Day 1 - Tuesday, June 23rd - PST
In every corner of the short-term rental industry, women are showing up—and shaking things up. What once started as a side hustle or passion project has turned into full-scale businesses, investment portfolios, and industry-shaping movements. But this isn’t just a “women’s story”—it’s a business story, a profitability story, and a leadership evolution we all benefit from.
As the vacation rental industry matures and guest expectations rise, delivering a flawless stay is no longer enough. True differentiation now lies in how brands respond when things go wrong. In this session, Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago, explores how a culture of care, empowered local teams, and thoughtful service recovery can transform negative moments into lasting loyalty. Drawing on his experience Steve will share how operators can strengthen guest relationships, foster trust, and build resilience in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Updates on STR policies and recent changes. Where are we now versus 6 months ago? What is new in the industry? What does it mean for the short-term rental market?
How are you dealing with current market conditions?
As the industry continues to consolidate, how are owners and operators adjusting to market conditions and overall STR market performance?
How are owners looking at acquisition and disposition activity in the last 6 months and through the end of the year? How can operators thrive in a consolidating industry?
Which markets are hot? Which are not?
How are California STRs performing?
Outdoor destinations like Big Bear, Joshua Tree, and Lake Tahoe continue to outperform urban markets. Why do you think that is the case? What are new consumer behaviors?
Leisure travel is surging and how hosts can tailor their offerings to adventure‑seeking guests.
Partnerships with local tour operators, curated experiences, and building brand loyalty through unique stays.
What are the most effective marketing channels for attracting new clients to a short-term rental management company?
How can you leverage partnerships with real estate agents, property developers, or other industry professionals to gain more clients?
What role do online reviews and testimonials play in client acquisition, and how can you use them to build trust and credibility?
How can you create a referral program to incentivize existing clients to refer new property owners to your management company?
What specific tactics can you use to target property owners who are new to short-term rentals and may not yet have a management solution?
This session will be presented by the tank leader and questions will be directed to vendor/3rd party groups pitching their offerings to STR Owners/Operators on the panel
What are the benefits of using AI for content creation, such as property descriptions, ads, and social media posts?
How can AI models assist in market research and competitor analysis to stay ahead of industry trends?
What are the potential applications of AI in guest experience personalization, beyond operational tools?
How can custom AI models be trained to understand specific needs or niche markets within the STR space?
What ethical considerations should STR operators keep in mind when using AI for guest data analysis or communications?
How can AI-driven insights help with decision-making around pricing, promotions, and property positioning?
Best practices for leveraging reach and visibility offered by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok
Are you maximizing the benefits of your social media channels and other brand marketing opportunities? What role does social media play in building brand recognition, driving direct traffic, and leading to brand loyalty and repeat bookings?
Should you hire a dedicated social media manager or figure it out on your own?
How are you using influencer marketing to build your brand and drive direct bookings?
What’s your budget for influencer marketing? How do you determine the ROI? How do you vet potential influencer partnerships?
What are some other best practices for maximizing the benefits of social media for your online STR presence?
How are mergers and acquisitions among property management companies reshaping the short-term rental landscape today and creating opportunities for growth and efficiency?
Has the market become increasingly competitive? How have these consolidations allowed companies to expand their portfolios, streamline operations, and enhance service offerings?
How do you make your first acquisition of a property management company, or, on the flip side, how do you position your company for a sale?
What are some strategies for acquiring smaller (under 40 units) companies? How do you find them? How do you value them?
Case studies & best practices for M&A
Data behind demand surges, how does this effect pricing strategies?
Operational challenges that come with large scale events, what is most pressing and how have you handled/how would you handle?
Measuring guest volume and expenses to maintain your STR
How to forecast event‑driven revenue, build scalable systems, and position your portfolios to thrive during the World Cup and other major U.S. events—without sacrificing guest experience or neighborhood trust.
What are some of the pros – and lesser-talked-about cons – of direct bookings? What is the ideal mix of business between direct and OTAs?
How do you implement a direct booking strategy, and what does it look like?
What are some different direct “tiers” you can offer?
How much do you save/have you saved in commissions & fees compared to how much you spend on brand building, customer acquisition, website maintenance, booking engines, and the additional labor required to manage it all?
What are the possible challenges/issues and how can you address them?
New integrations worth noting?