by Steve Short | Jan 3, 2024 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has officially made its way into the hospitality industry with TakeUp, a recent start-up that offers a dynamic pricing platform which leverages the power of AI and machine learning to optimize room rates and increase revenue.
Patty Sung, Founder and CEO at TakeUp; and Chris McPherson, Founder & CTO at TakeUp, tell us about their offering, explain how they leverage AI to help lodging professionals, and make an excellent case for why their approach is the way of the future.
We are very thankful to Patty and Chris for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about TakeUp at takeup.ai.
by Steve Short | Dec 5, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Google Business Profile helps lodging professionals manage their business information across Google products like Search and Maps.
In addition to ensuring that potential guests can find information about their property and eventually book, lodging owners can use their account to review traffic metrics, gather customer insights, as well as view and respond to Google Reviews.
Annie Buck, Education and Local Marketing Manager at Acorn Marketing, breaks down everything lodging businesses need to know about leveraging Google Business Profile to maximize their bookings.
We are very thankful to Annie for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com.
by Steve Short | Oct 25, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Independent lodging properties are ideal destinations for weddings and those that offer wedding services, regardless of size and complexity, can attest that they are an excellent source of revenue. There is a range of options for a property to consider when deciding to offer on-site wedding services.
Lela Pohlmann is a Wedding Coordinator for Hermann Hill Weddings, which offers a full range of wedding services at Hermann Hill, a luxury boutique hotel in Hermann, Missouri. Hermann Hill hosted more than 130 weddings in 2022, and Lela’s experience provides great insights on how lodging professionals might start or expand wedding offerings at their property.
We are thankful to Lela for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Hermann Hill Weddings at hermannmoweddings.com.
by Steve Short | Oct 4, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
State and regional independent lodging associations play a vital role in promoting properties in their areas, as well as ensuring quality lodging standards and providing educational opportunities for members.
As former innkeepers who had successes in owning two properties, Donna and Byron Cain became Co-Executive Directors at the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association (MBBA) about two years ago. They discuss the role of the MBBA, the importance of communicating with members, and the MBBA Annual Conference 2023 being held in Grand Rapids at the end of this month, from October 30-31.
We are very thankful to Donna and Byron for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about the MBBA at laketolake.com.
by Steve Short | Sep 24, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
During the COVID-19 pandemic, lodging professionals often needed to find creative ways to incent guests to stay at their properties. Some owners and managers did so by developing new on-property experiences for their guests which they had never offered in the past.
Doug Bagnasco and Jim DeBlasi, the co-owners of the Devonfield Inn, were among that group of astute lodging professionals who focused their energies on developing a wide-range of on-site guest experiences, by leveraging the strengths of what their property has to offer and partnering with local businesses to bring unique services and activities to their Inn. Most of these offerings became so popular that they live on today as essential ways of providing unique guest experiences.
We are very thankful to Doug and Jim for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about the Devonfield Inn at devonfield.com.
by Steve Short | Aug 17, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Marty and Carmel Etzel bought the Flag House Inn in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2017, with no prior experience or even informal knowledge of running a lodging business. In less than five years, they were able to more than double their bookings and sell the property for twice the amount they paid for it.
Marty discusses their journey, how they were able to accomplish this feat, and how he now parlays his experiences to help other lodging professionals as a consultant for Acorn Marketing.
We are very thankful to Marty for sharing his insights. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com.
by Steve Short | Jul 31, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Nothing quite entices guests to book better than high-end, professional photos of your property. Rather than relying on your mobile device for taking amateur photos, there can be a significant return to your investment if you hire a professional.
Tom Krueger is a professional commercial photographer who is focused on the independent lodging niche, and has deep expertise in making any property shine online.
We are very thankful to Tom for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Tom’s professional photographer services at tomkrueger.net.
by Steve Short | Jan 30, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
The Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP) has undergone some significant changes recently, including bringing on Sarah Gazi as its new CEO, taking over for the former Interim CEO, E. Scot Fuller-Beatty.
Sarah has been in association management for more than 20 years and she envisions shaping a new direction for ALP through listening to its members and partners. The organization has already been expanding its membership, with a stronger focus around community and collaboration.
We spoke with Sarah, Scot, and Conference & Events Planner Erik Spence about the future of ALP, as well as the upcoming, can’t-miss 2023 ALP Conference & Marketplace in Phoenix, Arizona, February 25th to March 1st.
We are very thankful to Sarah, Scot and Erik for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about ALP at alplodging.org.
by Steve Short | Jan 18, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Unbeknownst to many independent lodging professionals, Google Travel is playing a significant role in impacting booking by diverting potential guests from the Google Search into its online travel marketplace.
Lisa Kolb, Owner and Co-Founder of Acorn Marketing, discusses everything property owners need to be aware of about Google Travel for maximizing their bookings.
Acorn Marketing offers a comprehensive strategy for helping property owners to re-think traditional SEO and create new revenue opportunities with Google Travel.
We are very thankful to Lisa for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com.
by Steve Short | Dec 21, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Often the most significant business challenges can lead to true transformation. This was the case for Rita Sleys, owner and operator of the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast, who found her business at a crossroads.
In 2019, she sought out help from Randy Bangs, owner of Get Heads in Beds, which led to a renovation of her property, an update to the property’s website — and a complete re-focus on her approach to business. As a result, the property is thriving and has more than doubled its revenue.
We are very thankful to Rita for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast at rosemontinnbb.com.
