Podcast appearances and mentions of alex husner

Join Meaghan Myers as she interviews Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe, the legends behind the popular 'Alex & Annie: Real Women of Vacation Rentals' podcast. In this episode, the trio delves into the origin story of Alex and Annie's podcast, the challenges they faced, and their incredible success in the vacation rental industry. They also discuss their experiences on the property management and vendor sides of the business, the importance of company culture, and the inclusive nature of the vacation rental community. Tune in for inspiring stories, memorable moments, and valuable insights from two industry veterans. Connect with Annie and Alex: Annie Alex The Real Women of Vacation Rentals Podcast Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠Link⁠ Spotify - ⁠Link⁠ ⁠Hospitality.FM⁠ - ⁠Link⁠ ⁠Connect with Meaghan⁠ | ⁠Ask Meaghan⁠ — Workflows & Espressos is part of the ⁠Hospitality.FM⁠ podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love our other podcasts directly on Hospitality.FM! Thank you to all of the ⁠Hospitality.⁠FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you like this show, please leave us a review and share it on your network!

In this episode of the podcast, Mateo and John chat it up with Happy Guest co-founders Alex Husner and Kanan Whited. There's something refreshing about this guest portal and the story and psychology behind the app is entertaining and fulfilling. You're gonna want to download this one.Episode Highlights:Guest Introductions: Exciting projects ahead: Alex, a returning guest, shares her excitement about new projects and life post-Casago.First-time guest Kanan Whitehead, co-founder of Happy Guest, joins the show to discuss his journey into vacation rental tech.Kanan's Origin Story: From Amazon to Vacation Rentals: Kanan's background in scaling creativity at Amazon/Whole Foods led him into vacation rental branding and operations. His work at Airbnb led to developing tools that streamline operations for property managers, leading to the founding of Happy Guest.Why Happy Guest was created: Kanan and Alex discuss how Happy Guest was born from a desire to simplify the vacation rental guest experience. Focus on creating a seamless guest journey by improving communication, workflows, and reducing operational burdens for managers.Psychology of the Guest Journey: Happy Guest focuses on the psychology of guest interactions, creating a fun and stress-free experience for both guests and property Upsells Timing: The trend is upsells in the property management space, but upsells are most effective closer to the check-in date rather than at the time of booking.Importance of Guest Communication: Guests prefer to communicate on platforms they are comfortable with (e.g., Airbnb), and property managers should align with those preferences while collecting necessary contact details.Unified Communication: The challenge of disjointed guest communications (email, text, Airbnb messages) can make Airbnb the most consistent touchpoint. The goal is to streamline communication and keep it aligned with the guest's preferences.Gamification: Happy Guest's check-in process includes a gamified element to make it engaging for guests, inspired by the success of platforms like Hopper that have integrated fun, playful design elements.Visual Design and Branding: There is a trend towards minimalist design in tech, but Happy Guest differentiates itself with a more playful, colorful approach. The design aims to make the platform memorable and enjoyable for both property managers and guests.Guest Journey Optimization: Happy Guest emphasizes simplifying the guest journey, from booking to check-in, using technology to make the process intuitive and stress-free for both guests and property managers.Revenue Opportunities: Happy Guest offers upsells such as early check-in or other customizable add-ons. Property managers can increase revenue while saving time through automation.Streamlined Setup: The platform is quick to set up, requiring little ongoing management from hosts. Once implemented, it automates many repetitive tasks, freeing property managers to focus on other responsibilities.Consistency in Guest Experience: Inconsistent messaging and outdated terms across platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, direct bookings) are common pain points. Happy Guest helps property managers streamline and standardize their guest communications across all platforms.No App Download Required: Happy Guest is web-based, avoiding the friction of requiring guests to download an app, which is a significant roadblock for user adoption.Event Participation: Happy Guest is involved in industry events, offering prizes and stays to encourage people to experience the platform firsthand at...

We all know about virtual assistants and how valuable they can be to a company looking for flexible, short-term or part-time help with guest services, administrative tasks and social media management.  But what if you need more executive level assistance but aren't ready to take on someone full-time?  This is where fractional leaders come into their own. It's a relatively new area and we are now seeing more very experienced and professional people offering their services on a fractional basis.  That means they become embedded into a company on a short-term, part-time  contract. Alex Husner and Michelle Marquis are both fractional leaders and share their experience of working with both property managers and vendor companies in this unique way. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar. Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS575

Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. Based on the Amazon best-selling book, Vacation Rental Secrets. Alex Husner lays bare the teachings of trial and error in the realm of vacation rental management—discover what to do and not to do!Enjoy!⭐️ Links & Show NotesVacation Rental SecretsAlex HusnerDirectly AlexBrooke Pfautz 

In today's episode, I join forces with Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe to explore a journey of transformation, from overcoming personal and professional hurdles to embracing a life of abundance and happiness. We discuss the importance of gratitude, forgiveness, and accountability, and how adopting these values has reshaped my perspective on success. Through tales of my past, insights into the power of meditation, and the significance of asking for help, we uncover the essence of true fulfillment. This conversation is a deep dive into the strategies that have propelled me towards empowering over a billion people to find their own happiness and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the latest episode of "Alex and Annie, the Real Women of Vacation Rentals," listeners were treated to an insightful conversation with the dynamic duo of 30A Beach Girls, Hollie and Lisa. Nestled in a stunning vacation home with the aroma of a chef's creation wafting through the air, the podcast delved into the secrets behind the success of this female-led empire in the vacation rental industry.The Founding Story:Hollie unveils the fascinating journey of 30A Beach Girls, from a humble housekeeping and maintenance company to a thriving management enterprise. Discover how their evolution was fueled by proactive communication and a commitment to personalized guest experiences.Unreasonable Hospitality" and Beyond:Explore the unique culture of 30A Beach Girls, where going above and beyond guest expectations is the norm. Learn about their approach to building lasting relationships with repeat guests and the art of adding personal touches, such as holiday home decorations.Key Takeaways:

In this special first-of-the-month episode of 'Alex and Annie, the Real Women of Vacation Rentals,' hosts Alex and Annie take a nostalgic journey through 2023 and unveil exciting plans for the upcoming year.Book Announcement:Get ready for their upcoming book, "Connecting the Dots," where Alex and Annie delve into the biggest aha moments from their interviews with industry experts. Discover the insightful themes and lessons that will be explored in this must-read for anyone in the vacation rental sphere.Top Five Episodes of 2023:Join the hosts as they revisit their favorite episodes, including interviews with Marcus Räder from Hostaway, Kristin Brown from Concishare, and Melanie Brown from Key Data. Explore the valuable insights and memorable moments that made these episodes stand out.Predictions for 2024:Alex and Annie share their thoughts on the future of the vacation rental industry in 2024. Dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and join the conversation by sharing your own predictions using #AlexAnnie2024.Alex and Annie Foundation:Learn more about the newly launched Alex and Annie Foundation, designed to support individuals in the industry looking to take the next step forward. Discover how you can get involved in their mission to elevate and empower the vacation rental community.As the episode concludes, Alex and Annie express heartfelt gratitude to their listeners and reiterate their commitment to providing valuable content and support. Stay tuned for their adventures in 2024, including conference appearances and the ongoing efforts of the Alex and Annie Foundation. Your journey in the vacation rental community just got even more exciting.This episode is brought to you by Rev & Research!Connect with Alex and AnnieAlex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this insightful episode, hosts Alex and Annie dive deep into the world of vacation rentals with a special guest, Sarah Bradford, co-host of Sarah and T Podcast, and former owner of two successful vacation rental companies in the picturesque landscapes of Colorado.Journey Through Experience:Sarah begins by unraveling her rich background in the vacation rental industry, providing listeners with an intimate look into her entrepreneurial journey. She candidly shares her experiences in selling not just one but two thriving businesses, shedding light on the highs, lows, and invaluable lessons learned along the way.Challenges of the Trade:The discussion seamlessly transitions to the challenges and pressures inherent in running a vacation rental company. Sarah delves into the complexities of navigating regulations and effectively managing staff, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the day-to-day operations of this dynamic industry.Key Takeaways:

Join us for an exclusive throwback to our most viewed episode of the year with Ben Coleman - Founder of Rev & Research, Vanessa Humes - Director of Sales & Marketing at InterCoastal Net Designs and Lance Stitcher - Broker/Owner at Seaside Vacations and Sales.In this episode, Alex & Annie are joined by a panel of experts to help guide you on a pressing topic - How to Explain Changes in Revenue and Bookings to Your Homeowners.2023 is not turning out to be as profitable as expected for vacation rental managers, and naturally this is causing quite a bit of turmoil for property managers, especially those who got into the business during the golden years of 2020-2022.Some of the great insights discussed in this episode includes proactive, data-driven communication with your homeowners, as well as the importance of making sure you're pricing appropriately for 2023 instead of making decisions like it's still last year.Whether you're an individual property manager feeling the pressure of the current market, or a Vacation Rental company with hundreds of properties under management looking to safeguard your book of business - tune in to this episode to learn from our expert panel on exactly what steps to take to navigate the stormy seas of 2023 and beyond.This episode is brought to you by Rev & Research!Connect with Ben:Website | LinkedInConnect with Vanessa:Website | LinkedInConnect with Lance:Website | LinkedInConnect with Alex and AnnieAlex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode of Alex & Friends, Leslie Sonnier joins Alex for an in-person conversation set against the backdrop of Myrtle Beach. From a chance meeting three years ago in matching dresses at a conference, to reflecting on the emotional process of selling Rebl Rentals, a thriving vacation rental business in Scottsdale, Arizona, this episode is a rollercoaster of memories, lessons, and the excitement of new beginnings.Creating Memorable Experiences and Impact on Families:The conversation emphasizes the profound impact vacation rentals have on families and their cherished memories. Leslie discusses the importance of creating memorable experiences for guests.Life as a Balancing Act: Explore the challenges of finding a balance between work and personal life in the demanding vacation rental industry. Alex and Leslie share insights into the importance of self-care for those navigating this dynamic field.Key Moments:

In this empowering episode of "Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals", we're reunited with a dear friend and the  very first podcast guest, Amber Hurdle, the CEO and founder of Employer Brand Central. Together, the A.H. Trio dives deep into the transformative power of confidence and personal branding.The Fluidity of Confidence:The conversation delves into the concept of confidence not being static, but something that needs continuous work and self-awareness. They discuss the vulnerability and insecurities inherent in everyone, challenging the misconception that confident individuals are immune to self-doubt. Amber encourages listeners to embrace their personal power and not let external validation or negative opinions affect their self-worth.Wrap-up:This episode serves as a reminder that confidence is a journey, and it requires self-reflection, resilience, and the willingness to step out of one's comfort zone. By embracing personal power, building a strong personal brand, and surrounding oneself with the right people, individuals can unlock their potential and navigate through life's transitions with confidence and purpose.Key Takeaways:

In this captivating episode of "Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," we are thrilled to have Mark Simpson, the visionary founder of Boostly. Boostly is a game-changer for vacation rental hosts and managers, providing a unique blend of tools, tactics, and a supportive community.Boostly's Mission:Mark dives deep into how Boostly empowers short-term rental owners. The company focuses on securing more direct bookings, reaching the ideal guests, and giving hosts valuable time back through their personalized vacation rental websites.Exciting Announcement: The Boostly Documentary:Mark unveils a groundbreaking project that's been in the works – a documentary-style video series featuring the transformative journeys of two hosts implementing Boostly's strategies. This series promises an immersive experience, offering insider glimpses into their challenges, successes, and the strategies that elevated their direct bookings.Key Insights and Inspiration:The aim of the documentary is clear – to inspire and guide hosts looking to amplify their direct bookings. Mark shares the release date, December 26th, for this insightful series. But that's not all – a watch party will be held for viewers to join in, learn from these hosts' experiences, and be part of a community of thriving vacation rental owners.Key Takeaways:

In this engaging episode of Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals we are joined once again  by Ben Coleman, the visionary founder of Rev and Research, alongside the Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Ballart.Rev and Research revolutionizes the vacation rental industry with their 100% done-for-you revenue management services. Beyond standard rate adjustments, the team, driven by a passion for data and numbers, conducts a comprehensive analysis of clients' businesses. From revenue discussions to sales budgets and overarching goals, their unique bottom-up approach has halved owner attrition in the first year. With a team of industry leaders and former operators, Rev and Research taps into the brightest minds in vacation rentals, maximizing occupancy at optimal rates. Their services not only pay for themselves but also reshape the landscape of revenue management in the industry.In this episode, Ben and Rebecca, together with Alex and Annie combine their expertise to dissect the current state of the vacation rental market. They stress the importance of understanding market demand and pricing strategies while underlining transparency and clear communication with homeowners regarding revenue projections and expectations. Dive into the challenges of managing diverse inventory, from urban markets to homes versus condos. Learn how staying informed about local events can be leveraged to boost bookings and adapt to the changing expectations of homeowners.The discussion concludes with a sneak peek into the upcoming DARM conference. Ben and Rebecca share insights on their sessions covering revenue management strategies and tackling underperforming units. Overall, the episode emphasizes the proactive, transparent, and knowledgeable approach required for success in vacation rental revenue management.

In this engaging episode of Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals we are joined once again  by Ben Coleman, the visionary founder of Rev and Research, alongside the Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Ballart.Rev and Research revolutionizes the vacation rental industry with their 100% done-for-you revenue management services. Beyond standard rate adjustments, the team, driven by a passion for data and numbers, conducts a comprehensive analysis of clients' businesses. From revenue discussions to sales budgets and overarching goals, their unique bottom-up approach has halved owner attrition in the first year. With a team of industry leaders and former operators, Rev and Research taps into the brightest minds in vacation rentals, maximizing occupancy at optimal rates. Their services not only pay for themselves but also reshape the landscape of revenue management in the industry.In this episode, Ben and Rebecca, together with Alex and Annie combine their expertise to dissect the current state of the vacation rental market. They stress the importance of understanding market demand and pricing strategies while underlining transparency and clear communication with homeowners regarding revenue projections and expectations. Dive into the challenges of managing diverse inventory, from urban markets to homes versus condos. Learn how staying informed about local events can be leveraged to boost bookings and adapt to the changing expectations of homeowners.The discussion concludes with a sneak peek into the upcoming DARM conference. Ben and Rebecca share insights on their sessions covering revenue management strategies and tackling underperforming units. Overall, the episode emphasizes the proactive, transparent, and knowledgeable approach required for success in vacation rental revenue management.

In this episode, Alex and Annie are joined by David Angotti, the Chief Evangelist at Guesty, an end-to-end property management software designed for short-term property managers who seek to save time, increase revenue, and grow their businesses. David's journey in the vacation rental industry began after he exited his first company, SpeedyPrep, in 2009. Retirement at the age of 29 quickly lost its allure, so he purchased a few rental properties. This quickly evolved into a property management business from which he also exited. Afterwards, David shifted his focus to launching and managing a book direct business, ultimately leading him to his current role at Guesty.David breaks down the role of Chief Evangelist into two parts. The external part of his role strives to achieve a level of market education and awareness that makes sure Guesty is always part of the conversation when companies are evaluating property management software. The internal part of his role requires him to always have his finger on the pulse when it comes to current market trends and demand, and for him to advocate for both their existing clientele and the total addressable market to make sure that Guesty is always developing in a direction that best serves their market.Guesty is expanding their United States team, adding 40-50 consultative market managers who will serve individual markets across the US. Their purpose will be to ensure that Guesty's onboarding experience is much more refined, and that clients have access to a dedicated support team in their particular market that can serve them at a much higher pace and quality than what the industry is used to. The reason for this expansion is that Guesty is now moving into the traditional vacation rental markets, while their previous market share was typically in urban areas.A big focus of David's work is towards educating the market on how to build the right growth strategies. He considers the marketing agency model to be inefficient for smaller property managers, as great marketing agencies typically have large retainers that are way out of budget for your average property management company, and smaller agencies are less effective than hiring freelancers and contractors to take care of individual projects. Tune into the full episode to learn more about David's journey and expertise!HIGHLIGHTS:00:54 David's Journey Into Vacation Rentals10:22 Improving Your Book Direct UX15:41 How Guesty Helps With Marketing18:42 What Does a Chief Evangelist Do?26:14 Guesty's US Expansion Plan32:20 The Right Approach to Marketing39:42 Building a Recognizable Brand This episode is brought to you by Rev & Research!Connect with David:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe

Welcome to a special flashback episode of Alex & Annie! Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the podcast, and we couldn't be more grateful for the road so far, and excited for what's to come!To celebrate, we decided to back the episode where it all started. Fun fact - the first time we tried to record it we needed 3 takes to get it right, as technology was getting the best of us.Here are the original show notes - In this inaugural episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we explore the spark that started our journey to making this podcast. We provide a high-level overview of our industry background, and highlight two AHA moments that defined the future of our careers. Topics we cover:Who are Alex & Annie? The importance of having a good mentor Two AHA moments that defined our careersWhere will this journey take us? Vacation Rental Women's SummitThank you for joining us and helping this become a reality. We cannot wait to bring you more exciting stories from the PEOPLE behind the industry. CONTACT ALEX & ANNIEAlexandAnniePodcast.comLinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramAlex Husner - LinkedinAnnie Holcombe - Linkedin

For this November 1st of the Month Bonus Episode, Alex & Annie welcome Lance and Elaine Stitcher - Owners of Seaside Vacations & Sales - a full-service, boutique Vacation Rental company that operates in Chincoteague Island, VA, Ocean City, MD, and Captains Cove, VA. During the VRMA 2023 International Conference in Orlando they became the recipients of the Vacation Rental Management Company of the Year Award and are joining us today to talk about their road to winning this prestigious award.Lance and Elaine understand that to truly provide the best possible guest experience, you need to level up your service and go beyond the industry status quo. One of the ways they've done it is by bringing laundry in-house and including linens as a standard part of their service. This was a costly, uphill battle at first, but now they can proudly say that they're the only vacation rental managers in their market that do this - which takes a huge burden off of the guests shoulders. Spirits are high after the phenomenal VRMA conference in Orlando last week. Compared to last year's event in Vegas, the Orlando venue was much less populated by external parties making it easier to connect with industry peers - which is what vacation rental conferences are all about. This year, the DARM and Women's Summit Conferences are both right around the corner from the VRMA event, and we're expecting a strong follow-up to the Orlando event.When asked about revenue management in 2023, Lance reaffirms that the COVID high season is obviously over, however, they've still seen a 25% growth improvement compared to 2019 which puts them at an over 5% yearly growth rate for the last 4 years. Revenue management is no easy task, especially if it's one of the many hats you wear, which is why Lance considers Rev & Research and Wheelhouse must-haves for their business at this point.With the market no longer being as forgiving as it was during 2020-2021, Lance and Elaine are both focused on making revenue management their superpower. This year, they've learned an invaluable lesson about the importance of getting seasonal pricing right, and the market expectation of flexibility when it comes to cancellations and changes to bookings. Check out the full episode to hear the road that took Seaside Vacations & Sales to the VRMA Vacation Rental Management Company of the Year Award!HIGHLIGHTS:00:00 Lance & Elaine Receive the VRMA Award!02:21 Seaside Vacations & Sales Road To Victory05:03 Bringing Their Laundry In-House10:42 The Value of Conferences17:21 Revenue Management in 202324:52 How Consumers Choose Booking Sites30:52 Why Our Industry Rocks!This episode is brought to you by Rev & Research!Connect with Lance:Website | LinkedInConnect with Elaine:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Join us today for a special FLASHBACK episode with Vanessa Humes as we explore the Top 5 Ways to Drive Direct Bookings! This episode originally aired in September 2022.Original shownotes from September of 2022:Vanessa Humes of ICND joins us today to share the top 5 strategies for building a book-direct vacation rental brand. As we often talk about on the podcast, building your house on someone else's land puts your business in a dangerous position - but where do you begin if you want to take business BACK from the OTAs? Whether you're an experienced manager or just starting out in the industry, Vanessa has  great insights and tips that will help you build your business on your own land...because the grass really IS greener, when you water it yourself :) CONTACT VANESSA HUMESICNDLinkedInvhumes@icnd.netCONTACT ALEX & ANNIEAlexandAnniePodcast.comLinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramAlex Husner - LinkedinAnnie Holcombe - Linkedin

In this episode, Alex & Annie are joined by Marcus Räder - Founder & CEO of Hostaway. Hostaway is one of the fastest growing vacation rental management software companies, perfect for those with 5 to 1,000+ listings. They make it easy for you to get more out of your business while spending less time with tedious manual tasks by offering a variety of pre-made software-based solutions. Last time Marcus was on the show, we spoke about what companies really learn as they attempt to grow with investment capital, and this time he's joining us to discuss where our industry is heading in 2024 and beyond.Aside from the fact that Hostaway just raised the biggest venture capital round in vacation rental history at $175 Million USD, the reason why we decided to have Marcus on the show again is because his last year's appearance on here ended up being one of our favorite episodes ever. Between the entrepreneurial and career wisdom, plus the technical topics we discussed - the episode was so good we released it twice. And today's sequel does it justice.When speaking on the prioritization on what to develop for the Hostaway platform, Marcus reveals that their core philosophy stems from the fact that they need to be an all-in-one solution. There's too many moving parts in the day-to-day operations of a property management company to allow decentralization, which is what Marcus realized 7 years ago during the inception of Hostaway. The money trail that goes from renter to property owner is a complex route with many stops, which creates quite a few inefficiencies. Marcus draws a comparison to Amazon - the reason why they're so price efficient is because they remove a variety of steps from the money trail including logistics and wholesalers, allowing for true efficiency to be achieved. This same Amazon-esque philosophy is what he applies to how Hostaway serves their clients.Marcus speaks on the success of Hostaway being in large part driven by their company culture and hiring methodology. The reason why they've been able to achieve more with a team of 150 then their competitors with teams of 5-600 is due to them being zoned in on hiring the right talent and building a culture of winners. To help facilitate this type of environment, Marcus makes sure to meet with every single new hire, even though at times it might take 3 months to get it set up with his ultra busy schedule.Now that American Express is moving into the vacation rental space with their loyalty program, many speculate on the impact this will have on the market share between hotels and rentals. Marcus brings up a great point that these new programs won't fundamentally change the thinking of a buyer when choosing between a hotel or a rental property, so no impactful uptick is to be expected from this new program.Tune in to the full episode to learn more on how Hostaway has become a true staple in the vacation rental management software space!HIGHLIGHTS:00:00 Recalling Marcus's Previous Alex & Annie Appearance06:17 Hostaway's Development Prioritisation Strategy12:42 Approaching Customer Support The Right Way17:12 Building an International Company Culture Based On Success23:31 Marcus's Global Viewpoint On The 2023 Market29:42 The Impact of AmEx's Arrival To Vacation Rentals36:32 Marcus's Expectations For This Years Conference SeasonThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Marcus:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

On this episode of Alex & Annie : The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, Alex is joined by Veronica Romney, Founder of Rainmaker Residency™ and VeronicaRomney.com. Veronica is a coach of all things marketing and leadership with over 15 years of experience. She puts her marketing skills on display with the two long term rental properties and one short term rental property she owns, and her marketing efforts as a solo contributor have outperformed both agencies and management companies with her holistic understanding on what it means to effectively market both herself and her products.As both owned and social media become more prevalent across every business sector, marketers have to learn how to market themselves first and foremost to unlock better opportunities and own their marketing channels. Here's the problem - marketing yourself is no easy task for conventional marketers who've spent their careers building demand for goods and services. For many, putting yourself out there comes with a lot of anxiety and imposter syndrome, and the way Veronica suggests battling those seeds of doubt is to remember the statistic that 82% of Americans will think positively of a brand if its leaders have their own thought leadership and online presence.Veronica's path to working with influencers such as Tony Robbins, Pete Vargas and Dean Grazioni stemmed from her decision to sell her agency. After 5 years of running ModernMarca with her husband, Veronica was very burned out, and her exit just so happened to be around the same time as Tony Robbins and Dean Grazioni entered into their partnership on a new service which was all about how to monetise your knowledge. Veronica became a client, and the program ended up being a major success with the team behind it looking to follow up by building a public speaking team - on which Veronica won a spot in a 600 applicant competition.The way Veronica got into the short term rental space is by purchasing a second home and converting their townhouse into a rental property. The house she purchased came with $80,000 worth of bookings already made prior to their investment, and it was run by a top tier local property manager. Upon purchase she noticed that the house was badly maintained and came with an archaic, outdated system, which broke her perception of property management companies. To fix this predicament, Veronica reached out to a smaller, more modern local management company and offered a hybrid model - they take care of the operations and property management and she does all the marketing, and so a win-win was born!Tune into the full episode to learn how marketing yourself can open up new and exciting opportunities!HIGHLIGHTS:00:42 How Veronica and Alex Met03:28 Marketing Products vs Marketing Yourself12:32 Veronica's Impressive Resume16:43 Effective Coaching Remotely 20:25 Veronica's Short Term Rental Journey28:15 The Importance of Influencer Marketing32:38 Golden Marketing NuggetsThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Veronica:Website | Linkedin Connect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode, Alex & Annie are joined by Syed Lateef of SyedBnb. Syed is a philanthropist, a family man, an exotic car collector, an 8 figure Airbnb Coach, and the CEO of his short term rental company. He currently operates almost 300 units and is looking to add more. Last year his Airbnb business did more than $10,000,000 in revenue - but it was NOT an easy ride.Syed's journey into short term rentals began when he was in the midst of looking for ways to achieve financial freedom, which led him to purchase his first multifamily investment property in 2017. After living in it for a year, he ended up placing it on Airbnb based on a podcast episode he heard, and this move ended up making double the rent value immediately. Then, within 3 months it started making triple the rent value, and so his new business plan was in motion. Fast forward to today, Syed has over 300 units under management, with a majority of his properties being in the Chicago area.COVID was a true challenge for Syed's business. When flights were grounded, regulations came in overnight and Airbnb refunded more than $100,000 worth of Syed's bookings, he was faced with the reality that the lease agreements he had signed were no longer sustainable. After approaching property owners, he gave them 3 potential options - either he moved out of their properties, went into revenue share agreements with them or they could sue him. Even though things were looking grim, most owners agreed to go into a revenue share agreement, and even those who were ready to sue him slowly retracted their positions as they started to understand exactly how crazy the world was becoming.It's no secret that the rental arbitrage model is one that often doesn't work out in the vacation rental space - but that's not the case for Syed's business. The reason why Syed's business model works even though almost all of it is based on rental arbitrage is the fact that he's mostly in urban areas where the rents are much lower. Even though Chicago might seem like a year-round market, Syed reveals that most of their bookings happen during the summer, with him reporting losses between $350,000-$400,000/month during the winter months. When asked about booking windows, Syed mentions that everything has gone last minute in 2023. Between hotels being open again and all the negative press that Airbnb has been getting, Syed's lead times are now on average 5 days, which is very stressful. Another big stress factor for his business is the over-reliance on consistent cash flow. Syed mentions that another freak event like COVID could wipe out their business overnight, which is a tough idea to deal with for any entrepreneur.Tune into the full episode to hear about the rollercoaster of running an Airbnb empire!HIGHLIGHTS00:33 Syed's STR Journey02:32 Working Around Regulations in Chicago04:02 Surviving COVID09:28 Making Rental Arbitrage Work17:26 Syed's Booking Windows in 202328:21 Advice To Get Into Arbitraging 32:52 Finding The Right Airbnb Coach38:06 Syed's Community BuildingThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Syed:Website | Linkedin | InstagramConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In today's rapidly changing job market, it has become increasingly uncommon to encounter individuals who have dedicated an entire decade to a single company. Yet, here we are, thrilled to engage in a captivating conversation with none other than Alex Husner, a true testament to steadfast commitment and professional perseverance. In this episode, we embark on a fascinating journey through Alex's career in the vacation rental sector, delving deep into the remarkable experiences and insights that only a decade-long tenure can offer.As we unravel Alex's story, we'll gain invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs that accompany the decision to depart from a well-established, long-term career. Alex's journey reflects not only the evolution of the vacation rental industry but also the personal growth and adaptability required to navigate the dynamic landscape of modern employment. We'll explore the pivotal moments, the transformative experiences, and the lessons learned along the way, painting a vivid picture of the ever-shifting sands of professional life.Learn more about Alex:As newly appointed CMO for Casago, Alex will be helping grow the reach and exposure of the brand in both B2B and B2C capacities. Casago has more than 22 years of experience in vacation rentals, and has developed a franchise model for outside companies to benefit from our in-house technology, support and distribution. Locally owned businesses are at the heart of this industry, and as a franchise, we are now enabling these companies to compete at a national level while maintaining 100% ownership and control of their business.Alex previously served as CMO for Condo-World for 13 years, a vacation rental business based in North Myrtle Beach, SC that grew from 150 to 500 condos under management during this time and handled sales and marketing for an additional 5,000 affiliate properties across the Southeast.Alex is the Co-Host of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, with her partner Annie Holcombe. They share stories from the top leaders in tourism and business and were named as part of the Top 30 Hospitality Podcasts by the Global Hospitality Institute.Alex's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexohusner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner-%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306/Podcast: https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/Master your role, nurture your team, prioritize your well-being, and elevate your marketing leadership. Get your free Rainmaker's Roadmap today and start your new journey towards advancing your career as a leader! http://bit.ly/3DFY6xFIf you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Join me for an engaging conversation with Alex Husner, Chief Marketing Officer at Casago, co-host of the engaging Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals Podcast, and a distinguished Member of the Board of Directors at the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA). Alex shares her insights on how professional vacation rental managers operate and how it compares to the short-term rental world. She also reveals a staggering statistic on the amount of direct bookings that professional vacation rental managers achieve. We also discuss the importance of networking, creative ways to drive growth in your short-term rental business, and how Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) can benefit STR owners. If you're serious about growing your short-term rental business, this episode is a must-listen!  Key highlights in the episode [02:48] Who is Alex Husner?  [05:42] Key differentiators in how a large professional organization operates a short-term rental business vs. individual investors or short-term rental hosts [10:36] What are the current percentages of direct bookings versus bookings through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) from a professional vacation rental management perspective?” [13:31] Her responsibility as Chief Marketing Officer at Casago [16:20] The importance of networking with other owners and operators [20:06] How can you engage with the local community and drive business growth without an active CVB?” [24:17] The role of a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) and how it can benefit STR owners [27:37] How to identify organizations that can actively promote your short-term rental [30:32] The lightning round [37:06] How to connect with Alex Husner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner-%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306 Golden Nuggets Building a network with fellow STR owners and operators helps you steer clear of mistakes and paves the way for a smoother journey.  Developing relationships with local organizations allows you to collaborate and brainstorm ideas, fostering win-win scenarios that benefit everyone.                         Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!   Let's Connect! Follow Alex Husner on; Podcast: https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner-%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexohusner/ Website (Casago): https://casago.com/franchise/ Email:alex@casago.com Follow Stacey St. John on; Website: https://staceystjohn.com/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/groups/911671659592801?_rdc=1&_rdr Fire link: https://lnk.to/z4iJAlgs

For this October 1st of the Month Bonus Episode, we have our next edition in the “Spotlight on Exceptional Property Managers'' series, presented by Casago, welcoming Ginger & Hunter Harrelson - Owners of Beachball Properties - a family-owned vacation rental and property management company servicing the Alabama Gulf Coast that offers a premier selection of condos, duplexes, and private homes in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan.Prior to founding Beachball Properties, Hunter was in finance and Ginger was working for a big law firm - which isn't a common mix of backgrounds for founders of vacation rental businesses. The way Beachball Properties began was with Hunter & Ginger cashing out their corporate 401k's, selling their house and boat to purchase a small, local vacation rental business that kickstarted their industry journey.Beachball Properties have grown to over 270 properties under management, and managed to do so within 7 years - which is no common feat!. Ginger & Hunter attribute their growth to their community involvement, building both their personal brands and the company brand on social media, and the fact that they had a scrappy and aggressive marketing strategy from day one in a market where their competitors were not utilizing these channels.One of the biggest mistakes that Beachball Properties made early in their growth journey was coming into the market which had an established 22-23% commission rate from bookings and disrupting the market by offering an 18% commission plan. While it made a ton of sense to take that approach initially, it started a race to the bottom cutting into the profits of all of the local homeowners and property managers.When asked about the biggest challenges that Beachball Properties currently face, Hunter unveiled that In May of 2022, Beachball started building their very own laundry facility which has been an intense and demanding project, but one that is going to be ready soon and will be a gamechanger for them. Ginger speaks on the fact that with over 270 properties under management, they can no longer market themselves as the little guy which means they need to change their messaging - and that will be a difficult task especially since the current messaging is working so well and they have no intentions of losing their existing stream.Check out the full episode to hear the full story of Beachball Properties! 02:02 How Ginger & Hunter Met06:52 How Beachball Properties Came To Be10:43 Being Involved With The Local Community 14:22 Scaling Through Scrappy Marketing26:03 Beachball Properties Biggest Mistake33:48 Ginger & Hunter's Approach to Industry Events38:43 Biggest Challenges In 2023This episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Hunter:Website | LinkedinConnect with Ginger:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Hey listeners, it's throwback time! Today we're looking back at a very special episode from 2022 with Jennifer Hsieh, VP of Homes & Villas by Marriott. Here's a fun fact: Annie had just completed her final interview for the position of Director of Business Development with Jenny just moments before we recorded this episode. A lot has changed since we first started this podcast, and it's fun to reflect on past episodes to see how far we've come; individually, collectively, personally and professionally. We are SO grateful for everyone who tunes in to the show each week – thank you for your support and friendship!Show Notes from original air date October 5, 2022:It was beyond a pleasure to sit down with Jennifer Hsieh, VP of Marriott Homes & Villas, to learn about both the challenges and opportunities Marriott has uncovered by bringing one of the world's largest hospitality brands into the world of vacation rentals. While Marriott International represents 30 hotel brands and 8,000 properties as part of their portfolio, Homes & Villas has presented perhaps the most unique - yet sought after - option for their loyal Bonvoy members.Alex, Annie & Jenny dive into the details of the complexities of growing a start-up in a grown-up enterprise, along with HVMI's position on working exclusively with professional property managers.Jenny shares career insights on her first major role with Target, and then how she worked in various departments in Marriott before moving into her current role to launch HVMI. She is an inspirational leader and one certainly worth following.Find out more about Homes & Villas by Marriott here: https://homes-and-villas.marriott.com/This episode is brought to you by our Premiere Brand Sponsor, Casago, and Co-Sponsor Rev & ResearchCONTACT JENNIFER HSIEHLinkedInCONTACT ALEX & ANNIEAlexandAnniePodcast.comLinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramAlex Husner - LinkedinAnnie Holcombe - Linkedin

On this episode of Alex & Annie : The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, Alex is joined by D. Brooke Pfautz, Founder of Vintory - a company that is laser-focused on helping vacation rental managers grow their inventory. Brooke stumbled into the vacation rental space right before the global economic crisis of 2008 when he founded Vantage Resort Realty which quickly grew to 500+ properties under management and became one of the country's largest vacation rental managers. After exiting from Vantage in 2013, Brooke held a couple of positions in the space until launching Vintroy 4 and a half years ago, and he's now helped over 600 companies to grow their inventory.Guests are the lifeline of your vacation rental business, however, too many companies don't have a proactive strategy for acquiring new homeowners and often only tend to this matter once they experience significant churn. Brooke quotes a study they did which showed that an inventory acquisition strategy is 4-6x more impactful than marketing or revenue management, yet vacation rental companies disregard this motion, ultimately leaving a ton of business on the table.Brooke recently published his 2nd book - “Vacation Rental Secrets: The Short-Term Rental Industry's Top Experts Disclose their Biggest Mistakes and Share their Hard-Earned Wisdom”, which features our very own Alex Husner and quite a few recurring guests we've had on Alex & Annie. The inception of the book happened when Brooke was presented with the question of what are 10 biggest mistakes you've made in your journey so far, which then went viral on LinkedIn and had people from all across the industry reaching out to share their mistakes, which Brooke turned into a daily post cadence, which then laid the foundation for the book!Brooke brings up chapter nr. 8 from the book, which highlights a fact about inventory that's been mentioned on the show before and should be reminded to managers more often - disqualification is key to scale. Not all inventory is good inventory, and the negative impact of working with bad owners far outweighs the immediate revenue gain.Tune into this episode to learn how to make inventory your superpower!HIGHLIGHTS:01:15 Brooke's Journey until Vintory04:26 New Property Acquisition Strategies09:26 Choosing The Right Market11:41 The Book is Here!15:42 Brooke's Favorite Mistakes17:15 Culture Index and Predictive Index Integration21:43 Disqualification is Key to Scale26:21 Marketing Your Book Launch29:25 What's on The Vintory RoadmapThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Brooke:Website | Linkedin | BookConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Today joining Alex & Annie is Calvin Tilokee, CEO & Creative Director of Revpar Media - a social media management company that works with hotels and takes a strategic approach to growing your audience and turning them into customers. Calvin has always shined with his sense of humor and ability to create funny, interesting and relatable content. He started with a company Facebook group that was used for sharing memes, and there he was able to put his creativity on display. He moved on to Instagram and started building a holistic social media presence, and from that the business idea began.Calvin has grown his Instagram to over 25,000 followers - which is no small feat for a business account. He attributes his success to a frequent, consistent content publishing schedule which was strategically built to hit people's notifications and feeds during times when social media usage is highest. This strategy grew his account from 4000 to almost 10000, effectively doubling his follower count. Then the pandemic hit, and he grew another 50% when people really needed some comic relief. A common reason why so many business pages fall flat is because they underestimate the investment that needs to be made to make it work. It's pretty standard that social media management and content creation is delegated to an early 20's employee that has a full-time role already and has no real industry knowledge, making it impossible for them to create a piece of content that will attract new customers.When the Airbnb boom happened, Calvin had already spent more than 10 years in the hotel industry so he had a live view of the impact and how it escalated over the years. He lays some wisdom about adapting to new market conditions - with Airbnb, just like with TripAdvisor and any new platform that shows up, legacy industries are often in denial and neglect new advancements until they feel the market shift that is brought on by these new innovations, which is the opposite way of how things should be viewed in order to stay ahead of the curve.When discussing how the hotel industry are looking at vacation rentals and short term rentals from a competition standpoint, Calvin sees that in large metropolitan cities like San Francisco and New York the markets are pretty even and hotels aren't really stressing about the competition, however, in places like Orlando or Palm Springs in which the infrastructure supports rental properties more than hotels - revenue managers need to look into what vacation rentals offer, otherwise they won't stand a chance.Tune into the full episode to learn more on how the hotel industry is making waves on social media!HIGHLIGHTS:02:43 How Calvin Began Making Content06:57 Growing Your Instagram to 5-Digit Follower Counts09:14 Connect With Your Audience by Finding the Common Thread11:25 How to Increase Your Engagement Rate and Why It Matters16:20 Choose The Right Person To Manage Social Media19:25 The Meaning Behind the Dog Logo22:39 Calvin's View of the STR Market31:30 Are Hotels Considering Vacation Rentals When Pricing38:42 The Importance of Sales This episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Calvin:Website | Linkedin | InstagramConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Today joining Alex & Annie is Tony Stancato, Owner-Operator of Book ‘n Gather - a vacation rental management company that helps you get the most out of your vacation rental by helping with optimization and maintenance. He's also the co-host of Michigan Short Term Rentals Podcast, their show is about to hit their 50th episode milestone - so if you're in Michigan, queue their show on your podcast list!Tony's background is in manufacturing - he was in that industry for 14 years prior to pursuing short term rentals as his career. The original idea was to grow their roots in short term rental hotspots like Florida or Tennessee, but as they dug deeper they noticed that it made a lot more sense for them to stick to their current location - Michigan - and they've scaled their business to a dozen properties since.The biggest decision anyone has to make when starting out their journey as an owner/operator of a short term rental property is - where do I begin? Do you start by purchasing the smallest possible property to see if it'll work out, or do you go for a large multi-family expecting higher ROI?Tony mentions that the one thing that helped him the most was having a group of people that would join him in evaluating potential investments and encourage him to make the leap when the right opportunity presented itself. Working up the courage to start this journey, especially if you're a conservative buyer, is never easy - so a strong support system is worth its weight in gold. So your main takeaway should be to stop falling for analysis paralysis, and take the opportunity once it presents itself. Whatever choice you make, things won't be perfect from the get go and you'll have to learn along the way, so the sooner you start the quicker you'll get to where you want to be.When you're a bit further in your STR business road, selecting the right software vendors will be your next big move - and it's one that can drastically improve your life as an owner-operator if done right. Tony suggests that you visit STR conferences as a good source for potential software vendors, as well as be proactive researching new tools through peer-reviewed channels such as social media and social media communities.Tony operates strictly out of Michigan, and has his finger on the pulse when it comes to local regulations. Michigan isn't a conventional STR hotspot, so in many ways they're still learning and developing their legislative approach. In some locations there's a huge disconnect in how decisions are made - at times regulations go from 0-60 overnight, meaning a lot of stress for operators who can go from choosing their own rules to being effectively handcuffed overnight. Tune in for the full episode to learn how to start your own Short-Term Rental Owner-Operator Journey!HIGHLIGHTS:04:25 Where Should You Begin Your STR Journey?06:17 Access to Education in the STR Space09:42 Tony's Tech Stack12:03 Choosing the Right Software Vendors16:30 What STR Conferences Are Missing21:35 Regulations in Michigan25:14 The Importance of Safety RegulationThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Tony:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

On the September 1st of the Month Bonus Episode, Alex & Annie are joined by Sarah Franzen - the ex-Director of Revenue Management & Analytics at Natural Retreats - a luxury vacation rental management company operating in some of America's most iconic destinations. Sarah is here to announce a huge career change - as of today, September 1st, 2023, she's going out on her own and is now the founder of REVZEN.Prior to working in the vacation rental space, Sarah was in education - which perfectly aligns with her decision to become a consultant. Her plan is to utilize her education background and skill set to stand out in the crowd of consultants by truly encompassing the purpose of a consultant - to mentor, guide, and give actionable advice on how to make revenue management your ultimate business advantage.Sarah's A-HA Moment that led her to begin her entrepreneurial journey stemmed from her 8 year tenure in vacation rental revenue management. When she began her journey in her speciality, there really weren't any clear guidelines on what the role entailed, and the tools and technology we have today were non-existent. She had a significant role in creating the building blocks of vacation rental revenue management, which ultimately made her a pioneer of her craft. Building processes and figuring things out as she goes was her everyday life, and during these trials she acquired the expertise, competence and confidence to now make a life changing decision.Then the actual moment happened during a retreat to Kansas City with 3 of Sarah's peers. They made a commitment to form an association for revenue managers that would give them a forum to learn from each other. Sarah is an educator, there's a gap in education - so a perfect fit is born!The information gap in revenue management has tightened over the last few years, yet there's still an astounding amount of property managers and homeowners that have yet to start their revenue management journey. Part of the reason why is because implementing all the new tools and technology available to us today is no easy task. Setting your seasonal rates is a key ingredient in revenue management, but that's really only the beginning. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to what your next steps should be. Distribution, team management, vendor selection - these are just a few of the aspects you could prioritize when looking to achieve revenue management excellence. It comes down to taking a deeper look into your current situation and pragmatically deciding your next move towards an optimized revenue model. An unbiased view is a must have to achieve this, which is why a consultant is the perfect option, as following the advice of a third party is your best chance at making unclouded decisions.Tune into the full episode to learn how to make revenue management into your ultimate business advantage!HIGHLIGHTS:02:04 What Is Revzen about?05:01 Sarah's A-HA Moment09:35 Revenue Management - Where to Start?14:19 Sarah's Business Plan16:11 Choosing the Right Tech Stack and Vendors21:23 Always Be Helping > Always Be Closing25:05 Taking the LeapThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Sarah:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Today, joining Alex & Annie is Justin Ford, the Director of Short-Term Rental Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway, the leading property operations and services platform for short-term rentals. In October of last year, Breezeway received their Series B Investment of $15 million USD and since then they've successfully scaled to over 150 team members, serving clients such as Lake Tahoe Accommodations, Huswell, Seaside Vacations, and more.Justin's journey to Breezeway began in the United States Coast Guard where he worked with fishery & boating safety. This eventually led him to a career as a yacht captain, managing a yachting fleet for a major credit card company for 11 years until Bank of America acquired their company. In 1997 he had purchased a lake cottage in Maine, which he was actively renting out. As word spread that he's managing the cottage as a source of income for himself, others wanted him to do the same for them and so his business in the short term rental space was born.His first venture that he co-founded, "On the Water in Maine Inc.," grew into the largest vacation rental company in the northeast and is still thriving until this day. During his time growing On The Water in Maine, Justin saw the challenge of educating and enforcing safety guidelines for vacation rentals. His next  venture started as a safety checklist, and then evolved into a company called Dwell Safe, and was acquired by Breezeway 4 years ago, where he was retained as a director.Safety regulations are no longer an afterthought. Most incidents once deemed "accidents" are now seen as entirely preventable, placing great emphasis on accountability. While an accountability-based approach is unquestionably an overall improvement over the previous status quo, it does come with some growing pains that Justin and Breezeway actively aim to address.A major issue is that many safety regulations are presented in a convoluted manner, discouraging self-education. The official government safety code is exceedingly complex, requiring a PhD in Safety Sciences to even read. Moreover, there are numerous aspects not covered in the official code, rendering proper implementation overly complicated.Justin's prediction regarding the restructuring of safety codes & regulations for short-term rentals closely follows the trajectory of the hotel industry's regulations over the last 50 years. He anticipates that within less than 5 years, a government-approved definition of short-term rentals will be established, accompanied by a standardized code that will be approved and implemented overnight. This will cause a huge earthquake for short term rental operators, as they'll have to immediately get their properties up to code or face the consequences. Check out the full episode to learn how to stay ahead of the upcoming safety regulations!HIGHLIGHTS:01:31 Justin's Road to Breezeway05:32 How Safety is Viewed in 202307:25 Avoiding Confusion With The Safety Code14:54 Vacation Rental Safety Revolution19:00 The Future of State Legislatures & Building Codes25:14 Justin's Prediction for Safety Enforcement Changes 28:01 The Growing Pain of Insurance for Vacation Rentals34:05 Most Common Occurring Tragedies on Rental Properties37:42 How to Get in Touch with JustinThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Justin:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode, Alex & Annie are joined by two recurring guests: Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago, and Matt Landau, Founder of VRMB. Together, they have started a new joint venture called Keystone Retreats.These recurring cohorts aim to help those in the vacation rental industry break through to the next level through creative and educational workshops and events.Last year, Matt was feeling that burnout was creeping up on him.Not being his first rodeo, he knew exactly what the signs are, and decided to start pivoting towards Keystone Retreats - a new venture that would ultimately reignite his passion for the Vacation Rental Industry.Matt decided to join forces with Steve, who has over 22 years of vacation rental industry experience running Casago.Steve describes his time with Keystone Retreats as a real eye opening experience that has taught him how to better serve the vacation rental industry and become an even greater force in our space.Keystone Retreats is all about transformation.Instead of just focusing on just the business side of the vacation rental industry, the real purpose of these events is to help people unlock their north star by collaborating on new, creative projects and stimulating parts of their mind that might have been left unmoved since they were a kid.Steve shared their plan for future Keystone events - they are looking to step up their next iteration by having a clearer vision of what Keystone Retreats is, and constantly improving the value that's brought to the participants.Their next step is to cultivate more amazing thought leaders that will come in to share their journeys, workshops, and transformative paths that will help you break through to the next level.If all of this sounds a little bit fluffy to you, you're not the only one - even our host Alex was a bit skeptical about the creative workshop part of the events, but it ended up being the most memorable and transformative part of her Keystone Retreats experience, and one she fondly recalls to this day.Check out the full episode to learn more on what Keystone Retreats has in store for you!HIGHLIGHTS:01:15 - Matt's Journey with Burnout03:19 - How Steve Joined Keystone Retreats05:58 - The Meaning of Keystone Retreats10:25 - What to Expect in Future Keystone Events14:32 - Should You Indulge in Creative Activities?17:21 - Will Keystone Retreats Attract the STR Industry?23:45 - The World-Class Experience of Keystone RetreatsThis episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Steve:Website | LinkedinConnect with Matt:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Today joining Alex & Annie is Kimberly Miles, Executive Director of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) - an international, professional trade association of the vacation and holiday rental property management and hospitality industries. Kimberly has been with the VRMA for 2 years, and previously had an impressive 19 year tenure at American Hotel & Lodging Association, where she advanced up to becoming their SVP of Operations.Our very own Alex Husner is also a board member of the VRMA, so on this episode Alex and Kimberly dive into highlighting the role of the Executive Board at VRMA. The 13 leaders that represent the board develop and drive the strategic course for the association and set out their goals and priorities to make sure the organization is always a valuable asset to the vacation rental industry and a true representative of the hospitality space.When Kimberly started with VRMA, they had just held their first in-person meeting since the pandemic. Associations were struggling in a remote world, so Kimberly had her hands full with reigniting the spark of in-person events. Within her first 6 months, she got up to speed with the task at hand and successfully held a staggering 1700 person event in San Antonio. After weathering the storm of returning in-person conferences, in 2022 Kimberly was able to shift her attention to the long-term planning and goals of VRMA and take a more strategic seat in her duties as Executive Director. The approach that the VRMA is taking to their growth strategy is centered around embracing change. The board is focused on adaptability, and their goal is to make sure that everyone in the industry has a place under the VRMA roof. The organization heavily emphasizes education as the best way to grow, and it's one of the reasons why they've become an industry leader.In order to maximize the reach of their educational efforts, the VRMA is always promoting their conferences and events, but they're also cognizant of the fact that not every vacation rental owner is doing this full time, meaning that lower-commitment educational sources like webinars and ebooks get the same amount of attention.There's a huge event on the horizon - The VRMA are hosting their International Conference in Orlando, October 22-25, 2023. The event is hosted at the Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, and Kimberly expects this to be a record breaker - so get your tickets now before they're sold out!!Tune into this episode to learn more about the exciting things that the VRMA have prepared for you, and we hope to see you all in-person in October at the 2023 VRMA International Conference!HIGHLIGHTS:01:58 What Does the Executive Board at VRMA Do?06:01 Kimberly's VRMA Post-Pandemic Onboarding10:03 VRMA's Growth Strategy14:35 Building Your Educational Engine17:15 Partnerships With Other Organizations21:40 What To Expect from the VRMA International Conference in October of 2023This episode is brought to you by Casago and Rev & Research!Connect with Kimberly:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Today joining Alex & Annie is Andy Newman, Founder & CEO of Newman Hospitality - a company that connects Real Estate Investors with high income short-term rental opportunities. Newman Hospitality operates in South Florida, Northern Virginia and Indiana, which at first glance might seem like an inefficient mix of locations, but as it turns out this very approach has given Newman Hospitality the chance to avoid the huge risk factor and seasonal woes of having all of your eggs in one geographical basket. Andy mentions that this strategy blossomed from his banking background, where risk management is everything. Newman Hospitality has been able to retain their workforce year-round, and harvest the fruits of diversification. One interesting statistic that Andy brings up is that by spreading out your properties by at least 50-75 miles, you reduce your climate risk by half - which is a huge advantage in a market like Florida where natural disasters are becoming a common occurrence. How Newman Hospitality came to be was when Andy started his first venture after leaving corporate banking in 2010. He had gotten used to traveling and spending a lot of time in Airbnb's, and he enjoyed the experience so much that he started hosting his friends & family for free. That drove him to the VRMA and hospitality sector in general, on a mission to become a better host. Currently, Newman Hospitality manages 130 properties. As many businesses do, their initial approach was to scale their portfolio as fast as they could, but after a while they started disqualifying and getting rid of properties that weren't up to their standards. Their evaluation process focuses on three key elements - Property, Location and Owner. This has served them better than purely focusing on short term revenue, as disqualification avoids major headaches in the long run and guarantees that the customer experience is consistent in every location.One of their biggest recent strides was becoming part of the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy network. While anyone can join Airbnb without much effort, Marriott Homes & Villas is a truly exclusive network that requires a good bit of qualification to join, and has been a huge selling point for both renters AND property managers to put their trust in Newman Hospitality. Check out the full episode to learn more on how to turn diversification into your ultimate business advantage!HIGHLIGHTS:07:25 Newman Hospitality's Business Strategy11:02 Airbnb's impact on Newman Hospitality13:40 The Impact of Joining Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy16:32 Pick The Right Channel Partners17:32 Andy's Coaching Career22:40 How Newman Hospitality Scaled25:20 Issues With Regulations30:25 Managing Long-Term Rentals35:50 Running a Family Business39:18 Treat Your Employees RightThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Andy:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode, Alex and Annie are joined by Mike Reinman, Owner of Casago Kona & Owner/GM of Casago Redwood Coast. Mike sold Redwood Coast Vacation Rentals to Vacasa at the end of 2019. After speaking with Casago CEO Steve Schwab, Mike decided to return to the industry and purchase a STR business in Kona. This is where his partnership with Casago began, and what laid the foundation for his next venture with Casago Redwood Coast.Mike started in the short-term rental industry by converting his garage into a rental space. He then managed to scale this business to a staggering 142 properties before ultimately selling and taking a sabbatical from property management.During his time running Redwood Coast Vacation Rentals, Mike had been approached for a franchise opportunity with Casago, but he ended up going in a different direction. When Mike sold his first STR business, Steve Schwab approached him with the opportunity to purchase a vacation rental business in beautiful Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and so their partnership began.Mike attributes his decision to invest in Casago Kona to the support system that Casago brings to the table for their operators. He had experienced dissatisfaction with the previous software providers and booking vendors he had used, and those experiences made him doubtful of ever wanting to get involved in the vacation rental space again, given the struggle of ensuring operational soundness and profitability.A big selling point for Mike was the community aspect of being a Casago business. Having the ability to confide in other vacation rental owners and get their expertise on how to better run a vacation rental business has been a game changer and brought many new insights to Mike's already astute understanding of the vacation rental industry.Mike's appreciation for the way Casago works with their property managers didn't appear from thin air. When he sold his first business to Vacasa, he wasn't a huge fan of the corporate atmosphere. To be a successful property manager, you must have a broad understanding of various aspects of the business, and Mike didn't feel like this was reflected in the conversations he had with members of the Vacasa team.Tune into this episode of Alex & Annie to hear more insights on what a proper support system can do for your vacation rental business!HIGHLIGHTS:02:01 Mike's Journey to California and the Inception of His STR Business06:58 How Mike Started Evaluating His First Casago Project10:25 The Struggles of Running a STR Business in Hawaii During COVID11:34 How Casago's Support System Closed Mike15:17 Growing Together With Other Successful Property Managers19:25 The Importance of Consistent Coaching25:05 Mike's Experience Working with Vacasa27:42 Mike's Approach to LeadershipThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Mike:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode, Alex and Annie are joined by Alex Shapiro, CEO and Co-Founder of CanMonkey - the very first Trash-To-Curb Service that handles the waste and recycling can duties of your vacation rental properties.CanMonkey started 4 years ago with a business model that's similar to Uber and DoorDash - employing gig economy drivers to ensure a seamless service across 13 different states. What differentiates them from Uber's business model is that they've achieved profitability as a bootstrapped startup, instead of relying on funding and burning through cash.Before Alex made the decision to go all-in, he chose to first see CanMonkey drive results in their local market. Luckily, this market was Scottsdale, AZ - one of the most thriving markets in the rental property space. His A-HA moment was during a meeting with a client who was converting his long-term rental into a short-term rental and had expressed his frustration with his current waste management setup. This conversation unlocked a deal that effectively doubled their business overnight - and Alex knew it was time to fully bet on CanMonkey.The way CanMonkey develops their service has been a key factor in their rapid growth. Alex has always approached product development with feedback and flexibility in mind, letting their clients be the ones who inspire their product strategy and ultimately choose how they're best served.Another key factor has been their sublime approach to marketing. During the conversation with Alex, it's apparent that his wheels are always turning when it comes to new ways to market their business. His approach to finding relevant and fun ways to create social media content stems from conversations he has with clients, and the tidbits that come through during those interactions. He's also not afraid of “poking the bear” and creating campaigns that might receive negative feedback, which can often be a phenomenal strategy to gain brand awareness through a tiny sprinkle of controversy. Tune in to the full episode to learn what it takes to successfully scale a service-based business!HIGHLIGHTS:01:30 - CanMonkey's Go-To-Market Strategy03:16 - The A-HA Moment that Led Alex to Going All-In05:49 - CanMonkey's Main Use Case11:49 - Their Approach to Growth & Product Development15:45 - Building Brand Awareness Through Clever Marketing21:34 - Alex's Roots in the Fortune 50027:14 - The Advantages of Being Bootstrapped31:26 - The Future of CanMonkeyThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Alex:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this special edition of our “Spotlight on Exceptional Property Managers'' series, presented by Casago, we sit down with Stacy Wesson of Casago Cascara Vacations. Stacy shares her stories and experience in the industry running the family business in Sun River, Oregon that joined forces with Casago in April of 2022.The story of Casago Cascara Vacations for Stacy is one that begins in her early childhood. Her parents opened the business when she was only 5 years old, so she's seen the evolution of every aspect of the business - and now holds the title of General Manager.A little over a year ago, Stacy joined forces with Casago to help streamline the business operations of Cascara Vacations. After 10 years in the industry, Stacy was feeling a bit frustrated with how the local business scene had evolved. New players were arriving in their local market and bullying them with aggressive, high-roller tactics, so a decision was made to get external help. Now, she's seeing huge improvements in aspects such as new technology implementation, vendor selection and competitive analysis. Being part of a community of vacation rental professionals that are all working towards a common goal has been a game changer for their business, and has led Casago Cascara Vacations to see more positive reviews, avoid turmoil with homeowners, and bring solidarity to their internal team through the positive impact seen in their day-to-day operations.Check out the full episode to learn more tips & tricks on how to add efficiency and excellence to your vacation rental business!HIGHLIGHTS:02:30 Stacy's Leadership Philosophy06:42 Navigating Around Bad Regulations and Unhappy Campers12:08 Stacy's Strategy for Avoiding Future Turmoil16:23 What Went Into Stacy's Decision to Join Forces With Casago20:58 The Changes in Casago Cascara Vacations Over the Last Year25:18 Casago's Onboarding & Support Process30:10 The Impact of Proper Training and SupportThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Stacy:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode, Alex & Annie are joined by a panel of experts to help guide you on a pressing topic - How to Explain Changes in Revenue and Bookings to Your Homeowners.2023 is not turning out to be as profitable as expected for vacation rental managers, and naturally this is causing quite a bit of turmoil for property managers, especially those who got into the business during the golden years of 2020-2022.That's why today's Revenue Roundtable features Ben Coleman - Founder of Rev & Research, Vanessa Humes - Director of Sales & Marketing at InterCoastal Net Designs and Lance Stitcher - Broker/Owner at Seaside Vacations and Sales.Some of the great insights discussed in this episode includes proactive, data-driven communication with your homeowners, as well as the importance of making sure you're pricing appropriately for 2023 instead of making decisions like it's still last year.Whether you're an individual property manager feeling the pressure of the current market, or a Vacation Rental company with hundreds of properties under management looking to safeguard your book of business - tune in to this episode to learn from our expert panel on exactly what steps to take to navigate the stormy seas of 2023 and beyond.HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introducing Today's Revenue Roundtable02:24 Setting Today's Agenda - Revenue is Down, What To Do?04:30 How a Data-Driven Approach Is Becoming a Necessity in This Market08:42 Proactive Account Management is a Necessity & Homeowner Marketing Becoming a Priority13:25 The Value of a Strong Social Presence14:52 More on Proactive, Data-Driven Communication, and the Importance of Staying Ahead of your Homeowner19:10 Understanding Local Market Conditions and Pricing Accordingly20:10 Lance's Approach to Educating Homeowners About Market Conditions22:13 How to Set Expectations for The Upcoming Fall Season24:16 Creating Demand as a Marketing Focus Point26:54 Data As The Ultimate Revenue Team Alignment Tool30:52 Ben's and Lance's Approach to Channels35:05 The Value of Proper Communication Within Your Team36:16 What Topics are Currently Underrepresented within Revenue Teams38:24 Lances Prediction on How Inventory Will Shift From Investments to Residential Properties40:30 Bens Predictions on How The Markets are Changing and his Strategy to Navigate What's Ahead45:02 How To Get In Touch With Today's ExpertsThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Ben:Website | LinkedinConnect with Vanessa:Website | LinkedinConnect with Lance:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Welcome to Episode 101 of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals - the celebration of passing the 100-episode milestone.Today, we are joined by Ed the Ghost Host, who's interviewing us about this wonderful journey we've been on since January 2021, and passing us the microphone so we can unveil some new projects and initiatives coming your way.To start, we'd like to thank everyone who has come along for the ride - from our wonderful guests to our plentiful listeners and those who engage with us on social media.We also appreciate those who aren't strangers when seeing us at vacation rental conventions and events. Your support, feedback, and communication mean a lot to us. It has been amazing so far, and there's so much more to come.It's beyond wild that we've been heard tens of thousands of times across six different continents and in almost 30 countries. This was not at all what we expected when we started this podcast two and a half years ago.So, what's next?We're now in the process of writing our first book that will highlight the stories of our guests. It's a passion project we've been thinking about for a long time, and we believe it's time that we create something tangible to further shine a light on the wonders that have been revealed during these 100 episodes.We are beyond excited.One thing is very apparent in our industry - there's a divide between the short-term rental space and the vacation rental space, and we're not fans of that at all.We believe that a unified voice between the two sectors should be the common goal. This will help both industries grow and avoid unwanted regulations, and we're dedicated to doing our part in bringing alignment between these two similar but different industries.We have a list of guests that we would love you to hear from on our show, such as:Marcus Räder from HostawayEd MylettHeather Monahan Rob Greyber from VacasaBill FaethBrian Chesky from AirBnBThis has been a really rewarding journey for both of us. Building our personal brands, beginning and nurturing new friendships, and hearing direct feedback from people we never thought were even listening to us. We're happy, grateful, humbled, and insanely excited for things to come.Stay tuned!00:00 Welcome to Episode 101 - The Celebration of Passing 100 Episodes00:45 Our First “Thank You” of the Episode01:34 Introducing our Guest Host03:37 What's next for Alex & Annie?05:04 Book Announcement!!08:29 New Narratives in the Upcoming Episodes11:28 What can STR's Learn From Our Industry and Vice Versa14:28 Dream Guest List - What To Expect19:05 The Most Rewarding Parts of Our Journey as Hosts22:26 Another Thank You!! This episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Joining the show today are the hosts of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe! Find out how a chance meeting in a hotel bathroom led to the launch of their podcast and learn some of the duo's favorite moments so far. Alex and Annie also give their insights on some of the current issues facing the short-term rental industry. "It's going to be interesting to me to see where the industry goes in the next 18 months because I think you're going to see a lot of people that are just going to walk away from it. The savvy people that understand that you have to really be mindful of how you're marketing and what channels you're participating in, and how you're putting your brand out there, those are the ones that are going to win in the end." - Annie Holcombe Follow the Destination Marketing Podcast on social media: Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Do you want to be featured on the show? Send us a voice message! If you're enjoying the show, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! The Destination Marketing Podcast is a part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Relic. If you are interested in any of Relic's services,  please email adam@relicagency.com or visit www.relicagency.com. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.

Welcome back to another exciting episode! Today, we have a special guest, Bart Sobies, who is an expert in vacation rentals and technology. Bart is the visionary behind The Accommodation Show and iBooked.Online. He has a long history of success, starting his first online business at just 15 years old. With his passion for technology, marketing, and investment, Bart has helped many hospitality owners generate extra revenue through direct bookings and digital products. He is also the founder of a thriving Facebook community where over 2000 industry professionals share valuable insights.In this episode, Bart shares practical tips for building a successful website and using direct booking strategies. He draws from his experience in helping restaurants with online ordering to highlight the importance of adapting to changes and recognizing the potential of direct bookings in vacation rentals. As the host of The Accommodation Show, Bart explores how emerging technologies like AI and Chat GPT are shaping the future of the industry. He discusses their impact on thought leadership, provides valuable tips for using Chat GPT effectively, and explores their implications for SEO.Additionally, Bart stresses the significance of building a brand and reducing dependency on booking channels. He shares his best practices for identifying the ideal guest and employing effective communication strategies to foster guest loyalty and drive direct bookings. Join us for an enlightening conversation as Bart Sobies shares his expertise, recommendations, and visionary outlook on the vacation rental industry. Gain valuable insights that will empower you to navigate the evolving landscape and enhance your success as a hospitality owner or manager!Highlights of the Episode:02:21 - Guest Intro: Bart Sobies03:46 – A little bit of history06:10 – Highly encouraged direct booking strategies09:12 – Focus on the audience you can speak to10:42 – Direct bookings or homeowner marketing14:19 – Getting into the vacation rental space19:16 – Chat GPT and where it's taking the industry23:52 – Will it replace original thought leadership?28:36 – Best tips on learning ChatGPT35:21 – How this applies to the future of SEO in the marketing world38:00 – Working with people in vacation rentals40:38 – Not depending on a channel and building a brand49:25 – Tying it all in to the guest experience53:15 – ClosingThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Bart:Website | Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram | 5-Day AI Challenge Connect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jeff Iloulian, the CEO of HostGPO, a game-changing buying group for short-term rentals. Discover Jeff's remarkable journey from lawyer to successful vacation rental operator. He founded HostGPO to solve the challenge of sourcing high quality, affordable products for vacation rentals. By leveraging collective buying power, HostGPO transforms the industry, making it easier for operators to access top-notch products at discounted rates.In this episode, discover how HostGPO helps vacation rental owners save money in the long run by sourcing durable, commercial-grade furniture. We explore the challenges of dealing with property managers and homeowners, along with the valuable consulting and design services offered by HostGPO. Dive into the delicate balance between standardization and uniqueness in unit aesthetics. We also discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the vacation rental industry and how GPOs, like HostGPO, help alleviate decision fatigue for owners. Furthermore, we delve into the advocacy work for industry safety in vacation rentals. Tune in for insightful discussions on these topics and more, providing valuable insights for vacation rental owners!Highlights of the Episode:02:22 - Guest Intro: Jeff Iloulian02:49 – Jeff and the company06:11 – Company size and its operators07:04 – Working with hosts big and small08:15 – The process09:58 – Dealing with property managers and homeowners14:20 – Consulting and design service17:42 – Homeowners upgrading their units21:51 – Balancing standardization of units and uniqueness24:59 – Going to the all-white model28:33 – Covid exposed vacation rentals' weaknesses30:23 – Conversation with parents about transitioning from practicing law to short term rentals37:41 – Solving the decision fatigue40:57 – Advocacy work for industry42:08 – People are sleeping on safety49:44 – ClosingThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Jeff:Website | LinkedinConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of  ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

Join us for an insightful conversation with Adam Stoker, president and CEO of Relic Agency and guru in the world of tourism and destination marketing (DMO/CVBs/Chamber of Commerce). Discover how he stumbled into the tourism industry, built an 8-year relationship with the Cedar City, Utah Tourism Bureau, started the Destination Marketing Podcast and is now one of the largest DMO agencies in the country. In this engaging episode, we discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, including the importance of building strong relationships with local stakeholders and vacation rental owners. Adam also shares his thoughts on how tourism destinations are now launching campaigns that focus on community pride, workforce development, and more. Plus, we explore the influx of short-term rental properties prior to the pandemic and how the oversupply in some areas had become a nuisance, but the pandemic has helped alleviate those issues.Don't miss our deep dive into the concept of branded media in the tourism industry and its role in the ever-changing competitive landscape. Adam explains the importance of involving all stakeholders in the vacation rental industry and how it has been a blessing for the industry. We also discuss the significance of paid, earned, and owned media as essential elements of a successful marketing strategy. Finally, we touch on the evolution and impact of AI in the tourism sector, including its role in content creation and SEO. Tune in for an episode packed with valuable insights and expert advice from Adam Stoker!Highlights of the Episode:02:22 - Guest Intro: Adam Stoker03:47 – Background and involvement in the DMO space 09:15 – Working with and without a budget in DMOs13:40 – Podcasting and establishing credibility in the industry16:14 – Recovery and what the future looks like for the tourism industry23:29 – Branded media and owning your own audience32:37 – Owned media for beginners 38:08 – AI and owned media44:46 – AI is going to eliminate mediocrity47:44 – AI and SEO51:42 – ClosingThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Adam:Website | Linkedin Connect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of  ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

Welcome to another first of the month bonus episode where it's all about advocacy and legislative issues with Tiffany Edwards, a strategic consultant specializing in short-term vacation rental organizations. Tiffany's expertise spans across various markets, assisting in navigating STVR regulations, state legislation, stakeholder engagement, and grassroots campaigns. Her remarkable achievements include receiving the 2021 VRMA President's Award for her exceptional work in reopening STVRs post-COVID and raising advocacy funding to over $1.5 million for the organization.In this episode, Tiffany delves into the current state of vacation rental advocacy. She shares her experiences engaging with governors and communities, highlighting the industry's significant contributions. Discover how Tiffany brings together individuals with different mindsets to drive positive change and gain insights into the hot-button issues shaping the vacation rental industry. Tune in and join us as we explore the exciting world of vacation rental advocacy and find out about regulations that shape our industry!Highlights of the Episode:02:32 - Guest Intro: Tiffany Edwards05:24 – General sense of advocacy at the moment07:29 – Involved in Governor Desantis' effort against Covid11:36 – In a better position to talk about what the industry represents17:41 – Bringing in people with different mindsets20:37 – Funds and what issues gets the most help25:14 – Hot button issues30:28 – Finding business licenses that haven't been enacted34:09 – Paying taxes35:38 – Pre-emption and what it means for a community40:56 – ClosingThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Tiffany:Instagram  | Email: tiffany@colettaconsulting.comConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of  ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

In this compelling episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Ryan Dame, a seasoned leader in the vacation rental and hospitality industry. As a Partner at Casago and Good Neighbor Tech, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. What does it take to excel in a multi-market operation and how important is financial literacy for vacation rental operators? Tune in Now!Join us as we delve into his insights on excelling in a multi-market situation, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the intricacies of franchising at Casago. Additionally, Ryan sheds light on the significance of financial literacy in the vacation rental industry. Don't miss this engaging conversation with Ryan as we explore the keys to success in this dynamic industry!Highlights of the Episode:02:21 - Guest Intro: Ryan Dame03:00 – Ryan's background10:12 – Expanding to other areas17:34 – Deciding business names23:16 – What it takes to excel in a multi-market situation27:46 – What an ideal partner looks like32:16 – Franchises at Casago33:21 – Experience in the keyless lock industry39:15 – One thing that the industry should be talking about but isn't47:26 – What's next for Ryan50:06 – ClosingThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Ryan:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Connect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of  ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

Welcome to a special episode where we have the privilege of sitting down with Amy Hinote, the founder and editor-in-chief of VRM Intel Magazine, an industry leading trusted source of news, information, and resources for those in the professionally managed vacation rental industry. Drawing from her extensive background in finance and over 15 years of experience in the field, Hinote offers insights on the evolving landscape of the vacation rental industry and the upcoming fifth annual Data and Revenue Management Conference and the 2023 Vacation Rental Women's Summit in December.Join us as we explore the pivotal role of technology in driving industry growth and gain valuable insights from Amy on the importance of self-care in a demanding industry. You'll want to tune in with an industry expert who is shaping the future of vacation rentals and helping our community unlock the secrets to success in our dynamic industry!Highlights of the Episode:00:44 - Guest Intro: Amy Hinote02:47 – The fifth Annual Data and Revenue Management Conference and the 2023 Vacation Rental Women's Summit08:03 – Less vendors and booths, more vendors in the sessions13:15 – Growth of technology in the industry25:34 – Format of the women's summit29:36 – Is VRM Intel still gonna be part of our space?33:48 – The industry needs a voice35:35 – If you don't take care of you, life will come in and make that decision for you39:17 – Everybody has something that they're fightingThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Amy:Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Vacation Rental Women's Summit  | 4th Annual Vacation Rental Data and Revenue Management ConferenceConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of  ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

In our latest episode, we sit down with Kristin Brown CEO of Concishare, a prominent lifestyle concierge management company to explore high-end concierge service for vacation rentals.  What does it take to provide a seamless experience and create an atmosphere of total relaxation for your guests? And what is the right mindset and strategies needed to excel in this space?Join us for an insightful conversation with Kristin as we explore the world of hotel-level concierge service tailored for vacation rentals. Discover her guests' most frequently utilized service, the intricacies of logistics, forging partnerships, and uncovering the realm of vacation rentals in various destinations. Don't miss out on this engaging episode - tune in now to gain valuable insights and enhance your understanding of exceptional concierge service in the vacation rental industry.Highlights of the Episode00:44 - Guest Intro: Kristin Brown01:12 – Kristin's background02:56 – Replicating hotel level concierge for multiple destinations06:13 – Seamless transition from hotels to vacation rentals09:32 – Most used service13:42 – Coordinating logistics19:15 – Dealing with big events and sellout situations22:04 – Repeat guests26:04 – Markets and finding partners for on off markets28:43 – Partners big and small31:11 – Vacation rentals in other destinations34:14 – Oddest request from a guestThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Kristin:Website | LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

Craig is a financial expert, author, and speaker who founded Shore Term Rentals, a short-term rental and property management company in New Jersey. With over 25 years of experience, he started acquiring multifamily apartment buildings in 2014, grew to 9 complexes worth $6M+, and developed a property management company to manage several of his personal properties.In this episode, Craig shares how he's leveraging his background in finance to effectively run his property management business. Craig delves deep into the unique landscape of managing properties at the Jersey Shore, the ways in which short and long term rental management are different, and discusses regulatory issues that property managers face in the area. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion about the ins and outs of property management!Highlights of the Episode00:43 – Guest Intro: Craig Stevens01:32 – Steven's background03:18 – The Jersey Shore landscape for property managers04:22 – Experience carried over from long term rentals07:02 – Making decisions on software09:05 – Where most bookings come from15:18 – Growth plans18:37 – Hiring and workforce20:38 – Referral system and networking21:31 – The Multifamily side of business24:52 – Overbuilding of long-term housing in Florida26:35 – Forecasts of growth for a community28:25 – Regulatory issues in Jersey ShoreThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with CraigWebsite | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Connect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram 

Today's episode is a very special one, as we bring you a recent panel discussion we hosted at Rent Responsibly's 2023 Sustainability Summit. What does sustainability have to do with branding and company culture, and why is it more important than ever to focus on this way of thinking? Tune in to find out! Tune in as we dive into this topic with two of the smartest minds in hospitality marketing, Stuart Butler and Pete DiMaio. You do NOT want to miss this one!About the Guests: Stuart Butler After 20 years in the hotel industry, Stuart recently became the Chief Marketing Officer at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, the official destination marketing organization for the Grand Strand. A native of England, Stuart moved to the United States in 2001 and has spent the past two decades implementing marketing strategies for hundreds of hotels and destinations worldwide. With a degree in Rocket Science from the University of Kent at Canterbury, he leverages cutting-edge technology and takes a scientific and innovative approach to everyday marketing challenges. Pete DiMaioPete is the Chief Operating Officer at TravelBoom. With TravelBoom, Pete takes an analytics approach to hotel marketing and works tirelessly to ensure his clients are able to drive occupancy, increase RevPAR, and improve direct bookings; all while providing a granular level of reporting that proves the return on investment. Pete has over two decades of experience in hospitality marketing from both the traditional and digital sides of the business. Highlights of the Episode02:16 - Episode Intro by Dana Lubner, Head of Leadership Development at Rent Responsibly05:17 – Guest Intro: Stuart Butler CMO for Visit Myrtle Beach and Pete Dimaio COO for TravelBoom05:45 – What to consider when starting the brand08:11 – What happened to companies that did not start thinking about building the brand09:48 – Fundamentals for starters14:23 – How not to get bogged down in making the right decisions20:19 – Will the ability to customize by guest detract or build trust?24:02 – The importance of company culture32:29 – Assets that need to be protected41:12 – Testing and why it's so importantConnect with STUART:LinkedIn | LinkedIn Page |  Website | FacebookConnect with PETE:LinkedIn | LinkedIn Page | Website | Instagram | TwitterThis episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech. Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.

This is a must-see episode: Today, we are joined by Dana Lubner, Director of Community Development at Rent Responsibly and host of the podcast "How to Save Your Vacation Rental Business." With a background in marketing and advertising, Dana fell in love with the short-term rental industry while working with her brother's company, Effortless Rental Group. However, her real passion emerged when she witnessed the industry's need for advocacy and education. As a founding member of Mile High Hosts, Denver's short-term rental community, Dana has organized events such as the Good Neighbor Summit and educates hosts on responsible practices. Now, at Rent Responsibly, she helps short-term rental owners and managers across the country mobilize to advocate for fair and balanced regulations while building strong alliances and educating the community. With her podcast, Dana continues to share her knowledge and passion for the industry, empowering listeners to take action and create a healthy and sustainable vacation rental community.Don't miss out on this informative discussion with Dana. Discover how Rent Responsibly is advocating for short term rentals and promoting successful alliances for hosts. Tune in now to gain valuable insights and be part of the community-building efforts in the short-term rental industry!Highlights of the Episode:02:57 - Guest Background: Dana Lubner, Head of Leadership Development at Rent Responsibly06:25 – Rent Responsibly the last couple of years08:38 – The Good Neighbor Summit14:02 – A portal for opportunity16:52 – The year of reckoning or more regulations?21:00 – Bring everybody that has a stake to the discussion table25:23 – Partnership with the VRMA28:38 – Interactions with other channels around vacation rentals32:18 – What's next for Dana?This episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie's List.Connect with Dana:Email: dana@rentresponsibly.orgLinkedIn | Website | Instagram | LinktreeConnect with Alex and Annie:Alex Husner | Annie HolcombeAlexAndAnniePodcast.comIf you enjoyed this episode of ALEX & ANNIE: The Real Women Of Vacation Rentals, make sure to visit our socials, leave us a like, a comment, or share our content with the crowd! Don't forget to subscribe!LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram |