Learning More About The Annex Hotel with Ryan Killeen

Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast

09/22/21

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36m

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Ryan Killeen’s hospitality career officially began after participating in the hotel management program at Vancouver Community College. While in school, Ryan started cleaning bathrooms and making beds with the housekeeping team at the Fairmont Pacific Rim — considered Vancouver’s definitive luxury hotel. He was climbing the ladder at a healthy pace and was presented with an opportunity to join the opening team in Dubai at Fairmont the Palm. Without processing what this meant, Ryan said yes. Living in Dubai, working with 52 different nationalities, and leading the guest services team was the most eye-opening experience of my life. For Ryan and fellow North Americans, it was an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and open the floodgates to new opportunities back home. For others, it was an opportunity to provide for their families and give their children a future.

After returning to North America, Ryan took on progressive roles in Vancouver, Calgary, Boston that included sales, business development, leadership, and operations for Sonder, a ‘Hometel’ company bringing together the authenticity of peer-to-peer home rental plus the dependable, elevated services of a hotel. Currently, Ryan operates the Annex Hotel in Toronto as GM.

As a property manager, business owner, and entrepreneur, you already have so much to do in a 24 hour time period. Don’t let the worry of your property being damaged and focus back on growing your business with Safely! Safely is a proud sponsor and I love that I can use them for my business to ensure my properties are safe, protected and my homeowners know that I think of their asset as my asset too! Go to Safely.com and sign up today and let them know Wil sent you!

Smart locks, Smart thermostats, automation, and a solution for any hotel and vacation rental company.

Our show partners at Operto are the leading solution for operators to enhance their operations by integrating with your property management software and making sure all smart devices create a contactless guest experience while streamlining operations. Check them out on their website, send me a message or just let them know Wil sent you and you’ll be in great hands!

This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link!

In this episode, we explore:

02:52 - Background of the Guest

06:47 - Disadvantages of having an overcomplicated system

08:07 - Using Technology vs Old school way

09:35 - Technology role in the hospitality industry

13:00 - Shifting to Sonder and Airbnb

15:56 - What is it like to be an established company?

19:32 - What is Annex?

23:15 - Adopting Technology - from traditional to high-tech hotel

26:19 - Consolidating Tech hacks

29:29 - Prediction when shifting to high-end vacation rentals

Connecting with the Guest:

Website: https://theannex.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankkilleen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annexhotels/?hl=en

Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

Building A Brand From Top To Bottom with Alex Husner, Condo-World

September 15, 2021

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47m

Alex has led the strategic marketing and business development efforts for Condo-World since 2009. She manages a team that has grown the company from a local vacation rental business into a nationally recognized condo marketing and technology enterprise. Alex has a passion for developing strategies that drive sales overnight and brand over time, connecting all aspects of digital, social and traditional marketing to keep Condo-World at the forefront of their highly competitive market.

This episode is sponsored by Hostfully! Hostfully is an industry-leading software company that provides property managers and hoteliers with a property management platform and amazing digital custom guidebooks that will make your guests' experience with you 10X better! Use SLICKTALK20 to get $100 off of their property management platform and two months free of their premium digital guidebooks!

In this episode, we explore:

04:23 - Alex and Condo-World Background

08:36 - Key to Success

13:16 - Importance of Marketing

19:10 - Steps for Branding package

22:32 - Technology Program

29:02 - Making successful partnerships

32:40 - Software Connectivity Piece

36:55 - Finding Gaps to fill

39:19 - What’s next for Condo-World?

Connecting with the Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner-%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.o.husner

Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H

Mid Roll Ad - 20:53

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Next Episode

What’s With The Noise In Short Term Rentals with Michael Goldin

September 29, 2021

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39m

Michael is the head of business development for NoiseAware and has been a part of the short term rental community since 2015. He is a 2x Phocuswright 35 under 35 leader who is committed to bettering the short term rental industry. Michael's role is focused on collaboration with the OTA's, partnering with cities for sensible regulation, developing key industry partnerships and leading the charge into new segments of hospitality like flexible rentals. On a personal side, he is obsessed with travel, volleyball, and the dad of a 2 year old boy!

This episode is sponsored by Hostfully & Operto! Running a great property management company means you need a great property management platform and the ability to give automated access to your guests so you don’t waste your time doing things manually all the time! Upgrade your techstack and get this dynamic duo to power your business!

This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link!

In this episode, we explore:

04:27 - Things happening since Covid-19

09:46 - Why does this kind of host have to be kicked-off

12:41 - Flexible Rentals

15:26 - Does workforce housing stay until 2022?

17:54 - Labor shortage in the hotel industry

21:16 - Importance of the guest experience

26:31 - How NoiseAware is solving the noise issue

29:24 - What’s new with NoiseAware?

Connecting with the Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgoldin1/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/goldin1