SHR Soundbites

Adel talks about how hotels can use their CRM to move out of survival mode and into gaining market share as we start to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel (we think). How? Focus on communications (website, booking engine, and pre-stay emails) that improve the guest experience, i.e., explain the pet policy, fitness club hours, entertainment in and around the hotel. Identify those pain points for guests: confusing front door address or early arrival policy. Sounds basic, but she explains the genius in it beautifully. Give it a listen!

Trevor Stuart-Hill, Founder/President, Revenue Matters, joins me and in typical first-of-the-year fashion, we had technical difficulties so only the audio is available.

But, a great talk about what hotels with no revenue management function can expect moving forward through the pandemic and beyond--loss of market share! He gives advice to hotels on how to get started building a proper revenue management function.

He also talks about how seasoned revenue teams should respond amid the crisis. Step 1? Go snow skiing. Stuart explains. And, how they are becoming ingrained in the effort to stimulate demand and become profitable.

And, he gives us some Q1 trends to consider.

Ana Gutanu, former Revenue Manager with IHG, talks about her journey to the U.S. from Romania, her dream job, how she learned hospitality from podcasts and LinkedIn and it's industry groups, and more! More hotelier interviews like this one at https://shr.global/soundbites.

Stéphanie Versin, SVP of Marketing, with Sightline Hospitality, joins me from San Francisco. Stéphanie talks about her personal experience, her hotels closures and re-openings, tactics their using to stay relevant and drive bookings. Watch more hotelier interviews like this at https://shr.global/soundbites

Matt Keim, National Sales Manager for Omni Hotels & Resorts, in Oklahoma, talks with me about opening a convention property in an underserved market, amid a pandemic--the adjustments made in selling amid a pandemic, the Q1-Q2 outlook, and more! More hotelier interviews like this one at https://shr.global/soundbites

Jason Pirock, Director of Marketing for Aparium Hotel Group, joins me from Chicago, Illinois.

Jason talks about his boutique hotels, recent awards (USA Today, Condé Nast), adjustments to marketing the hotels amid the pandemic, collaboration with other departments, tactics used to promote the hotels--dinner in an alley?, and his advice for hoteliers as we continue through travel's struggles.

More hotelier interviews like this one at https://shr.global/soundbites.

Khristina Quigley Ridge, Group Revenue Manager, for JMK Group, joins me from Dublin, Ireland. Khristina talks about setting rates 18 months out, how to prepare for the return of group business, a 2021 commercial plan, the lack of online marketing, and a channel strategy.

Juan talks about what drove his summer bookings--whiskey tasting anyone?, word-of-mouth, what's in store for us over the next few months, and the power of an Inn Keeper's mentality.

Claudia explains the Margaritaville brand, how they benefited from revenge travel, how the brand has promoted travel amid the pandemic, how revenue management has changed, internal communications, the holidays, Q1 2021, and Thrive, Women in Travel.

Sandra Gannon, Revenue Puzzle - Revenue Management Consultant, joins me from Dublin, Ireland.

Sandra is a 20-yr hospitality veteran that came highly recommended to me by Khristina Quigley (Ridge).

Sandra talks about her journey, how the pandemic has changed the way we do revenue management, pricing challenges, and more!