Hospitality Marketing Podcast
Listen to Suite Spot for Hotel Marketing Tips
Tune in to Suite Spot, the hotel marketing podcast by Travel Media Group. Twice a month, we’ll zero in on a topic relevant to hoteliers today. Learn about hotel marketing news and expert tips to help your hotel compete online. Subscribe on iTunes, SoundCloud, or wherever you download podcasts. Topics we’ll cover include trends in social media, online reviews, and how travelers search for hotels online today to help hoteliers stay on top of industry trends and keep up with the competition.
Suite Spot is hosted by Travel Media Group brand ambassador Ryan Embree, who is joined by other experts on all things hotel marketing. Check out our latest episodes below, which include detailed show notes and complete transcripts. Have a question you’d like us to answer on the show or a topic you’d like to hear about? Text or leave us a voicemail at (407) 984-7455.
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Recent Suite Spot Episodes
83 – Advanced Sentiment Analysis and Reporting
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we celebrate another exciting solution update launch with Host Ryan Embree and VP of Product & Technology, Jason Lee. Ryan and Jason roll out and explore the new advanced sentiment analysis and reporting for hotels. The episode...
82 – 1 on 1 Hotel Workshop Takeaways & Insights
In this special edition of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree discusses the recent Hotel Digital Marketing Workshop Event hosted by Travel Media Group. This season’s theme was titled “How to Keep Occupancy Hot this Fall” and focused on capturing occupancy as children...
81 – How Social Media and Online Reviews Impact Conversion
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we take a trip down the traveler’s booking path and explore what role social media and reputation play in a guest's decision-making. Host Ryan Embree and VP of Product & Technology, Jason Lee share how to improve your hotel’s...
80 – How To Market Your New Hotel Renovations
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree is joined by Travel Media Group's Content Manager, Marissa Kinzel, to discuss how to market a hotel property's new renovations and updates. With some hotels seeing 2020 as an opportunity to make updates and changes...
79 – Top 5 Summer Social Media Ideas For Hotels
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree partners up with Content Manager Marissa Kinzel to count down their Top 5 summer social media ideas for hotels. Ryan and Marissa discuss the type of social content that travelers are looking for – especially during...
78 – Attracting the New Bleisure Traveler
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree is joined by Travel Media Group's Content Manager, Marissa Kinzel, to discuss the cross-section of business and leisure in the travel industry. They define what "bleisure" travelers are, and share ideas about how...
77 – TMG Hospitality Heroes Pt. II
In part 2 of 2 of this special edition of the Suite Spot, we take a moment to recognize stories of resilience and excellence in hospitality throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Ryan Embree highlights some incredible hospitality professionals across the country and...
76 – Moving Forward with AD1 Global’s Jon McMillian
On this special edition of the Suite Spot, we are joined by AD1 Global’s Director of Marketing and e-Commerce, Jon McMillian. Host Ryan Embree interviews Jon and gets his thoughts on the state of the hotel industry today and where we are headed. Jon shares the start...
75 – TMG Hospitality Heroes Part I
In part 1 of 2 of this special edition of the Suite Spot, we take a moment to recognize stories of resilience and excellence in hospitality throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Ryan Embree highlights some incredible hospitality professionals across the country and...
74 – Prepping Your Hotel For The Busy Season
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we dig into the archives to unveil a never-before-heard episode on how hotels can prep for the busy summer season. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Director of Marketing, Anne Sandoval, to share tips and tricks on how to get the most...
73 – Hotel Industry Q & A on TMG’s Concierge Desk
In this special edition of the Suite Spot, we announce the launch of a brand new YouTube segment – the TMG Concierge Desk. Host Ryan Embree introduces the new segment and explains how it will serve as a valuable resource for hoteliers. Ryan shares some of the very...
72 – Positive Signs of Hotel Industry Recovery
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we share all the exciting, positive signs of recovery in the hotel industry. Brand Ambassador and Host of the Suite Spot Ryan Embree shares factors inside and outside of the hotel industry that all point towards positive signs for...
71 – Why Post-Stay Guest Surveys Are Essential
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we explore the importance of post-stay surveys for hotels. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Product Director and head of Travel Media Group’s reputation solutions, Patrick O’Brien, to discuss why the feedback uncovered in these surveys...
70 – Tips for Hotels Going LIVE on Social Media
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we share a beginner’s guide for hoteliers live streaming on social media. Host Ryan Embree gives some ideas for topics hotels can use when going live, and best practices to keep in mind when recording. Ryan talks through some of the...
69 – Client Success & Hotel Recovery Post-COVID-19
In follow up to an episode produced in early 2020, this episode of the Suite Spot discusses the relationship with Travel Media Group’s Client Success Team and Hotel Recovery Post- COVID-19. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Client Success Team Lead Aislynn Roberts to...
68 – Boosting Your Hotel’s Speed to Recovery
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we take a look at what it will take for hotels to accelerate their speed of recovery in 2021. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Travel Media Group’s Marketing Coordinator, Marissa Kinzel, to discuss and share ideas. Ryan and Marissa...
67 – Social Listening 101
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree is once again joined by Vice President of Product and Technology, Jason Lee. This time, they're talking about the importance of social listening. Jason and Ryan start the episode by defining social listening and what...
66 – 5 Ways To Attract Groups Using LinkedIn
In the first Suite Spot episode of 2021, host Ryan Embree identifies five unique ways hotels can attract groups using LinkedIn. Ryan shares tips on how to optimize your hotel’s LinkedIn and get your employees at the property involved. He talks about the importance of...
65 – 2020 In Review With Dana Singer
On this year-end edition of the Suite Spot, we welcome Travel Media Group’s Vice President and General Manager, Dana Singer to the podcast. Host Ryan Embree reflects with Dana on the events of this crazy 2020 calendar year. Dana reviews some of the adjustments that...
64 – Marketing Your Hotel on Linkedin
In this episode of Suite Spot, we announce another exciting update for 2020: the addition of LinkedIn to Travel Media Group’s social media solution. Host Ryan Embree is joined by the leader of the product development team, Jason Lee to discuss this powerful B2B social...
63 – Top 5 Sentiment Tags in 2020
In this special edition of the Suite Spot, our review response team at Travel Media Group analyzes and identifies the Top 5 sentiment tags of 2020. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Product Director, Patrick O’Brien to discuss COVID-19's impact on traveler reviews and...
62 – Capturing Leisure Travel This Winter
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree helps hoteliers prepare for the upcoming 2020 winter season and shares his thoughts on what to expect. Ryan takes a look at two major factors impacting travelers' booking decisions this winter: the weather and...
61 – TMG OneView Feed 2.0
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we highlight the launch of Travel Media Group’s OneView® Feed 2.0. Jason Lee, VP of Product & Technology, joins host Ryan Embree to talk about this exciting update and what it means for TMG’s hotel partners. Jason shares how...
60 – Marketing Your Hotel To Gen Z Post-COVID-19
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree is joined by Travel Media Group’s Marketing Coordinator, Marissa Kinzel, to discuss marketing your hotel to Generation Z post-COVID-19. Ryan and Marissa break down key characteristics and traits of Generation Z and...
59 – 2020 Skift Global Forum Special Edition
In this special edition of the Suite Spot, we discuss the recent 2020 Skift Global Forum. Host Ryan Embree had the opportunity to virtually attend the event, which brought together some of the biggest names and brands in the travel industry. In this episode, Ryan...
58 – Social Media Tips And Tricks
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we talk to Client Success Representative and social media enthusiast Jessica Pickering. Jessica joins host Ryan Embree to share inventive ways to spark creativity and engagement on your hotel’s social media. Ryan and Jessica cover...
57 – Multi Property Reporting & Capabilities with TMG OneView®
This episode of Suite Spot is all about the multi-property functionality of Travel Media Group’s user-generated content management system: TMG OneView®. Host Ryan Embree is joined by VP of Product Development & Technology Jason Lee to review how management groups...
56 – COVID Hotel Industry Trends With Jan Freitag Pt. II
In another special edition of the Suite Spot, Senior Vice President of Lodging Insights at STR, Jan Freitag returns to the podcast for an insightful conversation. Jan and his team at STR are continuing to closely monitor industry data and trends post-COVID-19. Jan and...
55 – Adapting Your Hotels Website During COVID-19
In this episode of Suite Spot, we talk about the adaptations hoteliers are making to their property websites in the midst of this pandemic. Travel Media Group Senior Website Product Analyst, Stephanie Courtois, joins host Ryan Embree to share how she, alongside the...
54 – The Changing Traveler Experience: 2019 vs 2020
In this episode of Suite Spot, Ryan Embree reflects on some of the post-pandemic effects of our everyday lives when it comes to travel. Ryan recounts the significant changes to the traveler experience of a hotel stay in summer 2019 versus summer 2020. He talks about...
53 – Responding To COVID-19 Online Reviews
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss what to do when your hotel receives an online review related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Host, Ryan Embree, is joined by review response expert and Respond & Resolve™ Product Manager, Kristeena Seckinger, who walks us...
52 – Building Traveler Confidence for COVID Recovery
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we turn our attention to COVID-19 hotel industry recovery and what hoteliers can do to build traveler confidence. Host Ryan Embree is joined remotely by Travel Media Group’s Director of Marketing, Anne Sandoval, to share best...
51 – COVID Hotel Industry Trends With Jan Freitag
In this special edition of the Suite Spot, we sit down with Senior Vice President of Lodging Insights at STR, Jan Freitag. Jan and his team at STR have been hard at work collecting and analyzing hotel data across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jan and Ryan...
50 – 1st Impression Score®
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we celebrate another hotel digital marketing innovation created by Travel Media Group’s product development team led by VP of Product & Technology, Jason Lee. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Jason to discuss 1st Impression Score®,...
49 – Client Success During COVID-19
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss the stories and sentiments that we have been hearing from our hotel partners across the country who have been impacted by COVID-19. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Client Success & Operations Manager Edwin Pomales to discuss...
48 – Reputation Management During COVID-19
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree is joined by TMG's Product Director Patrick O’Brien to discuss the role that online reputation plays during COVID-19. Ryan and Patrick break down the influential power that online reviews are playing in consumer’s...
47 – Crisis Management for Hotels During COVID-19
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we continue sharing helpful insights and tips to help hoteliers combat the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Travel Media Group’s Director of Marketing, Anne Sandoval, to discuss 5 Strategies of Crisis...
46 – Action Planning for COVID-19
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we continue our discussion on COVID-19 and the virus’s impact on the hotel industry. Host Ryan Embree welcomes Jason Lee, Vice President of Product & Technology, back to the Suite Spot to get his perspective and insights on this...
45 – Managing Through COVID-19
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss the COVID-19 crisis facing hoteliers around the globe today. Host Ryan Embree helps navigate these unprecedented times in the hospitality industry and shares words of encouragement on behalf of Travel Media Group. Ryan...
44 – Experiential Travel Featuring Kirk Pederson
In this episode of The Suite Spot, we discuss how embracing experiential travel helps hotels make lasting connections with their guests. Ryan welcomes President of Sightline Hospitality, Kirk Pederson to the podcast to discuss how to implement experiential travel in...
43 – Making Moves On TripAdvisor
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss how to improve your hotel’s city rank on TripAdvisor, no matter where your property currently stands. Host Ryan Embree is joined by guest Patrick O’Brien, TMG's Product Director and reputation solutions expert. Ryan and...
42 – Social Media As Content Marketing
In this episode of the Suite Spot, host Ryan Embree is joined by Vice President of Product and Technology, Jason Lee, to walk through the emergence of content marketing and the importance of strategic social media for the hotel industry. Jason and Ryan discuss social...
41 – TMG Culture With Dana Singer
On this special edition of the Suite Spot, we host Travel Media Group’s Vice President and General Manager, Dana Singer. Ryan Embree and Dana share thoughts on what sets the Travel Media Group experience apart for our hotel partners. Ryan and Dana take a trip down...
40 – Google Search Trends Of The 2010s
In this episode of Suite Spot, Ryan Embree reflects on the past year and past decade, focusing on trending Google searches in the hotel industry. Ryan reviews which travel-related search terms have risen in popularity in the 2010s and which search terms have all but...
39 – Prepping Your TripAdvisor Listing for 2020
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we share how to get your hotel’s TripAdvisor listing ready for the new year. Host, Ryan Embree, is joined by Respond & Resolve™ Product Manager, Kristeena Seckinger to walk through the process of claiming and optimizing your hotel’s...
38 – Phocuswright 2019 Special Edition
In this special edition episode of the Suite Spot, we discuss the recent 2019 Phocuswright Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Host Ryan Embree is joined by VP of Product & Technology, Jason Lee, and Customer Success & Operations Manager, Edwin Pomales, to discuss key...
37 – Marketing Your Pet-Friendly Hotel
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we talk about a different type of guest at your hotel: pets. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Director of Marketing and pet lover Anne Sandoval to talk creative ways to market your pet-friendly hotel to travelers. In the What’s News...
36 – Navigating Changes At Your Hotel
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we dedicate our time to helping hoteliers navigate through major changes and transitions that happen at their properties. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Client Success & Operations Manager Edwin Pomales to discuss overcoming 5 major...
35 – Leveraging User-Generated Content for Hotels
In this episode of Suite Spot, Ryan Embree discusses the importance of user-generated content in the hotel industry. Ryan shares where to locate user-generated content about your hotel online and how to leverage that information to better your business. He provides...
34 – Social Media: Prepping For The Slow Season
In this episode of the Suite Spot, we help hoteliers prepare their properties for the slow season by discussing the best ways to optimize their hotel’s social media profiles. Kelly Albritton, Senior Product Analyst, joins host Ryan Embree to share insights from her...
33 – Top 5 Sentiment Tags in Hotel Reviews
In this special edition of the Suite Spot, we take a look at the Top 5 trending tags in online reviews today. Host, Ryan Embree is joined by the leader of the Travel Media Group review response team, Patrick O’Brien. Patrick and Ryan countdown each review sentiment...
32 – Marketing Your Hotel To Generation Z
In this episode of Suite Spot, we discuss a research study recently conducted by Booking.com regarding Generation Z and travel. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Director of Marketing, Anne Sandoval, to explore the different traits of this maturing generation and their...
31 – Multi-Property Marketing with Mike Parent
On this episode of Suite Spot, we have the distinct pleasure of welcoming special guest Mike Parent, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Coakley & Williams Hotel Management Company, to the podcast. Host Ryan Embree interviews Mike on the subject of...
30 – Adopting A Reputation Mindset With Rupesh Patel
On this special edition of Suite Spot, we welcome hotel owner, entrepreneur, consultant, and social media influencer, Rupesh Patel to the studio. Ryan and Rupesh trade thoughts on the correlation between a hotel’s online reputation and revenue success. Rupesh shares...
29 – TMG OneView® with Jason Lee
In this episode of Suite Spot, we celebrate the one year anniversary of Travel Media Group’s user-generated content management system: TMG OneView®. Host Ryan Embree is joined by the architect of OneView and VP of Product Development & Technology Jason Lee. Jason...
28 – HITEC 2019 Special Edition
In this special edition episode of Suite Spot, Host Ryan Embree is joined by the head of Travel Media Group’s product and development team, Jason Lee, to share his key takeaways from the recent HITEC 2019 conference in Minneapolis. Ryan and Jason talk about all the...
27 – How to Market Your B&B
In this episode of Suite Spot, we focus our attention on the bed and breakfast segment of the hospitality industry. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Director of Marketing Anne Sandoval to talk about how your bed and breakfast property can stay competitive with the rising...
26 – How to Manage Google Reviews
In this episode of Suite Spot, we discuss reports that Google Reviews surpassed Booking.com as the number one review distribution site. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Jason Lee to explore how Google is positioning itself in the hotel industry and what it means for...
25 – Why Your Hotel Needs a Vanity Website
In this episode of Suite Spot, we tackle the trending topic of vanity websites in the hotel industry. TMG Website Analyst Stephanie Courtois joins Host Ryan Embree to share best practices on how to create and optimize the perfect hotel vanity website for your...
24 – A Beginner’s Guide to Going Green For Hoteliers
In this episode of Suite Spot, we discuss the growing trend of going green in the hotel industry. Priscilla Osorio, Marketing Content Manager at Travel Media Group, joins host Ryan Embree to give advice to hoteliers on how to implement sustainable initiatives at your...
Get to Know Suite Spot Host Ryan Embree
Ryan Embree
As Brand Ambassador, Ryan fosters relationships with hoteliers and hospitality groups. You may have met Ryan at a recent trade show, or heard his voice on one of our educational webinars or podcast episodes. Ryan loves the ability to create long-lasting professional relationships with hoteliers and is dedicated to helping them grow their businesses. Ryan has an extensive background in hospitality and graduated from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. Before assuming his role as Brand Ambassador at Travel Media Group, Ryan was a Senior Digital Media Consultant helping hotels optimize digital presence and maximize revenue. He also has frontline hotel experience working in operations and customer service roles at several hotels and resorts, like the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando and Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.