What does it really mean to run a tech-enabled hospitality business - and how do we do it without losing the human touch?

In this episode, Heather sits down with Jessica Gillingham, founder of Abode Worldwide and author of Tech-Enabled Hospitality, to talk about how property managers can embrace technology to improve guest experiences, operations, and brand storytelling.

This is a conversation about more than tools - it’s about mindset. From scaling sustainably to building trust in a digital world, Jessica brings clarity and compassion to a topic that often feels overwhelming. Whether you're a single host or managing hundreds of properties, there’s something here for you.

This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning.

And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality.

🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS626

In this solo episode, Heather Bayer returns to the mic for an approachable explanation of the transformative power of AI in short-term rental operations. With over 600 episodes under her belt, Heather has seen just about every trend in this space - but few as game-changing as this.

Whether you're a solo host or run a multi-property management company, you’ve likely heard about ChatGPT, Claude, and AI tools - but how do you actually put them to work?

This episode delivers five actionable ways to get started with AI right now, even if you're not a techie. It’s practical, encouraging, and rooted in real use cases with everything from guest messaging to building your internal SOPs, and even creating your own AI team member.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by AI or unsure where to begin, this is your moment to step confidently into the future of STR operations.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS625

In this fun and super insightful episode, I’m joined once again by vacation rental marketing expert Jodi Bourne, and we’re diving headfirst into something that’s never been more important - your website.

With all the recent changes to the big OTAs, more and more hosts are waking up to the power of direct bookings. And at the heart of that? Your website. It’s not just a digital business card anymore - it’s where your brand builds trust, tells your story, and convinces guests to book directly with you.

Jodi and I chat about what makes a website truly work, from smart design choices and storytelling, to using AI, social proof, trust signals, and so much more. If you’re ready to turn your website into a booking machine, this one’s for you.

Make sure you complete The Strategic AI Adoption Survey >>https://www.hostfully.com/survey You will get the chance to win an iPad and get access to '24 Use Cases For AI In Short-Term Rental Properties'.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS624

In this episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, host Heather Bayer sits down for a summer Sunday chat with Justin Ford from Breezeway, to discuss how prioritizing safety can transform your short-term rental business.  Not just in protecting reputations, even boosting bookings, but in saving lives.

Justin has been on the show just a few times over the years and his inspiring take on safety is a reflection of his two decades of experience in the industry.  For anyone not familiar with his booming voice and 6’5” stature, he  is a globally recognized vacation rental safety expert and Director of Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway.  He delivers conference keynotes that will stay with you long after you leave the room, so if you ever get the opportunity to listen, don’t miss it.  

Recipient of the prestigious Shortyz Pioneer Award earlier this year (2025), he has become a pioneering voice in promoting practical, actionable safety standards for STR operators. From advising major companies like Casago/Vacasa, Moving Mountains, and the Naimon Group, to training hosts across the globe, Justin’s passion for safety is saving lives and reshaping the way property managers think about hospitality.

Make sure you complete The Strategic AI Adoption Survey >>https://www.hostfully.com/survey You will get the chance to win an iPad and get access to '24 Use Cases For AI In Short-Term Rental Properties'.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS623

When change hits fast and hard, what keeps a company grounded? In this episode, Heather welcomes Jackie Norde, who shares her remarkable journey from vacation rental software onboarding to her current role helping Casago franchisees succeed - especially in the wake of Casago’s rapid expansion via Vacasa acquisitions.

Jackie offers rich insights into hospitality, franchise onboarding, operational standards, and how a tiny orange booklet - the Casago ORANGE Standard - is transforming how vacation rental businesses deliver unforgettable guest experiences.

Whether you're a property manager facing change, an owner scaling up, or just someone who believes hospitality should come from the heart, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical takeaways.

Make sure you complete The Strategic AI Adoption Survey >>https://www.hostfully.com/survey You will get the chance to win an iPad and get access to '24 Use Cases For AI In Short-Term Rental Properties'.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS622

In this inspiring episode, Heather Bayer sits down with storyteller and copywriter Neely Khan to explore how hospitality businesses can set themselves apart through powerful, purpose-driven storytelling. Neely shares her journey from aspiring writer to founding AWC, a story-branding agency that helps short-term rental businesses create meaningful connections through every guest touchpoint. This episode is a must-listen for property managers and owners who want to stand out in a saturated market filled with AI-generated sameness.

Make sure you complete The Strategic AI Adoption Survey >>https://www.hostfully.com/survey You will get the chance to win an iPad and get access to '24 Use Cases For AI In Short-Term Rental Properties'.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS621

In this episode, Heather Bayer sits down with Heather Fillmore, co-founder of Utah-based StayLuxe Properties, for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and leadership in the short-term rental space. Heather shares her remarkable journey from surviving a catastrophic flood in Baton Rouge to launching a successful luxury vacation rental brand in Park City, Utah - right in the middle of the COVID pandemic.

Make sure you complete The Strategic AI Adoption Survey >>https://www.hostfully.com/survey You will get the chance to win an iPad and get access to '24 Use Cases For AI In Short-Term Rental Properties'.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS620

In this episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, host Heather Bayer sits down with Fred Bassili from Hostfully to discuss the evolving role of AI in vacation rental businesses and how short-term rental managers can use AI tools and workflows to scale operations, improve guest communication, and boost owner acquisition.

Fred Bassili, a seasoned content and marketing strategist at Hostfully, brings a wealth of experience from both sides of the vacation rental industry - as a former host and now a driving force behind tech adoption and education. With a background in content development and a passion for simplifying complex technologies, Fred is on a mission to help property managers use AI in practical, hospitality-centered ways. His insights come not only from his work at Hostfully, but from years of observing the shift in industry sophistication and tech stack growth among property managers worldwide.

Make sure you complete The Strategic Ai Adoption Survey >>https://www.hostfully.com/survey You will get the chance to win an iPad and get access to '24 Use Case For AI In Short-Term Rental Properties'.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS619

Some of the strongest brands in the vacation rental business have been around for decades and are rooted in tradition, family values and local knowledge.  As the next generation stepping into a decades-old family-run vacation rental business, Alexis Miller personifies this legacy as she shares how she's honoring her family’s rich story while ushering in thoughtful innovations to meet today’s fast-paced demands.

Cottage Connection of Maine was founded in 1992 by Jeff Miller and Audrey Leeds-Miller, and 33 years later is still going strong.  It’s a lean organisation operationally managed by their daughter Alexis, a graduate of an International business program.

Heather and Alexis connected at the VRNation Conference in Austin - over Yorkshire tea bags and a moment of true hospitality. That spirit flows through this episode as Lexi opens up about her journey from her childhood in the business and housekeeping to officially joining the business full-time after college.

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS618

In this episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, host Heather Bayer shares her top takeaways from the AI for Business Summit in Orlando, diving into the transformative power of artificial intelligence and how vacation rental professionals can leverage it to drive growth, efficiency, and guest experience

Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS617