The Vacation Rental World Summit (VRWS) is returning for its 11th edition in Porto, Portugal, from October 3-4, 2024. This event is essential for anyone in the short-term rental industry—whether you’re a property manager, host, or tech provider. Here’s why:
- What: VRWS is the leading event where industry experts, tech innovators, and business owners come together to share insights and the latest trends in vacation rentals.
- When: October 3-4, 2024, with a pre-summit VRWS Green event on October 2.
- Where: The event will take place at the beautiful Alfândega do Porto, a historic riverside venue in Porto, Portugal.
What to Expect:
- High-value sessions: Expect actionable insights from every session, from market trends to practical strategies you can implement immediately.
- Networking: Meet like-minded peers, experts, and service providers. Take part in interactive roundtables and Speed Dating sessions to make meaningful connections.
- Innovation at your fingertips: Discover the latest tools and vote for the “Best VRTech Start-Up of the Year.”
Whether you’re focused on business growth, sustainability, or tech innovation, VRWS is where you need to be in 2024.
Key Sessions and Speakers at VRWS 2024
VRWS 2024 has gathered an impressive lineup of expert speakers and thought-provoking sessions. Here are some highlights:
| Speaker(s) | Session | Key Topics Covered | Date |
| Jamie Lane – Chief Economist, AirDNA | Boom and Boundaries: Steering Through Record Demand and Emerging Regulations | Trends shaping the European STR market, regulatory challenges, actionable strategies for property managers. | 03.10.2024 |
| Jessica Gillingham (Abode Worldwide), Tim Rosolio (Expedia Group), Steve Cano (Airbnb), Eric Bergaglia (Booking.com) | OTA Outlook Panel | Future of short-term rentals, demand patterns, compliance, AI’s role, loyalty programs. | 03.10.2024 |
| Paul Castro & César Ramos (Avantio) | Blueprints of Success: Transformative Stories and Strategies from Vacation Rental Innovators | Success stories, creative strategies, and lessons from innovative property managers. | 03.10.2024 |
| Thibault Masson – PriceLabs | Optimizing Revenue with AI: Dynamic Pricing Strategies for All Rental Sizes | AI and dynamic pricing strategies, addressing misconceptions and challenges, maximizing business growth. | 03.10.2024 |
| Toivo Halvorsen – CEO, Dharma | Unlocking the Power of AI: Transforming Property Management for the Future | Practical implementation of AI-driven tools to streamline property management, improving customer service, ticketing, and sales. | 03.10.2024 |
| Eduardo Miranda (ALEP), Marco Celani (Italianway), Viktorija Molnar (EHHA) | Regulatory Panel: The State of Current Regulations and How to Navigate Current Headwinds | Regulatory challenges in European markets, strategies to remain compliant and competitive in the short-term rental market. | 04.10.2024 |
| Sally Henry – Key Data Dashboard | Responding to Ever-Changing Traveller Trends in the STR Industry | Responding to Ever-Changing Traveller Trends in the STR Industry | 04.10.2024 |
| Will Parry – Former CEO, ALTIDO | A Game of Homes: A VRWS Exclusive! | Personal journey of scaling a large property management company, navigating pandemic and regulations, and planning for the future of STR. | 04.10.2024 |
| Jessica Gillingham, Veronica Rivas, Jason Anastasinis | Beyond Expectations: Enhancing Guest Experiences from Search to Stay | Improving guest experiences through better search tools, certification standards, and personalizing the guest journey. | 04.10.2024 |
| John Deroulet – Wheelhouse | Revenue Management on the Regular: Structuring Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Revenue Practice | Implementing revenue management processes at any scale, optimizing based on portfolio size and market conditions. | 04.10.2024 |
| Richard Vaughton – Rentivo | Death by Data! | Managing data overload, understanding and leveraging data for better STR management. | 04.10.2024 |
| Federico Sbandi – Digital Combat Agency | How Property Managers Can Leverage LinkedIn for Business Growth | Practical strategies for growing business through LinkedIn, creating content, and digital networking. | 04.10.2024 |
| Alberto Fernández – Lodgify | Optimizing Short-Term Rentals with SEO and AI | Practical SEO techniques and AI tools to boost property visibility and drive bookings. | 04.10.2024 |
VRWS Green and New Networking Formats at VRWS 2024
This year, VRWS 2024 is shaking things up with exciting new formats and a strong focus on sustainability:
1. VRWS Green – Sustainability in Short-Term Rentals (October 2)
Kick off the summit with VRWS Green, a half-day event designed for property managers committed to eco-friendly operations. This limited event (100 spots only) focuses on:
- Guest engagement: Learn how to involve guests in your sustainability efforts.
- Community support: Discover strategies for collaborating with local communities to promote sustainable tourism.
- Business benefits: Understand how eco-conscious practices can boost your bottom line by attracting green travelers and reducing operational costs.
This is a must-attend for anyone looking to adopt sustainable business practices in their operations.
2. New Roundtable Format: Hands-on, Peer-to-Peer Learning
Get ready for an interactive learning experience at VRWS 2024! The newly introduced roundtable format is designed to:
- Tackle real-world challenges: With four 50-minute sessions, these roundtables will help you dive into specific topics like scaling your rental business, improving guest experience, and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Expert facilitation: Each session is guided by industry experts, using structured frameworks to ensure productive, focused discussions.
- Collaborative problem-solving: Share your challenges, learn from peers, and walk away with practical strategies you can implement immediately.
Topics include:
- Scaling your business: How to acquire more properties and expand into new markets.
- Streamlining operations: Best practices for improving guest communication and property maintenance.
- Leveraging technology: Insights on AI and Property Management Systems (PMS) to boost efficiency.
- Marketing strategies: Innovative ways to increase visibility and drive more bookings.
- Guest experience: Tips on providing unforgettable stays that lead to glowing reviews and repeat bookings.
The roundtables are designed to ensure that every attendee leaves with actionable takeaways to implement back home.
3. Speed Dating Sessions – Networking with a Twist
Time is valuable, and the Speed Dating Sessions at VRWS make networking quick and effective:
- 60-minute sessions: Meet with exhibitors and vendors one-on-one in a fast-paced format, helping you quickly gather information and solutions for your business needs.
- Get tailored answers: Whether you need a new PMS, better guest communication tools, or the latest in revenue management, Speed Dating will allow you to connect with the right people.
This format is perfect for busy property managers who want to maximize their time and make quick, impactful connections with vendors.
How to Register for VRWS 2024
To register for the Vacation Rental World Summit (VRWS) 2024, you can visit the official VRWS website and on their Register Now page you can purchase your tickets at the start price of €497 EUR and reserve your spot at the event. Keep in mind that tickets are limited, and the event sells out every year due to its immense popularity.
We’re Heading to VRWS 2024: See You There!
This year’s Vacation Rental World Summit (VRWS) promises to be an unmissable event, filled with groundbreaking sessions, innovative ideas, and a fantastic opportunity to connect with leaders in the short-term rental industry.
We at Rental Scale-Up are thrilled to be a part of it, especially as official media partners. Our team is excited to hear firsthand from property managers, exchange ideas, and gain real-world insights into what’s working, what’s not, and how the industry is evolving. We’ll be there, capturing the stories, success strategies, and solutions that are shaping the future of short-term rentals.
