Celebrating 200 episodes of the Suite Spot! 🎉✨
The hospitality panorama has undergone a radical transformation since our first episode. On this milestone celebration, host Ryan Embree takes a retrospective take a look at the Suite Spot’s journey from Episode 1 to Episode 200. The dialog dives deep into the accelerating tempo of expertise adoption and the digital transformation that has redefined the visitor expertise during the last a number of years in hospitality.
Whether or not you’ve been with us for the reason that starting or are simply becoming a member of the journey, tune in to listen to what Ryan is most wanting ahead to because the Suite Spot embarks on its subsequent 100 episodes.
Ryan Embree:Welcome to Suite Spot, the place hoteliers examine in, and we take a look at what’s trending in resort advertising and marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree.
Cassady Quintana:Hi there everybody, and welcome again to a different episode of the Suite Spot. My identify is Cassady Quintana and I’m the model ambassador at Journey Media Group. Immediately’s episode is a bit bit totally different, however very particular as we have a good time our 2 hundredth episode. We’re flipping the script a bit bit. As a substitute, our normal host, Ryan Embree, is entering into the visitor spot. Over the previous 200 episodes, Ryan has led numerous conversations with trade specialists, leaders, and tons of insights. However in the present day we’re turning the highlight on him. So whether or not that is your first episode with us or your 2 hundredth, we’re tremendous excited you’re right here. And Ryan, welcome to the Suite Spot.
Ryan Embree:Thanks. Thanks. It’s, it’s a bit odd to be on the facet of the mic, however I prefer it. Let’s do that.
Cassady Quintana:I’m tremendous excited. I really feel like, you understand, you’ve led numerous conversations and, however not many individuals could know a lot about your story. So, earlier than we leap into a bit bit deeper dialog, inform us a bit bit about your hospitality journey and what led you to this spot.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, so, you understand, I’ve had the, the privilege and alternative to begin my hospitality journey and profession, to be trustworthy with you, like numerous our visitors have, which is true on the entrance line of hospitality. And I began as a sort of a pool bar server out on the Gaylord Texan, a good looking, lovely property on the market in Grapevine, Texas, which I nonetheless go to to this present day as a visitor. After which had the chance to work at some unbelievable, resorts out right here in Orlando the place I, the place I’m based mostly level Orlando, the place I used to be a bellman, after which finally a entrance desk agent. After which the Grand Bohemian, which is a downtown property, very totally different from the resort property that you simply see in Orlando. Gave me a very totally different sort of expertise traveler phase. Once more, began there as a bellman, but additionally, moved via operations to the entrance desk as properly. It was some nice expertise that sort of acquired me there. I took a pause from hospitality and went into kinda, residences and residential for a pair years up in Atlanta, however at all times had a ardour for being in hospitality and finally acquired the chance to come back again down right here to Journey Media Group, right here the place we accomplice with so many motels and resorts throughout the globe. After which sort of led to this podcast, which we’re gonna discuss in the present day, which is, which is all the subject material in the present day.
Cassady Quintana:Sure, completely. It’s superior listening to your historical past. As a result of such as you mentioned, it’s just like numerous the visitors that you’ve on the podcast. , you sort of perhaps don’t know if that’s gonna be your ardour, however you get into it after which you find yourself by no means leaving it. So, as you stepped into this function at Journey Media Group, you began on one facet and also you ended up in advertising and marketing. What was sort of the inspiration behind the Suite Spot and the way, how did that come to fruition?
Cassady Quintana:Yeah, truthfully, it was impressed by simply attempting to teach hoteliers and hospitality about digital advertising and marketing a a subject and a topic that adjustments so regularly and so usually, proper? I imply, I believe a few of the episodes that we did on the very starting of this podcast aren’t even related in the present day due to the quantity of change and transformation that has occurred on this trade. And it makes for a particularly thrilling and compelling subject material to speak to those that are on the entrance traces and who’re experiencing it from each day. So it at all times retains me on my toes concerning the topics and subjects that we discuss. However, you understand, numerous the collection got here from inspiration based mostly on the conversations that we’re having each single day. , a few of these leaders that I talked to, so lots of their tales began on the entrance traces and, and so they sort of fell into the profession, such as you had been saying, Cassady. And what I needed to do is see, you understand, now we have such wonderful hospitality faculties over the, the complete nation, particularly proper right here in Florida. One of many primary inspirations of our TMG Hospitality Campus Crawl was to showcase that, to point out younger hospitality professionals that this doesn’t simply should be a summer time job that you simply fall into and are there for a 30 12 months profession. There’s profession paths, there’s development right here, and it’s such an thrilling trade. So numerous the inspiration for a few of the collection and subject material that we do know, one other one with our Highlight collection the place I’ve had the privilege and alternative to showcase a few of the most unbelievable motels are based mostly on the truth that at Journey Media Group, we work and we accomplice with these motels and resorts. Whether or not it’s managing their visitor suggestions or whether or not it’s managing their social media and creating a singular and content material for them, whether or not it’s video or social content material, and to have the ability to showcase a few of these properties has simply been such an incredible expertise. And one thing, you understand, I be taught one thing each single day.
Cassady Quintana:Oh, yeah, me too. And I’m glad you introduced up this collection that we do on the podcast, as a result of that sort of leads me into my subsequent query. In the event you needed to take every part you’ve been capable of do during the last 200 episodes, what can be your favourite half about internet hosting the Suite Spot?
Ryan Embree:Yeah, I believe we’re gonna discuss it right here in a minute, however I believe it’s about simply the, the transformation that has occurred for the reason that starting of this podcast. , Suite Spot episode one, which I encourage any of my listeners. Don’t return and take heed to that. It was my first time doing this two, right here we’re at Suite Spot 200, 8 years later, and the way a lot has modified? I really like sort of leaning into that and seeing, simply within the, one thing that I bear in mind in Hospitality faculty, my professors and academics telling me that hospitality is actually the oldest career on the market for positive. It was the very first thing internet hosting folks and the way a lot has modified simply in an eight 12 months span in 200 episodes, but additionally studying about folks’s journeys and tales. I do know I shared a bit bit about mine, however it really is considered one of my favourite inquiries to open up the podcast with speaking about folks and their journey as a result of it’s such a melting pot of expertise that now we have in hospitality. It makes for some actually compelling content material. And also you’ll discover that numerous the visitors that I’ve have a specific mentor or an expertise that actually opens up their eyes, Cassady, and adjustments and transforms the way in which that they view their profession. Whether or not, and that’s why I at all times encourage, whether or not you’re a younger hospitality skilled or a extra seasoned one, search for these alternatives to attach with somebody there, as a result of so lots of these tales have somebody that’s been meant a lot to them, proper. Has been sort of the information to them, their Sherpa, so to talk, on their hospitality journey, and has led them to a spot that they’ve simply this unbelievable ardour and love for our trade, which, so I really like to listen to that. And simply once more, the melting pot of manufacturers. , when somebody says, I labored at Hilton for 10 years after which moved to IHG or Marriott and, and I used to be, you understand, an unbiased hotelier, after which I moved to a extra branded resort. I labored at a small, unbiased, or a significant conference resort. All of these experiences form who you might be as a hospitality skilled. It offers you classes. So it sort of like makes this skillset that’s so distinctive that no two hospitality professionals are the identical. And I discover it completely fascinating to dig into that.
Cassady Quintana:No, I really like that as a result of each dialog you’ve had listening to it, it’s, you understand, the ideas of hospitality keep the identical, however their tales are fully totally different, such as you mentioned. And even one particular person story that at a boutique resort is totally totally different than their expertise at a branded resort. So how a lot, you understand, once more, these ideas keep the identical, however how various your profession and hospitality could be within the a number of totally different departments you possibly can even be in with one resort. So, you understand, you talked about how a lot hospitality has modified because you began the Suite Spot. What’s sort of the most important change that you simply’ve seen both in digital advertising and marketing or hospitality usually since episode one to now episode 200?
Ryan Embree:I believe it’s the digital advertising and marketing facet of it and the expertise. I imply, I don’t assume we are able to do a Suite Spot episode now with out speaking about AI and expertise. Proper? And you might be spot on Cassady with the, the premise of the ideas of hospitality have stayed the identical, however the way in which that we interact with it, the way in which that our vacationers interact with expertise or the expectations of expertise have fully flipped the wrong way up. And like I discussed earlier than, I believe a few of the episodes that I did early on educating a few of these hoteliers, I imply, we had episodes very early on, Cassady, that we’re speaking concerning the significance of getting managing your repute on evaluate websites, the significance of posting on social media. , a few of these ideas and methods that I used to be sharing then can be simply second nature to a seasoned hospitality skilled. They’d be like, why are you educating me on this? I do know, I understand how a lot of an impression it makes. However that’s so cool to see that transformation of 1 time. , the inspiration being of, to teach hoteliers on the significance of this stuff to now being like, now we’re extra in depth conversations. Now we’re sharing actionable insights with our hoteliers on how to answer visitor suggestions, how AI search is taking part in into, is taking part in into a few of this content material. It’s very, very thrilling to be, however that, that’s most likely one of many greatest adjustments that I’ve seen since, since beginning. That is the receptiveness to digital advertising and marketing and expertise. And it’s actually simply turn into now such a foundational piece to success to any resort or portfolio.
Cassady Quintana:I couldn’t agree extra. And considered one of my favourite issues concerning the Suite Spot is whenever you at all times ask your visitors to sort of look in that crystal ball into the way forward for hospitality. So I’m gonna do the other with you. In the event you may return eight years to youthful Ryan, what’s one piece of recommendation you’d give him earlier than beginning this, this podcast?
Ryan Embree:Nice query. I believe, pay attention, very early on we sort of didn’t know what we had with this Suite Spot. We had numerous conversations about, I bear in mind again within the episodes 40 to 80 about seeing if, if there was an urge for food for this on the market. And, we began getting increasingly more visitors and, and began to get increasingly more folks attain out to us eager to be and share their insights. Which I simply, once more, so privileged for that chance, however simply to pay attention and, and ask extra questions. Yeah. I imply, I believe you possibly can by no means, the expertise that now we have, we stay typically total, simply based mostly on our enterprise, that being open 365 24/7, we are able to stay virtually a lifetime within the span of six months. Proper? I imply, you concentrate on a few of the fires that it’s a must to put out, a few of the unbelievable experiences that you simply’re capable of share or been via in six months, that point typically spans a complete profession for folks exterior of hospitality due to the character of our trade. So you can not get sufficient insights expertise. There’s been an expertise, it’s occurred earlier than at a resort. , somebody has put their laundry on a hearth sprinkler, and so they’ve seen that sort of bust open a complete flooring. We’ve had elevators go down the place visitors are caught. There’s at all times a narrative for one thing. There’s at all times an answer for one thing. There’s additionally a particular second. , I do know I have a tendency, we are likely to typically take into consideration these as, oh man, this was the worst case situation. However you actually take into consideration a few of the unbelievable particular moments that occur in our trade. It’s so distinctive. Folks getting married when family members are sick, and we’re internet hosting them at our resort hospitality. We’re there for vacationers and visitors at typically essentially the most essential factors and items of their life. And we get to be part of that. There’s not numerous accidents, industries that may say that. So, pay attention and ask questions. That’s what I’d say.
Cassady Quintana:Oh, I really like that. I believe that’s nice recommendation. So, you simply talked about all these experiences and tales you’ve heard. Are there any episodes or specific visitors that actually stand out as your favourite or one which’s actually memorable to you?
Ryan Embree:Once more, one other nice query. , I believe for me, essentially the most memorable episodes, are those that I’ve just lately been capable of do the place we’re masking hospitality occasions. I point out this on the podcast rather a lot. There’s one thing particular that occurs when hospitality professionals are in the identical room collectively. They share the identical challenges and struggles. They’re seeing the identical developments. Regardless that the markets and segments are fully totally different, numerous occasions you’re seeing the identical developments. Typically these conversations at these occasions that now we have are very therapeutic for lots of hospitality professionals that I discuss to. Of like, oh my goodness, I’m sharing within the battle or problem with another person. They perceive the place I’m coming from right here. Nevertheless it additionally may set the muse for elementary change within the hospitality trade, which I believe is so essential. And, you understand, one of many issues, we clearly had to do that podcast via the pandemic proper? In 2020. And there have been these conversations that I’d have with professionals, and I’d ask them, I imply, you’d flat out, do you assume we’ll ever be touring once more to conventions or will enterprise journey ever come again? Proper. I believe that’s the way in which I particularly phrased it. And numerous them had been like, sure. And, and predicted, you understand, seemed into that crystal ball and mentioned, completely, there’s one thing particular that occurs. I hundred % agree with it. It was one thing that was missed. We discuss that time period revenge journey that carried us via these, the early 2020s. However I believe that there’s like this revenge connection that occurred at these occasions the place you come and, and I believe you go to these occasions after dropping it for a pair years with a distinct mindset that you simply had earlier than. I believe folks genuinely join in another way now than they did previous to the pandemic, proper. As a result of it was taken away from them. So these are essentially the most particular moments is to have the ability to join with hospitality professionals at these occasions. And we’ve had the privilege of masking fairly a number of of them. And hope we get the alternatives to do extra. So we’ve acquired some new ones on the horizon, by the way in which, so keep tuned for that.
Cassady Quintana:Yeah, for positive. Properly, I really like that story concerning the Pandemic, as a result of particularly now too, we’re in such a digital first world that even going to these conferences now, you understand, we’re a number of years previous the pandemic, however it’s nonetheless particular as a result of we’re so digital first, and we don’t get to fulfill folks exterior of our resort or our administration group that usually. So having the ability to hear, and such as you mentioned earlier, the tales and we’re going via the identical struggles or we’re celebrating the identical issues, or we get to be taught new strategies or a manner that one other property is doing one thing that we might have by no means considered on our personal. So, tremendous thrilling and yeah, I’m tremendous excited for the conferences and reveals that we’re gonna get to go to sooner or later. So talking of the longer term, wanting into that crystal ball, such as you wish to say, what’s subsequent for the Suite Spot after episode 200?
Ryan Embree:Hopefully it’s much more episodes and we’ve had some unbelievable visitors during the last 200 episodes. I’m unsure if going again in time speaking to myself, giving him that recommendation to pay attention and ask questions. I’m unsure if I may have predicted that we’d be right here at 200 episodes. So it’s such a cool accomplishment. However what I stay up for rising the podcast in several methods, I’ve shared this earlier than. I’m a UCF Rosen grad. So the Hospitality faculty and TMG Hospitality Campus Crawl was one thing very close to and pricey to my coronary heart after we launched it. And sitting on stage with Dr. Mejia at UCF, the place at my alma mater the place I went to highschool, it was a dream come true for me. And the expertise of having the ability to go to UNLV and FIU and FAU Georgia State now and seeing these collection develop has been simply been so lucky.
Ryan Embree:However what I’m most enthusiastic about are a few of the different pathways and alternative that, that it’s creating as a result of it’s not slowing down, which is, which I really like, proper? The urge for food, which we’re at all times so nervous about early on in our trade simply continues to develop. I imply, each day we’re getting increasingly more curiosity or folks reaching out, being like, I wanna share this about my model. We’ve acquired so many issues to have a good time in hospitality. And one of many issues is you Cassady and, and your new, Social Success Sequence, which once more, the urge for food for that has simply been completely unbelievable, the work you’re doing and the hospitality professionals that you simply’re speaking to. So I’m very excited for the work that you simply’re doing, Cassady, and, and the way you’re going to assist develop the Suite Spot. Nevertheless it’s simply been, it’s been a wild, loopy journey. And we’re simply going actually the place the present takes us at this level. And it’s up so far, has led to some actually, actually cool alternatives.
Cassady Quintana:Yeah. Properly, I’m tremendous excited to have been capable of be a part of this podcast with you and perhaps take a bit little bit of a distinct avenue with the social media and social success in that, in that regard. So undoubtedly, you understand, we’re sort of masking all grounds in hospitality now. I really feel like we’re, we’re hitting on all cylinders. So how do you sort of hope that the Suite Spot continues to help and affect the hospitality trade transferring ahead?
Ryan Embree:Yeah, you understand, I, once more, I hope that the urge for food stays actually, actually excessive for the sort of info. And I believe it has, I imply, now we have that I talked about that real connection that occurs at conferences and hospitality occasions. I can really feel that after we do episodes and panels, which we’re hoping to introduce to the Suite Spot sooner or later as properly, to get a number of level of views, since you’re completely proper, Cassady, what you’re speaking about is a very totally different lane. It’s very quick altering, very quick paced. Accommodations try to navigate these waters of social media and the way they’re altering. They’re attempting to get a leg up on the algorithm. Once more, I believe early on we did a complete episode based mostly on Instagram reels introducing it. And now there’s an entire technique most likely simply devoted Instagram reels and Fb reels and, and the way that adjustments. I imply, a few of the, with social media, I imply, we take a look at platforms that lots of people take a look at and say, you understand, youthful youngsters are saying, I, I’m not gonna be on a Fb that’s an previous particular person’s social media. I imply, that’s the kind of transition that we’re, that that transformation that we’re speaking about in the present day. So I hope to once more, proceed to teach and be capable to share these hospitality leaders insights and what they’re listening to, what they’re seeing, in order that hospitality can develop collectively. As a result of I believe, I do know they’re, clearly, now we have a aggressive house right here and everybody’s combating for occupancy and ADR however on the finish of the day, our trade strikes the quickest when, after we’re all on the identical staff, after we’re sharing these insights and we’re not in these silos and we’re on this actually cool time proper now the place now we have a lot information, a lot alternative to make use of that information in quite a lot of other ways. I hope to have the ability to share a few of these insights and use the podcast as a medium in order that we are able to bridge a few of these gaps that we’re seeing to hopefully simply proceed to boost the visitor expertise.
Cassady Quintana:Properly, I believe you’ll don’t have any downside doing that as a result of each episode you set out, I discovered one thing new. There’s at all times one thing new to speak about, a brand new platform, a brand new technique. So I believe that’s the great thing about hospitality and what you’re doing on the Suite Spot is there’s by no means gonna be one thing we are able to’t discuss. We’re not gonna run out of issues to speak about. Like another industries that keep a bit bit the identical, proper? Know-how’s at all times advancing, particularly with AI. So the topics are countless and I believe the Suite Spot, perhaps we’ll be sitting right here in a number of years hitting episode 400, who is aware of? However yeah. In order we sort of wrap up right here, is there the rest you wish to say to your listeners perhaps which have been with you for the reason that starting? Or anyone that’s, you understand, beginning to pay attention this 12 months?
Ryan Embree:I believe, you understand, my greatest message to them and and to everyone seems to be, is thanks. I bear in mind doing this podcast and, and it was a solo episode on episode 100, the place we talked about a few of our hottest episodes and we acquired to 200 very, in a short time. I really feel like that was identical to final week, proper? However I wanna say thanks to all of our visitors that sort of made this doable, but additionally to everybody that has helped make the podcast what it’s. So Brandon Bell, who edits all of our, our podcast, Bary Gordon, who does the, the graphic design and, and makes all of our clips look so wonderful and delightful, Cassady, you, our model ambassador, taking, taking the lead on a brand new collection for the podcast and serving to develop that, my total advertising and marketing staff, the advertising and marketing coordinators that we’ve had up to now, I imply, you do one thing 200 occasions, there’s so many fingers that play an element in that.
Ryan Embree:So I’m simply so grateful for that, grateful for my previous advertising and marketing director, Anne Sandoval, who got here to me with this concept to begin a podcast, to my management staff right here at Journey Media Group, Dana Singer, our president, who has believed in me via all of this. So there’s so many individuals I can thank, however I simply, I take a look at the 200 episodes as simply with immense gratitude and appreciation for the journey that’s led me right here. And it’s a cool, thrilling milestone and chapter. It’s a quantity, however, you understand, I believe the work isn’t finished. I would like proceed to develop our viewers, develop the insights and something that we are able to do to push our trade ahead. So thanks all. Thank all of our listeners for this to make this milestone so particular.
Cassady Quintana:Properly, completely. Properly thanks to you, Ryan, as properly, for going to all these occasions and these campuses and these places to carry us this superior content material. As a result of with out you there can be no Suite Spot. , you’re the brains behind it and you’re the imaginative and prescient. So thanks for, you understand, sacrificing a few of your private time to go to those totally different locations and convey us these episodes. As a result of like I mentioned, we’re studying one thing new each single time. So I’m excited to be part of the journey and see, you understand, simply how far we are able to proceed the Suite Spot. And there’s no ceiling for us proper now. So I’m tremendous excited to proceed that with you. However thanks and thanks to all of our listeners for listening to this episode of The Suite Spot, and we’ll see you on the following one.
Ryan Embree:To affix our loyalty program, make sure to subscribe and provides us a 5 star studying on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Journey Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell, with Cowl Artwork by Bary Gordon. I’m your host Ryan Embree, and we hope you loved your keep.
