In today's episode, Sloan sits down with Tom Bardenett, COO of RLJ, who moved into ownership after nearly 30 years in hotel management, a shift that gave him a deeper appreciation for the real estate side and the management companies he now oversees.
Tune in to hear how Tom breaks down RLJ’s strong Q2, with RevPAR up 6.8% across business transient, leisure and group. He credits the return to the office and the corporate “AI arms race” for driving business travel, while urban leisure is booming as people prioritize experiences like concerts, festivals and games. Reflecting on the World Cup, he shares why bold, confident revenue management pays off around mega events. And while revenue is reaccelerating, he’s candid that rising labor and insurance costs keep margins under pressure. Tune in for the full conversation.