{"id":6211,"date":"2021-10-14T17:22:16","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T17:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.spfr.co\/?p=6211"},"modified":"2026-07-20T09:35:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:35:29","slug":"conference-takeaways-darm-vrma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/blog\/conference-takeaways-darm-vrma\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Learned at This Year\u2019s Vacation Rental Conferences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In-person <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/vacation-rental-events-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vacation rental events<\/a> are back and we couldn\u2019t be happier! Members of the Rentals United team recently attended two major conferences in the US: <a href=\"https:\/\/vrdarm.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DARM<\/a> in Charleston, South Carolina and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrma.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VRMA<\/a> International in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We loved the atmosphere of both events and learned a lot about the industry in just a couple of days. We thought we\u2019d share our main takeaways with you, along with our own insights on industry hot topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s get right into it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"data-and-revenue-management-our-takeaways-from-darm\">Data and revenue management: our takeaways from DARM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the vacation rental industry continues to find its footing in the new normal, <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/vacation-rental-revenue-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">revenue management<\/a> is more important than ever. Some baseline seasonality trends are still relevant, but in a lot of cases, <strong>historical data can no longer be used to make decisions about the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, we need a more <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/reinventing-revenue-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reactive approach to revenue management<\/a>. Using data to identify trends as quickly as possible will enable revenue managers to course-correct and maximise their revenue potential as travel behaviours continue to shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"choosing-the-right-provider\">Choosing the right provider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a lot more diversity in vacation rental revenue management than before, with emerging pricing software, PMS mergers\/consolidations and strengthened channel management connectivity solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With these advancements come more complexity and a wider array of choices. So how do you know what solution will work best for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are a few things to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ask the tough questions.<\/strong> Request 3 references from the company you have your eye on and talk to them about your setup and desired outcomes. This is the best way to make sure the partnership is a good fit for your particular business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Explore the anatomy of the company you\u2019re considering.<\/strong> How many developers do they have? Are they responsive, and can they solve issues quickly? Do they have tools to give you insight into downtime or issues that pop up on their platform?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Involve your revenue managers<\/strong> and anyone else in your company who will be the end-user of the tool you\u2019re considering in the research process. Take the tool for a test drive and see if the UX works for your team and their day-to-day workflows. You can have the best software in the world but if your team can\u2019t use it at scale, it will be worthless in advancing your company\u2019s potential.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/info.rentalsunited.com\/datastudioebook\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Reinventing-Revenue-Management-ebook-download-banner.jpg\" alt=\"Reinventing-Revenue-Management-ebook-download-banner\" class=\"wp-image-19827\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"getting-your-team-to-work-together\">Getting your team to work together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Revenue Management team is an invaluable asset, but you also need to involve other teams whose work will affect your business\u2019s revenue performance: Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Tech. Break down the silos and get everyone together each week to align your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how each team can contribute:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Marketing should be transparent about their SEO strategies<\/strong> so that Revenue Management can understand the target markets\/properties they\u2019re focusing on. If Revenue Management has rates set low in the markets that Marketing is targeting with ad spend, then the cost of a booking goes up. In this case, you should consider raising your rates marginally to make the extra exposure worth it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distribution should communicate with each of these teams<\/strong> to let them know when a property comes online in the onboarding process or when a property goes down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sales should be aware of any promotions<\/strong> that Distribution, Marketing and Revenue Management have active so they can be prepared to deal with potential customers on the phone or via chat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tech should be communicating any downtime, connectivity projects and partnerships<\/strong> with the teams to minimise loss of time and efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We hope this summary helps you organise your thoughts about revenue management whether you attended DARM or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And now, let\u2019s get into some other hot topics of this conference season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/data-studio-banner-2048x1072-1-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/data-studio-banner-2048x1072-1-1024x536.png 1024w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/data-studio-banner-2048x1072-1-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/data-studio-banner-2048x1072-1-768x402.png 768w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/data-studio-banner-2048x1072-1-1536x804.png 1536w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/data-studio-banner-2048x1072-1.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"consolidation-tech-partnerships-and-new-distribution-techniques-our-takeaways-from-vrma\">Consolidation, tech partnerships and new distribution techniques: our takeaways from VRMA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"consolidation-in-the-property-management-and-tech-space\">Consolidation in the property management and tech space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would be difficult to talk about the state of the vacation rental industry in 2021 without mentioning the waves of consolidation that defined it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, many smaller property management companies have had to close or be swept up by bigger players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s no denying that <strong>consolidation has reshaped the industry<\/strong>. Smaller companies are likely to have a hard time competing with giants who have big budgets, sophisticated marketing strategies and large operations teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Rentals United, we\u2019re in the process of compiling <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/vacation-rental-property-managers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Top 50, our annual list of the world\u2019s largest property managers<\/a> \u2013 and we expect to see lots of significant changes compared to last year. If you think your company fits the bill, <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/top-50-vacation-rental-property-manager\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">apply here<\/a> (Last chance! Applications close tomorrow).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, consolidation isn\u2019t unique to property management: <strong>software companies have also seen a lot of convergence over the last year<\/strong>, with bigger players rolling up smaller ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The impact of this will likely be less fragmentation and more professionalisation in vacation rental software. See our previous blog post for more details on <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/vacation-rental-investment-deals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recent mergers and acquisitions<\/a> in the tech space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Top-12-Guest-Toiletries-Suppliers-for-Vacation-Rentals-FreshBnb-1024x455.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Top-12-Guest-Toiletries-Suppliers-for-Vacation-Rentals-FreshBnb-1024x455.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Top-12-Guest-Toiletries-Suppliers-for-Vacation-Rentals-FreshBnb-300x133.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Top-12-Guest-Toiletries-Suppliers-for-Vacation-Rentals-FreshBnb-768x341.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Top-12-Guest-Toiletries-Suppliers-for-Vacation-Rentals-FreshBnb.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"getting-direct-bookings-from-google\">Getting direct bookings from Google<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google has been the subject of much talk in the industry over the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the convention, it became clear to us that most property managers weren\u2019t aware of the new Google connection update, which allows vacation rental managers with 50+ properties to <strong>send traffic from Google directly to their website<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a potential guest clicks on the \u2018visit site\u2019 button, they are redirected to the property page on your website where they can complete the booking process or get in touch with your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this solution, your potential guest can get acquainted with your business and your brand.<br>\nSince traffic goes directly to your website, you can use acquisition strategies to help you get more bookings, including presenting similar listings, newsletter signups and remarketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, Google only works with a few <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/en\/vacation-rental-channel-manager\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vacation rental channel managers<\/a> (Rentals United being one of them). They\u2019re the only ones who can provide you with this connection. Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/vacation-rentals-google-travel-search-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to get direct bookings from Google<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/info.rentalsunited.com\/2022-google-ebook?utm_campaign=2022%20Google%20Ebook&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=Google%20Vacation%20Rentals%20blog&amp;utm_term=blog&amp;utm_content=2022%20google%20ebook%20article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/google-vacation-rentals-ebook-banner.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20753\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"technology-partnerships\">Technology partnerships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to technology, it would be impossible to ignore the growing demand for integrated solutions. Property managers are busy people who don\u2019t want to be logging into several different platforms to get their daily tasks done: they want to be able to do everything from one interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the reality is that often one company isn\u2019t capable of supplying everything that a property manager needs in a single software. <strong>This is why we are seeing more and more partnerships between software providers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, we know how essential it is for property managers to work with both a PMS and channel manager to handle their operational and marketing\/distribution needs. But having to constantly jump between PMS and channel manager is a time-consuming process that causes a lot of friction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s why we launched the Rentals United PMS white label at the beginning of March 2021. This new product offers PMS providers the ability to provide their clients with Rentals United channel management services directly embedded into their software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All they need to do is add a single line of code, and their clients get access to the entire Rentals United channel distribution network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This approach guarantees high data security as well as full customisation for streamlined branding opportunities. Plus, it gives the property manager what they are looking for, a single solution, with the power of two companies working together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want your PMS to work with Rentals United, send us a message. Alternatively, you can send our <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/en\/white-label-channel-management\/?souce=RUblog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White Label page<\/a> to your PMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_7957-2048x1536-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_7957-2048x1536-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_7957-2048x1536-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_7957-2048x1536-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_7957-2048x1536-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_7957-2048x1536-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Koca Wen and Matt Luzaich at the VRMA Conference<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-will-2022-bring\">What will 2022 bring?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main question of the conference was undoubtedly what the next year will bring and how we can prepare for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many property managers in (drive-to) leisure destinations across the US had an amazing 2021 \u2013 they\u2019re wondering how they can carry the momentum over to 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, property managers in destinations that were on lockdown for long periods of time (like Hawaii) are thinking about how to revive their business in the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to distribution, we can already see some trends that are likely to define the coming year. For example, <strong>luxury rentals experienced a boom in 2021<\/strong> and this is unlikely to slow down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most sought-after luxury channels is <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/homes-villas-marriott-international\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Homes &amp; Villas by Marriott International<\/a>. Since the launch of the company\u2019s whole-home rental offering back in May, property managers around the world have been looking to get listed on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, \u201cMarriott property managers\u201d are using the Marriott brand as part of their owner pitch to inspire trust when acquiring new inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But not all trends will carry over into the new year. <strong>Demand for mid-term rentals \u2013 a major trend in 2020 and 2021 \u2013 seems to have died down<\/strong>.&nbsp;While <a href=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/blog\/digital-nomads-vacation-rentals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">targeting digital nomads<\/a> is still a lucrative strategy, other types of guests are back to booking mostly short-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, the property managers we talked to are no longer as interested in finding ways to market their rentals as mid-term, with the exception of platforms like Zillow (coming soon to Rentals United) that do mid-term distribution exceptionally well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some other distribution-related questions were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How can we become less dependent on Airbnb in the new year?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How can we leverage metasearch engines like Holidu and HomeToGo to capture more bookings?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do we expand our distribution beyond the Big Five?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All in all, there are still a lot of question marks, but in general, there is a lot more optimism regarding the industry\u2019s future than this time last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What conferences did you attend this season, and what have you learned? We\u2019d love to know your thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/info.rentalsunited.com\/request\/a\/demo\/now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/The_Best_Channel_Mannager_2022_600x334_orange-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21128\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Had to skip DARM or VRMA this year? No problem! We attended both vacation rental conferences and summarised our biggest takeaways for you. Here\u2019s our recap of the many enlightening discussions we had with industry peers about everything from revenue management to distribution and preparing for 2022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6216,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[37,40,39,35],"tags":[],"blog-tag":[],"class_list":["post-6211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-channel-manager-news","category-operations-2","category-rentals-united"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6211"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45371,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6211\/revisions\/45371"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6211"},{"taxonomy":"blog-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-tag?post=6211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}