Virtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast

In this episode, Cody & Meagan tackle one of the biggest shifts happening in hospitality today: the evolution of the General Manager role.

What used to be a primarily operational position has transformed into something much bigger. Today’s leaders aren’t just managing properties—they’re shaping experiences, building brands, and designing how guests feel from the moment they discover a property to long after they check out.

So the...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan take you inside one of the most iconic luxury resorts in the world—Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea. Fresh off their trip to Maui, they break down the full guest experience from arrival to departure, sharing what this property gets right—and what independent operators can learn from it.

This isn’t just a review—it’s a masterclass in luxury hospitality, design, and service execution.

🔹 Opening: First Im...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan recap a huge milestone—Cody’s first time serving as Master of Ceremonies at a BITAC event, kicking things off at BITAC Luxury in Naples, Florida.

Cody shares a behind-the-scenes look at what makes BITAC events so unique in the hospitality space, why they’re so valuable for both operators and vendors, and what you can expect if you ever get the opportunity to attend.

If you’ve ever been curious about...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan are coming to you a little early—because by the time this drops, they’ll just be getting back from Hawaii 🌴. It’s a shorter, focused episode tackling one of the most important (and most misunderstood) topics in hospitality: how to build a hotel website that actually drives bookings.

Your website isn’t just a digital brochure—it’s your best salesperson. You can have the most beautiful property in y...

In this episode, Cody sits down with Jason Jenkins, Vice President of Sales at Bonafide AI, to unpack one of the most important shifts happening in hospitality today: how artificial intelligence is reshaping exposure, trust, and bookings.

AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. The question is whether hotels will use it to their advantage or get left behind.

Jason and Cody dive into how Bonafide AI is helping hospitality brands cut throug...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan explore a major shift shaping modern hospitality: guests care far more about how a place feels than how big it is. As travel becomes more experience-driven, unforgettable moments, emotional design, and intentional details are replacing square footage as the true measure of value.

This episode challenges operators to rethink how they design, market, and deliver hospitality in the experience economy.

...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan pull back the curtain on one of the biggest myths in hospitality: that running a rental is “passive income.” With humor, honesty, and plenty of real-life stories, they break down what guests think operators do all day versus the invisible work that actually keeps properties running.

From last-minute emergencies to emotional labor no one prepares you for, this episode shines a light on the reality b...

Spring Break bookings are chaos season—and in this episode, Cody and Meagan break down why. This isn’t normal travel behavior. It’s emotional, urgent, and often stressful. Guests aren’t just booking a room… they’re booking relief.

With an energetic, observational, and practical tone, this episode helps operators understand the psychology behind Spring Break bookings and what actually pushes guests to click “Book Now.”

🔹 Cold Open: C...

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 pi...

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...

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 sti...

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, t...

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-...

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 Upgr...

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...