for an unforgettable Summit at the
IMPERIAL PALACE in ANNECY, FRANCE

See You in…
September 2022

Certain expectations come when you have an event called the ā€œVacation Rental World Summit.ā€ Even more so when the summit is hosted at the ā€œImpĆ©rial Palaceā€ in Annecy, France. And when you take 4 flights and a taxi over three separate days to get there, you can imagine how easy it would be for the entire experience to not live up to the billing.

Easy that is, if you have never met the force that is Antonio Bortolotti, and the incredible community he has built over the past eight years. Far from failing to live up to the hype, Antonio, Annecy, the attendees, and VRWS as a whole, more than delivered.

Old World Style

Ā Unlike many conferences and events, Antonio deliberately goes out of his way to host the VRWS in less obvious locations. While this does lead to more travel depending upon where you are coming from, it also delivers an event that is a true experience, and one you often would not have had otherwise. As Jennifer Hsieh of Homes & Villas by Marriott International said in her presentation, ā€œI had never heard of Annecy before, but what a hidden gem! I am definitely coming back.ā€

That was the sentiment expressed by everyone I spoke with. In fact, it was difficult to walk around without looking up and just being astounded by the jaw dropping beauty at every turn. Well done, Annecy.

No alt text provided for this image

But it wasn’t just the location that was spectacular. As many of you in this community know, the experience is one-part place. The other, and at least as important part is the people. The gracious hosting by Tim Andrews and the OVO Network team at their offices the first night was a beautiful way to be welcomed to Annecy and welcomed back to in person events.

Not to be outdone, Moriya Rockman and Smiling House did some hosting of their own. That is until the hotel came up to the Presidential Suite and asked them to stop at 4am the second night!

And then there was the joy of being able to connect with the people I follow and learn from online, but who I have not had the opportunity to see in person in nearly two years. People like my mentor, friend, and the Godfather of vacation rentals, Simon Lehmann; like my values and culture doppelgƤnger, SƩbastien Grosjean; like my fellow reformed consultant, Alex Nigg; like my partner in Stoicism, Thibault Masson; like my former colleagues (and , Michael Goldin and Stewart White; and like my annual commuting partner (and savior), Michele Diamantini. These, and so many others, made this a truly special occasion for me personally, and from what I could tell by the conversations throughout the week, for others as well.

The point being that the conference, and the people at it, do and did a great job of pulling the best of what our industry offers together.

Incredible Destinations + Amazing People = Unforgettable Experiences

VRWS As A Microcosm for the Industry

The event, and how Antonio runs it, is emblematic of the best of our industry in another striking way. As its name implies, it is global in nature. Like our guests, people traveled from all over the world to attend. From conversation to conversation, you could float between hearing French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, English and more, sometimes all in the same group!

But as large as it was, as far reaching as it was, just like our industry, the magic happened in person, on the ground, and thanks to an admirable attention to detail. Just like all of you and how you think of your guests, when I asked Antonio how things were going the first day he said: ā€œI just am working to make it better. So many people travelled so far, and put their trust in me, I do not want to let them down.ā€ He certainly didn’t let any of us down.

Many people ask for feedback. The majority want to hear how well things are going. Very few truly listen for how to improve. Even fewer immediately act on that suggestion. Antonio is in this elite group. Based on feedback the first day, he entirely reworked the agenda for the second, just as thanks to feedback from Vanessa de Souza Lage two years ago about the lack of women on stage led Antonio to ensuring atĀ leastĀ 50% of the people on stage this year were women.

No alt text provided for this image

This is Antonio presenting changes to Day 2 based on feedback he received Day 1

The Looming Shadow

COVID was still ever-present. This was not only because I got to the first day’s lunch late because I needed a COVID test prior to departure. It also came up in literally every single presentation, and most likely every off-stage conversation as well.

But the shadow was not an eclipse. As Robin Bass expressed to me: ā€œI made it through 9/11 in New York. I’ve made it through hurricanes in St. Croix. COVID has been hard, but it is another thing I will make it through and come out even stronger on the other side.ā€

This is what is so extraordinary about the vacation rental industry and the people in it. When everything is against us, we seem to elevate to even higher levels. It is an inspiration to see, and to be a part of. Everyone acknowledged we were not out of COVID yet, and there was no telling if and when we might ever be.

But rather than lament how things have changed, and how hard they have become, people were in Annecy to discuss, learn, and problem solveĀ howĀ they would adapt and evolve to come out even stronger than before. The best days for all of us are ahead thanks to this mindset (perhaps in spite of some of the warnings for small and midsized managers from Richard Vaughton in his highly acclaimed presentation on the second day).

No alt text provided for this image

Conclusion

They say good things come to those who wait. If waiting two years was necessary to pull off this amazing event, so be it.

That being said, I really hope we don’t have to wait another two to do all of this again! Perhaps in an attempt to ensure this does not happen, Antonio closed the summit with a very exciting announcement: the launch of VR PODS after a successful pilot this past year. If you are interested in working in a sort of ā€œmastermindā€ group with your vacation rental peers, I am sure he would love for you to reach out.

Always be learning. Always be growing. That is how we as an industry continue to innovate and improve.

No alt text provided for this image
Published by
Andrew McConnell
Whatever can happen at any time can happen today.—Seneca

Host

Property Manager

Professional

After a Year of Confinement…
Want to get together again with your community to ride the recovery, get first-hand insight and thrive?

ROUNDTABLES: THE NEW FORMAT HIGHLIGHT

While keeping our reputation for Top-Notch On-Stage Sessions, based on VRWS most appreciated quality, that is High-Value Networking, and fostering a strong desire for in-person interaction after a year of pandemic confinement, we’re introducing ROUNDTABLES.

ROUNDTABLES are 50 minute Help & Support Networking Sessions, facilitated by one Professional following guided formats provided by us. You will interact with your colleagues at a far greater level than ever before at any industry event, share your struggles and receive help from your peers; you’ll get to know how others do what you do/don’t do, so you can improve where needed.

HERE’S A SAMPLE OF YOUR VRWS ROUNDTABLES LAYOUT

HERE’S THE AGENDA

(subject to minor changes)

Schedule:

Time Main activity
08.30-09.55 On-site Registration
10.00-10.15 Opening Welcome & Program – Antonio Bortolotti
10.15-10.45 Session 1: Are You a Property Management Guru? Let the Data Decide! (Tom Caton, Co-Founder AirDNA & Sophie Barton, Senior Account Manager AirDNA)

Summary: Sophie Barton and Tom Caton from AirDNA will break down what makes a winning property listing – and what makes a loser(!) – according to the data. Why do similar properties deliver such different revenue numbers? Is it pricing? Is it the photos? They will deliver the secrets to the top performers across properties and across markets. You will either leave the session knowing you are doing everything you can, or start changing your listings on your phone during the talk because you are making some serious mis-steps!

10.45-11.45 Session 2: 1st Roundtable Session: Breaking the Ice with Your PeersĀ  (Facilitated by VRWS Speakers & Facilitators)
11.45-12.15 Session 3: Ā Simon Lehmann Uncensored.Ā  (Simon Lehmann, CEO of AJL Atelier interviewed by Sarah DuPre, Senior Sales Director at AirDNA)

Summary: Find out what Simon Lehmann really thinks about the future of vacation rentals in Europe, mergers and acquisitions in the industry and much, much more in this no-holds-barred discussion.

12.15-13.15 Session 4: 2nd Roundtable Session: Addressing Focus Area #1Ā  (Facilitated by VRWS Speakers & Facilitators)
13.15-15.00 Lunch & Networking
15.00-15.30 Session 5: The 3 Counter-Intuitive Keys to Thriving Used by Leading Property Managers and Hosts in Any Economic Situation (Sebastien Grosjean, CEO of BookingSync and Smily)

Summary: Our industry is built on our individual uniqueness and Sebastien Grosjean knows that very well. It’s these differences that make our guests’ experiences so meaningful and memorable. In this thought-provoking and insightful talk, Grosjean will take us on a journey of unique individuals and companies to encourage us to think differently about how we operate so we can improve our business structure, operate more effectively, and ultimately live our dreams long term.

15.30-16.30 Session 6: 3rd Roundtable Session: Addressing Focus Area #2Ā  (Facilitated by VRWS Speakers & Facilitators)
16.30-17.00 Session 7: VR Tech Competition: 3 Start-Ups on stage to Innovate our industry (led by Vanessa de Souza Lage, Founder of VRTech and CMO and Co-Founder of RentalsUnited)

Summary: As every year, the 3 shortlisted finalists from the VRTech competition will present what they do on stage in a competition to win the title of Best Start-Up of The Year. You will vote for your favorite Start-Up Company and The Winner will be announced on stage on Friday. This year’s Finalists are:

  • Rented.com – Andrew McConnell (CEO)
  • Vintory – Brooke Pfautz (CEO)
  • Turbosuite – Manuel Martin (CEO)
17.00-17.45 Coffee Break – Networking in the Exhibitor Area
17.45-18.15 Session 8: “One PMS is all the industry needsā€ vs “Another week, another PMS”Ā (Panel Discussion)

Summary: There are so many systems and so very different in their capacities, local requirements, hard and software integrations, distribution, languages, automations, pricing and of course company support!Ā  What is really important for owners and agencies as we move toward 2030?

18.15-19.00 Time with Exhibitors & Networking in the Exhibitor Area
19.00- Networking @Hotel Bar Area

Schedule:

Time Main activity
10.00-10.15 Day 2 Agenda – Antonio Bortolotti
10.15-10.45 Session 9: Property Managers vs Rent-By-Owner (Richard Vaughton)

Summary: OTAs are focused on owners and so are managers. DIY vs Managers, who will win the battle? Are managers too expensive? Is it too difficult to go it alone? How many #bookdirect actually use OTAs? In this thought-provoking session, Richard Vaughton will share data and considerations on the current situation and the future possible developments of the industry, based among others on:

  • growth of OTAs, growth of the market and the changes in the power curves of the OTAs.
  • comparative chart of costs and where the margins are won and lost and what does that mean for managers
  • things managers do that can be replaced by technology (with graphic attached)
  • the coming wave of licensing, verifications, standardization.
  • increased distribution.
  • the gig economy and the need to professionalise
10.45-11.45 Session 10: 4th Roundtable Session: Addressing Focus Area #3Ā  (Facilitated by VRWS Speakers & Facilitators)
11.45-12.15 Session 11: The Brands Are Coming: Can They Deliver More Bookings For You? (Panel Discussion moderated by Alex Nigg)

Summary: Listing platforms are increasingly specializing, and hotel brands are now pushing into our industry. Which specialty sites deliver incremental bookings that are worth the additional work? And how do you optimize your channel mix to minimize reliance and overhead, and maximize profits?
12.15-13.15 Session 12: 5th Roundtable Session: Addressing Focus Area #4Ā  (Facilitated by VRWS Speakers & Facilitators)
13.15-15.00 Lunch & Networking
15.00-15.30 Session 13: Accelerating Smart GrowthĀ Ā (Jennifer Hsieh, Vice President Homes & Villas by Marriott International)

Summary: Launched two years ago as a startup, Homes & Villas by Marriott International is accelerating smart growth in global markets by marrying Marriott’s legacy of hospitality with future-leaning technology to deliver great customer experiences. Hear more about what they’ve learned so far, the latest in customer-centered innovation for guests, property management companies and connectivity providers alike, and what’s next!

15.30-16.30 Session 14: 6th Roundtable Session: Key Takeaways and Action ItemsĀ  (Facilitated by VRWS Speakers & Facilitators)
16.30-17.00 Session 15: The road to rebuilding together: discover market insights and consumer travel trends in a vaccinated world (Alberto Bernes, Booking.com)

  • Step into the future as we reveal what tomorrow’s traveler is looking for. Discover the data that takes us from early recovery to getting travelers back out, doing what they do best… experiencing our big, wide, wonderful world.
  • Attendees will learn all about traveler types and how to attract them,Ā traveler priorities and how you can support these.
17.00-17.45 Coffee Break – Networking in the Exhibitor Area
17.45-18.15 Session 16: VRTech Winner & Summit ClosingĀ 
18.15-19.00 Time with Exhibitors & Networking in the Exhibitor Area
19.00- Networking @Hotel Bar Area

Have a Sneak Peek at a Few On-Stage Sessions:

directly from our Media Partner Rental Scale-Up interviews to VRWS Speakers

Tom Caton – Co-Founder AirDNA

Vanessa De Souza Lage
Co-Founder Rentals United

Simon Lehmann – Founder, AJL Atelier

WE CARE ABOUT YOU

To ensure you have a memorable in-person experience in a safe environment, you’ll be asked to present either one of the following when you enter the Imperial Palace:

  • A Digital or Paper Certificate (also known as “Green Pass” in many countries), or
  • A Negative RT-PCR or Antigen Test 72 hours prior to accessing the Imperial Palace, or
  • Proof of Recovery with an RT-PCR or Antigen test >11 days < 6 months
9

years

200+

SPEAKERS

19,500+

ATTENDEES

53

COUNTRIES

What Is the Vacation Rental World Summit

VRWS started as a simple idea in 2013: connecting the global VR Community – Hosts, Property Managers & Industry Pros – through an independent conference to help attendees understand what’s coming, how to get more bookings, streamline workflows and maximize rental income.

The first online editions gathered 15,000+ attendees from 5 continents and 50 countries. Many pros improved their business through the advice shared at the event.

This led to the big leap and VRWS landed on physical grounds from the 3rd edition: Barcelona (2016), Florence (2017), Lake Como (2018-2019)Ā  a digital-only edition in 2020 due to the Pandemic, Annecy (2021), and… a soon to be disclosed destination for 2022!

If you’re looking for the best place to network and learn from some of the most progressive and helpful minds in our industry look no further!

What’s in it For You

Top Notch Presentations

Industry Pros, expert managers and successful owners sharing their best practices, in a win-win engaging environment.

High Value Agenda

Two full days of intense training, paired with networking sessions, meet ups, panel discussions, hotseats and more.

Business Insights

What the big companies don’t tell you, the real statistics, what’s coming next, sell or struggle…VRWS gives you these and more business insights.

Same Level Sessions

Sorry, no concurrent sessions at VRWS! This way you view them all and truly get the most of the event and a full ROI on your investment.

Quality Vs Quantity

Learn from the best, hang out with the elite, network with value. Quality never goes with quantity. That’s why attendance is limited too.

Innovation

Be the first to know which companies innovate the VR space and use themĀ before they go mainstream. Pick the one you like most and vote your “Best VRTech Start Up of the Year”.

Invaluable Networking

Meet with fellow motivated peers and industry professionals during breaks, lunch buffets, dinners and exchange tips, tricks, secrets and deals.

WinĀ A Priceless Gift

All attendees are entered into a fabulous prize draw. Grab your chance to win a free stay in a 5 star VR, a free website revamp and a free gift by our sponsors. No one leaves the room empty handed.

Meet Your Providers

Meet with the best service providers in the industry. Learn how to streamline your business. Get your technology to jump one step further.

VRWS Attendees Say…

VRWS2021 APP!

Download Attendify, our official mobile app and join the event community

See who’s attending. Connect with your peers. Schedule a Meet Up, a drink or a chat!

Download on the App StoreĀ  Ā  Download it on Google Play

Vintory

SEE HOW THE VRWS ATTENDIFY APP WORKS

Click This Quick Video Tutorial!

Watch a Sample From The Last In Person Edition

MEET OUR SPEAKERS, PANELISTS & FACILITATORS*

Speakers will also act as Facilitators during the brand new Roundtable Sessions!

Antonio Bortolotti

Antonio Bortolotti

Host - Vacation Rental World Summit
Vanessa De Souza Lage

Vanessa De Souza Lage

Founder - VrTech | CMO - RentalsUnited
Simon Lehmann

Simon Lehmann

CEO / Co Founder at AJL Atelier
Jennifer Hsieh

Jennifer Hsieh

Vice President, Homes & Villas by Marriott International
Alex Nigg

Alex Nigg

Founder - Properly
Sophie Barton

Sophie Barton

AirDNA
Tom Caton

Tom Caton

Chief Revenue Officer - AirDNA
Laura Quack

Laura Quack

Senior Manager Key Accounts EMEA at Vrbo, Expedia Group
Richard Vaughton

Richard Vaughton

Properly
Andrew McConnell

Andrew McConnell

CEO - Rented
Sarah DuPre

Sarah DuPre

AirDNA
Bartolomeo Bufi

Bartolomeo Bufi

CEO - Krossbooking
Brooke Pfautz

Brooke Pfautz

CEO - Vintory
Seb Grosjean

Seb Grosjean

CEO - Bookingsync
Chris Stephenson

Chris Stephenson

Vice President - International Markets - Homes & Villas by Marriott International
Kelly Odor

Kelly Odor

Marketing Director at Bookster
Thibault Masson

Thibault Masson

Founder - Rental ScaleUp
Filipa Leitão de Aguiar

Filipa Leitão de Aguiar

Founder Rent4Rest
Manuel Martin

Manuel Martin

CEO - Turbosuite
Alberto Bernes

Alberto Bernes

Senior Product Manager at Booking.com

MEET OUR FACILITATORS*

Facilitators will guide you and facilitate the new Roundtable Sessions you will be part of during the entire event!

Michael Goldin

Michael Goldin

NoiseAware
Xavier Rouhaud

Xavier Rouhaud

CEO - Swikly
Linda Tieu

Linda Tieu

Booking.com
Steve Davis

Steve Davis

CEO - Operto Guest Technologies
Vincent Pineau

Vincent Pineau

Beyond
Veronica Rivas

Veronica Rivas

Director International Business Development, Homes & Villas by Marriott International
Fabrizio Scuppa

Fabrizio Scuppa

CEO - Octorate
Vasilije Budimlija

Vasilije Budimlija

Optirental
Andy McNulty

Andy McNulty

Touch Stay
Fausto Silva

Fausto Silva

Pricelabs
Carlos Lascorz

Carlos Lascorz

COO - Roomonitor
Rodolphe HaguƩ

Rodolphe HaguƩ

Booking.com
Giacomo Piva

Giacomo Piva

Radical Storage
Eric Bordier

Eric Bordier

Vintory

Hosts & Property Managers From 53 Countries

Attended Our Training So Far

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53

⟷

Canada, U.S.A., Mexico, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St.Lucia, Dutch Antilles, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brasil, Chile, Portugal, Spain, France, U.K., Ireland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, South Africa, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan, The Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand

Conferences are great, but often hosted in sterile places.

Pair a great event with a fantastic location and you have the best of both worlds: learning & fun.

LAKE ANNECY
AN AMAZING LOCATION…

IMPERIAL PALACE

AllĆ©e de l’ImpĆ©rial, 74000 Annecy, France
Tel.: +33 4 50 09 30 00

Do you have any questions about VRWS?

Contact us here and we’ll be happy to help you out.

“Hi. My name is Antonio Bortolotti and I am a property owner just like you. I run successful rentals in Sardinia and on Lake Maggiore, Italy and I’ve been helping out fellow rentalpreneurs worldwide getting their properties fully booked for over 14 years. I am hugely rewarded when I see that I can truly impact fellow peers’ lives by solving their #1 problem and that is why I teamed up with some of the smartest minds in our industry to bring you the best, most actionable and often costless solutions to ensure your business thrives.”

Founder of Vacation Rental Secrets and the Fully Booked Formula online training program, Antonio Bortolotti is a successful ā€˜Rentalpreneurā€˜, speaker, consultant and coach. His award winning properties feature in national and international press, as well asĀ on TV. The British ā€˜Observerā€˜ named his Casa Teulada ā€˜One of the Best 20 Holiday Villas In The Mediterraneanā€˜ and the ā€˜Sunday Timesā€˜ recommended it as ā€˜The Best Deal-For-Twoā€˜ in the Italian summer. Ā While managing his rentals remotely with just a laptop and a wi-fi connection, Antonio regularly speaks at major VR industry events sharing his strategies for maximizing rental income. The Vacation Rental World Summit – now at its 9th edition – is his way to bring a wealth of golden nuggets, proven strategies and current best solutions to you.

Antonio Bortolotti

VRWS was made possible with support of:

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Vrbo
AirDNA
Homes & Villas by Marriott International
BookingSync

Sapphire Sponsors

NoiseAware
Pricelabs
Octorate
Operto
Roommonitor
RadicalStorage
Beyond
Touch Stay
Guesty

in cooperation with:

AJL Atelier
Howzat Partners

MEDIA PARTNER

VRWS 2021 is happy to work with our exclusive Media Partner

RentalScaleup

Absolutely worth the fee! Thank you, Antonio! I already feel like I can gain my freedom with a lot less effort than I thought I would need. I appreciate the pdf downloads too.Ā I learned something from each of the presenters and there’s so much information that I will probably go back and listen again. Quite overwhelming but uplifting too!

I am SO glad to have come across your Vacation Rental World Summit – you have opened my eye to so many things!!! And I have to give you my thanks for introducing me to such valuable learning tools, gurus etc.

Thank you for this, I am beyond inspired! Each year is better!

Love it! Great info. You make it look easy! Biggest takeaway….loose the nervousness! This is not rocket science but doable by anyone with a little motivation.

Here’s what to do next…

ClickĀ on the big redĀ “Join VRWS Now” button below.

Enter your details and payment information.

Click on ‘Complete My Purchase’ in the check-out page and get your ticket and all info delivered toĀ your inbox.

VRWS

VRWS joins Tourism Declares Climate Emergency

We Declare a Climate Emergency

We’ve signed up toĀ Tourism Declares, an initiative thatĀ supports tourism businesses, organisations and individuals in declaring a climate emergency and taking purposeful action to reduce their carbon emissions as per the advice from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)Ā to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030.