No Vacancy Live!

Last week at the Stonebridge 's annual conference in hashtag#NewOrleans – where I hosted, moderated and delivered a keynote -- I spoke with EVP Operations Lee Palaschak for hashtag#NoVacancyNews about how the company is transforming. With a clear focus on culture, people, and purposeful partnerships, Stonebridge is entering a fresh chapter — or as Lee calls it, a "rebirth." 🔑 What we cover: *How Stonebridge is redefining itself from the ground up *The philosophy behind thoughtful growth — and why bigger isn't always better *Building real alignment with vendors, partners, and team members *Creating community during company events (yes, there were food trucks!) What it means to operate with clarity in an uncertain market #RightHereRightNow

Recorded recently in Las Vegas, I caught up with Tony Yousfi, CMP, Chief Sales Officer at the iconic The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, for an energizing hashtag#NoVacancyNews conversation about what it takes to keep 7,000 suites full, 2.2 million square feet of space active, and 10,000-person events running seamlessly—week after week. 📍 Here's what we covered: *How the Venetian transforms every four days for new guests and events *The billion-dollar renovation strategy—and why they're only doing it during hashtag#LasVegas' "quiet" 98% occupancy months *How Tony's team closes deals fast, even in a city running at near full capacity *What it really takes to lead and motivate the next generation of hospitality professionals *Why saying "yes" to failure can be the most effective teaching tool *Personal lessons on grit, growth, and taking your first-ever 15-day vacation at 50 💡 Whether you're a hospitality veteran or just hotel-curious, this one offers an inside look at what makes the Venetian tick. Special thanks to our advertiser: Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit them at Actabl.com. hashtag#hospitalityleadership

Recorded on location in Ft. Worth, Texas, I chatted with Mark Kimber, Chief Revenue Officer at Fintech, spoke to hashtag#NoVacancyNews to uncover how this decades-old alcohol invoicing powerhouse is shaking things up in hospitality. If you manage hotel operations and are drowning in invoices, this conversation might just change the way you work. 🎙️ Here's what you'll hear in this episode: How hashtag#Fintech evolved from alcohol compliance to hospitality-wide invoice automation Why hoteliers are stuck with "garage sale" accounting outside of alcohol—and how to fix it How Fintech eliminates hours of manual entry by integrating with your ERP system (think Birchstreet, Coupa, and more) Real-time visibility into cash flow, invoice accuracy, and vendor compliance A proof-of-concept approach that lets you test the platform with just a few vendors ⏱️ Saving 5 minutes per invoice might not sound like much… until you multiply it across every vendor, every day. Fintech's model is about efficiency, visibility, and letting your team focus on guests—not back-office chaos. 🎧 Tune in now and hear why this isn't just another tech pitch—it's a serious opportunity to cut costs and streamline operations.

🎙️ #NoVacancyNews' Glenn Haussman sits down with Ryan Minton, bestselling author of Uplifted: The Remarkable Power of Positive Leadership on Frontline Teams, to talk about the game-changing impact of positivity in leadership.

🔹 What you'll hear in this episode:

• How positive leadership transforms frontline teams and creates a thriving workplace
• Why employees don't tolerate bad bosses anymore (and what leaders must do to keep top talent)
• The real ROI of uplifting leadership — how happier employees boost customer experience and the bottom line
• The invisible balloon analogy: How every interaction either inflates or deflates your team's morale
• A wild customer service fail Ryan experienced last week—why outdated policies ruin brand loyalty

💡 Plus, Ryan shares practical advice for leaders, including how to empower teams through trust and avoid common pitfalls that drive employee disengagement.

🎧 But the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Uplifted-Remarkable-Positive-Leadership-Frontline-ebook/dp/B0FC6T8H7F/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1T9SHR7Z15C7W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SiJFLLHuXfOjXPOsHcHefhs8nG8RPW1Sj3uiPxVs6u3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.QEuFYL15ejc4Q6TOXKsDPAMwfk25_jEVE6ez1v7yyXg&dib_tag=se&keywords=of+Uplifted%3A+The+Remarkable+Power+of+Positive+Leadership+on+Frontline+Teams&qid=1749554909&sprefix=of+uplifted+the+remarkable+power+of+positive+leadership+on+frontline+teams%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1

🔹 Special thanks to our sponsor: Actabl gives you the power to profit—visit Actabl.com

#novacancynews #leadershipsuccess

📍 Where to listen: Find Uplifted Leadership wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

Tim Flohr is an Associate Professor of Teaching at U of Memphis and the Co-founder & Managing Partner of HospitalityInternships.com

. Tonight he risks it all by joining Glenn, Craig, and Producers Dave and Suzanne for some 'innocent' drinks and laughs to kick off the weekend. Plus, Glenn is on location in New Orleans.

Why do some hotel companies thrive while others struggle with retention, innovation, and guest satisfaction? In this episode of hashtag#NoVacancyNews, we talk with Rob Smith, CEO & President of Stonebridge Companies, who's bringing humanity back to hospitality — without ignoring the power of technology. 🔑 Key Highlights: 👥 Why putting people first isn't just good ethics—it's smart business 🤖 How Stonebridge uses technology to enhance—not replace—human connection 💼 Rethinking workforce culture to increase retention and reduce burnout 📊 The power of real-time data to drive better decisions at every level 💡 What the next generation of hospitality leadership needs to know 🎯 How aligning purpose with profit creates a company guests and staff want to be part of Whether you lead a hotel team, invest in propertie s, or are just obsessed with where hospitality is headed, this episode is a must-listen. 🔗 Tune in now and hear how one of the industry's top CEOs is building a people-powered future. hashtag#HospitalityLeadership

Hospitality is shifting—and Joseph Bojanowski, President of PM Hotel Group, joined hashtag#NoVacancyNews during the NYU IHIF to gauge what's really happening in the hashtag#hotelindustry right now. ✔️ Tired of mixed signals from headlines? This episode brings clarity on: *Why focusing on actual trends over trending topics is essential for strategic planning *What PM Hotel Group is seeing with real-time travel demand and consumer behavior *How seasonality shifts and timing affected hotel comp sets in 2025 *Strong ADR growth trends despite softening fundamentals *Firsthand insights from the opening of Evo Tahoe City—where experience-driven travel is thriving *Why the hospitality economy might be untethered from the broader U.S. economy What it all means for investors, operators, and leaders looking to make their next big move 📈 It's a sharp, real-world look at how to lead in uncertain times.

What's really happening with new hotel construction in today's unpredictable climate? #NoVacancyNews sat down with Mark Laport, CEO of Concord Hospitality Enterprises, during NYU IHIF this week to discuss: • 🏗️ Why he's bullish on launching #StudioRes, Marriott International's new extended-stay brand • 💰 The financial balancing act—dealing with skyrocketing costs and persistent labor issues • 🌍 What makes Concord's approach different, and how they're betting smart on the future • 🤝 Why relationships—especially in tough times—make or break your ability to grow If you're in hospitality development or operations, this one is essential. Mark delivers thoughtful insight without fluff, and yes, he still refuses to call himself a "big shot." 🎧 Listen in for real-world strategies and forward-looking ideas.

Recorded live at the NYU IHIF, hashtag#NoVacancyNews catches up with Zack Gharib, President of Red Roof, exactly one year after their first interview—this time with plenty to celebrate and unpack. 🔑 What You'll Learn:

How Zack's first year at the helm shaped a renewed culture and a long-term growth strategy at Red Roof.

The impact of new partnerships, including:

Sojern: boosting guest experience and connectivity.

HotelIQ by Intelligent Hospitality: transforming revenue management with smarter pricing and analytics.

Bridge: enhancing access to capital for franchisees. Real talk on industry-wide pressures—labor, costs, litigation, insurance, and interest rates—and why collaboration across brands and associations is critical right now. A major win for diversity: Red Roof welcomed 30 new women owners in the past year through its She Inspires initiative. Why sales & marketing are now front and center after a tech-focused year—and how this dual approach is designed to drive profitability. 📺 Don't miss this one—you'll walk away smarter about the state of the industry and where it's going next.