Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals

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 Stoker
03:47 – Background and involvement in the DMO space 
09:15 – Working with and without a budget in DMOs
13:40 – Podcasting and establishing credibility in the industry
16:14 – Recovery and what the future looks like for the tourism industry
23:29 – Branded media and owning your own audience
32:37 – Owned media for beginners 
38:08 – AI and owned media
44:46 – AI is going to eliminate mediocrity
47:44 – AI and SEO
51:42 – Closing

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 Adam:
Website | Linkedin 

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 

Send us a message!

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 Edwards
05:24 – General sense of advocacy at the moment
07:29 – Involved in Governor Desantis' effort against Covid
11:36 – In a better position to talk about what the industry represents
17:41 – Bringing in people with different mindsets
20:37 – Funds and what issues gets the most help
25:14 – Hot button issues
30:28 – Finding business licenses that haven't been enacted
34:09 – Paying taxes
35:38 – Pre-emption and what it means for a community
40:56 – Closing

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 Tiffany:
Instagram  | Email: [email protected]

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 

Send us a message!

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 Dame

03:00 – Ryan's background

10:12 – Expanding to other areas

17:34 – Deciding business names

23:16 – What it takes to excel in a multi-market situation

27:46 – What an ideal partner looks like

32:16 – Franchises at Casago

33:21 – Experience in the keyless lock industry

39:15 – One thing that the industry should be talking about but isn't

47:26 – What's next for Ryan

50:06 – Closing

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 Ryan:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 Hinote
02:47 – The fifth Annual Data and Revenue Management Conference and the 2023 Vacation Rental Women's Summit
08:03 – Less vendors and booths, more vendors in the sessions
13:15 – Growth of technology in the industry
25:34 – Format of the women's summit
29:36 – Is VRM Intel still gonna be part of our space?
33:48 – The industry needs a voice
35:35 – If you don't take care of you, life will come in and make that decision for you
39:17 – Everybody has something that they're fighting

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 Amy:
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Vacation Rental Women's Summit  | 4th Annual Vacation Rental Data and Revenue Management Conference

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 

Send us a message!

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 Episode
00:44 - Guest Intro: Kristin Brown

01:12 – Kristin's background

02:56 – Replicating hotel level concierge for multiple destinations

06:13 – Seamless transition from hotels to vacation rentals

09:32 – Most used service

13:42 – Coordinating logistics

19:15 – Dealing with big events and sellout situations

22:04 – Repeat guests

26:04 – Markets and finding partners for on off markets

28:43 – Partners big and small

31:11 – Vacation rentals in other destinations

34:14 – Oddest request from a guest

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 Kristin:

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 

Send us a message!

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 Episode
00:43 – Guest Intro: Craig Stevens

01:32 – Steven's background

03:18 – The Jersey Shore landscape for property managers

04:22 – Experience carried over from long term rentals

07:02 – Making decisions on software

09:05 – Where most bookings come from

15:18 – Growth plans

18:37 – Hiring and workforce

20:38 – Referral system and networking

21:31 – The Multifamily side of business

24:52 – Overbuilding of long-term housing in Florida

26:35 – Forecasts of growth for a community

28:25 – Regulatory issues in Jersey Shore

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 Craig
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 

Send us a message!

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 DiMaio
Pete 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 Episode

02:16 - Episode Intro by Dana Lubner, Head of Leadership Development at Rent Responsibly
05:17 – Guest Intro: Stuart Butler CMO for Visit Myrtle Beach and Pete Dimaio COO for TravelBoom
05:45 – What to consider when starting the brand
08:11 – What happened to companies that did not start thinking about building the brand
09:48 – Fundamentals for starters
14:23 – How not to get bogged down in making the right decisions
20:19 – Will the ability to customize by guest detract or build trust?
24:02 – The importance of company culture
32:29 – Assets that need to be protected
41:12 – Testing and why it's so important

Connect with STUART:
LinkedIn | LinkedIn Page |  Website | Facebook

Connect with PETE:
LinkedIn | LinkedIn Page | Website | Instagram | Twitter

This 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.

Send us a message!

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 Responsibly
06:25 – Rent Responsibly the last couple of years
08:38 – The Good Neighbor Summit
14:02 – A portal for opportunity
16:52 – The year of reckoning or more regulations?
21:00 – Bring everybody that has a stake to the discussion table
25:23 – Partnership with the VRMA
28:38 – Interactions with other channels around vacation rentals
32:18 – 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: [email protected]
LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | Linktree

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 |

Send us a message!

Simon Lehmann is back for our May 1st of the Month Bonus Episode! As one of the world’s foremost experts on short-term rentals and vacation rentals, Simon is always first to spot emerging trends in our industry. 

In this episode, we delve into the current state of acquisitions within vacation rentals and how the economy is influencing these deals, along with what companies should be thinking about if they’re considering selling. Join us to gain valuable insights into the world of vacation rentals and learn how to navigate its changing landscape. Tune in now!

Highlights of the Episode:
00:43 - Guest Intro: Simon Lehmann
01:18 – The state of the union as it is for vacation rentals
09:54 – Sell now or wait?
16:42 – Foreclosures as an opportunity for buying inventory
21:24 – It's a good time to sell when markets are slowing down
28:01 – Current valuations of deals
32:56 – What should we look forward to?
39:19 – Closing

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 Simon:
Website |  LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 |

Send us a message!

Here’s an episode you won’t want to miss: We talk to Matt Durrette, Founder and CEO of Cozi Vacation Rentals, about their journey to success.

Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg, Cozi is a premier 24/7 provider of property management and marketing services for its owners and a provider of unforgettable experiences for its guests. Originally founding the business out of Baltimore, MD, in 2014, Matt was able to grow his managed portfolio in this downtown market to 100 homes from 2014 to 2019 while working full-time for Northrop Grumman as a Global Business Development Representative and attending grad school at Saint Joseph’s University, in Philadelphia, where he obtained his MBA in Marketing and Data Analytics in 2018.

Matt was fortunate to meet his beautiful wife, Jenna, who is originally from Austin, Texas. In Summer 2019, Jenna easily convinced Matt to move back to be near her family. Upon moving, Matt left his full-time job at Northrop and pursued Cozi Vacation Rental full-time. In March 2020, COVID ultimately shut down Cozi’s Baltimore City Market, and from this point, Matt chose to solely focus Cozi's growth on the drive-to tourism markets of the Texas Hill Country just south of Austin. Since April 2020, Matt has organically grown and scaled the Cozi Vacation Rentals unit portfolio in Texas from 0 to 250 units within two years.

Tune in to our latest episode to find out how Cozi continues to thrive and learn a few secrets on how they do it as a team!

Highlights of the Episode:

02:25 - Guest Background: Matt Durrette, Founder and CEO of Cozi Vacation Rentals
04:02 – Hill Country vs. Big Urban Area
07:03 – High quality partners for high quality service
10:37 – Bringing the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to Cozi
14:20 – What the EOS does for company culture
24:30 – The impact of EOS on company meetings
33:14 – Predictive Index and Culture Index
40:10 – Keystone Retreat
45:58 – What’s next for Cozi?

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 Matt:
[email protected] | LinkedIn | Website

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

If 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 |

Send us a message!