Virtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast
Welcome to Virtual GM, the ultimate podcast for anyone looking to elevate their game in the modern hospitality industry! Whether you're a boutique hotel owner, VRBO manager, Airbnb administrator, front desk staff, or just someone trying to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the hospitality world, this podcast is for you! Each episode is packed with valuable insights, expert advice, and real-life stories from industry leaders and innovators. We'll cover everything from how to effectively market your property and increase bookings, to how to provide top-notch customer service and stand out in a crowded market. But it's not all business - we'll also be having a lot of fun along the way. Expect witty banter, relatable anecdotes, and plenty of laughs as we take a fresh and entertaining approach to discussing the hospitality industry. Produced and distributed by Vibrant Management - a company dedicated to helping hoteliers and vacation rental managers thrive in the modern world - Virtual GM is your go-to source for all things hospitality. So, join us, and let's elevate your game! and visit us on our website: www.thevibrantteam.com
Episodes
In this episode, Cody is joined once again by longtime Virtual GM Malissa Baum to tackle one of the most important — and often misunderstood — topics in hospitality today: OTA dependence.
OTAs like Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb absolutely provide value. They help hotels gain visibility, drive occupancy, and compete in crowded markets. But when properties become too dependent on third-party bookings, the hidden costs can quietly e...
n this episode, Cody is joined once again by longtime Virtual GM Malissa Baum for a conversation all about one of the biggest shifts happening in hospitality operations today: using AI in your daily workflow as a Virtual GM.
As operators continue managing more properties, more guest communication, and more moving pieces than ever before, AI is quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools available—not to replace hospitality, but ...
The hotels winning today aren’t just raising rates—they’re using smarter systems, better data, and more strategic decision-making to improve profitability, guest experience, and long-term performance.
Cody breaks down:
- Why ADR can be misleading
- What modern revenue management software actually does
- The biggest mistakes operators still make
- And how independent hotels can compete without massive corporate revenue teams
🔹 I...
In this solo episode, Cody breaks down the top hospitality conferences and networking events every hotel owner, operator, and hospitality professional should have on their radar this year.
Whether you're looking to grow your network, discover new technology, stay ahead of industry trends, or simply surround yourself with other passionate hospitality leaders—these events can completely change the trajectory of your business.
Cody...
In this episode, Cody & Meagan break down one of the most important (and misunderstood) elements in hospitality: what actually makes a stay memorable.
Because here’s the truth:
👉 You can have a clean, nice room—and still be completely forgettable.
The difference? Intentional design and experience.
🔹 Opening Hook: Forgettable vs. Memorable
Cody & Meagan kick things off with a simple question:
👉 What makes a stay sti...
In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into one of the most overlooked opportunities in hospitality: the small revenue levers that quietly drive big results.
Everyone talks about ADR and occupancy—but the most successful properties know that real growth comes from maximizing revenue per guest, not just filling rooms.
👉 You don’t need more bookings—you need more value per booking.
🔹 Opening Hook: The Missed Opportunity
“Most ho...
In this episode, Cody sits down with fellow Virtual GM Ali Dockstader, whose story in hospitality runs deep. Growing up in the industry, Ali witnessed firsthand what it takes to build something special—her family founded Cliffrose Lodge in 1989 when she was just three years old.
Years later, when her family opened Watchman Villas in 2017, Ali helped pioneer what we now know as the Virtual GM role—a model that continues to shape mode...
In this episode, Cody sits down with a very special guest—Malissa Baum, a seasoned Virtual GM who has been part of the team at Vibrant Management for over four years.
Malissa currently oversees operations at two incredible properties: Adobe Desert Boutique Motel and Watchman Villas, giving her a unique perspective on what it really takes to run hospitality operations remotely in today’s world.
This episode is a candid, behind-the-sce...
In this episode, Cody & Meagan shine a spotlight on an exciting new project: the grand opening of Adobe Desert Boutique Motel.
Opening April 18, this fully reimagined roadside motel represents something bigger than just a renovation—it’s a case study in how thoughtful design, storytelling, and positioning can transform not just a property, but an entire market.
🔹 Opening: Why This Property Matters
Cody & Meagan introduc...
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...
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