March 17, 2026

What Owners Need to Know About the People Running Their Hotels - Valerie Ferguson

What Owners Need to Know About the People Running Their Hotels - Valerie Ferguson
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In this episode, Valerie Ferguson, the former Director of Lodging at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and past Chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, shares what she wishes she could have said earlier in her career about the tension between owner expectations and taking care of your people. Drawing on nearly five decades leading at hospitality companies, Valerie talks about the political pressure of owner meetings, why employee housing and fair compensation should be part of the development plan, and what it takes to fight the right battles in ownership conversations without losing your ability to inspire your team.

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Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands