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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, Matthew Gurley, director of sales and partner integrations at Lynnbrook, discusses the growing issue of credit card fraud in the vacation rental industry and the strategies property managers can implement to protect themselves. Gurley explains how fraudsters target vacation rental companies, especially smaller or independent operators with less robust security measures. He shares examples of fraud schemes, including bot attacks that test stolen credit cards and instances where fraudsters book luxury rentals to commit theft or illegal activities.

Gurley emphasizes the importance of two-factor authentication (2FA) as a simple yet effective tool to prevent fraud. He explains Lynnbrook’s post-booking 2FA system, which verifies the identity of guests by matching reservation data with public phone records. This system has significantly reduced fraud without disrupting the guest experience.

He also highlights other protective measures, such as background checks, ID verification, and using automated tools to reduce the risk of fraud. Gurley acknowledges that while AI and other technologies are advancing to catch fraudsters, the criminals themselves are also evolving, using techniques like Photoshop and voice modulators.

The episode provides practical advice for vacation rental managers, stressing the importance of staying vigilant and leveraging available technology to mitigate the risk of fraud.

In this episode, David Angotti, chief evangelist at Guesty, discusses the evolving landscape of the vacation rental industry. He explores the rise of unique, high-end rental properties popularized by Airbnb and how property managers can differentiate themselves by delivering personalized guest experiences. Angotti highlights the importance of leveraging technology, empowering staff, and maintaining a human connection in an industry driven by customer satisfaction. He also emphasizes the need for scalable training processes and strategic use of social media to build lasting relationships with guests. With a focus on blending technology and the human touch, Angotti outlines the future of the vacation rental space.