Vacation Rental Industry Events

25 Vacation and Short-Term Rental Conferences You Shouldn’t Miss in 2024

The new year is now in full swing! And you know what that means: It’s time to start looking ahead and planning how to make the most of 2024.

If one of your goals for the new year is to grow your skills or business, attending a conference should form part of your plans. Conferences create a great learning environment where you can educate yourself on the most up-to-date technologies, develop new ways to maximize income, and connect with colleagues and industry leaders.

So, as you review your 2024 calendar, consider making time for one of these leading short-term rental conferences.


Contents show

2024 short-term rental conferences at a glance

2024 Short-Term Rental Conferences

 

First, why are vacation rental conferences so important?

Vacation rental events offer numerous benefits, all of which will help you grow your business in 2024.

Networking with other vacation rental property managers

Almost all short-term rental conferences focus on networking. After all, the more people you connect with, the more you open yourself and your business up to future growth.

With that in mind, make sure to come prepared to network!

Bring business cards, have your property website handy, and don’t forget that networking is a two-way street: You want to spend just as much time listening to other people’s ideas as you do talking about your own. Every single attendee at these conferences is a connection waiting to happen.

Brainstorming new ideas

Everyone manages their business differently, and the industry changes rapidly. So, it’s incredibly important to stay on top of what’s new in vacation rental property management.

By connecting with colleagues, you can see what techniques others are using and share your own ideas as well. These conferences also host some of the industry’s top leaders, allowing you to hear from them first-hand.

Networking

Go into the events with an open mind and be ready to be challenged and inspired to consider different perspectives. Remember to stay in contact with your connections long after the conference to bounce ideas off each other.

Finding potential guests

Property managers take vacations too! If your property catches the attention of a colleague, you might gain a future guest.

Outside of professional networking, look at these events as a way to market your properties to your colleagues. If you can impress someone with your property, they are likely to remember you and recommend your stay to someone else.

Learning from industry leaders

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when you’ve been doing things the same way for a long time. Hearing from others and educating yourself on the future trajectory of the industry is the best way to kickstart your inspiration.

It might be exactly what you need to take the next step in expanding your property management business!

2024 short-term rental events calendar

So, which vacation rental conferences should you attend? Here are the 25 most important events in the industry to choose from.

The 2nd Annual Short Term Rental Forum (Winter)

The 2nd Annual Short Term Rental Forum (Winter)

  • Date: January 9-10, 2024
  • Location: Aventura, Florida

The Information Management Network’s (IMN) Short-Term Rental Forum (Winter) returns to Florida for its second edition this year.

Why should you attend?

This industry-leading event brings together property managers, investors, developers, lenders, and other key market participants to share insights, network, and drive the industry forward. The 2023 event drew nearly 700 attendees to hear from 75 industry experts.

Tickets: $995-$1,995

Website: https://events.imn.org/event

STR Wealth Conference

  • Date: February 5-8, 2024
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee

The STR Wealth Conference 2024 describes itself as an immersive four-day journey that will “leave you feeling like an unstoppable rock star in your career and personal life.”

Why should you attend?

This high-energy event is an incredible learning experience for everyone in the STR industry. Property managers and owners can learn from expert speakers while networking with industry leaders and investors and gain valuable insights into the short-term rental business. Over 3,000 attendees are expected to take advantage of this unforgettable experience.

Tickets: $197-$7,500

Website: https://strwealthconference.com

ALP Conference & Marketplace

ALP Conference & Marketplace

  • Date: March 2-6, 2024
  • Location: Orlando, Florida

Considered the largest gathering in the independent lodging industry, the ALP (Association of Lodging Professionals) Conference & Marketplace allows rental property owners to get together, share ideas, and grow their businesses.

Why should you attend?

Besides being a great place to network, the ALP Conference stands out because of its marketplace. The event allows you to check out the latest products in the industry to improve your rental property.

What’s more, the ALP Conference is actually five events in one, with individual conferences for aspiring and new owners as well as a culinary conference where you can learn how to elevate your breakfasts in a professional kitchen.

Tickets: $849-$1449

Website: https://www.alplodging.org/conference-marketplace/

VRMA European Conference

VRMA European Conference

  • Date: March 4-5, 2024
  • Location: Paris, France

The Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) European Conference is an exclusive event designed to provide vacation rental professionals a best-in-class experience and education.

Why should you attend?

You can expect an agenda packed with interactive networking events, engaging speakers, and more to equip you with insights and actionable solutions that you can implement in your business right away.

Tickets: €600-€1200

Website: https://www.vrma.org/events/vrma-european-conference

Level Up Your Listing Summit 2024

Level Up Your Listing Summit 2024

  • Date: March 11-13, 2024
  • Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

The second annual Level Up Your Listing Summit is designed to meet the needs of new, experienced, and curious hosts who want to learn more about design, hospitality, and the guest experience within the vacation rental industry.

Why should you attend?

With over 300 attendees expected, the event is hosted by Airbnb Superhost Natalie Palmer and award-winning designer and STR coach Tatianna Taylor-Tait. You can also expect an array of inspiring speakers, including Pace Morby, author, investor, SubTo founder, and co-host of A&E’s top-performing show “Triple Digit Flip.” New this year, you can take advantage of one-on-one advisory sessions with industry experts as well!

Tickets: $97-$1697

Website: https://www.levelupyourlistingsummit.com

STRive to Thrive

STRive to Thrive

  • Date: March 20-21, 2024
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia

Australia’s premier event in the short-term rental industry, STRive to Thrive describes itself as a “pulsating two-day fiesta of knowledge, innovation, and celebration.”

Why should you attend?

This two-day event offers engaging sessions led by industry experts on topics such as industry trends, marketing techniques, guest experiences, legal compliances, property management, and technological advancements. There will also be plenty of fun networking opportunities over catered lunches, coffee breaks, afternoon tea, a celebratory dinner, and an afterparty.

Tickets: $449-$1029 Australian dollars

Website: https://striveconference.com/

VRMA Spring Forum

  • Date: April 15-16, 2024
  • Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

This forum includes a lot of interactive workshops and hands-on training to make it an engaging learning environment. With many scheduled networking sessions, the 2024 VRMA Spring Forum is an excellent opportunity to connect with other vacation rental professionals.

Why should you attend?

With over 730 attendees in past years, the VRMA Spring Forum attracts vacation rental professionals from all over the country. You can connect with fellow property managers, share ideas, and leave feeling inspired. You are encouraged to participate in discussions and ask questions to get the most out of the forum!

Tickets: $550-$1200

Website: https://www.vrma.org/events/vrma-spring-forum

The Shortyz

  • Date: April 23, 2024
  • Location: London, UK

Rather than a typical conference, this event is an awards ceremony that recognizes excellence among industry peers. It showcases innovation and industry best practices, rewards achievement, and celebrates startup technology.

Why should you attend?

This event is a fun change of pace if you’ve already attended a handful of conferences and are looking for something new. You can submit an entry online to The Shortyz for a chance to be recognized and rewarded for your hard work.

Visit their website to learn more about entry requirements and how to enter.

Tickets: £289.48+

Website: https://theshortyz.com

Short Stay Summit

  • Date: April 24, 2024
  • Location: London, UK

The Short Stay Summit is another event we get to attend this year! The only nonprofit event for the STR industry, the Short Stay Summit is intended to help property managers and owners equip their businesses with the newest tools, technology, and skills to continue offering guests a top-notch travel experience. The theme for 2024 has yet to be announced, so check their website soon for more details.

Why should you attend?

In addition to their typical panels with industry experts, collaboration sessions, and workshop talks, the 2024 edition of this event will have a new mortgage clinic. Global short-term rental association heads, board members, DMOs, public affairs, and industry public affairs managers can also take advantage of the Global Associations (GA) STR Summit Lunch on April 23.

Finally, the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) will also be presenting property manager awards throughout the day. Visit the website below to learn more and enter to win.

Tickets: £199+VAT – £1,020 inc. VAT

Website: https://www.shortstaysummit.org

NorthWest Vacation Rental Professionals (NWVRP) 2024 Annual Conference

NorthWest Vacation Rental Professionals (NWVRP) 2024 Annual Conference

  • Date: April 29-30, 2024
  • Location: Boise, Idaho

Self-described as “the event where the decision makers are,” the NWVRP 2024 Annual Conference has something for everyone in the rental property industry—not just property owners and managers. Rent-by-owners, hospitality staff, affiliate businesses, and other vacation rental professionals can all benefit from attending.

Why should you attend?

This year’s event will have a variety of educational sessions on topics ranging from human resources and housekeeping to advocacy and disaster planning.

Tickets: $550-$950

Website: https://www.nwvrp.org/attend-the-2024-conference

VITUR Summit 2024

VITUR Summit 2024

  • Date: May 8-9, 2024
  • Location: Málaga, Spain

VITUR is the only event that brings together Europe’s leading vacation rental industry leaders, administrators, and institutions.

Why should you attend?

Over 120 speakers and panelists are lined up to speak at the 2024 VITUR Summit on the main themes of marketing and data, guest experience, strategy and operations, real estate and investments, and legislation. You can expect engaging presentations, ideas for rental property innovation, and lots of time for networking.

They also host an impressive exhibition of booths to help you set your properties apart from the competition. As a vacation rental property manager in Europe, you can’t miss this event!

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://www.vitursummit.com/

Scale Show

  • Date: May 14-15, 2024
  • Location: Barcelona, Spain

Scale Rentals offers a number of events, the most important of which is the Scale Show. The Scale Show is a global conference dedicated to professional short-term rental property management companies.

We also highlight Scale Open and Scale UK in this blog, and other Scale events of note include:

  • Scale Spain | 21 – 22 February 2024
  • Scale South Africa | 20 – 21 March 2024
  • Scale Dubai | 9 – 10 October 2024
  • Scale Italia | 29 – 30 October 2024

Why should you attend?

This event is for you if you already manage at least 20 properties and want to continue to scale. Learn from industry experts on themes such as AI, data trends, exit strategies, profitability, PR, property acquisition, property management systems, OTAs, owner relationships, regulation changes, technology, and much more.

Tickets: €89-€99 (prices increase January 31)

Website: https://barcelona.scalerentals.show/show/

Scale Open

  • Date: May 16, 2024
  • Location: Barcelona, Spain

As a follow-up to the Scale Show, Scale Rentals presents Scale Open the very next day. This new event offers best-in-class education and networking to a wider audience of property hosts, managers, and investors.

Why should you attend?

If you’re interested in the Scale Show but don’t fit its target audience of property managers with 20+ units, Scale Open is an excellent alternative. This one-day event brings together the world’s leading industry experts, technology providers, and associations to focus on one theme: growth.

Purchasing a ticket to Scale Open also grants you free access to the Book Direct Show, which takes place on the same day and at the same venue.

Tickets: €59-€299

Website: https://barcelona.scalerentals.show/open/

The Book Direct Show

  • Date: May 16, 2024
  • Location: Barcelona, Spain

The Book Direct Show is the only event in the industry dedicated to helping short-term rental managers, hoteliers, and serviced accommodation providers generate more direct bookings.

Why should you attend?

The conference will host an array of panel discussions, keynote speakers, and workshops with extensive opportunities for networking with experts in the short-term rental and hospitality management sector. There’s no sales pitches and no OTA involvement—just a strict focus on actionable education to help you grow direct bookings

Tickets: €79-€299

Website: https://bookdirect.show/

VRMA Executive Summit

  • Date: May 29-31, 2024
  • Location: Boca Raton, Florida

The VRMA Executive Summit focuses on business strategy, organizational excellence, sustained growth, and charting a vision for the vacation rental industry’s future.

Why should you attend?

Designed for executive-level managers, this is an ideal opportunity to network in an engaging environment in Boca Raton, Florida.

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://www.vrma.org/events/event-calendar/event-details/vrma-executive-summit

Maximum Occupancy

  • Date: June 5-6, 2024
  • Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Maximum Occupancy is New Zealand’s premier hotel and accommodation industry conference, designed by and for the industry’s leaders.

Why should you attend?

This two-day event will feature over 50 industry experts and speakers from New Zealand and all over the globe. Topics include increasing direct bookings, gaining market share, and maximizing revenue to help all types and sizes of accommodation businesses grow.

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://maximumoccupancy.co.nz/

STR Summit by the Real Estate Robinsons

 

  • Date: June 23-25, 2024
  • Location: Denver, Colorado

The must-attend conference for aspiring and seasoned Airbnb investors, the STR Summit perfectly blends business savvy with unbeatable fun.

Why should you attend?

If you’re looking to break into the Airbnb market or grow your existing Airbnb business, the STR Summit is for you. This Airbnb conference is designed to help empower you with the knowledge you need to choose profitable properties and locations and optimize your listings for maximum returns.

Tickets: $997-$2997

Website: https://therealestaterobinsons.com/strsummit/

Urban Living Festival

Urban Living Festival

  • Date: July 2024 (exact dates TBD)
  • Location: London, UK

This festival aims to connect real estate “urbanites” from across the globe to “collectively define the evolution of how and where we stay, live and work.”

Why should you attend?

The Urban Living Festival is unique in its focus on the intersection of hospitality, real estate, and living. And because registration isn’t limited to property managers and owners, it’s a great opportunity to network across industries.

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://www.urbanlivingfestival.com

NoVacany Expo & Conference

  • Date: September 18-19, 2024
  • Location: Sydney, Australia

NoVacancy Expo & Conference is Australia’s largest hotel and accommodation expo, featuring 45+ seminars and 120+ expert speakers and panelists.

Why should you attend?

Browse products from 100+ suppliers, see demos of game-changing hotel technology, and choose among seven function-specific summits to design your own agenda. Topics include guest experience and technology, revenue and distribution, interiors and refurbishment, loyalty and digital marketing, management and operations, and housekeeping products.

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://novacancy.com.au/

The Glamping Show

The Glamping Show

  • Date: September 19-21, 2024
  • Location: Stoneleigh, UK

The Glamping Show is the ideal event for glamping site owners, hosts, and manufacturers to connect and build relationships.

Why should you attend?

As the glamping market continues to grow, so does the demand for manufacturers, industry insights, and “glampsites.” To help you maximize your profitability, it’s important that guests see the value in your services. This conference allows you to connect with and get inspiration from hundreds of glamping leaders.

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://www.theglampingshow.com

The Glamping Show Americas 2024

  • Date: October 1-2, 2024
  • Location: Aurora, Colorado

The only trade event dedicated to the glamping industry in the Americas, this conference and expo aims to equip hosts with the knowledge needed to scale their glamping businesses.

Why should you attend?

The two-day event boasts an array of speakers, exhibits, and opportunities for networking and making valuable business connections. The conference is attended by hosts, managers, manufacturers, and more, with the chance to learn from glamping experts and buy the best materials for your site.

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://www.glampingshow.us

Vacation Rental World Summit

  • Date: October 3-4, 2024
  • Location: Porto, Portugal

Starting in 2014, Vacation Rental World Summit has become one of the largest global events offered to vacation rental professionals.

Why should you attend?

One thing that makes this summit stand out from the rest is the roundtables: 50-minute help and support networking sessions. These allow you to connect with colleagues in a unique and meaningful way that you won’t find anywhere else. The sessions are facilitated by industry leaders and followed up with resources.

What’s more, the Vacation Rental World Summit has earned a reputation for being held in beautiful European cities (like Porto!).

Tickets: €297-€497

Website: https://vacationrentalworldsummit.com

VRMA International Conference

Date: October 14-17, 2024

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

One of the largest short-term rental conferences out there, this is the go-to event for education and networking. The VRMA International Conference brings together thousands of innovators and forward-thinking companies to grow and support the industry.

Why should you attend?

Addressing topics ranging from fundamentals to strategies for growth, the VRMA International Conference meets the diverse needs of its attendees. Whether your business is just getting started or scaling quickly, you’re sure to find insights relevant for your needs.

And as an added bonus, you’ll find representatives from Lodgify at the event!

Tickets: TBD

Website: https://www.vrma.org/events/event-calendar/event-details/vrma-international-conference-3

Scale UK

  • Date: November 6-7, 2024
  • Location: London, UK

Scale UK is the most recent addition to the Scale Family of events, dedicated to property managers based in the United Kingdom with at least 20 units and ambitions to scale.

Why should you attend?

Scale UK has a uniquely niche focus, making it a great way to gain highly relevant insights and network with like-minded peers. They also only sell tickets to professionals (no service providers) and prohibit sales pitches, so you can learn without being sold to.

What’s more, attendees get a say in the themes covered at the event!

Tickets: £99 (prices increase January 31)

Website: https://uk.scalerentals.show/

The Phocuswright Conference

The Phocuswright Conference

  • Date: November 19-21, 2024
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona

The Phocuswright Conference is tackling all the tough questions vacation rental property managers are faced with while operating a business in 2024. It’s a refreshingly direct approach to supporting property managers in overcoming these challenges.

Why should you attend?

Sessions are designed to make space for healthy debate between colleagues and industry leaders in order to work together to raise the bar for the industry. Past conference speakers have included Steve Hafner from Kayak, Jeff Katz from Journera, Duarte Moreira from Indie Campers, and Steve Kaufer from Tripadvisor.

Tickets: $3399

Website: https://www.phocuswrightconference.com/

Learn and grow with short-term rental conferences

We know you’re busy managing your business, but we highly recommend attending at least one of these vacation rental industry events this year. They are both personally enriching and professionally beneficial, making them well worth the time and registration fees!

Events, dates, and locations are subject to change with or without notice. If you know of an upcoming vacation rental industry event that should be included in our list, please let us know in the comments section below.


What do you think about this article?

5/5 - (10 votes)
Show Comments (2)
    1. Hi Carolyn,

      I just checked our records and you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. I’m happy to say you received the first one on Friday!

      All the best,

      Jess

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ready to take more direct bookings?

No set up fees, no credit card details, no obligation. Try Lodgify free for 7 days.