Claim OwnershipVirtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast
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© 2026 Virtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast
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Welcome to Virtual GM, the ultimate podcast for anyone looking to elevate their game in the modern hospitality industry! Whether you're a boutique hotel owner, VRBO manager, Airbnb administrator, front desk staff, or just someone trying to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the hospitality world, this podcast is for you! Each episode is packed with valuable insights, expert advice, and real-life stories from industry leaders and innovators. We'll cover everything from how to effectively market your property and increase bookings, to how to provide top-notch customer service and stand out in a crowded market. But it's not all business - we'll also be having a lot of fun along the way. Expect witty banter, relatable anecdotes, and plenty of laughs as we take a fresh and entertaining approach to discussing the hospitality industry. Produced and distributed by Vibrant Management - a company dedicated to helping hoteliers and vacation rental managers thrive in the modern world - Virtual GM is your go-to source for all things hospitality. So, join us, and let's elevate your game! and visit us on our website: www.thevibrantteam.com
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In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, your hosts Meagan and Cody Adent from the Vibrant Team are joined by special guests Erin Donnelly and Heather Loduca, Co-Founders of Pink Wall Designs. Erin and Heather share their expertise in transforming properties through strategic design and marketing. Meet Our Guests: Erin Donnelly brings a wealth of experience from her extensive background in house flipping, property conversions, project management, design, and development. As a licensed realt...
In this episode, Cody & Meagan pull back the curtain on one of the biggest myths in hospitality: that running a rental is “passive income.” With humor, honesty, and plenty of real-life stories, they break down what guests think operators do all day versus the invisible work that actually keeps properties running. From last-minute emergencies to emotional labor no one prepares you for, this episode shines a light on the reality behind great hospitality—and why consistency is harder than gr...
Spring Break bookings are chaos season—and in this episode, Cody and Meagan break down why. This isn’t normal travel behavior. It’s emotional, urgent, and often stressful. Guests aren’t just booking a room… they’re booking relief. With an energetic, observational, and practical tone, this episode helps operators understand the psychology behind Spring Break bookings and what actually pushes guests to click “Book Now.” 🔹 Cold Open: Chaos Season Is Here Cody and Meagan kick things off with lig...
In this episode, Cody and Meagan revisit the heart of what this podcast is all about: being a Virtual GM. With remote operations becoming the norm—not the exception—this conversation is a must-listen for any owner or operator looking to manage smarter, leaner, and more flexibly. Meagan brings a rare perspective, having served as a Virtual GM since 2020, navigating the hospitality industry through massive change. From pandemic-era pivots to today’s tech-driven workflows, she shares real-world ...
Meagan rejoins Cody for a timely and future-focused conversation on one of the most transformative forces in hospitality: Artificial Intelligence. As guest expectations rise and teams remain lean, AI is quickly becoming a must-have—not a nice-to-have—for properties heading into 2026. In this episode, Cody and Meagan break down how hoteliers can realistically use AI today—without needing a tech background or massive budget. 🔹 Segment 1: Why AI Matters in Hospitality in 2026 Cody and Meagan di...
In this episode, Cody welcomes Audrey Yates, Vice President of Hotel Partnerships at Stash Hotel Rewards, to break down what truly makes loyalty programs work for independent hotels—without sacrificing brand identity or guest experience. Cody and Audrey dive into how Stash empowers independent properties to compete with big brands by offering meaningful loyalty benefits, driving repeat stays, and increasing direct bookings—while still letting hotels stay true to their unique story. 🔹 Segment ...
In this episode, Cody sits down with special guest J. Viola, Chief Operating Officer at Hotel Interactive, to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful event series in hospitality: BITAC. Cody and J. dive into what truly sets BITAC events apart from traditional conferences—from the highly curated format to the quality of relationships built in the room. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or underwhelmed by large trade shows, this episode explains why BITAC continues to stand out year af...
In this episode, Cody and Meagan dive into the powerful world of micro-moments—those small, often overlooked guest interactions that can build lasting loyalty and boost your property’s reputation. 🔹 Segment 1: What the Heck is a Micro-Moment? Discover what micro-moments really are and why they matter more than ever in hospitality. 🔹 Segment 2: Stories from Real Properties Cody and Meagan share inspiring examples of micro-moments that made a huge impact on guests and businesses. 🔹 Segment 3:...
1Kick off 2026 with Meagan and Cody as they dive into everything you need to start the new year strong in boutique hospitality. This special New Year’s Day episode is all about fresh energy, new goals, and smart upgrades to set your property apart. 🔹 Segment 1: New Year Guest Vibes Learn what guests are expecting in the new year and how to match those fresh vibes to boost guest satisfaction and bookings. 🔹 Segment 2: Quick Upgrades for a Fresh Start Simple, actionable upgrades you can make n...
In this Christmas-morning episode, Cody & Meagan dive into what makes a stay truly special at the holidays — from guest expectations to festive touches — and wrap things up with their own Christmas movie showdown 🎬. 🎁 What’s Inside: 🔹 Segment 1: What Guests Want for Christmas A warm welcome, cozy ambiance, and thoughtful touches that turn a stay into a holiday memory.How small hotels and rentals can anticipate guest needs during the holidays.🔹 Segment 2: Holiday Touches Guests Remember Id...
In this episode, Cody sits down with special guest Walter Peseski (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-peseski/), Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Garfield Public/Private—one of the most respected firms in the development and public/private partnership space. With more than 30 million square feet developed, over $11 billion in financing structured, and $2 billion in successful public/private projects, Garfield brings unmatched expertise to how hospitality assets are mana...
In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into the powerful role storytelling plays in hospitality branding. A great story can turn a stay into an experience—and create lasting emotional connections with your guests. They break down how to craft a compelling brand story that truly resonates and builds loyalty. 🔹 Segment 1: Why Story Matters Why do stories stick? Cody & Meagan explain how stories shape guest expectations, create emotional bonds, and differentiate your property in a crowded ...
In this episode, Cody & Meagan tackle one of the trickiest parts of hospitality—upselling. When done poorly, upselling can feel pushy or “slimy” to guests, but when done right, it can enhance the guest experience and boost your revenue. Cody & Meagan break down how to make upsells feel natural, helpful, and even welcome—so your guests feel cared for, not sold to. 🔹 Segment 1: What Makes an Upsell Feel Bad Explore common pitfalls that turn upselling into an annoyance, and why guests r...
Thanksgiving Special! In this festive episode, Cody & Meagan celebrate the holiday by going head-to-head in a Thanksgiving Snake Draft to build the best Thanksgiving dish lineup ever. Meagan drafts: Turkey, Ham, Hand-Made Rolls, Gravy, Broccoli Casserole, Cranberries & Funeral Potatoes. Cody drafts: Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Brisket, Homemade Mac & Cheese, Salad, Deviled Eggs & Homemade Apple Pie. Who built the better Thanksgiving plate? Let us know in the comme...
In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into one of the most mission-critical topics for hotels heading into 2026: Reputation Management. Guest expectations are higher than ever—and reviews now live everywhere, from Google to TikTok to niche travel communities. Whether you're a boutique inn or a full-scale resort, your reputation is your revenue. Cody & Meagan break down the exact framework Vibrant uses to help properties protect, strengthen, and rebuild trust with guests—no matter what c...
In this special episode, Cody takes a nostalgic (and inspiring!) look back at the most downloaded Vibrant Guest Management Podcast episodes from each of the last four years. From the very first season to the latest breakthroughs in AI, these episodes represent the best conversations, insights, and moments our listeners couldn’t get enough of. Here are the top picks: 🏨 Tools You Need to Get Started in Hospitality (July 12, 2022) 👉 Listen Here 📈 4 Ways To Boost Your Hotel Advertising with Dir...
Just in time for Halloween, Cody gets spooky and shares his top 5 all-time Halloween movies. These are films that deliver chills, laughs, nostalgia—and a little bit of magic for the season. Here’s the lineup: Halloween (1978) — IMDBThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) — IMDBHocus Pocus - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/?ref_=ls_t_1Halloweentown — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173886/Beetlejuice — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/Cody talks about what makes each film special—the s...
In this episode, Cody breaks down the Top 5 Digital Must-Haves every hotel, resort, and boutique property needs to thrive in today’s hospitality landscape. Whether you’re a small independent inn or managing multiple properties, these digital essentials will help you drive bookings, boost visibility, and stay ahead of the competition. From building a high-converting website to mastering your review strategy and leveraging paid ads, Cody shares real, actionable steps you can implement today to ...
In this episode, Cody dives into one of the most exciting and buzzworthy new hotel openings in the country — the highly anticipated Hotel Pontotoc. With its stunning design, rich history, and tagline “Clean Sheets, Shady Past,” this boutique gem in downtown Memphis is redefining what a modern historic property can be. Cody walks listeners through everything Hotel Pontotoc did right during their launch — from crafting an unforgettable guest experience to building a strong online presence and a...
In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Meagan and Cody dive into one of the biggest challenges small properties face: delivering luxury-level service with a lean team. Drawing on Vibrant’s experience managing boutique hotels, they share strategies that prove you don’t need a massive staff to create an unforgettable guest experience. Here’s what we cover: Segment 1: The Small Team Advantage – why fewer hands can actually create more consistency.Segment 2: High-Impact Guest Moments – identi...
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