A Path to Recovery: Preparing for Business after COVID-19
Session Description:
We will travel and vacation again and professionally managed vacation rentals are poised to be the preferred accommodation option. Focusing now on preparing for a return to business can make the transition easier. Join a group of industry experts as they share best practices for jump starting business when COVID-19 subsides. What will the vacation rental landscape look like? Many expect hyper sensitivity from guests and owners, which managers must adapt to as the industry’s new normal. From more comprehensive housekeeping protocols, to more strategic communication with guests, owners and staff, our panelist of professional property managers will discuss the impact from COVID-19 and share how managers can be best prepared to welcome guests when travel resumes.
Presented by:
Jeremy Gall, Breezeway
Panelists
Jeremy Clayton, Padre Escapes
Jeff Thompson, Benchmark Management, LLC
Mike Harrington, Carolina Retreats
Downloadable Handouts:
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Jeremiah Gall is a serial entrepreneur with a history of delivering great products to vacation rental managers over the past thirteen years. In 2006, Jeremy founded FlipKey.com, and grew the guest-review platform into one of the world’s largest vacation rental businesses before TripAdvisor’s acquisition in 2013. Jeremy is currently the Founder & CEO of Breezeway, a property operations & messaging platform that helps property managers automate their operations and service interactions. Jeremy has shared in-depth analysis of the vacation rental market on national travel shows and publications, and is a regular presenter at VRMA conferences, MIT, and Boston College.
Co Authors :
Jeremy is one of the four original pioneers of Padre Escapes. He is the primary contact for property owners, he also handles marketing, technology, data management, and works closely with the rest of the team on day-to-day operations.
Jeremy is a native of the Corpus Christi area. In 2004 he attained his degree in Marketing from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. He lives on North Padre Island with his wife Lauren and their two kids, Cooper (6) and McKinley (3). Jeremy and his family have a passion for the outdoors, in the slower season you’ll usually find them fishing, surfing, hiking, or camping.
Jeff Thompson is the President and majority owner of Benchmark Management LLC, a Florida vacation rental and property management business focused on Highway 30A. After vacationing in the Florida Panhandle for years, he retired to the area in 2016. It was during this relocation process and looking at properties that the real estate bug bit him. In April 2017 after 12 months of “retirement”, Jeff acquired his first vacation rental business – managing 35 units. Most recently Benchmark Management has acquired Garrett Realty Services, a property management company with a rich history in NW Florida. Benchmark is now home to over 430 units and 40 employees.
Prior to Jeff’s move to Florida and entry into the vacation rental management business, Jeff served for 13 years in various executive leadership roles at Berry Global, a large, international packaging manufacturer headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. Jeff most recently served as the EVP of Berry’s international division, and prior to that role, served as that Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of the company. In these roles, Jeff was instrumental in the company’s emergence as one of the world’s largest packaging companies, growing from $500 million to more than $12 billion in revenue today.
Mike is the Founder and CEO at Carolina Retreats Vacation Rentals. Carolina Retreats is a specialty lodging and vacation rental management company headquartered in Wilmington,NC. Through their local brands and affiliates, they provide unrivaled service by utilizing high-tech tools, modern online marketing, and an unparalleled team to deliver one-of-a-kind vacations. Their singular focus is creating unforgettable, authentic experiences for valued guests, and protecting their owner client’s hard-earned assets while maximizing their income and occupancy potential.