Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals

• From Turnaways to Takeaways: Monetizing Referrals through "Have You Got", with Deborah Labi

  Send us a message!This week, we’re joined by Deborah Labi, a seasoned hospitality professional and the founder of Have You Got, a verified global guest referral network designed to help independent property managers expand their reach and maximize revenue without sacrificing the personal touch that sets them apart.With two decades of experience in the industry, Deborah understands the frustration of turning away great guests, whether due to lack of availability or location. That challenge led to the creation of Have You Got, a platform that enables property managers to remain helpful, visible, and profitable even when they can’t host the guest themselves. Through verified referrals, Have You Got turns missed bookings into meaningful opportunities for both managers and travelers.In this episode, we dive into:1️⃣ How Have You Got turns guest referrals into passive income2️⃣ Why verified managers and guest-first design build lasting trust3️⃣ Smart ways to use referral links to capture missed bookings4️⃣ How simple videos can strengthen guest loyalty5️⃣ Why collaboration, not consolidation, is key to reducing OTA dependenceWe also discuss the importance of transparency, collaboration, and brand-building in a market where travelers are increasingly craving trusted, local experiences.Connect with Deborah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-labi-a7566a2b/ Website: https://www.thehaveyougot.network/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Get a free market assessment from Track with 3 to 5 actionable insights tailored to your business. (valued at $400)You will meet one-on-one with an expert to help evaluate your market, identify opportunities, and build a strategy to help you stand out.👉 https://calendly.com/dstephens-tnsincGo live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:👉 https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:👉 https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #referrals 

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• Listing Isn’t Enough: How NextPax Powers Smarter Vacation Rental Distribution with Lennart Kok

  Send us a message!Many short-term rental operators think that getting listed on Airbnb or Vrbo is enough. But in today’s competitive landscape, basic distribution is no longer enough to stand out or to sustain growth.In this episode, we’re joined by Lennart Kok, VP of Distribution and Marketing at NextPax, to explore what smarter vacation rental distribution really looks like. With a background at Hilton, Booking.com, and now NextPax, Lennart brings rare insight into where distribution often breaks down and how smarter OTA connectivity can solve problems most property managers don’t even realize they have.From easier OTA connections to built-in AI that helps improve listing quality and speeds up onboarding, Lennart shares how NextPax is helping managers get more done with less effort.Key Topics Discussed:1️⃣ What it means to be a preferred OTA partner and how that status benefits operators2️⃣ How stronger OTA integrations improve messaging, reviews, payments, and visibility3️⃣  OTA features that many managers miss because their PMS doesn’t fully support them 4️⃣ Ways to boost performance with smarter cancellation policies, promotions, and geo-targeted pricing5️⃣ How AI inside platforms like NextPax enhances listings, photos, translations, and support6️⃣ New opportunities to reach corporate and international travelers through GDS distributionIf you’ve been relying on just one or two channels or haven’t updated your distribution strategy in years, this episode is a must listen.💡 Special Offer for US-Based Operators:NextPax is offering free access to their channel manager until the end of 2025 for property managers who are new to Booking.com.List your properties on Booking.com via NextPax and get full access to their distribution platform at no cost. Once you're live, other channels can be added as needed, all managed in one place.Head to https://nextpax.com/channel-manager/ to sign-up.✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Get a free market assessment from Track with 3 to 5 actionable insights tailored to your business. (valued at $400)You will meet one-on-one with an expert to help evaluate your market, identify opportunities, and build a strategy to help you stand out.👉 https://calendly.com/dstephens-tnsincGo live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:👉 https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25 Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:👉 https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min #vacationrentals #shorttemrentals #channelmanagement

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• Introducing StakeholdersVR: Built by Operators and Backed by Vision, with Lino Maldonado and Brady Stump

  Send us a message!In our first of the month bonus episode, we’re joined by two well-known names in the vacation rental industry: Lino Maldonado and Brady Stump, co-founders of the newly launched StakeholdersVR.You’ve probably heard early buzz about this exciting new venture, and today, Lino and Brady are here to tell us what it’s really all about. From how the idea came together to why it’s gaining traction, they give us a full look behind the scenes.StakeholdersVR offers a new model that helps property managers grow their businesses while keeping their local brand, culture, and operations intact. Lino and Brady share how the idea came together, what makes this model different from traditional roll-ups or franchises, and why it’s already drawing interest from top operators across the country. The conversation covers how the group plans to centralize back-office tasks like HR and finance, create cross-market collaboration, and provide a more sustainable path forward for operators who want to scale without losing control.Key Topics Discussed:1️⃣ What is StakeholdersVR?2️⃣ How this model supports operators by removing back-office burdens3️⃣ How it compares to PE roll-ups and franchise models4️⃣ How they plan to support individuality across brands5️⃣ From tech to linens, how the group plans to collaborate6️⃣ The "aha moment" that sparked StakeholdersVR7️⃣ How shared ownership helps protect operators from local risks8️⃣ What the future could look like for participating companies9️⃣ PE conversations, timelines, and what to expect by fall🔟 Where to learn moreWe also talk about the growing sense of community among the operators involved. This model encourages shared learning, long-term thinking, and real support not just between brands, but among the people behind them.Connect with Lino:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lino-maldonado-9160716/ Connect with Brady:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradystump/ Connect with StakeholdersVR:Website: https://stakeholdersvr.com/ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25 Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #propertymanagement 

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• How Franchising Offers a Scalable Path to STR Success - with Patrick Stewart of Grand Welcome

  Send us a message!Is your short-term rental business growing, or just getting harder to manage?In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Stewart, CEO of Grand Welcome, to explore how franchising offers property managers a scalable and sustainable path to success in today’s competitive STR market.Grand Welcome is one of the fastest-growing franchise-based vacation rental management companies in the U.S. The brand provides local operators with the tools, systems, and support they need to grow efficiently while delivering exceptional guest experiences and building strong homeowner relationships.With a background in fashion retail franchising, Patrick shares how those same principles of consistency, structure, and support can transform how short term rental rental businesses operate. At Grand Welcome, his mission is to help local operators grow profitably, simplify their operations, and build a business they enjoy running.Key Topics Discussed:1️⃣ Why franchising is a smart strategy for scaling in the vacation rental industry2️⃣ How Grand Welcome reduces operational load in guest services, pricing, and tech decisions3️⃣ Ways the model supports both new and experienced operators4️⃣ Approaches to navigating regulation, owner demands, and market shifts5️⃣ The role of shared best practices and peer collaboration in franchise success6️⃣ Grand Welcome’s current trajectory and upcoming international expansionWhether managing 20 properties or 200, this episode offers a new perspective on what it means to scale. With the right partner, growth becomes more strategic, more profitable, and far less overwhelming.Connect with Patrick & Grand Welcome:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickstewartceo/ Website: https://www.grandwelcomefranchise.com/Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25 Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min#vacationrentals #franchisebusiness   #propertymanagement 

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• Live from the VRMA Executive Summit: Big Energy, Bold Conversations, and Lots of Fun!

  Send us a message!In this week’s episode, we’re taking you back to Miami Beach for a special look at one of the most talked-about events in the industry this year, the 2025 VRMA Executive Summit.It’s been a few weeks since the event, but the insights we gathered still feel just as relevant. Alex & Annie bring you candid interviews with some of the brightest and most respected voices in the vacation rental industry to talk through the wins, the growing pains, and the ideas shaping how we lead and grow in this business.Featuring interviews with:Tom Goodwin – CEO of Mountain Laurel Chalets, on co-chairing the summit, uniting vendors and PMs, and leading with intention.Rachel Alday – Co-founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, reflecting on curating content that builds stronger industry conversations.Sarah Bradford – Industry veteran, educator, and consultant, sharing candid “diary entries” from her 20-year career, and the lessons behind them.Valerie Gangas – Founder & CEO of Juniper Holiday + Homes, on fast growth, partnerships, and the power of mentorship.Patrick Stewart – CEO of Grand Welcome, explaining how franchising can help operators scale smart and reclaim their time.Steve Trover – CEO of Better Talent, discussing frontline hiring challenges, team dynamics, and how to embrace AI without fear.Jeff Iloulian – Founder of HostGPO, highlighting how smart procurement systems are helping operators work more efficiently at scale.Whether you were in the room or just hearing the buzz, this episode captures the vibe, vision, and voices that makes this year’s VRMA Executive Summit the best one yet!Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:https://calendly.com/jessica-singer-grandwelcome/intro#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #VRMAexecutivesummit2025

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