The official podcast of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA). As the only organization representing the entire spectrum of the vacation rental industry, VRMA has an audience of both vacation rental managers and suppliers, large and small. Join us as we discuss vacation rental management trends, hot topics and association initiatives with the industry’s leading minds.
How Frias Properties Weathered a Difficult Ski Season
The 2025-2026 ski season brought historically low snowfall to Aspen Snowmass and put vacation rental operators to the test. But Frias Properties entered the winter ahead of pace and ultimately outperformed the broader market, relying on a strategy built around early bookings, repeat guests, thoughtful revenue management, and strong guest service.
In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, Alexa Schlosser talks with Ben Wolff, general manager of Frias Properties (https://www.friasproperties.com/), about how his team navigated one of the toughest ski seasons in recent memory without resorting to steep rate cuts. Wolff shares how technology helped Frias respond to changing demand, why repeat and direct business provided an important foundation, and how the company worked with guests and homeowners as conditions deteriorated.
The conversation also looks beyond the ski market at lessons any vacation rental manager can apply when facing circumstances outside their control—from hurricanes and wildfires to economic uncertainty—including the value of travel insurance, monitoring booking pace early, and building guest loyalty long before a difficult season arrives.
31 Aug 2026
Rishi Nigam and Bob Milne on Why Local Still Wins
In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, VRMA’s Alexa Schlosser sits down with First Chair Destinations (https://www.firstchair.com/) CEO Rishi Nigam and president and chief operating officer Bob Milne to discuss what they believe is the next phase of the vacation rental industry’s evolution.
Drawing on decades of experience building companies like Wyndham Vacation Rentals and Vacasa, they reflect on the lessons learned from large-scale consolidation and explain why they believe long-term success will come from focused brands, empowered local teams, and memorable guest experiences—not simply adding more homes.
The conversation explores the changing definition of growth, the role of technology in supporting (rather than replacing) hospitality, why local decision-making matters, and how First Chair is building a brand around mountain and coastal destinations with a clear identity and purpose. They also share their perspective on where the industry is headed and what will separate the companies that thrive over the next several years.
28 Jul 2026
Ari Eryorulmaz on Building Smarter, Simpler Operations
Ari Eryorulmaz didn't plan on building a career in vacation rentals. After accidentally entering the industry as a college student, he went on to become a property manager, entrepreneur, and founder of Extenteam, a company that now supports tens of thousands of units across the short-term rental industry.
In this episode of the VRMA Arrival Podcast, Ari shares his perspective on the operational challenges property managers face as technology stacks become increasingly complex. He discusses why adding more software doesn't always create a better guest experience, how fragmented data can create friction for both guests and staff, and what operators can learn by booking their own properties as if they were guests.
The conversation also explores the evolving role of AI in vacation rental operations. Rather than viewing AI as simply another automation tool, Ari explains how it can help orchestrate workflows, surface operational challenges, and free teams to focus on higher-value interactions with guests and homeowners. He also offers advice for property managers looking to scale, including how to evaluate technology investments and avoid losing focus on the fundamentals that drive long-term success.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
24
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
82
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