Short-Term Rental AND Outdoor Summit

Our Summit

As vaccines are rolled out and domestic travel looks set for a strong return in 2021, Skift will revisit the dramatic shift at the Short-Term Rental and Outdoor sectors during a one-day summit. Last year, Skift hosted this Summit the same week as Airbnb had its IPO, and the short-term rental ecosystem has since seen an influx of investors, acquisitions, and expansion even through the pandemic. Outdoor recreation and travel have also seen an explosion of interest and professionalization as travelers flood regional parks, attractions, and activities in lieu of international destinations.  

Join us on May 19, on the cusp of a busy summer vacation season, as we once again bring together leaders from online rental marketplaces, investors, startup founders, and outdoor recreation operators for interviews with Skift editors and research analysts. We’ll uncover what might happen next in both sectors as their growth outpaces the rest of travel and the big questions facing these sectors, including:

• How can leisure rentals not only capture summer demand, but also build deeper relationships with this growing market?
• With so much investment entering the short-term rental market, how will this accelerate consolidation and who will be acquired? 
• How will outdoor travel continue to attract new travelers and growth?
• Will rentals attract more business travelers in the future as remote work becomes the norm? 
• Will transparency and rate parity finally take hold in the rental industry, and how will consumers react? 
• Can the outdoor recreation industry professionalize without losing the qualities that attracts their core consumer base?

Agenda

Wednesday, May 19th

11:00 AM

Welcome

Ayesha Durgahee

Skift Live

Journalist, Broadcaster, & Editorial Host

11:03 AM

Skift Research’s Outlook for Short-Term Rentals in 2021 and Beyond

Wouter Geerts

Skift

Senior Research Analyst

11:10 AM

Can Vrbo Keep the Momentum Going?

Jeff Hurst

Expedia Group

President and Co-lead, Marketing

Moderator

Dennis Schaal – Executive Editor, Founding Editor

11:30 AM

What’s Next for Urban and How Will It Bounce Back?

Francis Davidson

Sonder

Co-Founder & CEO

Moderator

Sean O’Neill – Senior Travel Tech Editor

11:45 AM

The New Playbook for Short-Term Rental Managers

Julie Brinkman

Beyond

CEO

Moderator

Jeremy Kressmann – Research Editor

12:00 PM

Technology’s Role in Reshaping Guest Experience, Operations, and the Bottom Line

Jamie Cohen

Vacasa

Chief Financial Officer

Vered Raviv Schwarz

Guesty

President & COO

Moderator

Wouter Geerts – Senior Research Analyst

12:20 PM

Acquisitions and Investments in Short-Term Rentals: Predictions for 2021

Carl Shepherd

HomeAway

Investor and Co-Founder

Moderator

Dennis Schaal – Executive Editor, Founding Editor

12:45 PM

BREAK

12:55 PM

What’s Happening on the Ground for Rentals Ahead of Summer

Jason Sprenkle

Key Data

CEO

Scott Seay

Southern Vacation Rentals

CEO

Jennifer Hsieh

Marriott International

VP, Homes & Villas

Moderator

Amy Hinote – Founder & Editor-in-Chief, VRM Intel

1:20 PM

The Evolution of FLEX Multifamily Buildings: How to Drive Profit and Value for Owners

Will Lucas

Mint House

Founder and CEO

Moderator

Angela Tupper – Contributor, EventMB

1:35 PM

How Outdoor Travel Startups Are Meeting Consumer Demand

Sarah Smith

The Dyrt

Co-Founder

Rachelle Snyder

Arrive Outdoors

Co-Founder & CEO

Anjali Agarwal

AutoCamp

Chief Operating Officer

Moderator

Lebawit Lily Girma – Global Tourism Reporter

2:00 PM

Outdoor Travel Is Hot: What Are the Opportunities and Challenges?

Jennifer Young

Outdoorsy

Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer

Jon Staff

Getaway

CEO and Founder

Moderator

Sean O’Neill – Senior Travel Tech Editor

2:20 PM

Limiting Overtourism Within Public Lands: What It Means for Travel Companies

Rick DeLappe

Recreation.gov

Interagency Program Manager

Moderator

Margaret Bailey – SVP, CHM Government Services

2:35 PM

Where Do Short-Term Rentals Go From Here?

Laurence Tosi

WestCap Group

Managing Partner & Founder

Allen Mask

CōLab

Managing Partner

Moderator

Seth Borko – Senior Research Analyst

3:00 PM

Event Ends

(Subject to change)

EVENT TECH HOST