by Steve Short | Apr 11, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
The quiet luxury trend that took off in 2024, where travelers sought more meaningful and authentic experiences, is shifting in 2025. This year, guests are choosing family-owned lodging for the warmth, connection, and comfort it offers.
Family-owned, independent properties are in a perfect position to meet this demand by creating stays that feel like home.
In this episode, Mandy Murry, founder of Hospitality Concierge, discusses how small stays can deliver these high-touch experiences. She also shares her “Undercover Boss”-style approach to consulting and the other trends she’s seeing across the industry.
We’re grateful to Mandy for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Hospitality Concierge at thehospitalityconcierge.com.
by Steve Short | Mar 14, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For independent lodging operators, direct bookings are the ultimate goal. Yet, many struggle with optimizing their online presence to achieve this.
Tarun Goyal, Founder & CEO of Simplotel, discusses how their Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions are helping over 3,000 hotels worldwide improve their booking processes and maximize direct reservations.
Now expanding into North America, Simplotel offers independent properties a better way to increase margins, reduce OTA reliance, and enhance the guest booking experience.
We are very thankful to Tarun for sharing his insights with us.
You can learn more about Simplotel at simplotel.com.
by Steve Short | Feb 14, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Many owners dream of selling their properties for maximum value down the line. While operational efficiency is key, one critical aspect is often overlooked — marketing.
Chris Kelly, a seasoned consultant at White Stone Brokers, shares invaluable insights on why regularly auditing and optimizing marketing strategies is essential. Not only can this boost your revenue, but it can also significantly enhance your property’s overall market value.
We are very thankful to Chris for sharing his insights with us.
You can learn more about White Stone Brokers at whitestonebrokers.com.
by Diann Turner | Oct 3, 2024 | Frictionless Guest App Posts, Frictionless Tips
It’s hard to believe that fall is upon us. It’s time to put away the sunscreen and pull out the sweaters! To many, it will be a welcome relief from those 100+ degree days. There’s nothing better than crisp autumn days and all things pumpkin!
Fall not only ushers in cooler temps and maybe a little snow on some mountain peaks, it also marks the beginning of state, regional and national lodging association conferences. These conferences provide a great opportunity for both aspiring and experienced lodging providers to come together to exchange ideas, learn new business strategies from respected speakers and discover innovative products and services.
The first conference will be here before you know it. So get planning and register for a conference or maybe two! Where will we see you?
For your convenience the following list of upcoming conferences has been compiled for you.
• October 27th – 29th, 2024: Michigan B & B Association at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, MI.
• November 3rd – 6th, 2024: Select Registry at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, CA.
• November 12th – 13th, 2024: Washington Independent Inns Network at The Winds Casino Resort in Arlington, WA.
• November 12th – 14th, 2024: New England Inns & Resorts Association at the Cliff House Maine in Cape Neddick, ME.
• November 18th – 20th, 2024: Mid Atlantic Innkeepers at the DoubleTree Resort in Lancaster, PA.
• December 3 – 5th, 2024: Midwest Association of Independent Inns at the Holiday Inn & Suites Bien VenU Event Center in Cedar Falls, IA.
• March 24th – 27th, 2025: Association of Lodging Professionals at the Galt House in Louisville, KY.
by Steve Short | Jun 13, 2024 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
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.
