432. Building a Magnetic Resort Culture, with Sean McCarron

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Sean McCarron, General Manager at the Conrad Orlando, about why the magic of any resort is in the people who give it soul. We talk about building a team and a culture that inspires. As Sean explains, there is one team, one mission and one goal. We also discuss external collaborations and partnerships that have been successful for the Conrad Orlando, including partnerships with local attractions, shopping malls and nonprofits.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• Why Sean believes building a strong team culture is the single most important factor for guest satisfaction and operational success
• What makes Conrad Orlando and the larger Evermore Orlando Resort stand out in a highly competitive market, including innovative amenities and guest experiences
• How collaboration between different elements of the resort, Hilton's leadership, and external partners enhances the overall guest experience
• What specific team engagement strategies Sean uses, such as staff-led naming contests and regular roundtable meetings, to create a sense of ownership and empowerment among employees
• How Conrad Orlando successfully builds partnerships with local attractions, shopping malls, and nonprofits to connect guests to the broader community and deliver added value
• Why Sean sees creativity and collaboration as inseparable drivers of innovation and memorable guest experiences in the luxury hospitality sector

Creating a Team-First Culture

For Sean McCarron, culture is the foundation, which is why at the core of Conrad Orlando's success is a relentless focus on team members. As Sean explains, "Every single position is as important as the next. It's a wheel and an engine, and if any part isn't working, the engine doesn't work." Satisfied, empowered employees are the primary drivers of exceptional guest experiences, especially when serving the top 3-5% of the global travel market.

Sean's philosophy centers around creating an environment where employees not only have the support and training to excel but also feel valued and heard. One standout initiative is his monthly meeting with representatives from every department (excluding management), which provides an open forum for sharing feedback, new ideas, and operational insights. Whether it's naming contests to create a sense of ownership over new features like the cafeteria or relaxation area, or soliciting frontline input on guest experiences, empowerment at Conrad is far more than lip service.

Designing Experiences that Inspire

Opening the flagship Conrad Orlando was an opportunity to reimagine the guest journey from the ground up. Sean and his team took a collaborative, cross-departmental approach to sharing the resort's many assets. The goal was to create a "one resort" environment where guests are encouraged to explore, relax, and participate in a host of activities designed to rival the allure of central Florida's famous theme parks. Paddleboarding, kayaking, electric boat tours, and a variety of pools and beaches ensure guests have no shortage of options.

Interestingly, Conrad Orlando has found that guests are now choosing to spend more time on the property itself, often splitting their stays between theme park visits and the activities offered on site—a testament to the resort's ability to foster a magnetic in-resort community.

Breaking Down Silos On and Off the Property

Sean credits much of the property's success to a culture of collaboration, both internally and externally. From the earliest planning stages, teams across the Evermore campus shared inspiration, ideas, and strategies, supported by visionary ownership willing to empower creative autonomy. This allows guests to have a cohesive experience across the various components of the greater resort, but also in novel group activities and leisure amenities.

But the collaborative spirit extends beyond the property lines. Conrad Orlando has forged impactful partnerships with local attractions such as Gatorland—bringing in baby alligators for the kids' club—and with upscale shopping destination Mall at Millenia, which hosts pop-up experiences poolside. The resort's group programming goes a step further in giving back, with team-building exercises like the "build a bike" scavenger hunt culminating in donations to local children's charities.

Resources:

• Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/orlcici-conrad-orlando/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mccarron-407a0512/

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