Virtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast

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 d...

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, Garfi...

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, crea...

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...

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 P...

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 p...

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:

1. 🏨 Tools You Need to Get Started in Hospitality (July 12, 2022)<...

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:

1. Halloween (1978) — IMDB
2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) — IMDB
3. Hocus Pocus - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/?ref_=ls_t_1
4. Halloweentown — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173886/
5. Beetlejuice — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt...

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, C...

In this episode, Cody dives into one of the most exciting and buzzworthy new hotel openings in the country — the highly anticipated Hotel Pontotoc. With its stunning design, rich history, and tagline “Clean Sheets, Shady Past,” this boutique gem in downtown Memphis is redefining what a modern historic property can be.

Cody walks listeners through everything Hotel Pontotoc did right during their launch — from crafting an unforgettabl...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Meagan and Cody dive into one of the biggest challenges small properties face: delivering luxury-level service with a lean team. Drawing on Vibrant’s experience managing boutique hotels, they share strategies that prove you don’t need a massive staff to create an unforgettable guest experience.

Here’s what we cover:

• Segment 1: The Small Team Advantage – why fewer hands can actually creat...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Cody sits down with special guest Moritz von Petersdorff-Campen, Co-Founder & Managing Director of SuitePad
. SuitePad is redefining the in-room guest experience with its award-winning tablet solution, designed to increase engagement, streamline communication, and boost hotel profitability.

Moritz shares the SuitePad story, how it started, where it’s headed, and the tangible impact ...

In this episode of the Virtual GM Podcast, Cody & Meagan tackle one of the least glamorous—but most powerful—tools in hospitality: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs may not sound exciting, but they are the backbone of consistency, efficiency, and guest satisfaction.

We break it all down:

• Segment 1: Why SOPs Matter for Small Hotels
• Segment 2: Where to Start
• Segment 3: Creating SOPs Quickly
• Segment 4: Getting Staff Buy-In
• ...

In this episode, Cody and Meagan reveal Vibrant’s proven secrets to revenue success in boutique hospitality.

• Segment 1: The Boutique Revenue Mindset – how independent hotels can thrive without competing like the big brands.
• Segment 2: Hidden Revenue Streams – think late check-out/early check-in fees, in-room add-on packages, and curated experiences that elevate the guest stay.
• Segment 3: Direct Booking Power Plans – exclusive perk...

In this fun and travel-packed episode, Meagan and Cody share their all-time favorite vacation spots — the destinations that keep them inspired, relaxed, and always ready for their next adventure. From luxury resorts to scenic escapes, these are the places we can’t stop talking about.

We cover:
 🏨 Luxury Resorts We Love — Arizona Biltmore (Website), The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota (Website), Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (Website), an...

In this episode, Cody and Meagan dive into one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, areas of hospitality — the in-room guest experience. As hotel GMs, creating spaces that guests remember (and rave about) can be the ultimate driver of loyalty and revenue.

We cover:
 1️⃣ First, Get the Basics Right — Cleanliness, comfort, and functionality are non-negotiable.
2️⃣ Designing for Emotion, Not Just Looks — How to create r...

In this episode, Cody and Meagan break down how small hotels can punch above their weight and deliver big-brand guest experiences without bloated costs or layers of management.

We dive deep into:
 1️⃣ The Reality of Running Lean — Why small hotels must embrace efficiency to stay competitive.
2️⃣ Core Systems That Create Freedom — The technology stack and operational processes that free you from constant firefighting.
3...

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 4 — Brewing Innovation with Ted Ayliffe, CEO of Coulee Coffee

In this episode, Cody is joined by Ted Ayliffe, the visionary CEO behind Coulee Coffee — a coffee company that’s changing the way hospitality delivers quality, consistency, and an unforgettable guest experience.

Cody and Ted first crossed paths at BITAC Owners earlier this year, and it was immediately clear that Coulee Coffee wasn’t just another coffe...

In this episode, Cody shares highlights from his recent hospitality event double-header — kicking things off at BITAC Owners in Tucson, Arizona, held at the stunning JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass, and wrapping up with his first-ever HOTEC at the iconic Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

These events were packed with incredible people, fresh ideas, and unforgettable experiences that are shaping the future of independent hospitality. But o...