Vacation rental industry voices to follow

Updated on October 8, 2024

Short-term rental influencers and thought leaders can provide much-needed information and guidance for new and developing hosts in an industry without formal education or training.

These insider voices offer insights, lessons from experience, practical tips, best practices, and resources that can help maximize your STR business and contribute to your growth as a host and business owner.

In this blog post, we will highlight 19 of the top industry influencers from whom you can glean a fortune of wisdom, information, and inspiration on hosting, STR investment, property management, guest safety, marketing, and other important topics.

Heather Bayer

Heather Bayer hosts the Vacation Rental Success Podcast and has been involved in the industry for decades. She gives expert advice on property management, rental strategies, and profitability. Heather’s podcast and newsletter are excellent resources for both new and seasoned rental hosts, offering practical tips and interviews with other experts in the field.

“Heather Bayer’s practical, no-nonsense advice and decades of experience have made her an invaluable resource for STR operators looking to optimize their operations and stay ahead of industry trends,” said Dana Lubner, Director of Community Development.

Find Heather here:

Justin Ford

Justin Ford is a leading expert in short-term rental safety and the Director of Safety and Certification Programs at Breezeway. A former property manager, member of the Coast Guard, and firefighter, Justin’s experience with safety incidents motivated him to establish safety protocols and create a program focused on improving safety standards in vacation rentals. Today, Justin is a global advocate for short-term rental safety, educating property owners on fire prevention and pool safety, and ensuring compliance with international safety codes through speaking engagements, media interviews, and social media. His work is instrumental in helping hosts mitigate risks and ensure guest safety, making him a key influencer in the industry.

Find Justin here:

Bob Garner

Bob Garner is a champion of sustainability in vacation rentals and a frequent speaker at vacation rental conferences, podcasts, and shows. He founded Green VR Events, promoting sustainability at industry conferences, and EnviroRental, offering resources for STR operators who want to make their properties greener. His home, Casal dei Fichi, has served as a model of sustainable practices for other vacation rentals. His dedication to sustainability and host and guest education has made him a leader in advancing eco-friendly vacation rentals.

Find Bob here:

Robert Geller

Robert Geller, founder of FabStayz, is an outspoken advocate for inclusivity in short-term rentals for LGBTQ+ travelers. After struggling to find welcoming accommodations, he launched the platform in 2019 to connect LGBTQ+ travelers with inclusive hosts. In 2022, Robert expanded his mission with FabUniversity, an education program for hosts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. His work includes partnerships with LGBTQ+-friendly tourism organizations, and he actively advocates for these values in the industry.

Find Robert here:

Michael Goldin

Michael Goldin, founder and CEO of Storied Collection, is a real estate investor and short-term rental coach, known for his practical advice on building and scaling unique rental portfolios. Through his career in business development and work with the Good Morning Hospitality podcast, Michael offers insights to help maximize your STR business.

“Michael has relationships with all of the influential people, always has a seat at the table, and has his finger on the pulse of the industry and can speak well to his insights on trends,” Garrett Dobbs, Rent Responsibly Director of Product.

Find Michael here:

Annette Grant and Sarah Karakaian

Annette Grant and Sarah Karakaian co-host the Thanks for Visiting podcast and offer practical advice on short-term rental management. With a focus on hospitality, design, and maximizing bookings, their podcast is a must-listen for those who want to hone their hosting and operation skills. They also run workshops and provide ingenious tips for new and seasoned hosts on their social media pages.

“They seem very approachable and have a number of tools and resources for hosts of all levels,” said Tanya Keller, Rent Responsibly Brand Manager. “I also like their open format events and style.”

Find Annette and Sarah here:

Neely Khan

Neely Khan is an expert in content marketing and storytelling for short-term rental businesses. She specializes in helping vacation rental owners and managers convey their brands with captivating stories. Neely’s services cater to hosts looking to differentiate their properties through brand-building and content strategies. Business owners can learn more about her storytelling process through her LinkedIn musings and sample her storytelling in the vacation rental-themed Derailed fictional mystery podcast.

Find Neely here:

Matt Landau

Matt Landau, founder of VRMB (Vacation Rental Marketing Blog), is passionate about helping hosts thrive through storytelling, content marketing, and creating memorable guest experiences. Episodes of his Unlocked by Matt Landau podcast are a go-to for those looking to master the art of vacation rental management.

Find Matt here:

Simon Lehmann

Simon Lehmann, CEO of AJL Atelier, is a global leader in the vacation rental industry. His deep industry experience as CEO of Interhome, President of PhocusWright, Board Member of HomeAway, and many other leading roles established him as an expert on the evolution of the global vacation rental market. He is a sought-after speaker and moderator, frequently giving high-level insights on developing trends and technology integration, among other topics.

Find Simon here:

Dana Lubner

Dana Lubner is co-founder of the Mile High Hosts alliance, which formed to protect STR businesses in Denver. Now, as Rent Responsibly’s Director of Community Development, she supports STR alliances nationwide, providing resources, organizing educational events, and connecting hosts with policy experts. Her passion for advocacy and community building has inspired many hosts and managers to become leaders in their local communities, making her a notable influencer in the STR industry. Formerly co-host of the podcast How to Save Your Vacation Rental Business, she now appears as a guest on STR podcasts, shows, and conferences.

Find Dana here:

Lauren Madewell

Lauren Madewell, the Happy Operations Manager at Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is known for her expertise in guest communication and operational efficiency. She helps hosts streamline their operations while maintaining high standards of hospitality, making her an invaluable resource for improving operational workflows and guest relations. She is also an industry mover and shaker, pushing for progress and innovation in events and content.

Find Lauren here:

Tyann Marcink

Tyann Marcink, Queen of Guest Experience for Touch Stay digital guidebooks, is a speaker and educator with expertise in property management and vacation rental photography. Known for teaching hosts how to capture their properties’ best features, she also emphasizes the importance of hospitality and the little touches that elevate guest satisfaction. She’s also a co-host of the Guest Cast podcast.

“I never find myself nodding harder than when Tyann is presenting about communications,” said Alexa Nota, Rent Responsibly’s Co-Founder and COO. “Everything she teaches is data-backed and something she has years of experience perfecting – she’s earned her title as Queen, that’s for sure.”

Find Tyann here:

Meaghan Moylan

Meaghan Moylan, Executive Director of the Outpost Group, is a vacation rental expert specializing in property management and guest experience optimization. She shares insights on maximizing booking potential and creating seamless guest experiences, making her a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their short-term rental business.

Find Meaghan here:

Maddie Rifkin

Maddie Rifkin founded Mount, a company that provides short-term rental hosts with new ways to monetize their properties through rentable amenities like bikes and kayaks. Maddie’s innovative approach to everything she does and vocal advocacy in moving the industry forward has made her a notable and inspiring figure, especially for hosts looking to increase revenue by offering unique guest experiences and tapping into the Mount Content Army.

Find Maddie here:

Margot Schmorak

Margot Schmorak is the CEO and co-founder of Hostfully, a platform that provides digital guidebooks and property management software to vacation rental owners. Margot’s expertise in property management technology and guest communication is educational for hosts looking to improve their backend processes and guest experience. She also is active in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the vacation rental stratosphere.

Find Margot here:

Heidy Seoenz

Heidy Seoenz, the “Airbnb Queen” of El Paso, is known for her valuable advice on almost every aspect of the STR business. She has been a mentor to other hosts and has taken on leadership in her community by founding and heading the El Paso Short-Term Rental Alliance.

She provides valuable advice on STR investment, remodeling, operations, and marketing positioning through her Instagram account, website, and other outreach.

“Heidy is not only a powerhouse advocate for local short-term rentals in her community, but she empowers, mentors, and educates hosts, especially women in the STR space, to achieve their goals,” said Abbi Booth, Director of Alliance Operations.

Find Heidy here:

Mike Sjogren

Mike Sjogren cohosts the Short-Term Rental Secrets Podcast, where he shares strategies for building passive income through vacation rentals. His podcast and educational platform provide insights on scaling a rental business, automating processes, and achieving financial independence through real estate.

“His focus on mindset, goal setting, and systems is something everyone can benefit from,” said Dave Krauss, Rent Responsibly Co-Founder and CEO. “Mike has always given more than he asks for, which I think is emblematic of the STR industry and community.”

Find Mike here:

Wil Slickers

Wil Slickers, founder of HospitalityFM, a podcast network for hospitality professionals, provides a blend of insights into short-term rentals, hospitality, and technology trends. He founded Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast, the podcast that would lead to the network. The podcast features interviews with industry leaders and explores various aspects of property management, guest services, and how to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market.

Find Wil here:

Lorraine Woodward

Lorraine Woodward is founder of Becoming rentABLE, a platform certifying and listing accessible rentals. Her experiences seeking wheelchair-friendly accommodations for her family spurred her mission to expand accessible vacation rental offerings industrywide. She also built an accessible vacation home, A Place of No Worries, which has become a global model for other STRs. She educates rental owners through her website and community engagement, encouraging them to expand accessibility in simple, affordable ways. Collaborating with ADA experts, she recently developed guidelines for STR operators to ensure their properties accommodate various disabilities.

Find Lorraine here:

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