This week, Glenn has one of his most personally gratifying interviews. Todd English helped create the mold for the modern celebrity chef. He’s been a huge fixture and influencer for decades, creating trends we all take for granted . Take food halls, we recorded this show at the Todd English Food Hall, which has been a NY fixture for years. Now every superstar chef is entering this business. First, Glenn catches up with Corey Nyman of the Nyman Group. They were supposed to talk about Las Vegas F&...
Sep 22, 2017•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Carlos Flores, President & Chief Executive Officer of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, just secured a deal for 14 new properties to join the Sonesta ES Suites brand. The brand gets an immediate boost by about 30% and sets the stage for the company’s emphasis on extended stay. They also discuss issues such as staying independent when major companies keep getting bigger, and why extended stay seems to be a win for customers and hotel developers. But first, Glenn and Bruce Ford, SVP at...
Sep 16, 2017•1 hr 4 min
In today’s bonus episode, we speak with Sky Tucker of Bartech Systems International. Glenn gets schooled in minibars and the guys go through all the classic arguments why investing in minibars is a horrible thing to do. Truths revealed about how this amenity influences guest satisfaction, while creating a new profit center. Sky also shares combat duplicitous guests looking to steal minibar booze. www.bartech.com Subscribe on iTunes: No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman Subscribe on Android : https://p...
Sep 12, 2017•34 min
This week we learn strategies to make our career work smoothly when faced with adversity. In this case, a total a%$hole. Glenn speak with Bob Sutton, author of the Asshole Survival Guide . Sutton is Professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University. He co-founded the Stanford Technology Ventures Program (and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (“the d school”). He is a Fellow at IDEO, Senior Scientist at Gallup, and an advisor to McKinsey & Company. Sutton studies org...
Sep 08, 2017•1 hr 14 min
We're getting set to launch a new hotel history podcast we expect will run every other week. Here's our test show, focusing on the Georgian Terrace hotel in Atlanta. It's an amazing story of a grande dame that hosted the movie premier party for Gone With The Wind. Then it became a home to vagrants, lowlifes and the old Angora Ballroom, which hosted bands like U2 in the early days. Now it's risen to once again be a premier property in the heart of a resurgent neighborhood. Let us know which hotel...
Sep 06, 2017•29 min
Today we focus on the impact of Hurricane Harvey and what you can do to help. Glenn speaks with AAHOA Vice Chairman, HP Patel on how the hotel industry is helping those displaced by the storm, and how it is helping fellow hoteliers whose hotels have been destroyed or damaged by the disaster. Glenn also speaks to hotelier Sunny Tolani who reports on how his GMs are helping people affected by the hurricane and subsequent flooding. Glenn also speaks to Scott Berman, Principal and Industry Leader, ...
Sep 01, 2017•50 min
Glenn was a guest a couple of weeks back on Check Out California , a radio show all about the California hotel business. The show, hosted by lodging industry superstars Raad Ghantous and Craig Sullivan, was originally broadcast live on August 16. We secured the recording for distribution on the No Vacancy feed. Listen in to the show on the first and third Wednesday every month from 1pm to 2pm California time. Listen online at OCTalkRadio.net. Hear all the latest trends you need to know! And also...
Aug 29, 2017•54 min
First up, Glenn and Jeff Polly provide valuable insight on how to create, foster and feed a hotel’s social media strategy. It’s not as easy as sending a few tweets, and the guys share best practices, as well as what not to do in order to find success via this online medium. Then, Casandra Matej, CDME, CTA, President & CEO, Visit San Antonio on what makes their destination a favorite for conventions. They share their strategy that’s transformed their city into a major events destination. Visi...
Aug 26, 2017•58 min
Glenn spent two weeks in Israel, and shares his adventures with Rebecca Alesia, who conveniently booked the trip for him in her capacity as a travel curator with SmartFlyer. The talk the Old City of Jerusalem, Dead Sea, rafting down the Jordan River, riding on ATVs through a blown out Syrian military base, digging up treasures from 2,300 years ago and much more. Then, Glenn speaks with Michaela Guzy, the creator and head storyteller from OhThePeopleYouMeet , a video based content destination for...
Aug 18, 2017•1 hr 15 min
Hey folks! I was in the amazing land of Israel for two weeks for some learning, eating, relaxing and family fun time. Enjoy this video report of what I learned and where I went. Highlights: Riding an ATV through an abandoned Syrian military base Going on an archaeological and digging up 2,300 year old artifacts The story of Masada, the Western Wall and other critical historical sites. Swimming in the Dead Sea Interview with Soshi the camel And much more. Visit our sponsor: Kevin Barry Fine Art H...
Aug 16, 2017•5 min
In celebration of the life of an industry icon, we present to you an interview with Disney Imagineer Marty Sklar, who passed away last month. This interview was recorded several years ago, and we at the No Vacancy podcast felt we needed to share this ‘lost’ interview with all of you. He was a mastermind who oversaw the development of EPCOT Center (now known as Epcot ) at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort. As VP creative development, EVP and President of Imagineering, Sklar oversaw the design an...
Aug 11, 2017•49 min
Glenn talks with Hilton’s Ayesha Williams on finding the next generation of talent for the hotel business as the industry expands, requiring the expansion of finding and curating new industry superstars. But first, Glenn checks in with TravelClick’s John Hach on what you need to know about the state of the hotel industry, where it’s headed and lots more. Visit our sponsor: Kevin Barry Fine Art Hear how Kevin Barry Fine Art is Reinventing Hotel Art for an Interactive and Social Generation Subscri...
Aug 05, 2017•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Hey, you got your museum in my hotel. Well, YOU got your hotel in my museum. That sums up the 21c Museum Hotels concept that’s finding success in tier 2 cities such as Louisville, Nashville and Oklahoma City. Glenn talks with Craig Greenberg, the company’s president about this very interesting hotel brand. 21c founders Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson love contemporary art, by creating brand mixing hospitality and art. This is a fascinating look into an emerging hotel brand. But first, Glenn spe...
Jul 28, 2017•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Glenn is back with Rick Garlick, Global Travel and Hospitality Practice Lead at J.D. Power , when they dished on social media myths last spring. Hear that show here . Now he is back to talk about which hotels landed in the number one spot on the company’s highly respected annual 2017 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. What we learned: Winning is about understanding your target customer intimately. We examine which brands are doing this right, and how they’re winning. If you want...
Jul 21, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Glenn chats with Michael Flaskey, CEO, Diamond Resorts International , and it’s all about timeshare . Topics include how timeshare fits snugly into the travel economy, the importance of customer services in the hospitality industry, how Diamond Resorts caters to customers, the value equation of owning timeshare, timeshare industry regulation, ARDA , and how Diamond Resorts’ Diamond Clarity sales process is more customer focused. But first, Glenn has a discussion on niche hotel segments with Andr...
Jul 14, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Marketing to customers in 2017 is tough. The rules have changed, but so has Dorothy Dowling’s strategies. In this episode, we explore how Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ SVP and Chief Marketing Officer creates marketing plans the better connect with potential guests. We talk about the Stratosphere in Las Vegas affiliating with BW Premier Collection, innovative partnerships with the Disney Channel (watch a video about it here ) , Harley Davidson , Minor League Baseball , and also how the compa...
Jul 07, 2017•1 hr 8 min
Happy Birthday America! Glenn kicks off the show out at The End. That’s Montauk, Long Island to all you non NYers. He’s at the amazing Montauk Yacht Club talking with the hotel’s parent company IGY Marinas . He chats with CEO Tom Mukamal, and Charlie Irons, VP Hospitality. They discuss the strategy of running seasonal businesses, and how IGY plans to expand from servicing guests offshore to ones in land based hotels. The Glenn speaks with Sam Kimball, Chief Marketing Officer of the iconic Circle...
Jul 01, 2017•1 hr 1 min
Planning meetings is a laborious process. As a matter of fact, it’s pretty time consuming for on-property sales professionals too. Meanwhile, technology has created opportunity virtually everywhere, but the meetings side of the business acts as if its still 1985. Not anymore. IVvy is leveraging the power of the cloud by offering meeting planners the ability to search, compare, and book function space, catering, and group accommodations online anytime. Book and manage events using custom websites...
Jun 28, 2017•30 min
Sorry for the delayed post. I was flying cross country after emceeing Hotel ROI and had some weather delays. Glenn speaks with the president of Red Roof ! Great chat with this amazing executive taped at the AAHOA conference back in April. First, Glenn talks with Craig Sullivan , CDO, Broughton Hotels and Bruce Ford, SVP, Lodging Econometrics in a great segment on industry news, issues your talking about, their stay at the Hotel Indigo Downtown Los Angeles, politics and much more. Craig is also r...
Jun 24, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Glenn speaks with industry legend Lee Pillsbury about his career and newest passion, hotel industry technology. Through his investment arm Thayer Ventures he owns pieces of many companies you’ve heard of, such as Hipmunk , Duetto , Nor1 , social tables and many more. First, Glenn talks about technology from another angle, slot machines. Skill based slot machines are here and Glenn gave one a spin (yeah, bad pun). He battled against the classic aliens of Space Invaders and shares why the industry...
Jun 18, 2017•45 min
In this bonus episode, we speak with Samsung’s Jonas Tanenbaum to discuss critical issues such as: How technology affects guest journey at a hotel; How guest satisfaction ratings can be improved/influenced at a hotel through technology; How televisions are acting as the central hub of a guest’s hotel stay; Future customer trends. Subscribe on iTunes: No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman Subscribe on Android : https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ifu34iwhrh7fishlnhiuyv7xlsm Send your comments and q...
Jun 14, 2017•27 min
Glenn speaks with Dream Hotel Group’s CEO Jay Stein. The guys speak about new development, including projects from Hollywood to Vietnam, Dream’s approach to business (Hint: There’s big bucks in booze), update on its newest brands Unscripted and more. First, Glenn, and Bruce Ford of Lodging Econometrics , break down the NYU International Hospitality Conference . They discuss what CEOs have to say about the Trump Travel Ban and fallout, the dearth of brand announcements such as Hard Rock’s Reverb,...
Jun 09, 2017•1 hr 12 min
The ultimate cocktail and bar show! Drive bar revenue! Glenn talks to Dylan Holcomb, House Mixologist for HOTMIXOLOGY on the Fusion network where he creates original craft cocktails for each episode. They talk about cocktail trends, which spirits are most popular, getting local with liquor, why tiki bars rock, and more. Then, Dylan shares great and easy to implement advice on how hotel and bar owners can make more money. Then, Glenn talks to Mark Grossich, Founder, Owner, And Chief Executive of ...
Jun 02, 2017•58 min
Former AAHOA Chairmen Tarun Patel and Mukesh Mowji share details of their newest venture where they changed The Hotel Inventory into Aqqire. It’s a one stop real estate shop for hotels, gas stations, convenience stores and more. It’s all about connecting buyers and sellers of real estate online in real time. In this show, we learn about the state of commercial real estate and why this is a smart online solution for folks buying and selling. They even sell ostrich farms http://www.aqqire.com/...
May 31, 2017•12 min
Glenn speaks with Paul Snyder, VP Corporate Responsibility with IHG. They talk about empowering hoteliers to make money by blending individual sustainability goals with monetary returns. It’s a matter of him helping hoteliers achieve their goals by making their properties more profitable by ‘doing the right thing.’ Then they discuss the InterContinental Barclay NYC and how they turned a Grand Dame into a sustainability showpiece. First, Glenn and Producer Jeff Polly talk about amazing places on ...
May 26, 2017•56 min
Glenn speaks to Michael Taylor of J.D. Power where they talk about the best and worst airlines according to a new survey. According to the J.D. Power 2017 North America Airline Satisfaction Study,SM overall customer satisfaction with airlines has reached its highest level ever, continuing a trend that now stretches five consecutive years. Here we explore why and how did this happen against a backdrop of such negative airline news. First, Glenn shares his thoughts on the latest news for the hotel...
May 22, 2017•54 min
Derek Stevens is widely credited for helping bring back downtown Las Vegas from the precipice of irrelevancy, making it a must visit stop on everyone’s Las Vegas vacation. Owner of the The D, The Golden Gate, The Las Vegas Events Center and developer of a new city block big casino, Stevens has redefined the downtown Las Vegas entertainment experience. This is story of the transformation, and what’s happening next. They discuss NHL hockey’s Las Vegas Golden Knights, the NFL’s Raiders coming to to...
May 13, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Kevin Barry Fine Art is an industry leader that’s changed the way hotel guests interact with the art experience in hotels. This is way beyond a pretty framed picture next to the bed. It’s a wholesale reinvention of how art creates sense of place, interactive experiences, and serves as a lynchpin for hoteliers’ social media engagement. See their amazing work at places such as major Las Vegas casinos, high end boutique hotels, luxury branded properties and more here . You will learn much more than...
May 11, 2017•30 min
Ray Schultz, shares major hotel history way back to his involvement with Kemmons Wilson, creator of the Holiday Inn brand. Hear how Schultz started with Holiday Inns, Inc., in 1970, and how he founded the Hampton Inn brand in 1983. We hear those stories, through his days as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Promus Hotel Group. But first, Glenn speaks with Donna Quadri-Felitti , the Marvin Ashner Director and Associate Professor, School of Hospitality Management at Penn State. Subscribe on ...
May 07, 2017•37 min
Padgett is redefining cruising through ultimate personalization, and has the pedigree to do it. Padgett holds 19 patents and multiple innovation awards for wearable devices, experience itinerary scheduling and optimization, digital experience interaction platforms and operational processes. In his former life at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, he spearheaded the invention, development and implementation of guest engagement innovations that include the MagicBand, FastPass+, Disney’s Magical Expres...
Apr 28, 2017•1 hr 12 min
