Alex & Annie bring you behind the scenes at VRNation 2025 to explore direct booking strategies, industry growth, tech innovation, and the evolving role of associations in vacation rentals. Recorded live in Austin, Texas, this special bonus episode captures real-time insights from the conference floor. Alex & Annie had on-the-spot…
In a tech-heavy landscape, it’s easy to lose focus on what really matters. Guests don’t care what software you’re using. They care about a smooth experience from booking to check-out. In this episode, Ian Ackland of Booking.com shares how real value comes from partners who simplify the process and help…
Booking.com isn’t just for hotels anymore! In our latest episode, we’re joined by Ian Ackland, Managing Director of the Americas at Booking.com, to dive into how the platform is evolving to become a true partner for vacation rental property managers. From smarter onboarding and redesigned payment systems, to leveraging AI…
In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we’re joined by Ian Ackland, Managing Director of the Americas at Booking.com, for a candid look at how one of the world's largest travel platforms is evolving its approach to better serve property managers. With more than…
Standing in Your Own Power Means Making Bold Choices 🔥 In this week's episode, Matt Landau shares how learning to define his own style, and as Amber Hurdle says, standing in his own power, helped him lead with greater authenticity and confidence. He reflects on an important leadership lesson: when…
This week, we’re joined by Matt Landau, founder of VRMB, for one of his most personal conversations yet. Matt opens up about the moment he realized he needed to let go of control, step outside the familiar, and reconnect with what truly matters — authenticity, creativity, and human connection. In…
In this week’s episode, Matt Landau returns to the show to share one of the most personal and transformational shifts of his career — a journey from building systems and scaling success to rediscovering the power of human connection. Long known as a community builder and founder of VRMB, Matt…
💡 Employees → Customers → Shareholders — in that order. In this week’s episode, Boogie Wittenburg, CEO of TravelNet Solutions, shares one of the business frameworks that guides his leadership: the Service Profit Chain. The idea is simple — invest in your people first, and everything else follows. A powerful…
This week, we’re joined by Boogie Wittenburg, the new CEO of TravelNet Solutions, for a candid conversation on what it takes to lead in today’s fast-moving vacation rental tech space. With a background in mission-critical technology powering global brands, Boogie brings a people-first perspective and a renewed energy to TravelNet…
In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we sit down with Boogie Wittenburg, the CEO of TravelNet Solutions, makers of Track PMS. With a background in mission-critical software powering global brands, Boogie brings a fresh, people-first perspective to the vacation rental tech space. Building…
🌍 Short-term rentals play a vital role in supporting local economies and small businesses. In our latest episode, Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, shares why the industry needs to come together with a more unified voice to tell that story. She highlights the importance of clearly communicating the real, measurable…
In today’s unpredictable short-term rental landscape, smart, data-driven pricing is key to thriving in any market. Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, shares the core promise that drives their platform: helping property managers beat the market—no matter what the market looks like. With tools that enable smarter pricing decisions and reduce…
In today’s evolving vacation rental landscape, profitability requires more than just occupancy, it requires smart strategy, accurate data, and the right technology. In this week's episode, we’re joined by Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, to explore how the platform is empowering property managers to maximize revenue, adapt to market changes,…
In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we sit down with Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, to explore how the company is transforming the way property managers approach pricing and profitability. From dynamic pricing to market intelligence, Beyond has become a vital tool for…
Saying No = Saying Yes to the life you actually want. On this week’s episode, we dive into something too many leaders face but few talk about: burnout - and the life-changing power of setting boundaries. We're joined by Brittany Blackman, who built a thriving vacation rental company… and then…
Leadership is about letting go enough for others to rise. 🪴 In our latest episode with Brittany Blackman, Alex opened up about something so many leaders in hospitality quietly carry: the pressure to always be available. To stay in control. To be the one who fixes everything. Taking a step…
Saying No = Saying Yes to the life you actually want. On this week’s episode, we dive into something too many leaders face but few talk about: burnout - and the life-changing power of setting boundaries. Our guest is Brittany Blackman, who built a thriving vacation rental company… and then…
In this soul-stirring episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we sit down with Brittany Blackman, former vacation rental business owner turned leadership coach and founder of Discover Freedom. Brittany gets real about what it took to walk away from the business she built and loved,…
In this powerful moment from our latest episode, Jeanne Dailey, Valerie Hawkins, and Audrey Miller reflect on what their life’s work truly means, not just as business owners, but as mentors, leaders, and community builders. Their impact goes far beyond the homes they manage. From supporting employees like family to…
👉 How did vacation rental pioneers handle bookings before the digital age? In our latest episode, Jeanne Dailey, Valerie Hawkins, and Audrey Miller share a behind-the-scenes look at how reservations were managed in the early days - long before online booking engines, dynamic pricing tools, or even the internet. From…
Before Airbnb became a household name, before online booking engines, and long before “PMS” meant software, these women were already defining the future of vacation rentals. Join us for a truly special episode as we sit down with three of the OGs of the vacation rental industry: 🏡 Jeanne Dailey…
In this unforgettable episode, Alex & Annie sit down with the original queens of vacation rentals: three powerhouse women who helped shape the industry from the ground up. Meet Jeanne Dailey (Founder & CEO, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties), Valerie Hawkins (Co-Owner & CEO, Perdido Key Realty), and Audrey Miller (Co-Founder &…
In our latest episode, Annie Holcombe shares a powerful reminder, originally shared by our good friend Amber Hurdle, that speaks to anyone in business, leadership, or content creation: “You don’t have to connect with everyone. If you connect with just one person in the room, you may change their entire…
In our latest episode, Jason Gann shares a vulnerable moment many of us can relate to: imposter syndrome. Despite more than a decade in the vacation rental industry, Jason held himself back from creating content - unsure if his voice really matters. Spoiler alert: it does. So does yours. In…
