping the brand’s “unapologetically unique” DNA 🎓 He calls out Hilton Honors demand, especially on redemption stays during football weekends and graduation move-ins 📈 He shares the development picture: signed deals plus about 60 opportunities in different stages ☕ He breaks down Poindexter, the barista-led café concept (breakfast only or all-day), with recipes, menus, and bar program tools 🍻 He introduces two more owner-ready concepts: Double Major (social bar-led dining) and Debate Club (more refined) 🧭 He ties the whole brand back to walkable university markets with built-in annual demand rhythms Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Picking the Right Hotel Operator in a Chaotic Market
03/23/2026
Picking the Right Hotel Operator in a Chaotic Market
While I was at the , I talked with , Chief Development Officer, about what makes a real owner–operator match—and what operators have to prove in this market. 🤝 Greg frames his job as matchmaking: align the right owners with the right operator, and only take deals that add real value 🌪️ He calls out the new normal: you can’t pull a manual off the shelf and solve today’s problems 🧠 He says every hotel rises or falls on property leadership—especially a GM with an entrepreneurial mindset 🛎️ We get into the real definition of empowerment: employees making decisions without fear of getting crushed for it 🍦 He uses the Disney example: solve the guest problem in the moment—don’t “ask permission” your way into a bad experience 🏨 He contrasts culture in real life: at this year’s host hotel, staff checked in repeatedly on setup, temperature, and tech—basic care that changes everything Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might’ve missed? Text HOTEL to 66866.
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Bonus: How hotels are reinventing F&B for profit and growth
03/22/2026
Bonus: How hotels are reinventing F&B for profit and growth
The latest Hotel Business Hot Topics session, “Rethinking Hotel F&B: Smarter Strategies for Profit, Community and Stability,” in partnership with , featured an insightful discussion between moderator Glenn Haussman, founder/host, podcast, and a panel of industry leaders on how hotels are controlling costs, optimizing procurement and transforming food and beverage into a core revenue driver while creating experiences that resonate with today’s guests and local communities. You’ll hear insights from (moderator) alongside leaders from , , and our Head of Culinary, .
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FNA 205: The Sweet 16 Pet Peeves Round: Thermostats, Showers, and Regret
03/21/2026
FNA 205: The Sweet 16 Pet Peeves Round: Thermostats, Showers, and Regret
Glenn freezes, Suzanne can’t hear anyone, and Craig somehow turns Milk Duds into a conspiracy theory. That’s a normal Friday. For #NoVacancyNews, Friday Night Audit rolls into Episode 205 with Craig Sullivan, Dr. Producer Suzanne, and guest Stephanie Hills (and yes… even her name comes with a plot twist). 🍸 Stephanie Hills joins us for cocktails and immediately makes everything funnier, including her “keep it confusing” name history 🍹 Suzanne brings the conference chaos from Tampa and runs a live taste test of three student-created cocktails (Certified Lover Girl gets the spotlight) 🍬 Craig interrogates the “30% less fat” Milk Duds claim like he’s building a legal case 🧊 Glenn declares himself “fine,” sounds sick anyway, and freezes often enough to turn it into a drinking game 🍷 Stephanie tells the ultimate late-night conference story: when you should have left, but didn’t—and it ends with tears and red wine 🏆 We push the Pet Peeves Sweet 16 forward, argue about thermostats, shower controls, lamp switches, and all the little hotel annoyances that ruin your day
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How to Grow TRevPAR When RevPAR Slows
03/21/2026
How to Grow TRevPAR When RevPAR Slows
Thirty years in, PM Hotel Group still thinks like an owner-operator—and that matters right now. While I was at the Hunter Conference, I talked with Paul Sacco of PM Hotel Group about how they protect margin when RevPAR growth slows, costs climb, and rate resistance shows up. #NoVacancyNews 🎉 PM Hotel Group celebrates its 30th anniversary this fall—and Paul talks about evolving from owner-operator to a top 15 third-party operator with a diverse ownership base 📈 Paul focuses on getting more than “fair share” even when markets don’t accelerate: commercial tools, RPI gains, and strong revenue discipline 💰 He leans into TRevPAR thinking—total revenue per available customer—and why the guest who spends on-property matters 🧠 He talks intent-based search and how AI changes the way guests describe trips (Gemini, ChatGPT, etc.) 🏨 He says lifestyle and independent hotels show up well in those searches, especially through Modus by PM Hotel Group 🤝 He notes they’re a little over a year past the merger with Sightline, and he calls out Kirk Pedersen stepping into the COO role 📌 He tees up smart growth: independently owned, not growing for growth’s sake, and looking for the right national deals
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Wyndham’s New CDO David Wilner: Why New Construction Still Wins
03/20/2026
Wyndham’s New CDO David Wilner: Why New Construction Still Wins
For , I caught up with , newly appointed Chief Development Officer of , at the to talk development reality right now—conversion-heavy conditions, brand value pressure, and why he still won’t count new construction out. 👥 David keeps the mission simple: drive the best opportunities and returns for franchisees 🏷️ He talks brand value in a tighter market—owners look harder at what their flag and distribution actually deliver 🔄 He agrees it’s a conversion market right now, and he explains why that creates opportunity 🏗️ He refuses to count new construction out: real developers keep developing, and 36 months changes the whole picture 📉 He notes construction pricing has come down from the peak, even if it still sits above pre-pandemic levels 🧠 He makes the point I wish more people lived by: don’t let today’s environment talk you out of tomorrow’s opportunity
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Is the Economy Segment Turning? Red Roof President Weighs In
03/19/2026
Is the Economy Segment Turning? Red Roof President Weighs In
Economy and midscale owners don’t need shiny objects. They need tech that either drives revenue or cuts costs—period. For , I caught up with , President of , at to talk about why he’s leaning into tech now while demand softens—and what he thinks starts to turn. 📲 Zack explains the guest experience platform: guests text requests, staff stops playing phone-tag, and hotels fix issues before checkout 🧠 He talks ROI discipline: Red Roof only adopts tech that clearly drives revenue or clearly cuts costs 💳 He says franchisees asked for cheaper payment processing, so Red Roof partnered with at about half the cost—saving hotels hundreds per month 🔗 He ties the tech stack together: PMS-first (), then smoother integrations, faster execution, and direct connectivity that removes third-party fees 📈 He talks momentum: Q1 looks strong, March looks outstanding, and he sees the economy segment starting to shift after a long down cycle 🏗️ He adds the development note: new hotel signings ran 35% year-over-year last year 💵 He throws in a consumer indicator: IRS data shows average tax refunds up 14% year-over-year, and he expects more weekend drive trips Thanks to for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit .
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Hotel Costs Keep Rising And What That Means for Summer Travel
03/19/2026
Hotel Costs Keep Rising And What That Means for Summer Travel
America didn’t travel in America the way we expected last summer—because a lot of the spend went overseas. Now the calendar flips, the event slate stacks up, and the question becomes simple: who travels, where do they stay, and what does that do to performance? For , I talked with (SVP, Lodging Econometrics) from Atlanta on the eve of the about what he expects this year—World Cup momentum, America’s 250th anniversary, rising costs, and the “down-the-scale” shift that could help midscale and upper-midscale operators. ⚽ Bruce expects U.S. events to keep more travel domestic this year 💸 We talk cost pressure everywhere: gas, airfare/jet fuel, and what that does to trip decisions 🏨 Bruce thinks midscale and upper-midscale could benefit if travelers trade down to make trips work 🧑🍳 We hit the service squeeze: shortened restaurant hours, closed sections, and the “we’re short staffed” reality 💰 Bruce brings it back to owner math: monetize every square foot and take care of frequent guests and rewards members without nickel-and-diming Thanks to for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit .
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1023: How Conrad Orlando at Evermore Keeps Guests On Property Not in the Parks
03/19/2026
1023: How Conrad Orlando at Evermore Keeps Guests On Property Not in the Parks
Evermore is building an Orlando resort ecosystem: multiple hotels, a massive lagoon, and enough on-property programming that guests don’t treat the theme parks as the only “main event.” For #NoVacancyNews, I talked with Sean McCarron (General Manager, Conrad Orlando) about how Conrad fits inside Evermore—and what it takes to deliver luxury standards inside a new complex. 💎 Conrad Orlando becomes the first Conrad to earn AAA Five Diamond ⭐ Sean talks Forbes recognition and how the team keeps standards tight 🌊 He points to the Evermore centerpiece: the 17-million-gallon lagoon and the immediate “wow” when guests arrive 🍽️ He breaks down dining identity—each outlet needs its own reason to exist 🎟️ He explains how Evermore programming keeps people on-property: lawns, activations, kids crafts, live music, and more 🧖 He highlights the spa: water garden, hot/cold plunge pools, vitality pools, and an 11-room spa 🏢 He breaks down the business mix and why Evermore separates group space from leisure so both can win 🎢 He shares the real Orlando surprise: many guests spend less time at the parks and more time on-property once they arrive Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Customer Journey Series, Ch. 4: Building It With Your Team
03/18/2026
Customer Journey Series, Ch. 4: Building It With Your Team
Chapter 4 of this 6-part CoralTree Customer Journey series focuses on implementation - specifically, how you get property teams to build ideas they actually believe in and want to own. Hotels do not improve the customer journey by accident. They build it through strategy, systems, and execution. This chapter shows what the build process looks like. I talk with Kaitlin Broumpton, Director of Quality and Guest Experience Strategy at CoralTree Hospitality, about workshops, property-level ideation, and how CoralTree helps teams shape locally authentic moments instead of pushing top-down scripts. Here is what we cover: · How CoralTree runs workshops to bring the soul of a property to life · Why buy-in improves when teams have a seat at the table · How they refine ideas without forcing corporate templates · How local culture and brand pillars shape guest moments · Why the process works across property and regional teams · A Seaport Boston example: arrival cards + QR codes by travel motivation Catch up on Chapters 1-3 if you have not yet - this is where the strategy starts turning into property-level plans. Next week: how the guest actually experiences this through real touchpoints. Want to follow the full series and catch any chapters you miss while you're busy? Subscribe to the #NoVacancyNews newsletter by texting HOTEL to 66866. Thanks to Unifocus for supporting this series. Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com.
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Sunday Rewind: How a 16-Unit Idea Became One of America’s Largest Resort Experiences
03/15/2026
Sunday Rewind: How a 16-Unit Idea Became One of America’s Largest Resort Experiences
Westgate didn’t just build a resort — they built a small city of experiences. In this walking-tour episode, Glenn Haussman explores Westgate Vacation Villas in Orlando with Chief Business & Strategy Officer Jared Saft, starting at the original 16-unit building from the early 1980s and moving through the resort’s huge renovation and expansion. We visit the movie theater, the retail experiences designed by Starboard, the Chuck E. Cheese–powered arcade, the toddler zone, the retro arcade, the Mystery Funhouse throwbacks, the in-lobby candy shop with a waterslide running through it, and the multi-level Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Jared also shares how Westgate plans new concepts, how they think about every family member’s experience, and what’s next as they just added 40 new destinations during a major growth cycle. This episode is brought to you by Actabl — Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com. What we cover: 🏨: The origin story — from a 16-unit project to one of Florida’s largest resorts 🎬: How the in-lobby movie theater reduces check-in stress for families 👾: The Mystery Funhouse legacy and why nostalgia still excites kids 🍭: The ice-cream + donut + candy shop with a water slide running overhead 🌊: Shipwreck Island Waterpark, lazy rivers, and multi-level amenities 🍽️: How Westgate approaches F&B for families with mixed tastes 🚀: Westgate’s expansion strategy and why they act like entrepreneurs, not a big-box brand
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FNA 204: Will This Joke Lan?
03/14/2026
FNA 204: Will This Joke Lan?
This week the amazing Lan Elliott returns to FNA to laugh along Glenn, Craig and Doctor Producer Suzanne. This week Glenn is in Dallas and the gang reveals which pet peeves are moving on to the sweet 16!
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1021: Evermore Orlando Resort Solves Group Travel
03/12/2026
1021: Evermore Orlando Resort Solves Group Travel
Evermore doesn’t try to win every traveler. It commits to one niche: togetherness for families and groups. Then it builds the product around that focus—shared moments, easy flow, and enough space so the whole crew stays connected without feeling crowded. For #NoVacancyNews, I tour Evermore Resort Orlando and talk with the team behind the experiences. 👥 Elizabeth Mullins (President) explains the togetherness-first strategy and why Evermore complements the parks instead of competing with them 🌴 Rob Schultz shows how the lagoon stays the centerpiece while the heavy infrastructure disappears from the guest experience ⛳ Jeremy Craft walks through how the courses fit into a group trip as an option, not a separate vacation 🏡 Gina Geyer breaks down how the homes serve big groups while still pulling everyone into shared moments 🍽️ Vinny Cani explains how F&B supports groups who could cook in the house but still want experiences together 🍸 Mikey makes the “Summer of 69” and shows how the beach bar vibe turns a drink into a shared moment Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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