Top Floor

Susan Barry
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Top Floor is a weekly podcast with tangible tips and excellent stories from the experts and characters who elevate hospitality. Host and elevator operator Susan Barry explores the idea that everything is marketing in the hotel business. Our interviews with creators, thought leaders and hospitality groundbreakers are designed to provide practical tactics that hoteliers, restaurateurs and travel mavens can use to promote their businesses. Along the way, we answer burning marketing questions submitted on the Emergency Call Button and share the funniest, craziest, just-plain-weirdest stories down at the Loading Dock. Need to press the Emergency Call Button? Or have a story to share at the Loading Dock? Reach us at 850.404.9630 to be featured in a future episode.

  1. HITEC San Antonio Part 2

    2일 전

    HITEC San Antonio Part 2

    Just like last week, this special episode of Top Floor comes to you from the Loading Dock at HITEC in San Antonio. A huge thank you to HFTP for hosting us at the hospitality industry's premier technology conference and for creating the opportunity to capture these unforgettable moments.  Aimee George, Aimee Inc. — The guest room mix-up that turned into every hotel manager's nightmare. Ryan Brough, Hapi — The celebrity rider that sent a hotelier sprinting to Macy's. Tracee Nalewak, URVenue — Why enforcing a Vegas day club dress code is nobody's favorite job. Sara Murray, Mermaid International — The hotel snake story everyone thought was an urban legend... until it wasn't. Dylan Mingard, HM Alpha — The eight-foot python that became an unforgettable houseguest. Tanya Pratt, Oracle Hospitality — The data migration that accidentally double-booked 50 hotels at 2 a.m. Martin Chevalley, Enspire — The flooded hotel that kept guests informed—and the surprise VIP spotted behind the scenes. *** Next year's HITEC [link to https://www.hitec.org/about-hitec/future-locations] will be held in Orlando June 28 - July 1. Hope to see you there!!!  Connect with our storytellers: Aimee George, Aimee Inc. https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeegeorge/ Ryan Brough, Hapi https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmbrough/ Tracee Nalewak, UrVenue https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceenalewak/ Sara Murray, Murmaid International https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/ Dylan Mingard, HM Alpha https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-mingard-9217492a/ Tanya Pratt, Oracle Hospitality https://www.linkedin.com/in/pratttanya/ Martin Chevalley, Innspire https://www.linkedin.com/company/innspire-ai/ Join the Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

    41분
  2. HITEC San Antonio Part 1

    6월 30일

    HITEC San Antonio Part 1

    This special episode of Top Floor comes to you from the Loading Dock at HITEC in San Antonio. A huge thank you to HFTP for hosting us at the hospitality industry's premier technology conference and for creating the opportunity to capture these unforgettable moments. Instead of our usual in-depth interview, this milestone 250th episode is a collection of Loading Dock stories—funny, surprising, and unforgettable tales shared by some of hospitality's brightest minds. Leigh Silkunas, 1AX Consulting — What happens when your hotel hosts 600 furries... and the next guests are a conservative church group. Dominic Locascio, Positron Access Solutions — The honeymoon B&B that looked like a roadside motel... until they opened the room door. Doron Dreyer, GratifID — The terrifying in-flight "bomb scare" that turned out to be an old BlackBerry. Lexi Bermingham, Bermo Co. — The Zoom interview that took a very unexpected turn when the camera angle changed. Lindsay Wenger, Directful — The frantic race to replace a bride's wedding dress after housekeeping made one catastrophic mistake. Kate Adamson, Folio — The high-stakes meeting with a celebrity entrepreneur... and the outfit that almost didn't survive it. Richard Bradbury, Quore — A motorcycle, a bathtub, and a soda machine that somehow ended up in the wrong place. Jacki Brown, Product Marketing Consultant — The Olive Garden shift that ended with shattered wine glasses and maximum panic. Adam Bermingham, Ramsi — How squeezing into a child's Batman costume accidentally launched a hospitality career. *** Next year's HITEC [link to https://www.hitec.org/about-hitec/future-locations] will be held in Orlando June 28 - July 1. Hope to see you there!!!  Connect with our storytellers: Leigh Silkunas, 1AX Consulting  https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighsilkunas/ Dominic Locascio, Positron Access Solutions  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiclocascio/ Doron Dreyer, GratifID  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddreyer/ Lexi Bermingham, Bermo Co.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-bermingham/ Lindsay Wenger, Directful  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-wenger/ Kate Adamson, Folio  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hikateadamson/ Richard Bradbury, Quore  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradburyr/ Jacki Brown, Product Marketing Consultant  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackischroderbrown/ Adam Bermingham, Ramsi  https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-bermingham-aa4b7a65/ Join the Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

    53분
  3. 249 | Frozen Food Fiesta

    6월 23일

    249 | Frozen Food Fiesta

    Orlie Benjamin is the founder and CEO of Lasoh, a hospitality technology platform helping vacation rental and boutique lodging operators strengthen guest relationships through marketing automation, guest experience tools, and AI-powered workflows. After building her career with brands like American Airlines, NetJets, Disney, and Victoria's Secret, she traded corporate life for entrepreneurship, launching both a vacation rental business and a hospitality tech startup. Susan and Orlie talk about guests, growth, and the great hospitality convergence.    *** What You'll Learn • Why one or two vacation rentals can still be profitable in today's market  • How to turn a side project into a startup opportunity  • Why Orlie's research strategy included outreach to 800+ operators  • How hospitality companies obsess over properties and overlook guests  • What surprising NetJets lesson reshaped Orlie's view of hospitality  • How to unlock the overlooked value of the booking-to-arrival window  • When to use guest context to create memorable moments at scale  • What underused guest data is hiding in plain sight  • How drive-to and fly-to guests should be marketed differently  • What hospitality can learn from retail's customer data playbook  • Where AI will genuinely transform hospitality operations  • How to reduce dependence on Airbnb, Vrbo, and other OTAs  • Why experiential lodging is positioned to win the next decade  • Why guests should be treated like assets, not transactions  *** The Takeaway: The future belongs to hospitality brands that treat guests as valuable assets, not just bookings, by combining memorable experiences, smart marketing, and personalized relationships that drive loyalty beyond the stay. Orlie Benjamin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/orliebenjamin/ Lasoh https://lasoh.io/ Join the Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

    35분
  4. Fountain of Bubbles

    6월 16일

    Fountain of Bubbles

    Brian Quinn is Chief Development Officer for Rivett Group and My Place Hotels, bringing decades of experience spanning hotel operations, development, franchising, acquisitions, and brand growth. From starting as a bellman to leading nearly 800 hotel development deals, Brian has built a career around scaling businesses and developing people. Susan and Brian talk about playbooks, partnerships, and property performance.  *** What You'll Learn: *** • Why learning beyond your job description to accelerates growth  • How to build relationships that pay dividends years later  • When to create a "living playbook" for navigating major business changes  • Why transparency matters during mergers, acquisitions, and transformations  • What cultural shifts are driving long-term demand for extended stay accommodations  • How to pressure-test hotel deals before committing capital  • Why diverse demand generators create stronger hotel investments  • How operational experience builds instant credibility with owners and investors  • When to make deposits before withdrawals in professional relationships  • How to find opportunity by talking to the quietest person in the room  • Why upper-upscale extended stay may be the industry's next frontier  • Why hospitality still delivers on the promise of career growth  *** The Takeaway: Long-term success in hospitality comes from continuously expanding your knowledge, investing in relationships before you need them, and staying adaptable when opportunities (or disruptions) inevitably arise. Brian Quinn on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-quinn-778b9018/ My Place Hotels https://www.myplacehotels.com Join the Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

    43분
  5. GMs of the Year

    6월 9일

    GMs of the Year

    Guest Bio Michelle Davis is the General Manager of the SpringHill Suites Orange Beach at The Wharf and a recognized leader known for building high-performing teams and delivering standout guest experiences. Jason Kern is the General Manager of Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort, where he combines servant leadership with a deep passion for hospitality and team development. Together, these award-winning leaders share lessons on culture, coaching, and customer care. *** What You'll Learn: *** • Why great GMs are leaders first and operators second • How delegation creates stronger managers and better hotels • How to stop taking guest complaints personally • The power of "unreasonable hospitality" • How empathy can defuse even the toughest guest situations • Small leadership habits that create big guest impressions • Why communication norms matter more than communication tools • The surprising value of daily team huddles • Why recognition from guests means more than you think • Why successful leaders love seeing others surpass them • Practical ways to spend less time behind a desk • Why the best GMs constantly change their routines • How building the right management team changes everything • The balance between profitability and genuine hospitality • Hilarious "only in hotels" stories you'll never forget *** The Takeaway: The best GMs don't create great hotels. They create great teams that create great guest experiences. Michelle Davis on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-davis-4037b86/ Jason Kern on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-kern-70b6496/ Sign up to record at HITEC https://forms.gle/hZCJfZXbz2vSnetD6 Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

    41분
  6. Creativity Through Line

    6월 2일

    Creativity Through Line

    Susan Barry is a marketer, podcaster, consultant, speaker, bird influencer, and serial starter of delightfully unconventional side projects, all connected by a deep belief in the power of creativity. In this solo episode, she explores why hospitality may be optimizing itself out of its most human advantage and what that means for education, recruitment, and guest experience. *** What You'll Learn: *** • Why hospitality is still an apprenticeship business and the hidden cost of that reality • The growing disconnect between hospitality education and operational experience • Why "borrow a fortune and hope for the best" isn't a workforce strategy • The surprising recruiting lesson hospitality can learn from Below Deck • How a storytelling shortage may be fueling a labor shortage • How etiquette can create belonging—or reinforce barriers • Why great hospitality professionals know when to break the rules • The connection between creativity, problem-solving, and memorable experiences • What inspired the launch of a travel-themed snail mail club in a digital-first world • How anticipation, discovery, and delight extend far beyond hotels • Why creating meaning may be hospitality's most valuable skill • The common thread connecting education, recruitment, service, marketing, and innovation *** The Takeaway: Hospitality is not primarily an operations business, a real estate business, or a finance business—it's a meaning-making business. The people and organizations that thrive will be the ones that create experiences, stories, anticipation, and emotional connections that make people feel something. Susan Barry on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/susandbarry/ Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

    14분
  7. Voyeur Beach Resort

    5월 26일

    Voyeur Beach Resort

    Anna Blue is the founder and CEO of Blue Moss Group, where she helps organizations connect growth with purpose. With leadership experience spanning hospitality, nonprofits, advocacy, and media, Anna brings a unique perspective to hospitality through her work at the intersection of business strategy, social impact, and influence. Susan and Anna talk about creator culture, corporate authenticity, and hospitality's people problem. *** What You'll Learn: *** • Why imposter syndrome is a systems problem, not a confidence problem  • What makes hospitality feel cult-like in the best possible way  • Why social impact strategies fail when employees are treated like line items  • Why consumers can spot performative culture messaging instantly  • Why business influencers now matter as much as traditional trade media  • How podcasts and creators helped Anna build credibility in hospitality  • Why great company cultures never need to brag about themselves  • Why trying to talk to everyone online usually backfires  • Why hospitality's biggest issue is still how it treats its people  *** The Takeaway: Hospitality brands can't fake culture, purpose, or influence, because people can tell the difference instantly. The future belongs to companies that treat their employees well, embrace authentic storytelling, and understand the growing power of creators in shaping the industry. Anna Blue on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-blue/ Hospitality Creator Summit https://thehospitalitycreators.com/

    35분
  8. Pigeon Shoot Out

    5월 19일

    Pigeon Shoot Out

    Zack Gharib is the President of Red Roof, bringing decades of leadership experience across Marriott, Wyndham, Vacasa, and beyond. From a chance encounter with a hotel GM in Athens to leading one of hospitality's biggest tech transformations, Zack shares what it really takes to succeed in today's lodging landscape. Susan and Zack talk about AI automation, franchisee profitability, and vacation-rental versatility. What You'll Learn: • What vacation rentals taught him about operational chaos  • How AI is reshaping economy and mid-scale hotels  • Why hotel websites suddenly matter way more  • How ChatGPT is changing hotel booking behavior  • What hotels can learn from Airbnb-style personalization  • Why internal communication systems still fail teams  • Learning when to say "no" to shiny new tech  • Why smiles and room inspections still win  • Predictions for the future of non-luxury hotels  • The franchisee-brand relationship problem nobody solves  • What real alignment between brands and owners should look like  *** The Takeaway: Hospitality fundamentals still matter most, but the operators who win will use technology and AI to make those fundamentals faster, cheaper, and more personalized. Zack Gharib on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-gharib/ Red Roof https://www.redroof.com/

    36분
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소개

Top Floor is a weekly podcast with tangible tips and excellent stories from the experts and characters who elevate hospitality. Host and elevator operator Susan Barry explores the idea that everything is marketing in the hotel business. Our interviews with creators, thought leaders and hospitality groundbreakers are designed to provide practical tactics that hoteliers, restaurateurs and travel mavens can use to promote their businesses. Along the way, we answer burning marketing questions submitted on the Emergency Call Button and share the funniest, craziest, just-plain-weirdest stories down at the Loading Dock. Need to press the Emergency Call Button? Or have a story to share at the Loading Dock? Reach us at 850.404.9630 to be featured in a future episode.

정보

  • 제작진
    Susan Barry
  • 방송 연도
    2022년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    100
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    Copyright © Top Floor Podcast
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