FNA 168: FNA'S First (and maybe last) Awards Show

Today I chat with Cesar Wurm from IHG Hotels & Resorts at the California Lodging Investment Conference & [CLIC] Connect Podcast! From navigating economic uncertainty to seizing growth opportunities, this conversation is packed with insights for hotel pros. 🔹 What You’ll Learn: How IHG is adapting to government travel shifts 🔄 Why group & events business is a major bright spot ✨ Pricing pressure vs. guest experience – striking the right balance 💰 How emotional connections can justify premium rates ❤️ The future of leisure and business travel trends 🚀 Tune in for expert takes on the state of hospitality in 2025! 📩 Subscribe & Stay Updated: Text "HOTEL" to 66866 hashtag#Hospitality hashtag#HotelIndustry hashtag#NoVacancyPodcast hashtag#BusinessTravel 

Step inside Le Meridien Fort Worth with Glenn Haussman and General Manager Chase Chasteen for an exclusive tour of this beautifully transformed historic building. From a 1928 auto garage to a modern luxury hotel, this property is packed with unique design, thoughtful touches, and a rich history you won’t want to miss. 🔥 What You’ll Discover: Historic Transformation – Learn how a 1928 parking garage became a stunning hotel while preserving its roots. Hidden Design Details – From custom Hermes artwork to Texas-inspired decor, every corner tells a story. Rooftop Lounge & Secret Bar Features – Find out what makes Annex one of the best rooftop bars in Fort Worth. Luxury Suites & High-Tech Amenities – Peek inside the rooms and see smart design at work. Next-Level Meeting & Event Spaces – A look at the high-tech boardrooms and multifunctional spaces perfect for any event. Why This Hotel Stands Out – From mid-century modern vibes to a brasserie with a Texas twist, discover what makes this hotel unique. Hit LIKE if you love adaptive reuse projects, and SUBSCRIBE for more incredible hotel tours!

Welcome to Friday Night Audit, the show that takes hotel industry networking, adds tequila, and lets the chaos unfold! This week, we’re hosting our first-ever Friday Night Audit Awards, where we recognize the most questionable achievements in our show’s history. 🏆 👀 What’s in this episode? 🍹 Worst Cocktail of the Year – A drink so bad, it deserves an intervention. 🎣 Best Remote Episode – Because fishing in NYC led to something legendary. 🤡 Glutton for Punishment Award – For that one guest who just won’t stop coming back. 🍌 Top Banana Moment – Who went completely off the rails (in the best way)? 💨 Fastest Guest Escape – Someone who couldn’t get out of here fast enough! 🎤 Best Impersonation – A surprise guest shows up with a yuuuge announcement. 🔥 And SO MUCH MORE hilarious, unfiltered nonsense! Grab a drink (hopefully not vodka mixed with vodka 🤢) and join Glenn, Craig, and the FNA All-Stars as they celebrate, roast, and attempt to survive a night of epic absurdity. 👉 Subscribe now for more hotel industry laughs, insider shenanigans, and the occasional award that nobody asked for! hashtag#FridayNightAudit hashtag#HospitalityComedy hashtag#HotelLife hashtag#NetworkingWithDrinks hashtag#TequilaTime hashtag#ComedyPodcast hashtag#HotelIndustry hashtag#BusinessNetworking hashtag#CocktailFails hashtag#AwardShowMadness hashtag#FNA

The hospitality investment world is a whirlwind, and no one knows it better than Michael Shindler, ISHC of Four Corners Advisors. In his 11th (!) appearance, we tackle the biggest mysteries in the industry today. Is money really coming off the sidelines? Are interest rates going anywhere? And what’s up with tariffs shaking up the market? 🤯 In This Episode: 🔥 Executive orders, lawsuits, and the chaos factor in hospitality 💵 Why everyone keeps saying there’s money on the sidelines—do we believe them? 🏨 The fate of PIPs, debt maturities, and refinancing struggles 📉 Are hoteliers finally hitting the ceiling on rate hikes? 🛠️ How smart owners are stretching renovation dollars with better R&M 🎶 Live music as a guest experience boost? (Hint: Yes!) We’re breaking down the real talk in hospitality finance, investment, and strategy—without the sugarcoating. If you’re in the biz, this is one episode you cannot afford to miss. 💬 Agree? Disagree? Have your own take? Drop a comment below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more deep dives into hospitality’s biggest trends. 👉 Text HOTEL to 66866 to get the latest insights straight to your inbox!

Join No Vacancy Live host Glenn Haussman as he explores the magic behind adaptive reuse and hotel design with industry leaders Sharon Bilbeisi AIA LEED AP (SVP of Design, IIG Design) and Jocelyn Lurie (VP of Procurement, Throughline by IIG). This episode uncovers how old structures—from historic mills to outdated hotels—are being turned into extraordinary hospitality experiences. 📌 What You’ll Discover in This Episode: The Art of Adaptive Reuse – How IIG Design transforms overlooked spaces into unforgettable hotels The Balladeer Hotel Story – A deep dive into revitalizing a historic textile mill in Mount Airy, NC Secrets of Hotel Procurement – The challenges of sourcing custom designs, from chandeliers to furniture Designing for Guests’ Needs – Why great hotel rooms anticipate what you need before you know you need it Lessons from Park City, Utah – Reinventing a ski-country property into a Tribute Portfolio gem The Power of Local Storytelling – How IIG Design weaves history, community, and creativity into every project project See the hotels we disucss here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8drjkso2ewok57em0jsqo/02-25-2025_No-Vacancy-Podcast-Tribute-Portfolio-TL-and-IIG-Design-2.pdf?rlkey=jjdx8pop1g55894p7a8h1qcs9&dl=0 🔗 Watch the full episode now and see how great hotels come to life! 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome & Introduction 3:15 – When Sharon and Jocelyn fell in love with design & procurement 6:45 – Why adaptive reuse is the future of hospitality 12:30 – The Balladeer Hotel transformation 19:10 – Inside the procurement process: Turning ideas into reality 25:45 – The importance of a model room in hotel design 31:00 – Park City, Utah project: Reimagining an existing property 37:20 – Designing hotel rooms to anticipate guests’ needs 45:10 – Fun surprises in adaptive reuse projects 50:00 – Final thoughts & how to connect with IG Design 🔥 Subscribe for More Hospitality Insights! 🔥  

Today’s a special one! I’m talking to Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of one of the most influential hotel restaurant companies, José Andrés Group. He shares insights on pricing, expansion strategies, and why restaurants inside hotels are thriving again. Plus: 🔹 Why upscale hotel dining is facing both growth and headwinds  🔹 The impact of rising food prices and how some restaurants are pricing themselves out  🔹 Why hotel restaurants are making a comeback as destination dining 🔹 The secret to balancing affordability, quality, and profitability in hospitality  🔹 How partnerships with luxury hotel brands like Ritz-Carlton drive success  🔹 The power of guest experience: service, ambiance, and making people feel at home  🔹 Sam’s advice for young hospitality professionals looking to break into the industry 🎧 Listen now and get the real story behind the numbers, the experience, and the future of hotel dining!   

Today’s a special one! I’m talking to Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of one of the most influential hotel restaurant companies, José Andrés Group. He shares insights on pricing, expansion strategies, and why restaurants inside hotels are thriving again. Plus: 🔹 Why upscale hotel dining is facing both growth and headwinds 🔹 The impact of rising food prices and how some restaurants are pricing themselves out 🔹 Why hotel restaurants are making a comeback as destination dining 🔹 The secret to balancing affordability, quality, and profitability in hospitality 🔹 How partnerships with luxury hotel brands like Ritz-Carlton drive success 🔹 The power of guest experience: service, ambiance, and making people feel at home 🔹 Sam’s advice for young hospitality professionals looking to break into the industry 🎧 Listen now and get the real story behind the numbers, the experience, and the future of hotel dining! hashtag#Hospitality hashtag#Hotels hashtag#FineDining hashtag#RestaurantIndustry hashtag#HotelBusiness hashtag#FoodAndBeverage hashtag#LuxuryHotels hashtag#BusinessGrowth hashtag#NoVacancyLive hashtag#TravelIndustry

🚀 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!