In the first Slick Talk episode of 2025, Wil Slickers welcomes Frank and Fred from Hostfully to discuss their annual industry report.

This episode delves into the main concerns of the hospitality industry, highlighting tech challenges and opportunities.

Key topics include the shift toward direct bookings, the rise of AI, optimization of guest experiences through digital guidebooks, and emerging trends in property management technology.

The discussion also covers the importance of embracing growth mindsets, effective marketing strategies, and the potential of new features in Hostfully's property management system. A must-listen for hospitality operators looking to stay ahead in 2025!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

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Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers sits down with Matt Orley, CEO of Red Cottage, a company known for its thoughtfully curated vacation rentals in the Northeast.

They discuss the importance of removing surprises for guests and ensuring they know exactly what they're booking. 

Matt shares insights into expanding Red Cottage's reach through property management acquisitions and innovative membership programs. 

The conversation delves into the significance of communication in the hospitality industry, exploring product management, guest experience, and the impact of a well-designed tech stack. 

Tune in for an engaging discussion on enhancing guest satisfaction and the evolving landscape of vacation rentals.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

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Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Wil Slickers in an engaging episode of Slick Talk, as he sits down with Jeremy Werden, co-founder of BNB Calc and host of the Short Term Rental Pros Podcast. Jeremy shares his entrepreneurial voyage, starting from managing vacation rentals to transitioning into property ownership in his twenties.

He provides insights on the significance of virtual assistants, sustainable growth, and the challenges of balancing various business ventures, including his intriguing boat rental business.

Wil and Jeremy dive into failures, successes, and the evolving landscape of hospitality technology. Tune in for an inspiring and educational conversation that covers everything from real estate investment strategies to the future of AI in short-term rentals.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

——–

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers interviews Chris Wheeler, co-founder and managing partner of Scenic Stays, a vacation rental management company with over 460 properties across the Southeast. 

Chris shares his journey from traditional hotel roles at Marriott and Hilton to leading Scenic Stays and blending hotel expertise with innovative vacation rental strategies.

They discuss the importance of recovering guest experiences, how to maintain effective communication, the challenges and benefits of managing diversified property portfolios, and creative guest recovery stories. 

Chris also offers an optimistic outlook for the industry in 2025, emphasizing the importance of trust, communication, and personal touches in the hospitality experience.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

——–

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this in-depth episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers sits down with Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA, to discuss numerous facets of the short-term rental and hospitality industry. From the unexpected impacts of COVID-19 and its role in reshaping market dynamics to the economic factors driving the current landscape, Jamie provides eye-opening insights and data-backed predictions for the future of the STR market.

The conversation delves into the significant churn rates in STR, tech integration, and the evolving landscape of property management technologies. Jamie also shares personal experiences from his new video series, Jamie’s Lane Change, which documents his journey into the world of short-term rentals. Whether you're an investor, operator, or industry enthusiast, this episode offers valuable takeaways on staying ahead in the competitive hospitality sector.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

——–

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Wil Slickers dives deep into the world of dynamic pricing and distribution optimization with guest Bart-Jan, co-founder of Otamiser and AutoRank. Bart shares his journey from a finance student in Belgium to a startup founder revolutionizing online distribution and booking optimization for hotels and short-term rentals. The conversation covers industry trends, the evolution of revenue management, the challenges of API connectivity, and the impact of over-saturated markets. Bart also discusses the company's future plans and the importance of aligning perceived value with offered value for listings. Tune in for insightful discussions on hospitality innovation and entrepreneurship from a rising star in the tech space.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

——–

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Wil dives into an engaging conversation with Jasmine Seliga, Co-Founder of Affixify, a platform designed to help hotels connect with technology vendors.

Jasmine shares her incredible journey from aspiring medical sales professional to becoming a leading figure in hospitality technology. The discussion covers the highs and lows of building Affixify, the common mistakes hotels make when selecting tech vendors, and the future of AI and robotics in the hospitality sector.

Jasmine emphasizes the importance of simplicity, human connection, and unbiased, data-driven choices in tech adoption. Tune in for insights on making strategic tech decisions and staying ahead in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

——–

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Wil Slickers brings Arthur Colker from StayFi back for a deep dive into the role of AI in the hospitality industry, the growth and challenges of 2024, and StayFi's innovative email marketing solutions. They discuss how AI is not always the optimal solution and the importance of a well-constructed marketing strategy. Arthur also shares insights on booking trends, the significant role of OTAs, and the need for resilience in the industry. Additionally, they touch on the evolving tech landscape and what makes a professional in short-term rentals. Tune in for valuable industry insights, the impact of hurricanes on vacation rental markets, and the latest technology innovations presented at VRMA.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

——–

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Brian Meyer, co-founder of FLOHOM, an experiential hospitality company specializing in luxury houseboats as short-term lodging experiences. Brian shares his unique journey from growing up on the water to studying in Hawaii, becoming a competitive paddler, and eventually starting a paddleboard shop in Annapolis, Maryland. He also delves into the inception and growth of FLOHOM, where he aims to modernize on-water living and make it accessible to a broader demographic. Brian emphasizes the importance of a strong team, visual storytelling, and controlling guest experiences. This episode also covers the company's business model, including partnerships and future aspirations, and touches on Brian's personal story of meeting his birth parents and how it has influenced his entrepreneurial path. Tune in to hear an inspiring story of passion, innovation, and the next frontier in hospitality.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at:

——–

Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers talks with industry expert Simon Lehmann live from VRMA. They discuss the critical need for professionalization in the short-term rental industry amidst economic challenges and regulatory impacts.

The episode emphasizes the necessity of standards and accreditation akin to a 'driver’s license' for property managers, highlighting technological advancements, reliable guest experiences, and the fragmented state of the industry.

The conversation underscores the importance of professional training and 24/7 availability for hosts and tackles inefficiencies in models like VRMAs. Tune in to understand how property managers can navigate regulatory pressures, capture more revenue, and thrive in the evolving market landscape.

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Thank you for tuning into our podcast! Slick Talk is a Hospitality.FM production, and you can find more of our shows at Hospitality.FM or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts!

Listen to more episodes on our website and take a look at our amazing podcast and network sponsors that make this all possible!

You can also listen to our Monday morning podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, where we discuss the industry in a more casual setting!

If you ever want to contact us for guest suggestions or anything else related to the podcast, please fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch!

Last but not least, we love to connect on LinkedIn! Let’s connect there so you can see the daily content we post beyond the podcast!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices