VRMA Arrival

Latest Episodes:

Cautious Optimism: Key Data’s Read on the 2026 Vacation Rental Market Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Melanie Brown, vice president of data insights at Key Data, joins the podcast to unpack Key Data’s Vacation Rental Industry Outlook 2026—a survey of nearly 250 US property managers that reveals what operators expect in the year ahead. According to Brown, sentiment has finally shifted toward “cautious optimism,” with most managers anticipating flat to modest gains in ADR, demand, and revenue per unit. But optimism isn’t replacing realism: staffing shortages, revenue pressures, and tightening regulations remain top concerns heading into 2026.

Jessica Gillingham Talks AI, Hybrid Hospitality, and What Comes Next Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Jessica Gillingham—CEO of Abode Worldwide and author of “Tech-Enabled Hospitality”—joins us to map the real state of hospitality tech across short-term rentals, hotels, and multifamily. Drawing on interviews with 38 global leaders, she argues that technology’s job is simple: enable better hospitality. We dig into the mindset shift from “tech as cost” to “tech as a strategic investment,” why many operators now prize stability and long-term vendor partnerships over constant churn, and how AI is moving personalization from buzzword to practice—provided operators unify data across the guest and staff journeys.

Jessica explores the rise (and operational complexity) of hybrid hospitality models, the cooling of sustainability talk versus the steady, cost-driven adoption of IoT, and her big prediction: search and discovery will change fast as LLMs start answering instead of listing, reshaping OTA dynamics and operator marketing. She closes with pragmatic advice for managers: start with strategy, move deliberately, and use tech to get more human, not less.

The Power of Membership: Education, Advocacy, and Connection with VRMA Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, VRMA Board Chair Jodi Refosco and Executive Director Anne Gardner explore how VRMA supports its members every day—not just during conferences. They share exciting updates about modular training programs, safety certifications, and upcoming webinars, including one on ADA compliance. Plus, they discuss VRMA’s reinvigorated advocacy efforts, growing supplier community, and a special gift for listeners: recordings of the top 10 sessions from the 2024 International Conference. Whether you’re a longtime member or considering joining, this conversation offers valuable insight into how VRMA is your year-round professional home.

Bridging Both Worlds: Lessons from a Vendor Who Became a Host Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, VRMA Arrival podcast host Alexa Schlosser sits down with Molly Reardon, head of short-term rental growth at PointCentral and a short-term rental owner herself. Reardon offers a unique dual perspective on how technology can enhance—not replace—the human side of hospitality. She shares firsthand experiences installing smart home hardware, discusses how the pandemic accelerated tech adoption in the industry, and explains where AI is delivering real value for property managers—from saving time to enabling personalization. The conversation also explores quick-win automations, eco-conscious smart tools, and the next big trends shaping vacation rentals in 2025, including consolidation and smarter tech integration.

How AI Is Actually Helping Property Managers Right Now May 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, David Stephens, lead data scientist at TravelNet Solutions, cuts through the AI hype to share what short-term rental operators really need to know. From guest messaging and marketing to revenue management and sentiment analysis, Stephens explains where AI adds true value and where it still needs a human touch. He also offers key questions to ask before adopting any AI tool and compares cutting-edge “thinking” models to today’s more common AI applications.

Inside VRMA's New Government Affairs Council May 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, VRMA Board Chair Jodi Refosco sits down with Tiffany Edwards of Weatherby Consulting to discuss the formation of VRMA’s new Government Affairs Council and what it means for the vacation rental industry. They explore why the council was created, how it consolidates previous advocacy committees, and what major regulatory challenges it aims to address, including housing affordability, tourism taxes, and commercial classification. Edwards also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the council’s structure, funding strategy, and how VRMA members can get involved, donate, and shape the industry’s future.

The 911 Lifeline Every Vacation Rental Needs Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, Onita Mihaly, senior director of brand marketing at Ooma, discusses the company's role in improving short-term rental (STR) safety with its VoIP-based landline service.

Targeted Training, Tailored Tracks: A Preview of VRMA Foundations Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, host Jodi Refosco, VRMA Board chair, is joined by Tim Cafferty (Sandbridge Blue & Outer Banks Blue) and Tyann Marcink Hammond (Branson Family Retreats) to preview VRMA Foundations, taking place April 14-15 in Savannah, Georgia.

Unlike traditional conferences, Foundations is a brand-new event built from the ground up to deliver hands-on, targeted training for frontline staff, operations teams, and emerging leaders in the vacation rental industry. With longer, in-depth sessions and three focused tracks—Office, Field, and Team—attendees will walk away with practical skills and immediate takeaways.

Tune in to hear what makes this event unique, who should attend, can’t-miss sessions (yes, there’s one on pools and hot tubs!), and why Savannah is the perfect backdrop.

Marcus Rader on Hostaway’s $365M Investment and Industry Leadership Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

In this VRMA Arrival podcast episode, Marcus Rader, CEO of Hostaway, shared the company’s impressive growth since 2022, which is the last time we had Rader on the podcast, including securing a $365 million investment and expanding its product offerings. Hostaway has evolved into a multiproduct, all-in-one solution for short-term rental property managers, driven by customer feedback and innovation.

Rader highlighted the role of AI in optimizing guest communication, enhancing property listings, and improving operations. He also discussed the company’s international expansion into France, Spain, and Italy, leveraging its European roots to localize offerings and strengthen its market presence.

Amid industry consolidation, Rader emphasized Hostaway’s competitive edge, citing customer satisfaction and glowing reviews. Looking ahead, he envisions further growth through innovation and a focus on delivering exceptional value to property managers.

Why Your Airbnb Listing Isn’t Working — And How to Fix It Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

On the latest episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, Bart-Jan Leyts, the 25-year-old founder of Otamiser, shared his insights into optimizing OTA rankings for short-term rentals (STRs) and hotels. Based in Ghent, Belgium, Otamiser has grown rapidly since its launch three years ago, recently introducing a cutting-edge tool called Autorank. Designed specifically for STRs, Autorank automates listing updates to align with ever-changing algorithms on platforms like Airbnb, helping property managers increase visibility, bookings, and guest satisfaction.

Leyts explained that many property managers neglect their listings after the initial setup, leading to poor rankings over time. Tools like Autorank address this by automating adjustments, such as selecting impactful photos or refining descriptions, all based on data rather than guesswork. He emphasized that regional nuances also play a role; for instance, in Aruba, where pools are common, simply showcasing a pool is no longer a competitive advantage.

With $3 million in recent funding, Otamiser is set to expand Autorank’s reach and enhance its hotel-focused products. Leyts also reflected on industry trends, predicting that dynamic pricing tools will become more strategically vital and sharing his belief that OTAs will continue to dominate over direct bookings due to their scalability and efficiency.

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