Checking In with Anthony & Glenn

Jake Joyce is the Chief Marketing Officer at Cordish Gaming, a leader in casino-resort design, development and operations. Since its opening in 2012, Cordish Gaming has been operating Live! Casino Hotel in Hanover, MD, located along the Baltimore-Washington corridor and one of the largest commercial gaming, retail and entertainment destinations in the United States. In 2019, Cordish Gaming broke ground on two new casino properties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania totaling nearly $1 billion. Pittsburgh opens next week while one in Philadelphia opens early next year.

We are live the brand new Hotel Zena, a upscale hotel from Viceroy Hotel Group focused on celebrating amazing women. We talk with Natalie Vachon about the property and how it's empowering women. Plus we get to see lots of incredible artwork too.

We have the amazing Chris Green, President of Remington Hospitality sharing his outlook for 2024.

Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple Hotels Inc. is here to talk about dynamic brand building leveraging the hospitality pineapple symbol. How is the company differentiating itself from the major hotel companies and what are the exciting things happening for them in 2025?

Last month I hosted a cool event (Anthony was a judge) for the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association during their Tech Conference dubbed the Shark Pool, a hospitality innovation competition. So many great teams but only one could win. Today we have that winner, Rich Sloan of WAVR Technologies, to tell us how atmospheric water harvesting technology could revolutionize places like Las Vegas but transform communities throughout the globe. This is crazy cool!

David Lund, the Hotel Financial Coach, talks about how he's helping some of the largest companies with their financial literacy. How can people improve in one of the most important parts of the industry and how is the financial field evolving within the industry?

Michael Koch, Co-Founder and CEO of The Michael Koch Group, joins to talk about how his company is changing the real estate landscape through cutting-edge physical and digital experiences. They've created spaces such as Apple Stores and Ritz-Carltons.

Shane Green, Founder and President of SGEi, talks about how to inspire people and companies to move beyond the mundane and out of status quo to exceed the expectations of their employees and customers. What are ways that organizations can attract the right talent, retain that talent, and wow the customer?

Courtney Lowe, president of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, VT shares what the resort business is like post Covid, trends in leisure and group business, post-pandemic issues like staffing, and, lots more!

Joy Rothschild, Chief Human Resources Officer with Omni Hotels shares some innovative ideas on how they're recruiting, hiring and keeping staff as other companies struggle.

No guest today. Glenn and Anthony spend the last show of the year talking to you the viewers. Leave your questions in the comment section.

🚀 What does it take to revolutionize restaurant and hotel design? Find out as we sit down with the legendary Adam Tihany, the creative force behind some of the most iconic hospitality spaces in the world! From working with Thomas Keller and designing world-class restaurants to shaping the future of luxury cruise ships, Tihany shares an unfiltered look at his journey, creative process, and the struggles behind the success. 🔹 Highlights from this can't-miss episode: ✔️ How a chance encounter at Studio 54 led to his first big break in restaurant design ✔️ The struggles of starting out—nearly going broke before making it big ✔️ The wild story behind Mandalay Bay's famous flying wine angels 🍷😇 ✔️ Why today's design world lacks originality and how true creatives stand out ✔️ The unexpected challenges of redesigning the legendary Per Se restaurant ✔️ What inspires his designs—from movies to global culture ✔️ How he's now giving back by shaping the next generation of hospitality designers 🔥 If you love restaurants, hotels, or just great stories about innovation, you won't want to miss this one! 🎧 Listen now and don't forget to subscribe for more insider conversations on hospitality, design, and business!

One thing every hotel wants to do is create a positive, memorable experience for their guests. Every hotel has its unique challenges to accomplish this goal. Ashley Ewing Parrott, Principal at AEP Hospitality Consulting & The Saturday Crowd, has helped hotels accomplish just that and she is here to share some of her tips.

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.

Discover the secrets behind the success of LivAway Suites, an innovative upscale economy extended stay hotel. In this episode, COO Kevin Dailey and I explore the brand's unique approach to guest experience, technology integration, and property design. Learn how LivAway Suites is redefining the extended stay market with its focus on essential amenities, efficient operations, and strategic expansion plans. From check-in kiosks to smart parcel lockers, this episode reveals the cutting-edge features defining LivAway Suites.  Main Points:  • Introduction to LivAway Suites, an upscale economy extended stay hotel • Focus on guest needs over wants  • Technology integration for enhanced guest experience and operational efficiency  • Unique property design and layout for optimal guest comfort • Expansion plans and franchising strategy 

We discuss current trends and challenges in the hospitality industry with Mitch Patel, CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, focusing on the rise of extended stay hotels, innovative development strategies, and the importance of creating memorable guest experiences. Mitch shares his expertise on: Extended Stay Success: Why extended stay properties have become a "darling" of the industry, and how Vision Hospitality has leveraged this trend. Development Challenges: Navigating construction cost volatility, labor shortages, and high interest rates in today's hotel development landscape.  Lifestyle Select Service Hotels: The growing popularity of lifestyle select service hotels, combining boutique elements with efficient business models.  Experiential Design: How hotels are prioritizing memorable guest experiences, from room design to public space activation.  Profitability Beyond Room Rates: Innovative strategies to boost profit per available customer through food and beverage, rooftop bars, and more. This episode offers valuable insights for hospitality professionals, developers, and anyone interested in the future of hotel design and operations. 

Today we're seeing how one amazing couple – Karie Brittano and Julian Brittano -- is bringing their dream project to life, with a little help from Choice Hotels International's John Lancaster. This episode covers: Supporting Owners Access and Representation (SOAR) Program: Transitioning from the Emerging Markets Program to a new initiative focused on providing education and opportunities for aspiring hotel owners, particularly from underrepresented groups. Educational Initiatives: Insights into a comprehensive program that educates participants on hotel ownership, franchising, and representation. Guest Speakers: Meet Karie and Julian Brittano, passionate entrepreneurs with backgrounds in construction and hospitality, who share their journey into hotel ownership. Community Engagement: Discussion on forming partnerships with local communities, including working with the town of South Boston, Virginia, to revitalize historic properties.  Public-Private Partnerships: The unique dynamics and benefits of working with local governments and municipalities to foster community development. Brand Affiliation: Their decision to join the Ascend Collection, a soft brand that offers the flexibility of independent branding alongside the support of a major franchise. Overcoming Challenges: Navigating the complexities of financing, historic tax credits, and project management in the hospitality industry. Future Vision: Plans to continue community engagement and expand their hotel brand, "The Rook," to new locations. Tune in to hear how Karie and Julian Brittano, along with their partners, are paving new pathways in the hotel industry, creating opportunities, and making meaningful community impacts.   

  We're delving deep into the root challenges of employee engagement and retention in the hospitality industry. Our guest, Szilvia Olah, Employee Experience Designer from The Strengths Company, joins us from Dubai. Key Highlights: Common Complaints: Discussion on the prevalent issues of low employee engagement and high turnover rates in hospitality. Root Causes vs. Symptoms: Identifying the difference between addressing the root causes of disengagement versus merely treating the symptoms. The Role of Technology: Exploring how technology can be used to streamline HR tasks and enhance the employee experience. Employee Experience Design: Sylvia introduces a framework for designing better employee experiences, inspired by guest experience strategies. Motivation Over Engagement: The importance of understanding employee motivation and moving beyond traditional engagement metrics. Generational Differences: How changing workforce demographics and attitudes are impacting retention strategies. Leadership and Mindset: The need for a cultural shift in leadership approaches to accommodate modern work values. Practical Solutions: Offering practical advice on creating a motivating work environment and leveraging employee strengths. This is a no-holds-barred discussion exploring innovative ways to improve employee satisfaction and retention in the hospitality sector.   Subscribe to our newsletter Text hotel to 66866 Visit novacancynews.com

Today we have Rick Colangelo, EVP of Pivot Hotels, part of Davidson Hospitality Group. Topics discussed include: Guest Experience: The significance of delivering exceptional guest experiences in hotels and resorts. The Pivot Vibe: Introduction of the "Pivot Vibe" concept, focusing on guest journey, music, lighting, scents, and design. Experience Economy: The shift towards an experience-driven economy and its impact on hospitality Consistency in Service: The importance of consistent service and guest interactions. Creative Activations: Examples of unique hotel activations, such as turning a basement into a winter wonderland. Balancing Finance and Creativity: Strategies to balance financial goals with creative guest experiences. Team Dynamics: The role of a dedicated team in delivering exceptional service and experiences. Visit NoVacancyNews.com to learn more!

Today we delve into the latest developments at Coury Holdings and their exciting new ventures. Paul Coury  special guest shares insights on their innovative approach to hospitality and strategic growth. Key Points Covered: •    Overview of Coury Holdings: o    Coury Holdings' history and evolution over 38 years. o    Transition from developer and asset manager to hotel consulting and development. o    Success story: First hotel developed in the late 90s, still owned today. •    Launch of Concert Hospitality: o    Formation of Concert Hospitality as an extension of Coury Holdings. o    Focus on maintaining the company's core principles of lifestyle and boutique hospitality. o    Collaboration with Newcrest Image to meet client needs and expand into new markets. •    Strategic Partnerships and Growth: o    Strategic relationship with Newcrest Image to grow the platform. o    Co-acquisitions and pipeline of new hotels. o    Goals for enhancing guest experiences and strategic expansion. •    Philosophy Behind Concert Hospitality: o    Emphasis on creating personal connections with guests. o    Utilizing new philosophies to connect with customers in traditional hotel settings. o    The role of staff as "experience curators" to enhance guest satisfaction. •    Future Plans and Initiatives: o    Introduction of the Concert brand, emphasizing harmony and collaboration. o    Focus on music as a fundamental element in all properties. o    Developing community gathering spaces within hotels. •    Operational Strategies: o    Unique approaches to hotel management, cost control, and guest engagement. o    Implementing bonus programs for staff to encourage engagement and service excellence. o    Creating memorable guest experiences to drive loyalty and repeat business. •    Exciting New Ventures: o    Expansion of the Vin hotel collection. o    Launch of Society Wine and Coury-crafted bourbon. o    Upcoming new hotels and innovative projects in the pipeline. Listen in to discover how Coury Holdings is redefining hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences. Visit novacanynews.com!