Monday | 4 March
Home Exchange, Co-Ownership, and 'New' Models for Short-Term Rentals
Monday, 4 March | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Track: Business Strategy, Owner Relations
With the trend towards experience over whole ownership, this session delves into the long-term prospects of membership clubs, including home exchange platforms, fractional ownership, timeshare, and destination clubs. Explore whether public perception towards these models is shifting and identify the future customer. The discussion focuses on how short-term rentals can benefit from these evolving trends. Themes covered include Growth drivers, Second homes and supply, and Synergy with the traditional STR sector.
Key Takeaways:
- Attendees will learn about new models for growing supply in the marketplace.
- Explore adjacent business models of fractional ownership to grow supply and the growing home exchange community and understand how these relate to the wider market.
Presenter: Jessica Gillingham, Director, Abode Worldwide
Pricing Events Right: From Super Local Events to the 2024 Paris Olympics
Monday, 4 March | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Track: Data and Revenue Management
Event-based pricing in the short-term rental market is a dynamic blend of anticipation and reaction, from well-publicized global spectacles like the Paris Olympics to super niche local festivals. This enlightening panel discussion provides invaluable insights into the strategies employed by industry experts. Learn from property managers, a revenue specialist, and a dynamic pricing software expert on how to harness tools, data, and intuition to maximize returns irrespective of an event's scale or predictability.
Key Takeaways:
- Adaptability is Key: Whether you're dealing with a local event or an international spectacle, the ability to quickly adjust your pricing strategy is crucial. Tools and technology, combined with human insight, can help short-term rental managers seize unexpected opportunities and mitigate risks.
- Knowledge and Technology Go Hand in Hand: While human intuition and local knowledge are irreplaceable, leveraging dynamic pricing tools can provide an edge. These tools not only help in predicting known events but also in identifying and capitalizing on unforeseen local happenings.
Presenter: Thibault Masson, Head of Product Marketing, PriceLabs
Preserving Our Planet: A Roadmap for Sustainable Hospitality
Monday, 4 March | 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Track: Sustainability & Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
As traveler expectations evolve and sustainability takes center stage in the minds of guests, the demand for eco-friendly vacation rentals and sustainable travel options is on the rise. Despite the resources available to support sustainable practices in our industry, only a minority of hospitality businesses are going green. In this session, Vered Raviv Schwarz, President & COO of Guesty, will explore practical steps property managers can take to incorporate eco-friendly practices into their operations. The session will shed light on sustainability certifications and how individuals in our industry, both hosts and guests, fit into the broader mission of preserving our planet.
Key Takeaways:
- Steps for property managers to introduce eco-friendly practices into their hospitality businesses, contributing to a more sustainable travel experience.
- Gain insight into sustainability certifications, helping you attract environmentally conscious travelers.
- Understand hosts' and guests' roles and responsibilities in promoting sustainable travel and preserving our planet.
Presenter: Vered Raviv Schwarz, President & COO, Guesty
Protecting Your Guests and Focusing On Safety
Monday, 4 March | 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Track: Property Services, Business Strategy
Addressing safety has quickly become one of the hottest topics in vacation rentals globally. From new fire regulations in the UK to an increase in inspections in France, it’s imperative to understand why safety is more important than ever and how you can implement this in your business. In this presentation, Justin Ford, Director of Safety Programs at Breezeway, will walk attendees through the basics of vacation rental safety, covering the history of how we got where we are, how to prevent accidents before they happen, and the steps you can take to ensure guests are safe and your properties are protected.
Key Takeaways:
- Participants will leave with a clear understanding of why it is important to address safety in vacation rentals and how to get started.
- Understand how safety can sell and how they can market their commitment to guest safety.
- Attendees can access Breezeway’s Safety courses - available for all VRMA members at no charge.
Presenter: Justin Ford, Director of Safety & Certification, Breezeway
This or That: Marketplace Tech Stack or an Integrated PMS/OS?
Monday, 4 March | 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Track: Technology/Mainstream
Technology is revolutionizing the short-term rental space, making it easier for property owners and operators to manage more properties, streamline operations, and provide a better guest experience. This session explores the decision-making process of choosing between a marketplace PMS and an integrated solution. Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of the differences and determine what is best for their business. The insights shared will empower attendees to make better tech decisions for their companies.
Key Takeaways:
- Attendees will come away from the session with a more thorough understanding of the difference between a marketplace PMS and an integrated solution and what is best for their business.
- Attendees will be able to make better tech decisions as a result of what they learn in the session.
Presenter: Jessica Gillingham, Director, Abode Worldwide
European Short-Term Rental Industry Pulse: A Dive into Data Trends to Thrive in 2024
Monday, 4 March | 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Track:
Business Strategy, Finance and Legal Operations
Join AirDNA for a deep dive into the European short-term rental landscape. Explore exclusive data insights that highlight emerging trends and capture the essence of the growing demand across the continent. Understand the subtleties of traveler behavior, regulatory environments, and distinctive property features that set them apart. Drawing from the experiences of seasoned property managers, Jamie Kinnersly, Sales Director at AirDNA, will share pivotal data insights integral to their growth stories.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify key European short-term rental market trends using data insights to inform strategic decisions for 2024.
- Formulate actionable strategies for portfolio optimization, aligning with regional growth potential and evolving traveler preferences.
- Gain the skills to assess and adapt to regulatory changes in various European markets, enabling data-informed decisions about property portfolios.
Presenter: James Kinnersly, Sales Director, AirDNA