Advertise on podcast: Virtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast

In this episode, Cody and Meagan revisit the heart of what this podcast is all about: being a Virtual GM. With remote operations becoming the norm—not the exception—this conversation is a must-listen for any owner or operator looking to manage smarter, leaner, and more flexibly. Meagan brings a rare perspective, having served as a Virtual GM since 2020, navigating the hospitality industry through massive change. From pandemic-era pivots to today’s tech-driven workflows, she shares real-world lessons learned and what it truly takes to succeed virtually in 2026. 🔹 Segment 1: What It Really Means to Be a Virtual GM Cody and Meagan break down the role of a Virtual GM and how it differs from traditional on-site management. 🔹 Segment 2: Lessons Learned Since 2020 Meagan reflects on the biggest operational shifts, guest behavior changes, and leadership lessons that emerged through the most transformative years in hospitality. 🔹 Segment 3: Tools That Make Virtual Management Work From PMS and messaging platforms to automation and reporting tools, Meagan outlines the most important systems every Virtual GM needs. 🔹 Segment 4: Tips, Tricks & Best Practices for 2026 The episode wraps with actionable insights on communication, accountability, service standards, and how to keep the guest experience seamless—even when managing from afar. If you’re considering virtual management—or already doing it—this episode delivers the blueprint to run your property efficiently while staying deeply connected to your guests. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

Meagan rejoins Cody for a timely and future-focused conversation on one of the most transformative forces in hospitality: Artificial Intelligence. As guest expectations rise and teams remain lean, AI is quickly becoming a must-have—not a nice-to-have—for properties heading into 2026. In this episode, Cody and Meagan break down how hoteliers can realistically use AI today—without needing a tech background or massive budget. 🔹 Segment 1: Why AI Matters in Hospitality in 2026 Cody and Meagan discuss why AI adoption is accelerating and how properties that ignore it risk falling behind. 🔹 Segment 2: Using AI in Daily Hotel Operations From guest communication and content creation to internal workflows, they share practical ways AI can save time, reduce errors, and improve consistency. 🔹 Segment 3: AI-Powered Marketing in 2026 Cody shares exciting insights into how AI can: Improve website conversionsPersonalize marketing messagesEnhance email and paid ad performanceHelp properties compete with larger brands🔹 Segment 4: Getting Started Without Overwhelm They close with advice on how to adopt AI thoughtfully—starting small, staying human, and using AI to enhance (not replace) hospitality. Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for using AI to operate smarter and market better in 2026. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody welcomes Audrey Yates, Vice President of Hotel Partnerships at Stash Hotel Rewards, to break down what truly makes loyalty programs work for independent hotels—without sacrificing brand identity or guest experience. Cody and Audrey dive into how Stash empowers independent properties to compete with big brands by offering meaningful loyalty benefits, driving repeat stays, and increasing direct bookings—while still letting hotels stay true to their unique story. 🔹 Segment 1: What Makes Stash Hotel Rewards Different Audrey explains how Stash was built specifically for independent hotels, focusing on quality, experience, and alignment—not cookie-cutter points systems. 🔹 Segment 2: Why Loyalty Matters More Than Ever With rising acquisition costs and increased OTA competition, Cody and Audrey discuss how loyalty programs like Stash help hotels retain guests and strengthen long-term relationships. 🔹 Segment 3: Best Practices for Independent Properties Using Loyalty From positioning loyalty at check-in to weaving it into digital touchpoints, this segment covers how to maximize Stash’s impact. 🔹 Segment 4: Top 5 Independent Hospitality Events You Should Attend Cody and Audrey wrap up by sharing their top events for networking, education, and growth in independent hospitality: Independent Lodging Congress – https://ilcongress.com/ Independent Hotel Show – https://independenthotelshow.us/ AHLA Events – https://www.ahla.com/events HITEC – https://www.hitec.org/ Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) – https://blla.org/ Whether you’re running a boutique hotel, independent resort, or lifestyle property, this episode is packed with insight on loyalty, community, and where to show up in the industry. Learn more about Stash Hotel Rewards: https://www.stashrewards.com/ Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody sits down with special guest J. Viola, Chief Operating Officer at Hotel Interactive, to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful event series in hospitality: BITAC. Cody and J. dive into what truly sets BITAC events apart from traditional conferences—from the highly curated format to the quality of relationships built in the room. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or underwhelmed by large trade shows, this episode explains why BITAC continues to stand out year after year. 🔹 Segment 1: What Makes BITAC Different J. shares how BITAC’s invitation-only structure, balanced buyer-to-supplier ratio, and intentional networking create meaningful conversations—not badge scanning chaos. 🔹 Segment 2: Why Hospitality Leaders Keep Coming Back With 88.5% of attendees being first-time participants last year, BITAC continues to attract fresh perspectives while maintaining a high-caliber audience of decision-makers. 🔹 Segment 3: Cody’s Role as Master of Ceremonies Cody announces his exciting role as Master of Ceremonies for six BITAC events this year: BITAC LuxuryBITAC Operations 2026BITAC Casino Resorts 2026BITAC Purchasing & Design Summer 2026BITAC Purchasing & Design Fall 2026BITAC Owners Fall 2026🔹 Segment 4: Why These Events Matter for Your Career & Business From owners and operators to vendors and brand leaders, Cody and J. explain why BITAC is one of the most efficient ways to build relationships, source solutions, and stay ahead of industry trends. If you’re serious about growing in hospitality and attending events that actually move the needle, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about BITAC events here: https://www.bitac.net/ Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody and Meagan dive into the powerful world of micro-moments—those small, often overlooked guest interactions that can build lasting loyalty and boost your property’s reputation. 🔹 Segment 1: What the Heck is a Micro-Moment? Discover what micro-moments really are and why they matter more than ever in hospitality. 🔹 Segment 2: Stories from Real Properties Cody and Meagan share inspiring examples of micro-moments that made a huge impact on guests and businesses. 🔹 Segment 3: Where Micro-Moments Come From Understand the origins of these meaningful moments and how your team can spot opportunities to create them. 🔹 Segment 4: How to Implement Micro-Moments Today Practical tips and strategies you can start using right now to elevate your guest experience and build stronger loyalty. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

Kick off 2026 with Meagan and Cody as they dive into everything you need to start the new year strong in boutique hospitality. This special New Year’s Day episode is all about fresh energy, new goals, and smart upgrades to set your property apart. 🔹 Segment 1: New Year Guest Vibes Learn what guests are expecting in the new year and how to match those fresh vibes to boost guest satisfaction and bookings. 🔹 Segment 2: Quick Upgrades for a Fresh Start Simple, actionable upgrades you can make now that will have an immediate impact on your guest experience and property appeal. 🔹 Segment 3: Top 5 Goals for 2026 Meagan and Cody share their personal and professional goals for 2026—and offer inspiration to help you set your own hospitality goals for a successful year. Whether you’re a boutique inn, a small hotel, or a vacation rental, this episode is your guide to starting 2026 with momentum and purpose. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this Christmas-morning episode, Cody & Meagan dive into what makes a stay truly special at the holidays — from guest expectations to festive touches — and wrap things up with their own Christmas movie showdown 🎬. 🎁 What’s Inside: 🔹 Segment 1: What Guests Want for Christmas A warm welcome, cozy ambiance, and thoughtful touches that turn a stay into a holiday memory.How small hotels and rentals can anticipate guest needs during the holidays.🔹 Segment 2: Holiday Touches Guests Remember Ideas for holiday décor, welcome gifts, seasonal amenities, and atmosphere upgrades that delight without breaking the bank.How to balance festive spirit with comfort and good service.🔹 Segment 3: Quick Wins for Hosts Easy-to-implement actions: holiday-themed emails, festive check-in gifts, curated guides to local holiday events, holiday-special pricing.Tips to create holiday magic even with limited staff or budget.🔹 Segment 4: Meagan & Cody’s Top 5 Christmas Movies They each share their top five holiday films — and a bonus pick — for festive movie night recommendations. Feel free to vote in the comments for YOUR favorite! Meagan’s Picks: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever — IMDB The Santa Clause — IMDB Home Alone — IMDB How the Grinch Stole Christmas — IMDB The Christmas Chronicles — IMDB Cody’s Picks: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — IMDB The Night Before — IMDB Jingle All the Way — IMDB Elf — IMDB A Christmas Story — IMDB 🎬 Bonus Movie: Die Hard — IMDB Whether you’re running a boutique inn, a vacation rental, or a hotel — or just love holiday vibes — this episode offers practical tips to create festive magic for your guests. And if you’re in the mood for movie night, we’ve got you covered. Previous Marketing Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1992151/episodes/16086739-marketing-tips-to-end-the-year-strong Happy holidays — and may your guests (and your movie night) be merry and bright! ✨ Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody sits down with special guest Walter Peseski (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-peseski/), Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Garfield Public/Private—one of the most respected firms in the development and public/private partnership space. With more than 30 million square feet developed, over $11 billion in financing structured, and $2 billion in successful public/private projects, Garfield brings unmatched expertise to how hospitality assets are managed, financed, and optimized. Walter, a 20-year hospitality veteran with leadership experience at Disney, Hilton, and Wyndham, offers a rare and insightful look into how hotels truly operate behind the scenes—and what owners don’t know they should be asking. 🔹 Segment 1: Why Third-Party Asset Management Matters Walter explains why most owners aren’t hoteliers—and how a strategic asset manager protects the owner's interests, ensures operational transparency, and asks the hard questions management companies often overlook. 🔹 Segment 2: How Public/Private Partnerships Shape Hospitality From urban redevelopment to tourism infrastructure, Walter breaks down how these partnerships work, why they matter, and how they’re shaping the next generation of hotel projects. 🔹 Segment 3: Balancing Revenue Growth with Expense Control A favorite topic: why brands and management companies are often incentivized only around revenue—and how that can hurt profitability. Walter shares how to keep both sides aligned and protect NOI. 🔹 Bonus: Walter’s Top 3 Hilton Properties To wrap up, Cody asks Walter to share his three favorite Hilton properties to visit for vacation—perfect inspiration for your next trip. This conversation is packed with insights for hotel owners, general managers, developers, and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of how great hotels stay great. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into the powerful role storytelling plays in hospitality branding. A great story can turn a stay into an experience—and create lasting emotional connections with your guests. They break down how to craft a compelling brand story that truly resonates and builds loyalty. 🔹 Segment 1: Why Story Matters Why do stories stick? Cody & Meagan explain how stories shape guest expectations, create emotional bonds, and differentiate your property in a crowded market. 🔹 Segment 2: What Makes a Brand Story Work Not all stories are created equal. They cover the key elements that make a story authentic, memorable, and relevant to your target guests. 🔹 Segment 3: Examples from Real Properties Cody & Meagan highlight inspiring examples, including the Adobe Desert Motel, a standout in storytelling-driven branding. Check them out: Website: adobedesertmotel.com Instagram: @adobedesert 🔹 Segment 4: How to Build Story Into Touchpoints From website copy to guest interactions, Cody & Meagan share practical tips on weaving your brand story consistently across every guest touchpoint. Whether you’re launching a new property or refreshing an existing brand, this episode will help you craft a story that sticks. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody & Meagan tackle one of the trickiest parts of hospitality—upselling. When done poorly, upselling can feel pushy or “slimy” to guests, but when done right, it can enhance the guest experience and boost your revenue. Cody & Meagan break down how to make upsells feel natural, helpful, and even welcome—so your guests feel cared for, not sold to. 🔹 Segment 1: What Makes an Upsell Feel Bad Explore common pitfalls that turn upselling into an annoyance, and why guests reject offers that feel insincere or timed poorly. 🔹 Segment 2: The Helpful Human Approach Learn how framing upsells as friendly recommendations can build trust and improve guest satisfaction. 🔹 Segment 3: Timing is Everything Find out when to present upsell opportunities for the best response—from pre-arrival messaging to check-in and beyond. 🔹 Segment 4: How to Implement Today Get actionable tips on setting up automated pre-arrival texts with curated offers, adding celebration packages, and personalizing recommendations without being “salesy.” Upselling done right = more revenue + a better guest experience. Guests appreciate thoughtful suggestions—and you’ll love the boost to your bottom line! Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

Thanksgiving Special! In this festive episode, Cody & Meagan celebrate the holiday by going head-to-head in a Thanksgiving Snake Draft to build the best Thanksgiving dish lineup ever. Meagan drafts: Turkey, Ham, Hand-Made Rolls, Gravy, Broccoli Casserole, Cranberries & Funeral Potatoes. Cody drafts: Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Brisket, Homemade Mac & Cheese, Salad, Deviled Eggs & Homemade Apple Pie. Who built the better Thanksgiving plate? Let us know in the comments! Then, the tradition continues as Cody & Meagan make their Thanksgiving Day football picks: Packers vs Lions: Meagan picks Packers, Cody picks LionsChiefs vs Cowboys: Meagan picks the Cowboys, Cody picks the ChiefsBengals vs Ravens: Meagan and Cody both pick RavensKick back, enjoy the holiday, and laugh along as we debate dishes, make predictions, and celebrate another year of gratitude with all of you. Happy Thanksgiving! Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into one of the most mission-critical topics for hotels heading into 2026: Reputation Management. Guest expectations are higher than ever—and reviews now live everywhere, from Google to TikTok to niche travel communities. Whether you're a boutique inn or a full-scale resort, your reputation is your revenue. Cody & Meagan break down the exact framework Vibrant uses to help properties protect, strengthen, and rebuild trust with guests—no matter what comes your way. 🔹 Segment 1: Where Reputation Lives Now The landscape has changed. Reviews don’t just sit on Google anymore—they’re on Instagram Stories, Reddit threads, influencer vlogs, and private travel groups. Cody & Meagan outline the new digital “ecosystem of opinion” and what hotels must monitor in 2026. 🔹 Segment 2: The 3R Review Method — Reflect, Reassure, Repair A simple, powerful formula every hotel can use: Reflect: Acknowledge what the guest experienced.Reassure: Show your commitment to their comfort and care.Repair: Share what you’ve done or will do to fix the issue.This method helps properties transform even tough reviews into trust-building moments. 🔹 Segment 3: Off-Script Stories Cody & Meagan dive into real-life examples where teams went off-script—in good ways and not-so-good ways. These stories highlight the impact of human moments, tone, and timing in reputation management. 🔹 Segment 4: Proactive Strategy You can’t just respond—you must anticipate. This segment explores how to build a proactive plan: Monitoring across platformsEncouraging positive reviews strategicallyTraining staff on service recoveryCreating "reputation rituals" that keep quality consistentWhether you're fighting back from a tough season or looking to elevate an already great reputation, this episode will help you master the trust game in 2026. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this special episode, Cody takes a nostalgic (and inspiring!) look back at the most downloaded Vibrant Guest Management Podcast episodes from each of the last four years. From the very first season to the latest breakthroughs in AI, these episodes represent the best conversations, insights, and moments our listeners couldn’t get enough of. Here are the top picks: 🏨 Tools You Need to Get Started in Hospitality (July 12, 2022) 👉 Listen Here 📈 4 Ways To Boost Your Hotel Advertising with Director of Marketing Leah Roberts (November 27, 2023) 👉 Listen Here 🧳 Owner Opportunities: Must-Haves for Building a Successful Property (June 20, 2024) 👉 Listen Here 🤖 The Future of Hospitality with AI – Featuring Logan Nicholson of Talsey AI (March 27, 2025) 👉 Listen Here Cody reflects on what made each episode stand out—whether it was the actionable takeaways, expert guest insights, or the timeless advice that continues to help property owners level up. If you’re new to the show, this is the perfect place to start. And if you’ve been with us since the beginning, it’s a chance to revisit the episodes that shaped our journey together. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

Just in time for Halloween, Cody gets spooky and shares his top 5 all-time Halloween movies. These are films that deliver chills, laughs, nostalgia—and a little bit of magic for the season. Here’s the lineup: Halloween (1978) — IMDBThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) — IMDBHocus Pocus - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/?ref_=ls_t_1Halloweentown — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173886/Beetlejuice — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/Cody talks about what makes each film special—the scares, the heart, the laughs—and why each holds a spot on their Halloween watchlist. Whether you prefer full horror, family fun, or quirky fantasy, this episode has something for everyone falling under the Halloween moonlight. Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com

In this episode, Cody breaks down the Top 5 Digital Must-Haves every hotel, resort, and boutique property needs to thrive in today’s hospitality landscape. Whether you’re a small independent inn or managing multiple properties, these digital essentials will help you drive bookings, boost visibility, and stay ahead of the competition. From building a high-converting website to mastering your review strategy and leveraging paid ads, Cody shares real, actionable steps you can implement today to strengthen your digital presence and grow revenue. 💻 The 5 Digital Must-Haves Website – Your digital front door. Why design, UX, and speed matter more than ever.Reviews – How to turn guest feedback into your most powerful marketing asset.Organic Social – Building brand loyalty through authentic storytelling.Google Ads – Capturing intent-driven travelers right when they’re ready to book.Meta Ads – Extending your reach and retargeting guests with precision.🧭 Key Takeaways The difference between digital presence and digital performanceHow to prioritize your marketing budget across platformsMistakes hoteliers make when running ads (and how to fix them)Tools to track success and measure ROIHow to create a cohesive brand message across all channels Follow us on Instagram - @thevibrantteam @virtualgmpodcast Checkout our website - www.thevibrantteam.com