Who We Are

Built on stories. Run on strategy. Powered by purpose.

Carnes Agency is a boutique hospitality consultancy specializing in strategic marketing, branding, public relations, and executive communications. We partner with hospitality leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionary brands to elevate their presence, refine their messaging, and strengthen their reputation and influence.

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The Agency for Hospitality’s Most Ambitious

We partner with ambitious hospitality leaders to tackle what they can’t handle alone.

We offer trusted, strategic expertise to advance your business and message with clarity and purpose. Our partners know that how you show up, and who you trust to help you do it, matters.

Our Mission →

We offer trusted, strategic expertise to advance your business and message with clarity and purpose. Our partners know that how you show up, and who you trust to help you do it, matters.

Our Vision →

To elevate the voices of hospitality: one story, one leader, one legacy at a time.

NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER

On Why I Got Started

After nearly a decade working alongside America’s hotel owners, I witnessed firsthand the grit, resilience, and heart that fuel this industry. I learned their stories – stories of sacrifice, of perseverance, of pursuit of the American Dream – and was deeply inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit that drives hospitality forward every day.

But more than anything, I saw that everything in this business comes down to service. To showing up. To helping others succeed. To giving back.

Carnes Agency was created with that same spirit in mind: to serve, support, and strategically guide the businesses and leaders who make hospitality what it is. This industry has given me so much: friendship, purpose, and pride. I started Carnes Agency to give back by helping others grow, communicate with clarity, and show the world what they’ve built.

— Heather Carnes

What We Value:
Strategic Insight

We think before we create. Every move we make is grounded in insight, guided by experience, and aligned with your bigger picture.

What We Value:
Innovation

We challenge the expected and bring fresh ideas to the table, aiming to always elevate your brand with bold thinking and timeless creativity.

What We Value:
Collaboration

We work with you, not just for you. Our approach is personal, communicative, and built on mutual respect and shared vision.

What We Value:
Strong Execution

Ideas are only as powerful as their follow-through. We deliver polished, high-impact work that reflects the excellence of what you've built.

What We Value:
Consistency

Visibility and influence require showing up, again and again. We help you stay aligned, on-brand, and present where it matters most.

What We Value:
Trust

We earn it through honesty, reliability, and deep industry understanding. Our clients see us as a partner, not a vendor.

What We Value:
Future-Ready Growth

We want to help you succeed today and position you for what's next. Our strategies are designed to scale with you, adapt with the industry, and set the foundation for long-term momentum.

Who We Serve

We partner with those who are creating ambitious movements, legacies, and momentum in the industry.

01

B2B Hospitality Brands

Ownership groups, management companies, hotel investment firms, and the businesses powering the hospitality ecosystem.

02

Entrepreneurs & Founders

Leaders, founders, executives, and change-makers launching something meaningful or defining their legacy.

 

03

Hospitaity Communities

Associations, collectives, and curated experiences rooted in connection, culture, and bringing the industry together.

DIRECTOR OF CARNES AGENCY

Heather Carnes

Strategic Communicator. Brand Architect. Trusted Partner.

Heather Carnes is director and founder of Carnes Agency, a boutique consultancy built to support the people and brands shaping hospitality’s future. With nearly 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, branding, and executive communications, Heather brings clarity, confidence, and strategy to those who don’t have the time or team to do it all on their own.

Known for her sharp insight, calm presence, and polished execution, Heather has been the behind-the-scenes advisor to industry leaders, legacy brands, national associations, and visionary founders. She’s built a reputation for results and trust, showing up with intention, integrity, and a deep understanding of what drives businesses forward.

She founded Carnes Agency to serve ambitious minds and missions, helping clients tell their stories well, lead with purpose, and invest their energy where it matters most. For those building something bigger than themselves, Heather is the strategic partner who helps make every message, and every move, count.

GRAMMAR GEEK // STRATEGIC THINKER // MESSAGING EXPERT // BRAND BUILDER // CLARITY SEEKER // WORD NERD // HOSPITALITY-HOOKED // CREATIVE STRATEGIST // EXECUTIVE ADVISOR // MOM & WIFE // DETAIL-DRIVEN // DOG-LOVER // PURPOSE-POWERED // FRENCH-PRESS AFICIONADO // HEALTH JUNKIE // POSITIVE THINKER

Strategic Communicator. Brand Architect. Trusted Partner.

Heather is the author creator of multiple workbooks, and has spoken at industry conferences and on national stages.

The Latest from Carnes Agency

Carnes Agency Signs First Industry Event Partnership
Carnes Agency is thrilled to announce a new milestone: our first major industry event partnership. We’ve officially signed on to deliver comprehensive branding, marketing, and communications support...
Carnes Agency Welcomes First Brokerage and Leading Industry Conference to Its Client Roster
Carnes Agency is excited to announce another milestone: the addition of our first hospitality brokerage and its nationally recognized industry conference to our client portfolio. This partnership reflects...
Carnes Agency Welcomes First Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Client
Carnes Agency is proud to announce a new milestone: the addition of our first non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation client to our roster. While this marks our entry into supporting non-profit organizations,...

Work With Us

Ready to elevate your mission and get the support you’ve been looking for? Schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with Heather to explore how Carnes Agency can help and whether we’re the right fit for your next chapter.