The vacation rental industry is evolving quickly, and VRMA is evolving with it.
In this YouTube-exclusive episode, Alex & Annie welcome back Anne Gardner, Executive Director of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA), for a conversation about the association’s next chapter and the role it hopes to play in a more mature and fast-moving industry.
Anne shares how VRMA is expanding its focus beyond events to support operators through stronger business resources, peer learning, advocacy, and practical education. The conversation also touches on the changing makeup of the industry, including smaller operators, consolidation, and the need for more relevant support across different business models.
They also preview the 2026 VRMA Annual Conference in Nashville and how this year’s programming is being designed to feel more practical, focused, and accessible for attendees.
Episode Chapters
00:00 - Welcome to the show
01:06 - Where VRMA is today and what is shaping its next chapter
04:43 - Year-round learning, resources, and online communities
05:55 - Supporting smaller and growing operators
09:29 - Measuring member value and engagement
11:22 - What business standards could look like in vacation rentals
13:22 - Consolidation and changing ownership structures
16:55 - What to expect from the 2026 VRMA Annual Conference
18:11 - Practical applications of AI for operators
21:08 - Making the conference more welcoming for first-time attendees
25:46 - Knowledge Collectives and peer learning
28:15 - Networking, workshops, and the Nashville experience
30:14 - How to connect with VRMA
Connect with Anne Gardner & VRMA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-gardner-mba-cae/
Website: https://www.vrma.org/annual-conference
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