Host: Cindy Hook

Guest: Rian Kirkman - hospitality & marketing leader at VAI Resort (AZ)

Episode summary

Rian shares his journey from agency roles to leading marketing and guest experience on the client side, first across eight Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas and now at VAI Resort in Arizona. We dig into pre-opening realities for a 60-acre, 1,100-room property with 12 restaurants and a built-in live entertainment venue, what “culture fit” really means when hiring (and when you must let people go), and why steady, mindful leadership beats adrenaline when everything is moving fast.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome & Rian’s path into leadership
• 01:20 – How LinkedIn opened the door to VAI Resort
• 02:00 – Pre-opening realities: construction, pivots, and protecting guest experience
• 03:56 – Lessons from Nobu Hospitality: standards, brand, and mentorship
• 05:36 – Inside VAI: 60 acres, ~1,100 rooms, 12 restaurants, and balcony-view concerts
• 06:41 – Hardest decision: when (and how) to let someone go for cultural health
• 07:27 – Leadership philosophy: don’t get too high or too low—stay calm, stay present
• 07:58 – Book that changed his thinking: The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Key takeaways

• Pre-opening at scale demands ruthless prioritization: ship what’s “right” for guests, not just what’s ready.
• Culture compounds. Hire for values and protect the team, even when the hard call is letting someone go.
• Steady beats flashy: leaders who stay even-keeled help teams navigate complexity and speed.
• Serendipity favors visibility: consistent LinkedIn engagement can create career inflection points.
• Design for energy: blending luxury with live entertainment can transform the guest experience.

Notable quote

“Don’t get too high or too low. Keep a level head so you can navigate whatever’s in front of you.”

Guest links (optional to add)

• VAI Resort information
• Rian’s LinkedIn

Call to action

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