Alex & Annie Vacation Rental Podcast

With more than 35 years of combined experience in vacation rentals, Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe have teamed up to connect the dots between inspiration and opportunity, seeking to find the one story, idea, strategy or decision that led to their guests big A-HA moment. 

Join them, as they highlight the REAL stories behind the people and brands that have built vacation rentals into the 100 BILLION dollar industry it is today.

Recent Shows

Consolidation & Acquisitions

Lessons Learned from a Global Brand: How Sykes Cottages Scaled to 24,000 Rentals, with CEO Graham Donoghue

March 22, 2023

In today’s episode, Alex and Annie sit down with Graham Donoghue, the CEO of Sykes Holidays Cottages Group. When Graham was brought on Sykes, the brand was lacking a narrative and a story. They were large and profitable but …

Revenue Management

Increasing Last Minute Bookings through Flexible Availability, with Whimstay CEO David Weiss

March 15, 2023

In today’s episode, Alex and Annie chat with David Weiss, the CEO of Whimstay. He shares his background in vacation rentals and the global payments space and his journey to becoming Whimstay's CEO. David discusses how las…

Guest: David Weiss
Leadership & Personal Branding Employees & Hiring

Human Capital is the Most Important Capital, with Steve Trover, CEO of Better Talent

March 8, 2023

In today’s episode, Alex and Annie sit down with Steve Trover, the Founder, and CEO of Better Talent. Knowing a person makes connecting their talents with the right jobs easier. Interestingly, Steve is also the one who broug…

Guest: Steve Trove
Conferences & Events 1St Of The Month

1st of the Month Bonus Episode, with Steve Milo and Miriam Ramsey of Vtrips

March 1, 2023

In today’s episode, Alex and Annie welcome Steve Milo and Miriam Ramsey, the Founder/CEO and Regional Business Development Director of Vtrips respectively. They discuss the latest trends observed from the IMN Conference, the…

Marketing Consolidation & Acquisitions

How Mike Flaskey Sold Diamond Resorts for $1.4 BILLION (with a 4 Billion Estimated Value) to Hilton Grand Vacations

Feb. 22, 2023

In today’s episode we welcome Mike Flaskey , Former CEO of Diamond Resorts International and Founder of Mike Flaskey Entertainment, as he gives his second public interview since leading the sale of Diamond Resorts to Hilton …

Leadership & Personal Branding Consolidation & Acquisitions

Breaking News: Jim Barsch Joins Got2Go as Chief Business Officer

Feb. 17, 2023

In this special edition of Alex & Annie, Got2Go announces the “Mystery Guest” that has been hired to lead the company as Chief Business Officer. Jim Barsch needs little introduction; this experienced vacation rental technolo…

OTAs / Distribution Revenue Management

Revenue Management Tips & Trends for Vacation Rentals in 2023, with Rev & Research

Feb. 15, 2023

In today’s episode, Alex and Annie welcome Ben Coleman and Rebecca Ballart , Revenue Management Consultants for Rev & Research . They share the trends they observe in today's market, with the most notable being shrinking lea…

Leadership & Personal Branding Mentorship Marketing Software

You Can Only Be a Local in One Place, with Casago CEO Steve Schwab

Feb. 8, 2023

Principles, Values and Culture are the Foundation of a Successful Company In today’s episode, Alex and Annie welcome Steve Schwab , CEO of Casago . He shares his unintentional entry into the vacation rental industry and how …

Guest: Steve Schwab
OTAs / Distribution Destination Marketing AirBnB

1st of the Month Bonus Episode: We Are Not Airbnb… So What ARE We?

Feb. 1, 2023

On today’s episode, we’re featuring our recent panel at DESTICON, a virtual conference that brought together tourism and hospitality professionals from the DMO (Destination marketing organization) space. In our session, we d…

Destination Marketing

Leading through Authenticity and Vulnerability, with Alex Zemianek CEO of JZ Vacation Rentals

Jan. 25, 2023

THE KEY TO A GREAT TEAM IS AUTHENTICITY In today’s episode, Alex and Annie welcome Alex Zemianek, the Founder and CEO of JZ Vacation Rentals. He shares how trial after trial left him broke and almost broken. However, whe…

Software

DACK’s Customer Experience Enhancing Solution, with Thomas Schaper

Jan. 18, 2023

IMPROVE YOUR GUEST EXPERIENCE WITH SEAMLESS TECHNOLOGY In today’s episode, Alex and Annie welcome Thomas Schaper, the Head of Product at DACK Inc. Thomas shares his experience in creating DACK as an app that improves the gue…

Marketing Software

CAPTURE IT! The Value of Email Capture as a Vacation Rental Marketing Solution, with Arthur Colker

Jan. 11, 2023

SUCCESS IN THE VACATION RENTAL SPACE ISN’T ALWAYS INTENTIONAL and Arthur Colker is proof of that. Arthur is the CEO and founder of StayFi, and in this episode, discusses how he accidentally fell into the short-term rental an…

Guest: Arthur Colker

About the Hosts

Annie HolcombeProfile Photo

Annie Holcombe

Director Business Development- US & Canada

Annie has 30 years experience in hospitality and tourism holding positions from Front Desk, Sales & Marketing, owner relations and worked for leading OTA, Expedia. At Expedia she oversaw one of the largest Vacation Rental markets, Florida Panhandle leading to a position as Senior Key Account manager specializing in vacation and non traditional lodging accounts and on the channel management side with Lexicon Travel helping managers optimize and grow reach and revenues. She is currently Director of Business Development -US & Canada for Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy . This diverse background makes Annie one of the industries most empathetic and thoughtful new leaders. She is currently a member of the STR Professionals Thought Leaders on Clubhouse, hosting monthly chat rooms and served
as a strategic advisor for up Travel OTA- Whimstay in 2021-2022.

Alex O. HusnerProfile Photo

Alex O. Husner

CMO, Casago

Alex Husner is CMO for Casago, one of the largest professionally managed vacation rental companies in the US and Mexico. Casago’s vacation rental franchise model provides operators with the tools to grow their business with the support, software, systems and purchasing power of a national organization. Alex previously served as CMO for Condo-World for 13 years, a vacation rental business based in North Myrtle Beach, SC that managed over 500 properties and led sales and marketing efforts for an additional 5,000 partner properties in the Southeast. She has a passion for developing strategies that drive sales overnight and brand over time, connecting all aspects of digital, social and traditional marketing. Alex serves on the Board of Directors for the VRMA (Vacation Rental Managers Association) and is Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB.