In this episode, Heather Bayer welcomes back her son and business partner, Mike Bayer, for a timely New Year's discussion on a topic that affects nearly every property manager: onboarding and training.

After a holiday season filled with family chaos (a trip to the emergency room, and a broken hot tub!), Heather and Mike shift gears to reflect on the challenges of integrating new team members into short-term rental businesses. Drawing from Mike's personal experience onboarding at a new job in the pickleball industry, they reveal how even fast-growing companies can feel "held together by duct tape" without strong onboarding systems.

This episode kicks off a multi-part series on training, development, and systems thinking in STR businesses - highlighting why formal training is often overlooked and how it can transform team performance, guest experience, and business efficiency.

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📣 Episode Sponsor: STRAIT Chat & the AI Ambassador Program

This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning.

And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality.

🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:
https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/podcast/VRS645

It's the first episode of 2026 - and that means it's time for our annual deep dive into what's happened across the vacation rental industry over the past year, and what's coming next. Back by popular demand, David Angotti joins Heather to break down the big shifts of 2025 and share what smart property managers should focus on heading into the New Year.

From PMS shakeups and AI integration to a renewed focus on local hospitality, David brings a candid and insightful perspective from inside some of the industry's most talked-about brands, including his transition from Guesty to Casago. You'll hear his thoughts on how Casago is rewriting the rulebook for franchise growth, why property managers must prioritize owner relationships, and what not to settle for when choosing your tech stack in 2026.

Whether you're feeling excited or overwhelmed by where the industry is heading, this conversation offers clarity, inspiration, and actionable advice to start your year strong.

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📣 Midroll Sponsor: STRAIT Chat & the AI Ambassador Program

This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning.

And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality.

🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:
https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/podcast/VRS644

What if artificial intelligence could actually enhance the human touch instead of replacing it?

In this episode, Heather speaks with Eliseo Palous, co-founder of Short Stay Media, to explore how AI - especially voice AI - is revolutionizing guest communications in the short-term rental industry without sacrificing what matters most: hospitality, responsibility, and trust.

Eliseo shares the fascinating journey from starting as an intern in a small property management company to co-founding a business at the forefront of AI-powered communication. His insights into the human challenges behind tech adoption and the risks of depersonalized service hit home for any operator trying to scale without losing soul.

This conversation is a thoughtful guide for anyone navigating the balance between automation and authentic guest experience, and a must-listen if you've ever felt overwhelmed - or skeptical - about bringing AI into your business.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

📣 Midroll Sponsor: STRAIT Chat & the AI Ambassador Program

This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning.

And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality.

🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:
https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/podcast/VRS643