Wil Slickers

Did you know? Contracting Your Programs Before December 31 Can Offer Significant Advantages As the year winds down, now is the perfect time to leverage unique opportunities in the meetings and events industry. Submitting your RFPs and contracting before December 31st can offer significant advantages for both clients and venues. Here’s why acting now can help: 🔹 Maximized Client Benefits: Many hotels and the sales teams are focused on meeting year-end targets and goals. This can create potential for better deals and added value in Q4. We help them by contracting before Dec 31st and they help us by adding value to your contract. 🔹 Strengthening Relationships: By signing a contract now, you may help a hotel sales managers achieve their year-end goals and incentives, strengthening relationships for future opportunities. People don’t forget. 🔹 Secures the space and dates you need: Sometimes this push towards year end will create value that you might not see at the start of a New Year. Maybe better space, secured dates that might not be available at the turn of the New Year. It can simply create a little more flexibility for you the client to get what you need and helps everyone involved. If you are sitting on a RFP, don’t hesitate. Get it out the door and let’s get started and see what we can find. If we can find a great space and sign before end of year we can sometimes find a lot of value in that timely transaction. It means a lot to everyone and gets you an early start on your 2025 calendar which is also an added benefit. Let Strategic Site Selection guide you through the process, ensuring every detail is handled with care and expertise. 📩 Contact me today - [email protected] to discuss your needs and get started. #RFP #ClientBenefits #HotelPartners #HotelGoals #SiteSelection #EventPlanning #YourPartnerInPlanning #StrategicSiteSelection

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Vacation rental professionals know the struggle of managing guest communications across multiple platforms. 📱💻 That's why a unified inbox is a game-changer for hospitality businesses! If you haven't implemented one yet, it's likely a top priority on your tech list. And if you're already using one, you'll be interested in enhancing it with AI and other advanced features. Choosing new technology for your hospitality business can be daunting, and we often get questions about unified inboxes. To help, we've compiled a comprehensive guide that answers all your questions. 🚀 Check out this in-depth guide on choosing the right unified inbox solution for your vacation rental business. Here's what you'll find in the guide: - Identify available unified inboxes for vacation rental managers and compare their features to make an informed decision. - Learn which questions to ask and what to look for when choosing a unified inbox for your business. - Discover time-saving automation features for guest communication. - Explore mobile options for on-the-go management. - Get insights on integration with other property management tools. Don't let scattered communications hold your business back. Get a unified inbox and choose the best one for your needs. Which unified inbox are you using, and what features would you love to add for better communication? #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HospitalityTechnology #HospitalityTech #UnifiedInbox #GuestCommunication #GuestExperience #GuestMessaging #UnifiedMessaging #GuestService #HospitalityProfessionals

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The vacation rental industry is evolving faster than ever. And the timeline to evolve is compressing faster than ever. As I interact with the industry on a daily basis, I become more and more convinced of these two thesis points. Exciting times. But also dangerous. There is little room for error. Hospitality pros are honing their hospitality craft. The amateur-minded are falling behind quickly. The end of 2024 and into 2025 will bring strong shifts. And one of the continued leaders will be Vrbo / Expedia Group Partnerships with their strong focus on the best vacation properties, family groups, and amazing guest experiences. And what seems to be the leader in vacation rental loyalty - One Key. On this week's The Art of Hospitality Podcast we enjoy a great discussion with Tim Rosolio to dig into Vrbo's perspective of the industry and plans to evolve heading into 2025. We cover... - What can we learn from OTAs - Stylistic and foundational ideas - How does VRBO think about “stacking the vacation rental shelves” of the Expedia OTA - Challenge of brining software platforms together - Why was VRBO conversion down for a bit - How is conversion starting to pick up again - How is Expedia/VRBO thinking about loyalty - Expedia OneKey loyalty program - Tools directed at integrated property managers - Maximum value comes from one platform - Innovation coming to the loyalty space - Vacation rental clubs to drive revenue - Expedia & VRBO marketing and brand awareness - VRBO’s focus on family travelers - Focused on the best inventory, not the most inventory - Why VRBO vs HomeAway - Professional VRM = a professionalized hospitality experience Enjoy the listen... https://lnkd.in/e-Ux53V6

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🎯 SPECIALIZATION OVER GENERALIZATION 🌐 In our latest podcast episode, Jonathan Wicks, CEO of Well & Good Professional Services, shares why his decision to focus solely on guest servicing within the hospitality industry has set his company apart and led to unparalleled excellence. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - SPECIALIZATION OVER GENERALIZATION: Concentrating on servicing allows for refined expertise and superior guest experience. 🎯 - INDUSTRY NEEDS: As travel evolves, the demand for specialized services increases, making a one-size-fits-all approach less effective. 📉 - OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Focusing on specific areas reduces operational complexities and enhances overall efficiency. 🚀 Jonathan's strategic focus on servicing rather than full-spectrum property management demonstrates the power of specialization in today's diverse travel market. 👉 Listen to the full episode! 🎥 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Q4slVT 🎧 Spotify: https://bit.ly/4aEFjBR 🍏 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4cYBmJH 🔗 Other platforms: https://bit.ly/47j0fgg #HospitalityIndustry #BusinessStrategy #GuestExperience #LeadershipInsights #JonathanWicks #ProfessionalGrowth

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Current Thesis 1: The vacation rental industry is beginning to evolve faster than it ever has. Current Thesis 2: Professionals vs. Amateurs. STR vs. VRM?!? Who cares - are you pro or an amateur? Choose your mindset. Thesis 1 + Thesis 2 = Vacation rental pros will evolve quickly over the next few years, and the amateurs will begin (have already begun?) to fall out of the industry. We hit on these topics and much more in this week's The Art of Hospitality Podcast with a great chat with Chris Walker from Direct Booking Tools. A price comparison tool on your website seems like a no-brainer. Chris explains further... - Edges within opportunities - Vacation rental industry shifting in 2024 - VR industry evolving in 2024 - Website price comparison tool - Hotels using similar tool since 2015 - Hotels saw 35% lift in conversion once using price comparisons - Shows price difference with booking direct vs. OTAs - Pricing transparency - Trust signal for direct booking - Pros & cons of OTA marketing dollars - Fighting for guest awareness - Value of being the local expert - Build content - Direct booking should be less expensive than OTA - The hammer analogy - Google reviews as trust signal - Conversion rate of your website - Forward booking demand - Price comparison at cart abandonment - Continued improvement - Kazien method - Iterations lead to innovations - Edges: BuildUp Bookings, www.JoinReva.com, Becoming rentABLE, Inhaven - Challenge of go-to-market - Industry skepticism - Room nights booked vs. revenue - Vacation rentals as a marketing business - OTA control vs direct booking control - Value of repeat guests - Professional persistence - Expansion and awareness vs. evolution - Professional vs amateurs - Quick and important decisions on the horizon Kudos Michelle Marquis for the great guest recommendation. Enjoy the listen...

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Announcing Stay Attention's Fractional Revenue Strategist service. You may know this as Chief Revenue Officer. A key hire many small to medium scale businesses cannot afford to add on a permanent basis. Our Revenue By Design process touches all aspects of a vacation rental business optimizing the potential for available revenue for your revenue team to manage. Business Strategy = Revenue Strategy = Revenue.

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Our job is to stay focused on doing great work. Put on your running shoes and run - even when it's raining. 🏃‍♂️ Loved this week's The Art of Hospitality Podcast with Marcus Räder of Hostaway. We touch on some fantastic gems... - Power of addition by subtraction - Metallica - Creeping Death - Mark Cuban - Work like someone is trying to take it all away from you - Marcus guitars - Technology landscape changing quickly - Our customers success is our success - VRM is very complex - Follow your customer story/journey - Technology adding work & complexity - Cautious optimism - Change management - The need to move quickly AND avoid mistakes - The need to stay current with competition - VRM funding landscape - Top 1%, fast-growing, and profitable - This environment is reducing innovation - Vendor complacency growing - Pro vs amateur is a mindset - Be careful of the narratives you build for yourself - Don’t worry about what the market is doing, focus on doing a great job - Put on your running shoes and run, even in the rain - Does PE add value? - The extraction economy - A lot of parties taking pieces from the value chain of vacation rentals - How is HostAway deploying their funding Thanks to Aaron Finn for connecting us. 🙂 Enjoy the listen... https://lnkd.in/eQSrEHJa

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As we dive into the latest Trepp, Inc. Inc. CMBS Delinquency Report, it's clear that shifts in the market are giving us much to consider, especially in sectors like office, lodging, and retail: 🏢 Office Challenges Escalate: The office sector is seeing significant strain with an increase in delinquency rates, now over 8% for the first time in nearly a decade. A substantial $1.88 billion in office loans became newly delinquent, highlighting the sector's volatility. 🛌 Lodging Shows Resilience: On a slightly brighter note, the lodging sector, relevant to us hoteliers, experienced a minor decrease in delinquency rates, dropping 15 basis points to 6.17%. This could indicate some resilience despite broader market challenges. 🏪 Retail Adjusts Slightly: Retail has also seen some improvement, with a decrease in delinquency rates to 6.14%, suggesting some stabilization in this sector. 📉 Overall Market View: Across all sectors, the CMBS delinquency rate has slightly increased to 5.43%. This continues a trend of gradual increases in the rate over the past year, reflecting ongoing pressures in commercial real estate. 🌐 Navigating Uncertainty: Understanding these shifts helps us anticipate challenges and pinpoint opportunities in a market that remains complex and unpredictable. 🔗 Connect for More Insights: If you're navigating these turbulent waters and looking for deeper insights into how these trends might affect your strategies or if you're seeking opportunities in this challenging landscape, let's connect! 📲 DM me to explore investment strategies and to join our Hotel Investor Newsletter. #CMBS #DelinquencyRate #RealEstateTrends #HotelInvestment #CommercialRealEstate

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Maximize Your Non-Rental Revenue... Great webinar yesterday with Annie Munro Sloan of The Host Co. and Conrad O'Connell of BuildUp Bookings. One of the industry evolutions I'm most excited about - up-sells, non-rental revenue, ancillary revenue...all bad ways to name great ideas... Sell your guests the experiences, amenities, and services they want when they want them! So much opportunity... - Great guest experiences - Increase strong marketing content - Create social sharing moments - Generate great reviews - Build repeat guests and referrals - Capture the "Live Travel" trend - Build unique packages - Leverage your local knowledge super power (OTA's can't!!!) - Give guests what they want - Answer guest questions before they are asked - Compete with hotel amenities - Attract homeowners - Differentiate from the competition - Build new streams of revenue! (especially as revenue declines) Here's the recording and a great summary post from Conrad O'Connell... https://lnkd.in/e-JJ4sxv

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5 key Terms in Airbnb Hosting Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, understanding airbnb specific terminology is essential for managing your listings effectively. 1. Instant Book: A feature that allows guests to book your property immediately without waiting for your approval. Why It Matters: -Increases your booking rate by reducing delays. -Attracts guests looking for quick and hassle-free reservations. -You can still set requirements, like verified profiles or positive reviews, for added security. 2. Occupancy Rate: The percentage of available nights your property is booked within a given period. Why It Matters: -Helps you track your listing’s performance and identify slow seasons. -A higher occupancy rate means better income. -Use tools like dynamic pricing to maximize bookings during low-demand periods. 3. Cleaning Fee: A one-time fee charged to guests to cover the cost of cleaning the property after their stay. Why It Matters: -Helps cover expenses for professional cleaning services or supplies. -Should be competitive with similar listings to avoid deterring potential guests. -Transparency in listing this fee builds trust with guests. 4. Dynamic Pricing: Adjusting your listing's price based on factors like demand, seasonality, and local events. Why It Matters: -Maximizes revenue by increasing prices during high-demand periods and lowering them during slower times. -Tools like PriceLabs, Beyond Pricing, or Airbnb’s Smart Pricing make it easier to manage. 5. Guest Review System: A two-way feedback system where both hosts and guests can leave reviews about their experience. Why It Matters: -Reviews impact your listing’s visibility and trustworthiness. -High ratings improve your chances of becoming a Superhost. -Encouraging guests to leave reviews can boost your profile’s credibility. What other term do you know in Airbnb hosting? Share for a newbie out there. Aisha, The airbnb host and virtual property manager you need.

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Email marketing has become one of High Five Tourism Solutions' most requested services. I'm thrilled to have even more resources in my toolbox to help clients achieve their engagement goals. Top Requested Services: Database audits, list cleansing, automated drip campaigns, custom email templates, and fully managed solutions. #TourismMarketing #EmailMarketing #CertifiedPartner #ConstantContact #NonProfitSuccess #DestinationMarketing #ClientEngagement #DatabaseManagement #ListCleansing #DripCampaigns #CustomTemplates #ManagedServices #HighFiveTourism

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The launch of our playbook is a game changer for large events, conferences, and conventions. Learn how to level up your sales and marketing strategy with Threshold 360's immersive visual tools. Download the playbook here: https://lnkd.in/eS4uMh2X #playbook #conference #convention #sales #marketing

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One of my favorite podcast episodes. As usual, Zach Busekrus did a fantastic job navigating this discussion to guide 🦼Lorraine Woodward and me to the heart of the importance and great opportunity of accessible vacation rentals. The time is now! The industry is shifting quickly - nights booked and ADRs are down. Competition and expectations are up. We are all faced with this crucial inflection point - do we have the passion to continue with vacation rental hospitality when it's no longer easy? Can we see through the challenges to create opportunities? The industry is evolving faster than ever. And the timeline to evolve is faster than ever. Managers and hosts with the passion for hospitality are digging deep to become the best they can be - quickly. And those that lack the passion are falling off - quickly. The unique nature of vacation rentals is the perfect fit for the unique nature of disabilities. As a host, company, market, AND industry, we have the first-mover advantage to embrace accessibility. - 9 out of 10 people will face a short or long term disability in their life. - 150 million adults in the US have a disability; not even including kids! - Millions of Baby Boomers are in need of accessibility. - The disability community has $100's of millions in disposable income - AND they want to stay in our vacation rental homes. But we continue to ignore this fantastic guest demographic. Why? - We don't want to get sued?!? Wrong - ADA does not apply to vacation rentals. This is a match-making effort. - We don't have many accessible properties?!? Wrong - we ALREADY have a HUGE amount of accessible properties. We just don't know it, and/or we aren't willing to promote it. - We don't want to spend a little time and money upfront to bet on a new approach?!? Very short-sighted! Be an early adopter. Embrace a community that is eager to work with us - and needs our love and attention. Step out and be the leader. And get the first-mover advantage. Thanks Zach Busekrus for the chat. And HUGE thanks to 🦼Lorraine Woodward for your amazing vision and effort!

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Jump into your Masterclass for hospitality hiring featuring Hireology Co-Founder and CEO, Adam Robinson and learn how to hire great people, faster at your hotel today. Get insights into: ✔️ Market trends ✔️ How to create effective job descriptions ✔️ The role of employee referrals ✔️ The importance of speed in hiring ✔️ How technology can streamline hiring Turn your hiring process into a competitive edge in today's challenging market by listening now: https://lnkd.in/dv4NyHs5 Hospitality Daily

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How do you create memorable guest experiences while preserving the past? Bree Brostko, COO at Retro Hospitality, reveals how adaptive reuse and future technologies are reshaping the hospitality landscape. In this episode of Hotel Moment with Karen Stephens, Bree discusses: The Grand Hotel Experience: How a unique "closing weekend" event at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island became a beloved tradition, connecting deeply with guests. Adaptive Reuse: Retro Hospitality’s approach to transforming historic buildings like Hotel Fauna into boutique hotels, honoring local heritage while offering modern amenities. Future Innovations: Bree’s vision for the Metaverse and digital tech in hospitality, including virtual reality previews of hotel stays. Discover how combining historical elements with innovative practices can elevate your hotel’s guest experience.

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