How VRMA Transformed from Member Feedback to Action Driven Results with Anne Gardner of VRMA
September 3, 2025
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon sits down with Anne Gardner, Executive Director of VRMA, to explore how the largest global community for vacation rental professionals has transformed through member-driven feedback and strategic listening. Anne reveals how VRMA evolved from traditional conference programming to a member-led approach featuring over 50 volunteer planners, personalized learning paths, and actionable Monday-morning solutions. From emergency preparedness partnerships to M&A education, this conversation showcases how VRMA is positioning property managers for success in an accelerating industry landscape while maintaining the foundational community spirit that has defined the organization for 40 years.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline Summit 2025: Soar.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon speaks with Anne Gardner, Executive Director of VRMA, about the dramatic transformation of the vacation rental industry's largest professional association and how it's adapting to serve members in an era of rapid change.
What you'll learn:
- How VRMA's "grand listening tour" transformed member feedback into actionable programming changes
- Why over 50 volunteer members now drive conference planning and education content
- The strategic shift from general programming to four distinct business learning paths
- How VRMA supports property managers navigating M&A opportunities and transitions
- Partnership strategies with advocacy groups, emergency preparedness initiatives, and industry alliances
- Why conference success should be measured by actionable takeaways, not networking quantity
- The evolution from spring forums to foundations training for career development
- How VRMA maintains community intimacy while scaling to serve thousands of members
- Strategic collaborations with Red Cross, Hospitality Heroes, and advocacy organizations
- The role of technology acceleration in creating opportunities rather than disruption
Anne Gardner brings over 25 years of association management experience, including 14 years as a chief executive, to her role leading VRMA. Her background includes serving as CEO of Cape Fear Realtors and extensive experience in organizational leadership and innovation. Under her leadership, VRMA has pivoted to become a member-driven organization focused on actionable education, strategic partnerships, and maintaining the community foundation that has made the association "positively foundational" to property management careers for four decades.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline Summit 2025: Soar.
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Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[01:34] Anne's Background: From Cape Fear Realtors to VRMA Leadership
[03:00] Women's Summit Experience: Building Electric Industry Connections
[01:34] Anne's Background: From Cape Fear Realtors to VRMA Leadership
[03:00] Women's Summit Experience: Building Electric Industry Connections
[04:35] Best Strategies for Maximizing Conference Value and ROI
[11:21] The "One Thing That Paid for Your Ticket" Success Metric
[13:50] Member-Driven Programming: From Feedback to Action with 50+ Volunteers
[18:45] VRMA's Collaboration Strategy: Advocacy, Emergency Preparedness, and Industry Partnerships
[21:16] Conference Investment: Understanding Value in Large-Scale Industry Events
[25:09] M&A Education: Preparing Members for Industry Consolidation and Opportunities
[28:53] Community Foundation: Maintaining Intimacy While Scaling for Growth
[31:19] VRMA 2025 Las Vegas: New Companies, First-Time Attendees, and Special Discount Code
[11:21] The "One Thing That Paid for Your Ticket" Success Metric
[13:50] Member-Driven Programming: From Feedback to Action with 50+ Volunteers
[18:45] VRMA's Collaboration Strategy: Advocacy, Emergency Preparedness, and Industry Partnerships
[21:16] Conference Investment: Understanding Value in Large-Scale Industry Events
[25:09] M&A Education: Preparing Members for Industry Consolidation and Opportunities
[28:53] Community Foundation: Maintaining Intimacy While Scaling for Growth
[31:19] VRMA 2025 Las Vegas: New Companies, First-Time Attendees, and Special Discount Code
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:
- 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
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