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#068: Richard Aday, CEO of ThinkReservations, Discusses Acorn Acquisition, ThinkWeb Launch and Leadership

#068: Richard Aday, CEO of ThinkReservations, Discusses Acorn Acquisition, ThinkWeb Launch and Leadership

ThinkReservations, led by CEO Richard Aday, acquired Acorn Marketing in April 2024, and proceeded to launch its latest major offering, ThinkWeb, soon thereafter.

Making a major acquisition and launching a new product around the same time required strong leadership to help ensure its success.

Richard discusses the Acorn acquisition, ThinkWeb launch, and the challenges of leading the combined teams toward his vision of the future.

You can learn more about ThinkReservations at thinkreservations.com.

#067: State/Regional Spotlight: Midwest Association of Independent Inns, with Kerri Thiel and Randy Bangs

#067: State/Regional Spotlight: Midwest Association of Independent Inns, with Kerri Thiel and Randy Bangs

For state independent lodging associations to thrive, there’s a need to be nimble and continually provide value to their members.

The Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association recently rebranded itself as the Midwest Association of Independent Inns (MWInns) to expand its market to 13 Midwest states. MWInns also focuses on marketing the region and offering property listings for travelers to book their stays. 

We are very thankful to Kerri Thiel, Executive Director of MWInns; and Randy Bangs, who is the Board VP Marketing Chair of MWInns, for sharing their insights with us. 

You can learn more about the Midwest Association of Independent Inns at mwinns.com.

#066: From Anthropology to High-Quality American Made Bedding and Linens with Janet Wischnia of American Blossom Linens

#066: From Anthropology to High-Quality American Made Bedding and Linens with Janet Wischnia of American Blossom Linens

Providing high-quality bedding and linens is a critical part of elevating the guest experience to ensure a dream-worthy stay.

With a storied history in U.S.-based manufacturing since 1889, American Blossom Linens, a brand of bedding made by Thomaston Mills, is a pioneer in providing American-made bedding and linens for independent lodging.

We are very thankful to Janet for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about American Blossom Linens at americanblossomlinens.com.

#065: Designing Your Property to Maximize the Guest Experience with James Kuester of Küster Design

#065: Designing Your Property to Maximize the Guest Experience with James Kuester of Küster Design

Often overlooked, having a professionally designed interior can make your property truly stand out, reflect your brand and maximize the guest experience.

Starting out as a designer of home furnishings, James Kuester of Küster Design, transitioned his business to focus on interior design for the independent lodging sector. His firm’s focus is on interior branding in a way that enhances how guests interact with all aspects of a property. 

We are very thankful to James Kuester for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about Küster Design at kusterdesign.com.

#064: Elevate the Coffee Experience for Your Guests with Small Batch Roasting with Ann Brownell and Jeff Raybourn, Owners of the Cozy Cup Coffee Company

#064: Elevate the Coffee Experience for Your Guests with Small Batch Roasting with Ann Brownell and Jeff Raybourn, Owners of the Cozy Cup Coffee Company

When it comes to elevating the guest experience, serving high-quality coffee can really make a difference.

When Ann Brownell and Jeff Raybourn purchased the Cozy Cup Coffee Company in 2023, they had a vision of expanding their small batch roasted coffee beyond the walls of their coffee shop and into the innkeeping arena. They now have a customized innkeepers package that allows any property owner to provide the highest quality coffee to guests.

We are very thankful to Ann and Jeff for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about the Cozy Cup Coffee Company at cozycupcoffee.com.