Hospitality is often one of the first industries to feel the sting of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic or, looking further back, the 2008 recession. For a business like a hotel to survive the highs and lows, it must rely on a combination of ingenuity, forward-thinking and just a touch of audacity.

For the final episode of season 2 of But Who’s Counting?, host Dave Hartley met with Dave Parmley, founder and owner of Chesterfield Hotels, Inc., to discuss the lessons the hotel mogul learned over his long career in hospitality. Parmley details how he deviated from convention to choose his locations, what he’s done to retain talent post-COVID and the guiding philosophy that enables him to remain proactive, even under unexpected and unforeseeable circumstances. The discussion also covered:

• The story behind Parmley’s purchase of the former Campus Inn in Columbia, Missouri
• Why he made the move from real estate to the hospitality industry
• How the impacts of the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic compare and their differing effects on the industry
• Why it’s so important for business owners to establish a solid banking relationship

“Try to find a location that has high barriers to entry. It’s probably going to cost you more, it’s going to take you longer, but at least at the end, you’ve got something that somebody else can’t duplicate easily.” – Dave Parmley

This episode marks the end of season 2 of But Who’s Counting? The podcast will return in 2024 for season 3 with more episodes, guests and valuable insights.

Resources to Count On
Want more insight into the conversation? Check out these resources to learn more:

· Check out The Broadway in downtown Columbia

· Learn more about Chesterfield Hotels, Inc. and its properties

· Connect with Chesterfield Hotels, Inc. on Facebook

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