In this YouTube-exclusive episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Michelle Marquis, founder of The Marquis Effect and Chair of VRMA’s Content Committee, for a behind-the-scenes look at how this year’s education program came together and what is changing in Nashville.
Michelle shares how the committee approached a record number of session submissions, why more property manager voices and interactive formats were prioritized, and how the team is working to make the conference more practical, engaging, and valuable for attendees.
The conversation also touches on the industry’s growing focus on AI and why Michelle believes the fundamentals of running a strong vacation rental business still need a place at the center of the conversation.
If VRMA Conference 2026 is on your calendar, this episode offers a useful preview of what to expect before heading to Nashville.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome to the show
01:22 - Michelle Marquis’ background in vacation rentals
03:14 - The story behind The Bossy Girl’s Guide to Leadership
04:33 - How VRMA Conference 2026 sessions were selected
07:56 - What the committee looked for in submissions
12:54 - Why sales pitches were deprioritized
16:06 - Skills Labs, Knowledge Collectives, and interactive education
18:32 - Why conference education and ROI matter
19:53 - How suppliers can connect better with property managers
22:50 - Bringing value beyond what you sell
26:32 - Why VRMA is getting back to the fundamentals
29:27 - Where property managers are with AI adoption
32:59 - What Michelle is most excited about at VRMA 2026
35:33 - Michelle introduces Shortlist
Register for VRMA 26 Nashville: https://www.vrma.org/annual-conference
Connect with Michelle:
Email: michelle@marquiseffect.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemarquis/
#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #vrma26nashville