The Psychology of Value-Adds with RevMax's Revenue Experts Desiree Garcia & Maureen Shilling
April 29, 2025
Navigate the changing landscape of vacation rental revenue management with RevMax co-founders Desiree Garcia and Maureen Shilling. In this episode, they share invaluable insights on adapting to 2025's market challenges, from shifting booking windows to creative pricing strategies beyond traditional discounts. Learn why cleaning fee credits outperform percentage discounts, how to leverage your customer database effectively, and why understanding your inventory data is crucial for success. Whether you're struggling with occupancy rates or seeking to optimize your revenue strategy, this conversation offers practical solutions for property managers looking to thrive in today's dynamic market.
This episode is sponsored by RevMax.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon speaks with RevMax co-founders Desiree Garcia and Maureen Shilling, who bring over 40 years of combined revenue management expertise. They discuss the evolving vacation rental marketplace in 2025, sharing insights on adapting to market changes and maximizing revenue through strategic approaches beyond pricing.
What you'll learn:
What you'll learn:
- How to navigate the post-COVID vacation rental landscape with shifting owner expectations and new technology
- Why traditional pricing strategies are no longer sufficient and how to adapt booking policies for changing consumer behavior
- The importance of understanding market-specific data and inventory segmentation for strategic decision-making
- How to leverage tangible value-adds like cleaning fee credits and pool heat instead of straight discounts
- Why marketing investment and database management are crucial in today's competitive landscape
- How to respond strategically to shortened booking windows without sacrificing revenue
- The critical role of data-driven decision making versus emotional responses to market changes
- Why distribution channel strategy matters more than ever in a supply-heavy market
- How to set realistic revenue goals by understanding your competitive set and marketing capabilities
Desiree Garcia, CEO and Co-founder of RevMax, and Maureen Shilling, Co-Founder and Director of Client Services, bring over 40 years of combined experience in hospitality and vacation rental revenue management. Desiree, with a background in hotel revenue management, has led RevMax in creating innovative software solutions that integrate data analytics with practical industry strategies. Maureen specializes in data-driven pricing and inventory optimization, drawing from her extensive expertise across both hotel and vacation rental sectors. Together, they offer a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach to helping property managers adapt to market changes and maximize their revenue potential.
This episode is sponsored by RevMax.
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The Vacation Rental Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Jim DeVos of Best Beach Getaways, Stacy Wesson of Cascara Vacation Rentals, Michael Friedman of The Simple Life Hospitality, Steve Caron of Inhabit, John An of TechTape, Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide, Justin Ford of Breezeway, Mahwussh Alam of One Perfect Stay, Lisa Stinnett of Inhabit, and many more.
Check out the three most downloaded episodes:
Previous guests include: Jim DeVos of Best Beach Getaways, Stacy Wesson of Cascara Vacation Rentals, Michael Friedman of The Simple Life Hospitality, Steve Caron of Inhabit, John An of TechTape, Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide, Justin Ford of Breezeway, Mahwussh Alam of One Perfect Stay, Lisa Stinnett of Inhabit, and many more.
Check out the three most downloaded episodes:
- Vacation Rental Stories: Episode 63 - Driving Innovation and Partnership
- Homeowners Become Family with Michael Godfrey, Owner of Michael’s Vacation Rentals
- Life in Maui as a Property Manager with Scott Jordan, Owner of Maui Life Realty
Are you a vacation rental industry leader looking to share your expertise? We're seeking innovative voices to join our conversation about growing and scaling vacation rental businesses.
The Vacation Rental Show reaches thousands of property managers worldwide. We're particularly interested in perspectives on:
- Scaling your vacation rental portfolio
- Optimizing guest experiences
- Revenue management strategies
- Industry trends and market insights