LondonHouse Chicago

As Director of Sales and Marketing, I instill a culture of high performance by providing consistent opportunities for growth, acknowledgement, and a vision for success the team can trust and follow. Responsible for leading all property level sales and marketing initiatives. Achieved our goal of being the most followed hotel in Chicago on Instagram, streamlined sales strategies and processes resulting in a 76% growth in year over year awarded RFP value, and ranked #1 in conversion within a comp set of eleven similar hotels.

Director of Sales and Marketing

Influencer Advisory Council – IAC

Advisor and Board Member

HSMAI Chicago Chapter

Our mission is to be the leading source for sales and marketing information, knowledge, business development, and networking for professionals in tourism, travel, and hospitality. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines, as well as connecting its members with customers.

VP of Sponsorships

The Dow Hotel Company

Responsible for marked increases in business travel, convention, corporate group and airline segments. Developed sales strategies to increase revenue and cultivate new business sources through analysis of reports, client interface, leverage of electronic media, and developmental meetings with Sales staff.

Complex Assistant Director of Sales - Embassy Suites & Doubletree Chicago O'Hare

Liberty Machinery Co.

In my Marketing and Business Development role, I helped clients with the liquidation of surplus machinery and industrial equipment. I also assisted clients in the procurement of used machinery through sales from inventory or brokerage.

Marketing and Business Development

Argyle Cut Stone

As Co-Owner, I was involved in every facet of operation in this 3rd generation owned business. My responsibilities included all accounting duties, all human resources duties, purchasing, marketing, sales, contract negotiations, field measurements and machine operations.

Co-Owner

Clear Creek Stone Company, Inc.

As Vice President of Finance and Operations, I was involved in every facet of running this limestone fabrication business. Responsibilities included accounting, human resources, purchasing, sales, union contract negotiations, and land and asset deals.

Vice President Of Finance And Operations

Renaissance Hotels

As Director of Business Travel, I was responsible for all transient preferred accounts, as well as attaining new group business from Fortune 500 companies. Surpassed 2005's inaugural year transient budget by 8%. In 2006, increased average daily rate of Preferred Accounts by 11% over the previous year. Created a highly successful contest and blog with over 500 qualified followers.

Director of Business Travel, Chicago O'Hare

Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center

Responsible for all transient preferred accounts as well as attaining new group business in the automotive, chemical, insurance and energy markets. Increased negotiated account revenue by over 30% two years in a row. Established a Loyalty Rate for small companies that other hotels would not sign on, servicing an underserved market niche that increased sales and boosted average daily rate.

Global Account Manager

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Responsible for building partnerships with potential preferred accounts while developing relationships with existing clientele. Integral role in supplying additional leads to the group sales team. Successfully procured accounts with Ameritech and Boeing worth over $700,000 annually.

Business Travel Sales Manager, Hotel Allegro

After 8 years of being out of the hospitality industry, I walked into a travel agency to the exclamation, "Hey! You're the Bingo Guy!" An email marketing campaign to drive sales from 8 years prior confirmed three things: 

•	The Power of Storytelling
•	The Power of Personal Branding
•	I Needed a Cooler Nickname

If you're looking to:

•	Develop creative paths to success
•	Find opportunities hiding in plain sight
•	Communicate strategic alternatives

Then let's chat!

In a world spinning with possibilities, I believe it's the genuine relationships we forge that make it go round.  And when you apply a bespoke touch to business – tailoring your sales, marketing, and personal brand to resonate with each individual – that's where the magic happens. 

Things I love talking shop about:

•	Customer service that's relationship-focused
•	Critical thinking & problem solving that gets to the root of the problem
•	Storytelling - Ask me about that bingo contest
•	Digital marketing & social media - CHDM certified!
•	Creative ideas & content development

Away from work I love spending time with my family, creating art, playing golf, and rooting for the Cubs and Bears. Additionally, I support the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Please message me if you’d like to share your story or need help in reaching your goals.

Every hotel Salesperson when someone says you've been shortlisted..

Don Barnett

Creative Solutions for Hospitality Success | Director of Sales & Marketing at LondonHouse Chicago | Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer

Another sunny Chicago day to go with another sunny IRL meeting!

The incomparable Sarah Bridges was in town and was kind enough to share an hour of her time visiting yours truly. The views, weather and conversation were top notch. Sarah is someone who gets hospitality and has her head in the game.

And her hotel officially opens today! It's the Canopy and Homewood Suites Nashville Downtown The Gulch.

Whether you're going to Nashville or you're a gulch afficiando, these are hotels to check out.

Great to finally meet you, Sarah!

Out of Office. Out of LinkedIn. 
Out of 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 except sunscreen.
I go from pale, to bright red, to pale again.

I took a vacation. A real one. 
No emails. No DMs. No “Just circling back…”

And guess what? My personal brand didn’t collapse. 
No one revoked my thought leadership card. 
The LinkedIn algorithm didn't call the cops.

Sometimes the best way to recharge your brand... is to stop branding for a minute.

So if you need permission to vanish for a bit, this is it. 
Log off. Go outside. Forget what “engagement rate” means.
Maybe you'll learn something about yourself. Or your dog.
I learned that my dog does 𝘯𝘰𝘵 like horses.

The secret to landing a massive promotion?
A tactic so boring, it might put you to sleep.
(It also happens to work like magic.)

It’s simply 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.

If you’re in Sales, hit your numbers. But there are important intangibles:

🌟 Resourcefulness 🌟 Follow-through
🌟 Consistency 🌟 Work ethic
🌟 Timeliness 🌟 Efficiency
🌟 Attitude 🌟 Patience

It’s unsexy. It’s repetitive. It’s powerful.

When you show people you 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬, you build trust. 
And trust = 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦.

5 Overlooked Reasons LinkedIn Isn't Part of Your Sales & Marketing Strategy (and the 𝘰𝘯𝘦 reason it absolutely should be)

Based on how few hotel Sales & Marketing pros I see on LinkedIn, it's safe to say being a brand ambassador isn't part of your strategy. Here's why:

1️⃣ Profiles are Personal - You can't mandate posting; it has to be genuine
2️⃣ Lack of Buy-In - Unlike other platforms, LinkedIn is 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 with content creators. No one wants to be the trailblazer
3️⃣ Social Media Stigma - It's categorized as social media so the perception may be that you're fooling around online
4️⃣ Know-How - Uncertainty about what to post, when, how to set-up your profile, or even how much training costs
5️⃣ Impatience - Results take time, like wine or building trust with a cat

So what's one reason you should ignore these bad excuses? 🧾 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘀

$40K group booked for Sept? LinkedIn. 
New business travel accounts? LinkedIn. 
Smart people who have taught me cool stuff? LinkedIn.
Where I met my wife? Olive Garden

Ready to rock from Manhattan to the Miracle Mile? Let's connect and share strategies. 🚀

You get 1,440 minutes in a day.
(Unless the wi-fi stops working and you have an existential crisis)

Let’s say you’re lucky and get 440 minutes of sleep.

That leaves you with 1,000 glorious, fully conscious, decision-making minutes.

But what happens if the 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 60 look like this:

🚗 A driver cuts you off while texting
📞 A customer thinks “being loud” is the same as “being right”
🍩 A coworker cuts your favorite donut in half (who the **** wants half a donut?!?)

But here's the thing, are those tense 60 minutes worth poisoning the remaining 940? Nope.

Reset. Reboot. Start over.
Your day’s not ruined, it just started weird.

Go have a great day!

♻️ Repost if you've ever found half a donut waiting for you.

"Dad! Your shoes are in Fortnite!"

Did I buy them?
Like a true Dad, I'll wait until they're on sale.

To my fellow Dad's, let your Dadness rip today. 

Wear those black socks with sandals.
Clip you phone to your belt.
Rock those Air Monarchs.

Why? Let's say it together...
"Because I said so!"

Struggling to hit your sales goals?
Don Hoteleone extends his friendship and 3 rules...

Not tips. Not hacks. Rules to follow.

Take these with the seriousness of someone making an offer you can't refuse.

➡️ Attunement: It's not about you, it's about them and their problem. Get out of your own head and into their shoes. Figuratively though, you don't want it get weird.
➡️ Altruism: Help without expecting anything in return. Build trust, not just deals.
➡️ Attraction: Stay top of mind in a helpful way. Think valuable content. If all you're putting out are updates on your hotel, congrats. You're a walking spam folder.

The key? Play the long game, be proactive, and be someone people genuinely want to work with.

Booked an influencer at your hotel?
Asking yourself, "Now what?"

Here are 5 things to do next:

✨ Give them a great room. If they’re staying overnight, make sure it’s one of your best rooms (per your agreement). They’re capturing your hotel for the world to see, so skip the “partial view of the dumpster” suite.

✨ Flag the reservation. Add any key details. Favorite drink? Allergies? Put it in the notes.

✨ Prep your team. Send a staff-wide email 24 to 48 hours before arrival. Include: 
• Influencer name + headshot
• Dates staying and arrival time if you have it
• What’s comped
• Special requests

✨ Send a welcome note & amenity. Even better? Research what they actually like. Did they cry over matcha in a recent Reel? That’s your cue. Custom touches = memorable content.

✨ Follow them on social media! It shows support 𝘢𝘯𝘥 lets you check out what they're posting in real time.

Hosting an influencer is your shot at showcasing your hotel in a way that’s real, relatable, and ready to go viral.

Have an influencer wanting to work with you?
Here are a few red flags to tell if they're a disaster with a ring light...

⚠ Their content has nothing to do with your brand. You have a full-service hotel, they break into abandoned malls
⚠ Their engagement rate is lower than my motivation to go to a gym
⚠ They have a history of controversial or offensive behavior
⚠ They don't respond to your messages or are difficult to work with
⚠ They promote anything and everything. If they promoted a zoo followed by herbal laxatives, they're either inconsistent or listing the ingredients in Malort 

Sometimes the "eye-test" alone will help you find your answer. An influencer should share their social media handles with you right out of the gate, and when you see that 90% of their content consists of ASMR of them brushing their teeth, you'll know it's time for a friendly turndown.

You have to admit, sometimes it's nice to have something all to yourself. 
Undersaturation = Opportunity

Think of undersaturation like a swimming pool with no one splashing around.

🏊‍♂️ Less competition for the pool noodles (market share)
🏊‍♂️ Plenty of room to try out a new dive (innovate and blaze a trail)
🏊‍♂️ Easier to be noticed by the lifeguard (or customers)

This is LinkedIn right now. There's an undersaturation of quality content and content creators. But a huge audience. Including your target audience. 

Learn to swim in this pool my friends. The water is great! Reach out if you want to talk shop 🤘

“𝘞𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦…”

When I first started building online, I thought there was a secret formula:

• Post every day • Use carousels • Add 32 hashtags 

Turns out?

Most of those rules are made up.
Here's what actually worked for me:

1. Show up with 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺, not just consistency. People don’t follow vague experts
2. Focus on 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, not just content. One good conversation > 100k impressions
3. Be 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤. “Hoteliers with no time to invest in social media" will find you

We get some rules to follow. But if you want to win online? Break most of them.

What’s the worst “online business rule” you’ve heard?

🎸 Let me know if you'll also be at the QOTSA concert tomorrow night!

Your guests don't want to go on a blind date with you (both figuratively and literally).

So why isn't your hotel active on social media?
Because your guests are scrolling and your competition is showing up.

Here are 3 posts you can create today:

1. A story from a guest about why they had a great stay.
2. A behind-the-scenes look at what makes your team shine.
3. A 15-second video of that pancake robot at breakfast.

Start with that.

(And if you can afford said pancake robot, you can afford to have someone handle your social media)

People don’t book rooms, they book the 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨. And nothing sells a feeling better than a good story.

What's a story you could post about today?

Hotels are playing Red Light Green Light with their social media strategy when they should be playing Chess.

I've spent enough time in hospitality to know one thing: Most hotel social media accounts are like that complimentary continental breakfast... Forgettable.

Posting intermittently with generic content doesn't work because content 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 is connecting with 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦.

Here’s what works instead:

1. Say their name. (“Wedding planners, here’s a concession you should always get for your clients.”)
2. Tell their story. (“Gamechanger - making up for that delayed flight by pre-checking into your room.")
3. Create content that sounds like it came from 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭, not a committee. (“Nothing like having the pool to yourself.")

The best hotel marketing today?

Feels less like a brand talking and more like a concierge whispering secrets.

🤔 Is Red Light Green Light a Gen X thing or do kids still play that?

Want to try something new this week using AI to help your customers? Don Hoteleone is here to make it easy.

Ready? 
 
Here's an AI prompt that will spit out 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙨 for you of what to write about. Not write for you, that you should do in your own voice. 
 
Copy and paste 👇 
 
At work, I'm in a position where I (what you do). Based on what I do, I want my followers to learn (what you want your audience to learn). My ideal follower is (describe that follower). 
 
I want to create 7 days of actionable content for LinkedIn. The content teaches and builds trust while showing my experience and expertise. Create 7 days of content that teaches my ideal followers the content I want them to learn. Provide me with ideas for content for each day. 
 
⛔ 
 
Here's an example of what Chat GPT can do based on me offering tips on negotiating a win/win contract for a corporate meeting:

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟭: “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲.”
𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰: The most negotiable parts of a hotel contract (and what usually isn’t)
𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸: "𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴?"
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀:
• What can often be negotiated: attrition clauses, cancellation policies, comp ratios, room upgrades, meeting room rental.
• What’s harder: resort fees (though some wiggle room exists), branded property policies.
• Show understanding: “We want you to look good to your boss too. A win for you is a win for us.”
𝗖𝗧𝗔: "𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵?"

Boom. Now I have a framework for what to talk about. I can add, subtract or revise AI's advice and talk about it in 𝘮𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. Or my best Marlon Brando in The Godfather voice.
 
Try it and share in the comments what it gave you!

Taplio

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