FNA 173: Travel Hacks or Hack Podcasters?

Russell Edmond—better known as Russell of Hotels— joins Friday Night Audit to swap podcasting stories and content tragedies. We’ve got Craig, Producer Dave, Dr. Producer Suzanne with some travel hacks and more on our quest for hospitality’s biggest pet peeve.

Glenn and Anthony chat about hotel news and everything else on their minds

Last week while #NoVacancyNews was at AAHOA’s #aahoacon25 I spoke with Chris Guimbellot, President & CEO of HI Hotels (Hospitality International). 👉 Highlights you won’t want to miss:  • 💼 How HI Hotels’ Advisory Council is steering real change across the brand (01:00) • 🏆 The launch of the “Best of the Best” program—and why it flips the script on traditional franchise incentives (02:15) • 📈 What hotel owners actually gain from meeting quality benchmarks (03:05)  • 🍽️ Where a local CEO sends you for dinner in New Orleans—pro tips included (04:05) • 💡 Why rewarding excellence works better than enforcing standards (02:50)  🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insider interviews from the hotel biz!

We’ve got Kevin Carey, COO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the newly appointed President & CEO of the AHLA Foundation on hashtag#novacancynews. Together, they explore how the hashtag#AHLA and its hashtag#AHLAfoundation are working in tandem to support and elevate the hospitality workforce—and how the hashtag#ForWardConference is becoming one of the industry’s most important events for leadership, growth, and community. 🎯 Key Takeaways: Kevin Carey steps into a dual leadership role—why it matters for the future of AHLA and the Foundation How the AHLA and its Foundation are aligning missions to build a stronger, more unified industry The Forward Conference: A celebration of women in hospitality and a blueprint for professional growth 50 speakers, mainstage sessions, and customizable learning tracks to sharpen leadership, wellness, and industry insights The overlooked power of networking and relationships—and how Forward creates that space Glenn reflects on male allyship and the importance of opening doors for others Real stories of impact: How this event influenced even Kevin’s daughters Why this year’s conference is set to break attendance records and leave a lasting impression A huge thank you to our advertiser Actabl – Actabl gives you the power to profit. Explore their powerful tools for hospitality success at 👉 Actabl.com

Why stay at a hotel when you can live in one with loyalty perks? Last week during AAHOA’s hashtag#AAHOACON25, I spoke with Bhavin Patel of Spark GHC to explore a bold new concept: Project Scarlet, where branded residences meet boutique hospitality. 💥 Bhavin breaks down the details behind this game-changing model for hashtag#NoVacancyNews, how loyalty programs like Marriott International’s Marriott Bonvoy are being used in apartment living, and why blending hospitality with everyday life may be the future of real estate. 💡 What you'll hear in this episode: Project Scarlet explained—branded residences that earn you Marriott Bonvoy points Full hotel-style amenities in an apartment: restaurant delivery, housekeeping, concierge Why this idea is a modern spin on how people lived a century ago Cost challenges of blending hotels and apartments—and how it still works Spark's current hotel development pipeline and where they’re expanding Adjusting to post-COVID market volatility with daily strategy calls Boosting profitability in select/focused service hotels through IoT and smarter PIPs How monetizing parking and premium coffee experiences adds unexpected value Using tech to enhance guest satisfaction without harming the human touch Final thoughts: the enduring human desire for travel and experience over “stuff” ✨ Whether you're in hospitality, real estate, or just curious about the future of how we live, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

#novacancynews is at AAHOA’s #AAHOAcon25 with Brian Quinn, Chief Development Officer of Sonesta International Hotels, to discuss the brand-new Sonesta Simply Suites prototype to new game-changing AI development tools. 🎯 Key Moments: [00:20] Sonesta’s momentum during uncertain market conditions [00:48] New Sonesta Simply Suites prototype revealed (3-story & 4-story models) [01:40] Why extended stay is still the most attractive segment [02:38] The 3 segments to watch: luxury, extended stay, and economy [03:30] How Sonesta is using AI & its partnership with Paraffin to help developers [04:45] Visualizing your hotel before it’s built: site planning, room count, lobby size & more [06:00] Why this is a game-changer for non-design-focused developers [06:58] AI-backed modeling = better conversations with lenders and investors [07:44] Sonesta’s approach: fast, friendly, flexible—and owner-first [08:34] Glenn’s plans for a “Hostile, Slow & Rigid” hotel brand crushed on-air 🔥 Special thanks to our sponsor: Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com 👍 Like, share, and subscribe if you enjoy hotel business insights without the fluff.

Catch this exclusive AAHOA floor interview with Red Roof President Zack Gharib where we discuss his first year in this role and where Red Roof is headed next!   🔍 What You’ll Learn: [00:40] Zack reflects on his first year as President: What went right, what changed, and how 2024 reshaped Red Roof [02:25] The PMS overhaul to HotelKey and why it’s a foundational move for future tech integration [03:05] Big reveal: Red Roof’s new AI-powered revenue management partnership with HotelIQ [05:45] How automation and analytics are helping owners stop leaving money on the table [08:30] Inside Red Roof’s record-breaking franchisee event and why brand confidence is surging [10:45] The "Elevate Tour": How Zack is meeting owners nationwide with clear action plans [13:10] The push for consistency and how property-level upgrades are paying off [15:20] AI + Renovations = Increased revenue—why it’s more than just lipstick on a property [17:45] Guest experience, cleanliness, and front desk smiles: Yes, the basics still matter [20:00] Quality > Quantity: Red Roof’s focused approach to growth [22:30] New national marketing tactics: Connected TV, digital targeting, and next-gen sales strategies [25:00] How Red Roof is balancing tech and human touch to meet modern consumer expectations 🔥 Whether you’re a hotel owner, operator, or just a hospitality geek—you’ll get a ton of value from hearing how Red Roof is evolving to meet today’s challenges head-on. 💬 Drop your thoughts below—What would YOU do to elevate a brand in year two? 🔗 Subscribe for more insider hospitality interviews and content from AAHOA!  

Bruce Jordan is a writer, podcaster and hotelier. But tonight he enters the Happy Hour zone with Glenn,. Craig and Producer Dave. We talk more hotel pet peeves, best hotels and stuff we wouldn't say if drinking wasn't involved.

📉 The hotel industry is navigating turbulent times — again. But this episode of hashtag#novacancynews isn’t about panic — it’s about real talk from the frontlines. I'm joined by Bruce Ford (Lodging Econometrics) and Craig Sullivan ([CLIC] Media) to break down what’s happening right now in hospitality — and what savvy operators must do to stay ahead. 👇 Highlights: [00:55] Market jitters & hotelier anxiety: The instability nobody's talking about [3:45] Convention cancellations & the silent collapse of government-adjacent demand [5:20] Economic ripple: Loss of city taxes, F&B revenue, and restaurant closures [7:45] Canadian travelers vanish — a crushing blow to Northeast U.S. tourism [11:35] How to tap your local market like a pro — your community is your new customer [15:25] The pipeline paradox: Record project counts but shrinking room size [18:40] A wave of listings hits the market — who's buying and who's just fishing? [23:10] Why developers are hitting pause — and what smart ones are quietly doing now [27:15] Small business pain: Rising input costs, shrinking margins, and $12 lattes [31:00] Brand conversions, property tax appeals & getting hyper-local for room nights [37:40] Bonus: Bruce’s Vegas weekend + Glenn’s BBQ adventures 🍖🔥 🙌 Special thanks to our advertiser: Actabl, Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com for more.

Luxury is booming, but so are guest complaints. Today, hashtag#novacancynews discusses the return of Starwood Hotels, the explosive growth of ultra-luxury hotels, and systemic service failures plaguing the hotel industry. 🛎️ Special thanks to our advertiser, Actabl – giving hoteliers the power to profit. Visit actabl.com for more. 📌 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why courage—not experience—is the leadership trait hotels desperately need right now Why $1,000+ hotel rooms are no longer rare—and who’s actually staying in them What makes Treehouse Hotels quirky and Baccarat Hotels ultra-luxurious How Starwood’s brand comeback is shaking up the luxury space What irrationally good service really means (and why it’s now table stakes) Glenn & Anthony’s take on economic instability and how it’s impacting hotel development The real reasons why international travelers are skipping the U.S.