983: Mitch Patel on Building a Stronger Hospitality Culture and Smarter Hotel Growth

I had the chance to interview keynote luncheon speaker Mitch Patel, President & CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, on stage during the Southern Lodging Summit this past August. Here's that keynote session for you.  We covered a lot of ground — from the early days when Mitch cashed out his 401(k) to build his first hotel, to how he’s navigating today’s market with a laser focus on #operationalexcellence, smart development, and a culture built to last. Mitch talked about how passion drives everything he does, why hospitality is “the most beautiful business,” and what it takes to build a company that thrives through every market cycle. His insights on #leadership and staying resilient through uncertainty are ones every hotel owner and operator should hear. Big thanks to my friends at Actabl for supporting conversations like this and for helping hoteliers turn insight into action. Learn more about how they’re empowering teams with better data and tools at actabl.com.

Zack Gharib is running up success after success as President of Red Roof. We think that streak is about to end as he joins Glenn, Craig, Producer Dave and Doctor Producer Suzanne for some drinks and laughs to kick off the weekend.

Extended stay is dominating the hospitality pipeline, but not all brands are the same. For #NoVacancyNews, I spoke with Jennifer Kearney, CMO of StayAPT Suites, about how they’re redefining the category with a true apartment-style experience. During The Lodging Conference we discussed the psychology of space, the importance of privacy and independence, and why StayAPT’s purpose-built design is attracting both long-term and transient guests. This isn’t just about sleep — it’s about living your life on the road. #extendedstay #hospitalitydesign 🎧 Key takeaways: • StayAPT offers full suites with separate living, kitchen, and bedroom spaces • Guests enjoy full-size appliances, furnished kitchens, and real privacy • The brand blends apartment comfort with hotel flexibility • A secure interior courtyard adds lifestyle value to the property • Transient guests are increasingly drawn to the space and amenities • StayAPT rents by the night, week, or month — built for how people actually live 💡 Special thanks to my friends at Unifocus — technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com to see how smarter labor and operations tools can transform your bottom line.

Doing more with less — that’s the reality for every #hotel operator today. I spoke with Cam Schultz, CEO of Foodbuy, about how smarter #procurement strategies and better technology are helping hoteliers protect margins, manage supply chains, and keep kitchens running smoothly — even when staffing is tight. Cam shared how #Foodbuy is giving operators a clearer look at costs, helping teams cut waste and focus on what really matters: creating great guest experiences. If you’re trying to control expenses without cutting quality, this is a must-watch.

Great hospitality starts with confident employees. Without them, guest satisfaction—and the bottom line—suffers. That’s why I hosted a Hotel Business Hot Topics roundtable with: 👉 Eric Rubino – Chief Operating Officer/Principal, extreme hospitality 👉 James Carroll – CEO, Crestline Hotels & Resorts 👉 Jessica Lee – Global Officer, Talent Acquisition + Associate Development, Marriott International 👉 Melissa Burghardt – CEO, Axonify  We explored how #technology, #training, and empowerment come together to build operational agility and deliver better guest experiences. Here’s what stood out: ✔️ Empowerment only works if leaders back employees’ decisions, not punish them for trying ✔️ Microlearning and daily reinforcement create lasting confidence on the front line ✔️ Hiring must focus on personalities and potential, not just experience ✔️ Tech should remove friction so associates can spend more time with guests ✔️ Purpose and variety matter to Gen Z and the generations coming next Hospitality thrives when associates feel trusted, supported, and inspired. Give people the tools, the training, and the freedom—and they’ll give guests unforgettable experiences. 🙏 Thanks to Axonify for making this conversation possible.  

When the market gets wobbly, some run scared — others lean in. For #NoVacancyNews, I spoke with Doug Rigoni of West Coast Hospitality and Mark Hope of Coast Hotels at The Lodging Conference to explore how uncertainty is creating real opportunity across the West Coast and Canada. We talk about RevPAR trends, risk-taking mindsets, and why tertiary markets are struggling while primary cities still show promise. From Hawaii to Whitehorse, these operators are thinking differently — and that’s where the growth is. #hospitalitystrategy #hoteldevelopment 🎧 Key takeaways: • Doug sees uncertainty as a signal for opportunity — not retreat • West Coast RevPAR is down, but new deals are emerging in California, Oregon, and Hawaii • Coast Hotels spans from San Diego to Anchorage, with Canada in the middle • Canadian travelers stayed local in 2025, boosting domestic occupancy and rate • Growth in Canada is strongest in primary and secondary cities — tertiary markets are hurting • Coast is eyeing Whitehorse for expansion, proving small markets still matter 💡 Special thanks to my friends at Unifocus — technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com to see how smarter labor and operations tools can transform your bottom line.

What if your hotel stay felt like a backstage pass? In this episode of #NoVacancyNews, Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri talk with Oscar Serrano of UMusic Hotels about how Universal Music Group is transforming hospitality into a full-blown entertainment ecosystem. From a 1945 theater at the heart of their Madrid flagship to genre-personalized guest experiences, this isn’t your typical luxury hotel. They explore how music drives design, revenue, and community — and why the room is just one part of the journey. 🌐 Explore benchmarking insights at HotelData.com from our sponsor Actabl  📌 What you’ll learn:  • Why UMusic Madrid is a theater with a hotel — not the other way around • How music is embedded in every space, from rooftop to retail  • Why open-door hospitality is key to local engagement and revenue • How UMusic is scaling globally — with or without hotel rooms  • What Oscar learned from launching the first property — and what’s next  👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge the status quo in hospitality.   #experientialtravel #hospitalityinnovation #music

Tough times don’t mean you stop having fun. That’s what Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple Hotels, reminded me for #NoVacancyNews during the The Lodging Conference. She’s navigating rising costs, labor challenges, and market uncertainty — but with her trademark optimism and energy intact. Here’s what I loved from our conversation: 👉 Don’t panic — stay focused. Hospitality is cyclical, and the goal is to adapt without losing your cool. 👉 Stay close to your guests. Dina’s team launched a hyper-personalization project that captures guest preferences and turns them into tailored experiences. 👉 Move fast. Her team can spin up a marketing campaign in 24 hours — because reacting in real time drives RevPAR and brand loyalty. 👉 Keep hospitality fun. If you’re not enjoying what you do, you’re in the wrong business. Staypineapple is proving that creativity and culture can be serious business tools — and that joy can be a strategy. 🙏 Thanks to Entegra, helping hotels tap into the power of GPOs to save money and boost profitability. Learn more at EntegraPS.com.  

Las Vegas is evolving from a gaming town into one of the world’s premier sports destinations — and MGM Resorts International is leading the charge. In this interview, Lance Evans, SVP of Sports & Partnerships at MGM Resorts, explains how: ⚾ The arrival of Major League Baseball will transform the Las Vegas calendar.  🏒 The success of the Golden Knights, Raiders, and Aces unlocked a new era of major league sports.  🏟️ MGM’s position in the “Golden Triangle” creates unmatched opportunities for fans and visitors.  🏎️ Formula 1 and other global events elevate Las Vegas to an international stage. 🎶 Sports partnerships fuel not only ticket sales, but food, beverage, entertainment, and loyalty experiences.  This MGM Resorts International series is brought to you by Uniguest, whose Hotel Hub solution connects the guest journey to your messaging and branding. Learn more at uniguest.com.  #MGMResorts #HospitalityLeadership #LasVegas #Sports #Hotels

Management companies don’t always get top billing in deal conversations… but they should. At The Lodging Conference, I sat down with Mark Crisci, Principal & Chief Investment Officer at Azul Hospitality, to dig into the real role management companies play in transactions—especially in a slow market. Here’s what stood out: 👉 With deal flow down, management changes are often triggered by lender involvement rather than new owners. 👉 Azul approaches every potential takeover carefully. If the current operator’s performing well, they say so. If it’s broken, they explain exactly how they’ll fix it. 👉 Mark stressed the high stakes of inheriting someone else’s problem without a smart strategy. 👉 Selectivity matters more than ever—Azul aligns only with ownership groups that share their philosophy. 👉 And on a personal note, Mark opened up about the two scariest moments of his career: the death of a mentor and leading through early COVID. Both tested him. Both made him stronger. This conversation is a sharp reminder that operations drive performance, and choosing the right management partner can make or break a deal. 🙏 Thanks to our friends at Unifocus — technology that drives value and makes better workforce management possible. Learn more at Unifocus.com.