Marin Bright

My latest article for Hotels Above Par explores travel's hottest trend: 'destination dupes.' And to that tune, these are some of my favorites. Not only will you avoid crowds, but travel trends like 'destination dupes' encourage cost-effective exploration, leading to a broader range of destinations gaining popularity. This diversification can stimulate local economies and promote sustainable tourism by distributing travelers more evenly across different locations.

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Episode 36: Turning Pain into Purpose: Aimee Stephens Journey

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On this episode of the Customer's First Podcast, Tacey sits down with Jon Clemence, the creator and owner of Cedar Press Proofreading. Jon shared his transition from a corporate job to starting his own proofreading business. He emphasized the importance of proofreading and editing in enhancing the customer experience, highlighting how simple errors like spelling mistakes can deter potential customers. Jon provided valuable tips for proofreading our own work, such as utilizing spell checkers and grammar tools wisely and creating an internal style guide for consistency. Furthermore, Jon discussed how proofreaders can elevate the quality of content by tightening prose, finding and fixing basic errors, and ensuring consistency in writing style. Jon concluded by inviting viewers to visit his website for more insights and resources on improving online content. Overall, the episode provided valuable insights into proofreading and content editing, underscoring the impact of attention to detail on creating a positive customer experience. Timestamps: 16:17: Proofreading Tips 19:30: Tightening Prose 20:39: Finding Basic Errors 22:33: Simple Things Like Number Consistency   Jon's Contact Information:   Website: cedarpressproofreading.com LinkedIn: @JonClemence Instagram: @cp_proofreading   Tacey's Contact Information:  Website: www.taceyatkinson.com All Social Media: @taceyatkinson Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to having more valuable conversations together in the future. Remember: Customer Centric Cultures Create Magical Customer Experiences. Now Go Create the Magic! #Podcast, #customerexperience, #branding #customerservice, #customersfirst, #spillthetea, @taceyatkinson, @podpros #PodcastsOnAmazonMusic #PodMatch #experienceeconomy #customerexperience @jonclemence @cp_proofreading

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Is your organization's survey data driving meaningful change? At Excellence 24/7, our patient experience surveys provide comprehensive insights.  More importantly, we turn this data into lasting, positive improvements. Consider the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula as an example.  Our surveys identified areas for improvement and helped drive significant changes. These efforts led to a notable boost in patient satisfaction levels. Why do we succeed where others struggle? We are committed to: → Identifying issues at every stage of the patient journey → Using data to measure and quantify the impact of improvements → Continuously refining survey questions to address new and emerging challenges We envision a future where healthcare organizations leverage regular check-ins for growth. This could lead to an 80% reduction in patient complaints. It might also result in a 35% increase in 'excellent' quality ratings. Gathering data on the patient journey is invaluable but often underutilized. Our expert analysis uncovers the root cause of problems at the source.  This paves the way for delivering 5 star care to every patient. Does your organization want to enhance the patient experience? Contact us today. Let's start a conversation about how we can help you improve. P.S. If you need a system to increase customer satisfaction rates, reach out. Book a call or send me a DM to discuss the next steps.

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Meet an inspiring example of how taking on extra opportunities can lead to substantial financial rewards. This waitress turned to our hospitality workforce solutions client, FrontHouz, picking up additional shifts and now earns an impressive $5,500 a month!! 💰 Her story proves that strategic use of platforms like Fronthouz can transform a side hustle into a significant source of income 🌟 Check out the article here -> https://lnkd.in/grRUiEgH #sidehustle #incomeboost #successstory

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Interested in what's #trending this week in travel and hospitality? Let’s dive right in. And subscribe to our free newsletter as it might prove helpful as the 2025 budgeting and planning season is about to start and you need to know how to set your property or company apart. The link to sign up is here: https://lnkd.in/d9qsRCv While the world has been abuzz about the success of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and how it made some economies, the reality is that the CONCERT ERA is fizzling out. The BULK OF THE TRAVEL MARKET this year is still going to be domestic travel, regardless of how many people are heading overseas this summer. TRAVEL AGENTS ARE BOOKING HOTELS in a variety of ways — many of which have to do with how easily they can earn their commission checks. You may have noticed tequila is everywhere these days and it should come as no surprise the DRINK OF THE SUMMER is the Paloma. And LUXURY DESIGNERS ARE STILL CHECKING INTO HOTELS, bringing their lifestyle aesthetic to hospitality and now cruises as well. Check it all out in our three-minute read below. https://lnkd.in/gbV2eg95 #concerts #travel #travelandtourism #foodandbeverage #luxury #hotelsandresorts #hospitality #publicrelations #marketing #consumerbehavior

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Shannon McKee and I are in #CoconutGrove for this edition of “Our Take on Cruise.” A local peacock enjoyed watching us film, so I hope you enjoy this episode. We discuss Dondra Ritzenthaler taking over as CEO of Azamara, and immediately embarking on a “listening tour” of travel advisors in the US, Canada and UK. Also, exciting news - Princess Cruises will once again homeport in #SanJuan! Global Ports Holding Plc has taken over the San Juan cruise port, and is revitalizing it to being one of the most important homeports for Caribbean cruising! This is great news, not just for San Juan, but also for southern Caribbean ports (why, you ask – watch the video 😀). Other items - Bloomberg reported that cruise lines have spent $1.5 billion since 2019 on private destinations and attractions. Cruise lines control the experience at these destinations, resulting in very high satisfaction from their guests. These destinations also drive demand for cruises, resulting in higher revenue. Speaking of guest satisfaction, #Disney reported that Disney Cruise Line had the highest guest satisfaction in their organization (Yay cruising)! And, Victory Cruise Lines is relaunching in the #GreatLakes, homeporting at Navy Pier in #Chicago. #OurTakeOnCruise #cruiseindustryexperts #cruise #wearecruise Cruise and Port Advisors, Inc. Access Cruise, Inc. Mike McFadden Thomas Spina Claudine Pohl David Selby Ioannis Bras Linda Vazquez Marie Blum

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"Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans." - Allen Saunders Saunders' quote serves as a poignant reminder to remain present and engaged with the unfolding moments of our lives. While planning and forward-thinking are valuable, they can sometimes lead us to overlook the richness of the here and now. This statement encourages us to balance our aspirations for the future with an appreciation for the present, understanding that life's most meaningful experiences often occur in the midst of our everyday activities and interactions. It's a call to embrace the unexpected, to find joy and learning in the unplanned events, and to appreciate life as it happens. Reflect on how your plans and future-focused thinking might be overshadowing your ability to enjoy the present. Identify ways you can more fully engage with and appreciate the current moments, even as you continue to plan for the future. #innovation #management #digitalmarketing #technology #creativity #futurism #startups #marketing #socialmedia #socialnetworking #motivation #personaldevelopment #sustainability #personalbranding #education #productivity #sales #socialentrepreneurship #strategy #culture #business #networking #health #inspiration

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On this episode of the Customer's First Podcast, we spoke with Shelly Niehaus, an expert in personal branding for service-based businesses. Shelly shared her journey from a professional commercial photographer to an online marketing coach, helping service providers improve their marketing strategies. She emphasized the importance of building a personal brand that shines online and outlined the three key elements of a personal brand: name, face, and how you make people feel. Shelly provided practical tips for developing a compelling personal brand, including connecting, inviting, and positioning yourself effectively.

Furthermore, Shelly discussed the significance of maintaining consistent branding across all marketing channels, including websites and social media platforms. She highlighted the impact of conducting a brand audit to ensure that your online presence reflects your brand identity cohesively. Additionally, Shelly shared insights on writing a compelling About Me page, emphasizing the importance of sharing your story and connecting with your audience authentically.

Shelly encouraged listeners to embrace their authentic selves and translate their real-life values into their online presence to create a strong personal brand.   Timestamps: 5:10: Building a Personal Brand Online 10:01: Steps to Develop a Compelling Personal Brand 14:07: Importance of Consistent Brand Messaging 17:43: The Vitality of About Me Pages 25:14: Conducting a Brand Audit   Shelly's Contact Information: Website: https://lnkd.in/eUvJEmdi LinkedIn: Shelly Niehaus Instagram: @shellyniehaus   Tacey's Contact Information:  Website: www.taceyatkinson.com Social Media: @taceyatkinson Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to having more valuable conversations together in the future. Remember: Customer Centric Cultures Create Magical Customer Experiences. Now Go Create the Magic! #Podcast, #customerexperience, #branding #customerservice, #customersfirst, #spillthetea, @taceyatkinson, @podpros #PodcastsOnAmazonMusic #PodMatch #leadership#companyculture

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When SHE Evolves, HE Takes Notice, and WE All Evolve Together. As a husband, partner, and business ally, I’ve had the privilege of watching Sarah Pirie-Nally pour her heart and soul into creating a transformative experience and community for women. The results have been nothing short of awe-inspiring. From women taking bold leaps to play bigger, publishing their first books, selling their businesses, and booking $100,000 worth of workshops inspired by their time at She Evolves Fiji, the transformations across life, relationships, career, and wealth have been epic. When you surround yourself with not only like-minded but, more importantly, like-hearted individuals, anything is possible. To my incredible wife, thank you for showing us what’s possible. Maybe it's time for me to step off the sidelines and create something for the men who stand beside these amazing women. #HeEvolves "When SHE Evolves, HE Takes Notice, and WE All Evolve Together" Imagine the spark of curiosity and engagement that an event or experience can ignite. These gatherings are catalysts for transformation, and no one ever went backwards by investing in themselves. When times are tough, and there are more reasons to say no to investing in yourself, remember this: I recently invested $25,000 into a business coach with a proven track record of taking businesses from local to global. The first week has generated 3 leads that could lead to multiple 6 figure US based clients This journey underscores the power of believing in your potential and surrounding yourself with a community that lifts you higher. Let’s embark on this adventure together, transforming not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. It’s time for us all to evolve, together. 25 Spaces left in Byron Bay. I also invite 10 men that are interested to be part of the first HEevolves https://lnkd.in/g4pu2WsC #Transformation #Community #SheEvolves #HeTakesNotice #WeEvolve #InvestInYourself #GrowthMindset #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #PersonalDevelopment

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One thing I love about reading online these days is how you can just touch a word to find the definition. While reading classical historical fiction recently, I came upon what was for me a new word: punctilious. The first definition that came up online for this adjective was: “showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.” Right away I knew this was the perfect word for my vision of the ideal hotel that thinks of everything. For me, what follows in this article are the characteristics of a truly punctilious hotel. Read now at Hotel News Now: https://lnkd.in/eRNsQdxc #KennedyTrainingNetwork #Hospitality #GuestService

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Welcome back from the long holiday weekend! We hope you had time to rest and recharge before the busy summer season kicks in. Here’s what’s been happening. ↠ Have you heard about NARRATIVE HOTELS? They are the next wave in the boutique hotel genre, but they take the cool factor a step farther by giving guests a truly immersive experience in a specific storyline. ↠ SUMMER TRAVEL is upon us and if you break it down by the generations, we are seeing varying interests and consumer behavior you might want to pay attention to. ↠ CRUISING is about to have its business model turned upside down as a new cruise line is aiming at disrupting the age-old business model. ↠ The TOP 2024 SUMMER TRAVEL DESTINATIONS are probably not what you would expect. In fact, one is on the list simply because it is a stop on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour — no surprise there right? ↠ And LOYALTY PROGRAMS are adjusting offerings and rewards to better satisfy the needs of guests who want more than being able to accrue and claim points for a guest room or suite. ↠ Check it all out in our three-minute read below. https://lnkd.in/gKQg3nVc #hotels #loyalty #summertravel #cruising #consumerbehavior #hotelsandresorts #travel #boutiquehotels

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The Best experience and growth for your business. Check it out

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One of the best parts about the incentive industry is seeing the excitement when attendees walk into the room and realize they're receiving a gift. While we LOVE onsite gifting events, we do of course have other ways to acknowledge your employees or clients. How can Trailblazer Events help YOU?

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My conversation with fellow travel agency owner Kemi Wells-Conrad is such a good, honest one! I encourage hoteliers to listen in to this podcast as we discuss our perspective, as Owners of very small but high-producing travel agencies from a per advisor basis (versus volume). Travel advisors who may feel like a host agency has served them very well for a period of time, who may be looking around saying hey I’ve been here, I’ve given to them, they’ve given to me, but maybe it’s time for me to move on & operate independently, will also find this conversation useful. *** Listen to the episode on Spotify here -> https://lnkd.in/gNQuZR4a In this conversation we touch on the money side of things and administrative/tech. Also, the hot topic of foregoing higher commission tiers & preferred partnerships. Not a question of whether those would come for us as we went out on our own and built up our own bookings – they would come, they just wouldn’t come immediately, in our minds, and we were OK with it because for us, we thought beyond that. The pros of independence far outweighed any cons or staying sat feeling capped where we were.   We also touch on boundaries, on life balance. In the conversation that I had last week with fellow travel agency owner Sue Kasmar we dig into this topic as well, if this is something you’re interested in, give that episode a listen. I hope you all enjoy this conversation; this will be the last one for a bit as I head out on some travel of my own back home to Louisiana & abroad to the English countryside, to Doha, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Dubai, and Paris. I plan to do a solo episode for you all, recapping my experience with this first collection of conversations, how I produced a podcast on my own, what I’ve learned, what I’ve loved, what topics may continue, what may change... For now, hit play on this season ender, and Thank you to everyone who has listened in & sent sweet words my/our way about these...

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I chatted with Josiah Mackenzie earlier today, and he posed a question. "Why do you love promoting San Francisco?" While I've been asked this question countless times, Josiah's inquiry made me reflect in a new light. Here's what I realized: I've always had an innate curiosity, the kind that drives me to seek out new experiences and share them with others. Whether discovering an exciting event, trying out a new restaurant, or exploring a new exhibition, I've always been the friend, rallying people together to create lasting memories. In marketing San Francisco, I get to channel this curiosity every day. San Francisco, with its ever-changing landscape and vibrant energy, offers endless opportunities for discovery. There's always something happening, something worth exploring. I get to be that friend who's looking for something cool to do every day, and it's such a privilege to do what we do. I imagine other destination marketers feel the same way. We work in such a special industry. Jump if you have the chance to join a destination marketing organization like San Francisco Travel Association.

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Check out 5 top tips for things to do when visiting Khao Yai, by Sandy Liw, GM of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort for CSP Times https://lnkd.in/gBaMCvFP

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