Updated on: September 2, 2025
Vacation rentals have blown up in the last few years. More people choose a house or apartment over a hotel, and that boom has pulled in a lot of new players — owners, managers, tech providers.
Events are where it all comes together. They’re not just about panels and talks — they’re where people swap ideas, make connections, and see what’s working right now.
Here are the big ones worth keeping an eye on this year.
Importance of vacation rental events for property management
For managers, these events aren’t just networking mixers. They’re where you pick up real insights without the trial-and-error at home.
Workshops cover everything from guest experience tricks to new software. Panels dive into rules, pricing strategies, and market shifts. And the biggest takeaway? Talking face-to-face with others in the industry often opens doors you’d never find scrolling LinkedIn.
Which are the key events in the vacation rental industry?
The short-term rental market never stays still. New tech, changing guest habits, tighter rules — it all moves fast. That’s why these gatherings matter: they let you compare notes and stay a step ahead.
Recharge
Recharge is an annual meet-up that attracts managers, owners, and suppliers from around the globe. Think of it as a focused space to talk trends, share what’s working, and figure out where the industry is headed next.
The last edition took place in Lisbon in January. Next stop: Belfast.
When: Jan 22–23, 2024
Where: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Scale Rentals
This series of conferences zeroes in on property managers looking to grow sustainably. Events range from smaller local sessions to large global shows. It’s hands-on, with a focus on operations and scaling.
When & Where:
Scale Marbella: Feb 21, 2024
Scale Open Spain: Feb 22, 2024
Scale South Africa: Mar 12, 2024
Scale Open South Africa: Mar 13, 2024
Scale Show, Barcelona: May 14–15, 2024
Scale Open Global, Barcelona: May 16, 2024
VRMA
The VRMA is one of the most established names in the industry. Their conferences bring together U.S. and international players with a focus on education, training, and advocacy. Sessions range from tech and marketing to regulations and leadership.
2024 Schedule:
Mar 4–5: VRMA European Conference (Paris, France)
Apr 15–16: VRMA Spring Forum (New Orleans, LA)
May 29–31: VRMA Executive Summit (Boca Raton, FL)
Oct 14–17: VRMA International Conference (Phoenix, AZ)
Vacation Rental World Summit
An annual in-person summit that mixes keynotes, workshops, and peer discussions. The emphasis is on sharing practical strategies and real-world insights.
When: Oct 3–4, 2024
Where: Porto, Portugal
ShortStay Greece Conference
This event gathers industry voices in Greece, with topics ranging from marketing and sustainability to regulations and technology. It’s a space to meet regional players while keeping an international outlook.
When: Feb 2024 (dates TBA)
Where: Athens, Greece
ITB Berlin
The world’s largest travel trade fair. While not only about vacation rentals, it’s where the short-term rental sector sits alongside hotels, airlines, and destinations — a good place to see the bigger travel picture.
When: Mar 5–7, 2024
Where: Berlin, Germany
Shortyz
An annual awards event in London that celebrates standouts in the vacation rental space — from tech providers to top managers. More community-driven than conference-style, but a key networking point.
When: Apr 23, 2024
Where: London, UK
Short Stay Summit
Organized by the Short Term Accommodation Association and EHHA, this summit pulls together European rental pros for one packed day of panels and discussions. Topics include property management, marketing, regulations, and tech.
When: Apr 24, 2024
Where: London, UK
Vitur Summit
Held in Malaga, Vitur brings together leaders from across Europe. Expect high-level talks, strong networking, and a chance to hear from institutions as well as operators.
When: May 8–9, 2024
Where: Malaga, Spain
The Book Direct Show
Focused on one theme: cutting reliance on OTAs and boosting direct bookings. Talks cover everything from website design to guest communication strategies.
When: May 16, 2024
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Urban Living
This London event looks at hospitality and real estate through an urban lens. It’s broader than just vacation rentals, pulling in voices from co-living, hotels, and investment — useful for spotting cross-industry trends.
When: July 2024 (dates TBA)
Where: London, UK
EXPORV (Expo Renta Vacacional)
One of the biggest gatherings in Latin America. Hosted in Cancun, it combines congress sessions, exhibitions, and networking, with a focus on opportunities across Mexico and the wider region.
When: TBA
Where: Cancun, Mexico
The vacation rental space moves quickly, and events are one of the easiest ways to keep up. They’re not just about lectures — they’re about building relationships, testing ideas, and seeing where the industry is heading next.
If you’re serious about scaling your business, block off time for at least one or two of these this year. The knowledge and connections often pay back far more than the ticket cost.
And if you want to walk into those events with your operations already running smoothly, that’s where Hostify comes in. Our platform pulls bookings, guest messages, and reporting into one place so you can focus on growth instead of daily chaos.
👉 Curious? Try a free demo and see how much easier property management can be.
