by Steve Short | Jan 10, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #41 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Tim Wilson, Director of Sales at bnbfinder, about how the company is aiming to be the largest online platform for direct and commission-free bookings for professionally operating inns, B&Bs and small boutique lodging.
In the lodging arena, it is common for Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) to charge between 15 to 20 percent on each guest booking. While this may be palatable for larger hoteliers, smaller properties can greatly benefit from a solution that provides direct and commission-free bookings.
This is where bnbfinder comes into play. The company has evolved into one of the largest online B&B directories for travelers, with over 10,000 B&Bs and inns. Guests can book their stays directly through bnbfinder with properties paying no commissions, making it an ideal and cost-effective channel for enhancing overall bookings.
We are very thankful to Tim for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about bnbfinder here.
by Steve Short | Jan 4, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
A message from Steve Short, Founder & CEO, Frictionless Guest App
For lodging professionals of all types, the ability to advance educational opportunities in sales, finance, marketing, operations and technology is vital to long-term success. Unfortunately, pandemic challenges have made it difficult for industry people to gather and share best practices over the last few years.
At last, the time is coming for us to get together at the 2022 ALP Conference & Marketplace, which will be taking place in-person in my hometown of Baltimore – from Saturday, February 5th through Wednesday, February 9th! That’s right, folks, we’re only about one month away. So, if you’re thinking about attending (and you should be), NOW is the time to take action!
Born out of the 2020 merger between PAII and AIHP, the Association of Lodging Professionals’ (ALP) provides essential education, advocacy, networking, and professional development opportunities for lodging property owners and operators.
As the first official in-person event for ALP, the 2022 ALP Conference & Marketplace will offer a wide-range of educational opportunities for experienced, new and aspiring lodging professionals at the main conference, as well as at the marketplace – where vendors and service providers will be showcasing their offerings.
Over the course of five days, more than 60 presentations will be made by lodging leaders and experts about an enormously diverse number of topics that are relevant to our industry. I will be among the speakers, presenting “Mobile Guest Experience Apps – No More Outdated, Coffee Stained Guest Books” at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, February 7th, where I will discuss how property owners can take advantage of guest-facing mobile apps that enhance the overall guest experience (a passionate subject for me!)
Of course, it’s not all about business, and there will also be plenty of fun to be had with networking opportunities and social gatherings. A highlight is the dinner event on Tuesday evening, February 8th, which entails three hours of entertainment, open bar, and a Taste of Baltimore at the nearby American Visionary Art Museum. I’ve had the good fortune of being a member of the committee of volunteer Baltimoreans that’s organized this special event and they have done a phenomenal job to ensure that everyone will have a great time!
Whether you are an experienced, new or aspiring lodging professional, don’t miss out on the opportunity to gather with the best and brightest in the industry, and push your operational, marketing and sales efforts to the next level in 2022!
To learn more about the 2022 ALP Conference & Marketplace, please listen to this fact-filled, highly informative podcast interview we recently did with Kris Ullmer (CEO) and Erik Spence (Conference Planner and Trade Show Coordinator) of ALP or visit the ALP website.
I hope to see you all in Baltimore!
Steve Short
Founder & CEO, Frictionless Guest App
by Steve Short | Dec 13, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #40 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Kris Ullmer, CEO of the Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP); and Erik Spence, Conference Planner and Trade Show Coordinator at ALP, about the upcoming 2022 ALP Conference & Marketplace in Baltimore, taking place from Saturday, February 5, through Wednesday, February 9.
For lodging professionals of all kinds, the ALP Conference & Marketplace is the go-to event of the year for educational opportunities for everything from sales, finance, marketing, operations to technology, and much more.
This year, ALP has expanded the aspiring innkeeper portion of the conference to three days, and all attendees have the option to attend the main conference and marketplace. In addition, the event offers a wide range of networking opportunities and social gatherings – culminating with three hours of entertainment, fun, open bar, and a Taste of Baltimore at the nearby American Visionary Arts Museum.
We are very thankful to Kris Ullmer and Erik Spence for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about the 2022 ALP Conference & Marketplace here.
by Steve Short | Dec 7, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #39 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Randy Bangs, the owner of Get Heads in Beds, a marketing and consulting firm for lodging professionals, about the value of marketing and branding for properties.
Marketing is a key differentiator in the lodging industry, and the true driver to securing new guest reservations. Though having the internal resources to manage every aspect of marketing can be challenging.
Get Heads in Beds is a marketing and consulting firm that fills in these gaps for lodging professionals. As the name suggests, the firm is all about helping properties to drive up overall revenue through increased bookings. Unlike traditional marketing firms, Get Heads in Beds charges nothing up front, and is only compensated when new revenue comes in the door.
We are very thankful to Randy Bangs for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Get Heads in Beds here. Randy is also the owner/innkeeper of the Stewart Inn.
by Steve Short | Nov 22, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #38 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Jim Snediker, Co-Founder and CEO of Stock Mfg Co., who discusses how lodging professionals can differentiate their offering through the use of branded workwear.
Lodging professionals can differentiate their offerings by the use of branded workwear to project an ideal brand image, reinforce a consistent guest experience, and bolster overall employee morale. Jim Snedicker and his team at Stock Mfg Co. are experts at the aesthetics of clothing for the hospitality industry.
Since 2012, Stock has designed and manufactured custom workwear for some of the best bars, restaurants, and hotels in the world. With roots in the fashion industry, the company offers a wide-range of stylish branded uniforms, including shirts, blazers, light jackets, aprons, and baseball caps.
We are very thankful to Jim Snediker for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Stock Mfg Co. here.
