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? Email us at info@travelmediagroup.com.
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Recent Suite Spot Episodes
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...
23 – Diversifying Your Audience to Attract New Guests
In this episode of Suite Spot, we speak to the unbelievable prosperity that the hotel industry is currently experiencing while preparing hoteliers for a time where revenue growth might slow. Host Ryan Embree teams up with Director of Marketing Anne Sandoval to...
22 – Marketing Your Hotel on Instagram
In this episode of Suite Spot, we discuss one of the fastest growing and most popular social media platforms in 2019, Instagram. On the heels of another exciting innovation from Travel Media Group’s product development team, we introduce the addition of Instagram for...
21 – Marketing Ideas with Regional DOS Pat Kobela
On this special edition of Suite Spot, we host our first remote guest Pat Kobela, Regional Director of Sales at Chartwell Hotels. Ryan Embree interviews Pat as she shares some insights and best practices from her years of experience in the hotel industry. Ryan and Pat...
20 – Custom Social Content
In this episode of Suite Spot, we explore the exciting, recent announcement of Travel Media Group’s newest solution: Custom Social. Joey Schuster, Product Development Manager, joins host Ryan Embree to share all the exciting features and benefits of this new solution....
19 – Behind the Scenes with Client Support
In this episode of Suite Spot, we go behind the scenes with the client support department at Travel Media Group. Host Ryan Embree visits with Aislynn Roberts, Client Support Team Lead, to discuss all the vital work that she and the client support team do to help...
18 – Hiring & Retaining Hospitality Employees
In this episode of Suite Spot, we combat one of the biggest problems facing hoteliers in 2019: recruiting and hiring quality hotel employees. In the What’s News segment, host Ryan Embree, shares some recent unemployment statistics as well as a survey of what experts...
17 – Reputation Resolutions For 2019
In this episode of Suite Spot, we welcome in 2019 with several new year reputation resolutions for hoteliers. Ryan counts down the top 5 ways to make sure that your reputation strategy is off to a fast start and sets you up for success throughout the rest of the year....
16 – Advice From a Hotel Review Response Writer
In this episode of Suite Spot, we pick the brain of a true hotel review response expert. Kristeena Seckinger, who has responded to over 100,000 hotel reviews in her career, joins host Ryan Embree to talk about what it takes to be a successful hotel review response...
15 – Top 5 Ways to Market Your Hotel in the Off Season
In this episode of Suite Spot, we prepare hoteliers for the upcoming holiday season, which is historically slower for hotels. Ryan counts down the top 5 ways to market your hotel during this year’s winter months. We tackle everything from traditional advertising...
14 – Phocuswright Special Edition
In this special edition episode of Suite Spot, we discuss the recent 2018 Phocuswright conference in Los Angeles. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Patrick O’Brien, product manager and Phocuswright attendee veteran, who gives his take on the innovative technology...
13 – Dreamforce Special Edition
In this special edition of Suite Spot, we discuss a hospitality keynote presented at the 2018 Dreamforce Conference in San Francisco. The keynote, "The Future of Travel and Hospitality," was a fireside chat with Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson. In this...
12 – Marketing Your Branded Hotel
In this episode of Suite Spot, we focus on marketing branded and franchised hotels. Host Ryan Embree teams up with the leaders of Travel Media Group’s sales team, Diane Elderkin and Edwin Pomales, to discuss. In the What's News segment, Ryan shares an article that...
11 – The Lodging Conference 2018 Special Edition
In this special edition episode of Suite Spot, we recap the recent 2018 Lodging Conference. It took place at the beautiful Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix, AZ. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Travel Media Group’s Senior Director of Product, Jason Lee as they discuss...
10 – 5 Ways To Reinvest In Your Hotel
In this episode of Suite Spot, we take a look at the state of the hotel industry. With an incredible streak of 100+ months of RevPAR growth, it’s a great time to reinvest in your hotel. Here are 5 ways you can reinvest in your property for a prosperous future.
09 – Tailor Social Media Content to Attract more Guests
In this episode of Suite Spot, we take a look at what it takes to manage and run a successful social media marketing strategy in today’s hotel industry. Priscilla Osorio, Social Media Analyst at Travel Media Group, joins host Ryan Embree to give advice to hoteliers on how to tailor social media content to create an engaging and effective social media campaign.
08 – Guest Feedback & Satisfaction
In this episode of Suite Spot, we discuss guest feedback and the ways today’s hoteliers are leveraging this information to better their businesses. Senior Digital Marketing Specialist Brittany Hill joins Ryan Embree to share best practices on how to obtain feedback from guests and how to leverage it.
07 – Processes to Improve Hotel Reputation
In this episode of Suite Spot, we uncover which processes hoteliers can put in place to impact their reputation. Host Ryan Embree is joined by Jason Lee to discuss how at the heart of the matter, it’s still all about service.
06 – Optimizing for Voice Search
Amber Wojcek, content manager at Travel Media Group, joins host Ryan Embree to study the impact of voice search in the industry and where it might be heading. We provide tips on how hotels can optimize their websites for voice search and share best practices on voice search traffic conversion.
05 – Marketing Tips for Independent Hotels
Diane and Edwin share, from a marketing perspective, what advantages and disadvantages independent hoteliers face in comparison to a branded property. They give different recommendations on how an independent hotel can best share its story to travelers.
04 – Understanding TripAdvisor’s 2018 Algorithm Update
In this episode of Suite Spot, we reflect on the recent changes to the TripAdvisor algorithm. Host Ryan Embree is joined by guest Patrick O’Brien, Digital Product Manager and head of the reputation solutions at Travel Media Group.
03 – HITEC Special Edition
In this special edition episode of Suite Spot, we discuss the recent 2018 HITEC conference in Houston, TX. This episode serves as a great technology blueprint for the modern-day hotelier.
02 – Compete with Rentals and Private Accommodations
In this episode of Suite Spot, we examine the growing impact of vacation rentals and private accommodations on today’s hotel industry. Host Ryan Embree is joined by guest Amber Wojcek, Marketing Coordinator at Travel Media Group and author of many of our blogs and white papers.
01 – Reach Millennial Travelers On Social Media
In the first episode of Suite Spot, we explore the state of millennial travel. Host Ryan Embree is joined by guest Anne Sandoval, Marketing Director at Travel Media Group and adjunct instructor of Social Media at UCF.
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.