The short-term rental industry does not sit still. Every year the landscape shifts — new platforms emerge, regulations tighten, technology evolves, and the competitive dynamics between property managers, OTAs, and direct booking channels continue to intensify. Staying ahead of all of it from behind a screen is not enough.
That is why 2026 is shaping up to be the most important year yet for STR industry events. The hunger for in-person connection is growing. The more digital and automated our industry becomes, the more people are realising that the relationships, insights, and deals that move a business forward still happen face to face — in conference rooms, over coffee, in hallways between sessions. The calendar is fuller than ever, and the quality of the events is rising with it.
This guide covers the 9 most important short-term rental events in 2026 — across the US and Europe. These are the gatherings where the industry's most serious operators, investors, and technology leaders come together. If you are a property manager, a vacation rental consultant, or anyone building a business in this space, your calendar should include at least a few of these.
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Short Stay Summit, held at Old Billingsgate in London on April 22, 2026, has established itself as the flagship short-term rental event in Europe — and arguably one of the most important in the world. Organised by the UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) as a non-profit event, it draws a genuinely senior crowd: CEOs, founders, heads of distribution, and technology leaders from across the global STR ecosystem.
What makes Short Stay Summit stand out is the quality of the conversations. This is not a conference for beginners learning how to list on Airbnb. It is a room full of people who are actively shaping the direction of the industry — from regulatory strategy to AI adoption, distribution shifts, and consolidation trends. The theme for 2026, 'Tourism Reimagined,' challenges the industry to rethink what STR tourism looks like next — and who it is built for.
The networking is structured but not forced, and the calibre of speakers consistently reflects the seniority of the audience. If you attend one European STR event this year, this should be it.
Who it's for
Property managers, technology providers, OTAs, investors, and senior STR operators across Europe and beyond.
Why you should go: The highest concentration of senior STR decision-makers in Europe, in one room, for one day — organised as a non-profit with education and value at the centre.
STR Summit returns to New Holland, Pennsylvania on April 7, 2026 with a clear focus: helping STR operators 'Win With Purpose.' Held at The Silk Mill on Main, this single-day event is designed for property managers who are building businesses with intention — combining profitability with values-led decision-making.
The summit attracts a mix of established operators and growth-stage entrepreneurs who are serious about the fundamentals: operations, guest experience, revenue strategy, and sustainable growth. It is a smaller, more intimate event than the larger national conferences, which creates space for deeper conversations and more direct access to speakers and peers.
The event's positioning around purpose and strategy resonates particularly well with operators who are past the startup phase and thinking about what kind of business they want to build for the long term.
Who it's for
US-based property managers and vacation rental entrepreneurs seeking purpose-driven strategy and operational excellence.
Why you should go: A values-driven, strategy-focused event for US operators who want to build profitable, purpose-led STR businesses.
The Shortyz Awards, hosted by Short Term Rentalz, returns to The Westin London City on April 21, 2026 for its seventh annual celebration of excellence in the short-term rental industry. This is not a traditional conference — it is an evening awards ceremony and networking event that brings together the industry's most successful operators, innovators, and service providers.
The format includes a sparkling reception, a three-course sit-down dinner with wine, and an awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievement across multiple categories — from property management and technology to marketing and guest experience. The event also features entertainment and creates a relaxed but high-calibre networking environment.
For industry professionals looking to connect with peers, celebrate success, and gain visibility within the European STR community, The Shortyz offers a unique and memorable experience that sits apart from the standard conference format.
Who it's for
Industry leaders, property managers, technology providers, and service companies across the European and global STR market.
Why you should go: The premier STR industry awards ceremony in Europe — an elegant networking evening celebrating the best of the vacation rental sector.
SCALE España brings the SCALE event model to Madrid on April 28-29, 2026, offering a Spanish and European-focused version of the growth-stage operator community that SCALE has built globally. Held at Espacio Ventas, the event is designed for property managers who are actively scaling their portfolios and looking for tactical, actionable insights.
The SCALE event series is known for its high-energy, peer-learning dynamic — less about industry trends and more about what is actually working right now. Attendees tend to be hands-on operators who are building businesses in real time, which creates a community feel that is harder to find at larger, more institutional conferences.
For operators in the Spanish market or those expanding into Southern Europe, SCALE España offers direct access to a community of peers, practical education, and networking opportunities that are specifically relevant to the regional market.
Who it's for
Spanish and European property managers, hosts, and STR entrepreneurs looking to scale operations and improve revenue performance.
Why you should go: The SCALE community comes to Madrid — practical, peer-driven education for growth-stage STR operators in Spain and Europe.
VRNation's 2026 Annual Conference, held April 28-30 in Denver, Colorado, brings together a thriving community of vacation rental professionals under the theme 'High Road to Hospitality: Turning the Wild West into World-Class.' The event is hosted at the Sheraton Downtown Denver and features keynote sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to elevate industry standards.
The conference is known for its community-first approach — VRNation positions itself as a forward-thinking association dedicated to comprehensive education, collaboration, and support. The 2026 programme includes a keynote from Brian Smith, founder of UGG Boots, alongside high-impact vendor demos and boardroom-style solution presentations.
For US-based operators who value community, education, and a collaborative approach to building better vacation rental businesses, VRNation offers a refreshing alternative to the larger, more transactional industry conferences.
Who it's for
US-based property managers, vacation rental hosts, and service providers looking to elevate industry standards and build community.
Why you should go: A community-driven US conference focused on elevating hospitality standards — ideal for operators who value education, collaboration, and shared purpose.
GuestyVal, Guesty's annual user conference, returns to Madrid on September 16-18, 2026 as the premier destination event for STR professionals ready to lead, innovate, and chart the future of hospitality. The event has grown significantly in both scale and ambition over recent years, serving as both a product showcase and an industry gathering for property managers who rely on — or are considering — Guesty as their core PMS platform.
Beyond the product announcements, GuestyVal offers genuine networking value. It brings together a concentrated audience of professional property managers who are actively managing significant portfolios, which creates a room where operational conversations happen naturally. If you are a Guesty user, it is the single best place to understand where the platform is going and how to get more from it. If you are evaluating PMS options, it is a valuable window into the ecosystem.
The choice of Madrid adds to the appeal — a well-connected European city with excellent infrastructure for events of this scale.
Who it's for
Guesty users, property managers evaluating PMS platforms, and technology-focused STR operators.
Why you should go: The definitive event for Guesty users and anyone serious about PMS-driven operational excellence — three days of product innovation, strategy, and community.
VRMA's Annual Conference is the largest and most established vacation rental industry event in the United States. Nashville plays host on October 4-6, 2026, and the conference will once again bring together a broad cross-section of the US vacation rental market — from large property management companies to independent operators, technology vendors, and service providers.
The scale of VRMA is both its strength and its challenge. The exhibition floor is extensive, the session programme is broad, and the networking opportunities are plentiful — but it can also feel overwhelming if you do not arrive with a clear plan for who you want to meet and what you want to learn. The best VRMA experiences come from treating it as a strategic networking trip rather than a passive conference attendance.
For anyone operating in the US vacation rental market, VRMA remains an essential fixture on the calendar. It is the one event where you can be confident that the full spectrum of the industry will be represented.
Who it's for
Property managers, vacation rental companies, technology vendors, and service providers across the US market.
Why you should go: The single biggest gathering of the US vacation rental industry — essential for visibility, networking, and market intelligence.
VRWS has carved out a distinctive position in the European STR calendar. Held in Lyon on October 8-9, 2026 at the Cité Internationale – Centre de Congrès, it brings together a broad cross-section of the vacation rental industry — from independent property managers to large-scale operators and the technology platforms that serve them.
The summit has a strong European identity but increasingly attracts international participants. Its programming tends to balance strategic big-picture discussions with practical, operations-focused sessions — making it useful whether you're thinking about where the industry is headed or trying to solve a specific operational problem in your business.
Lyon itself is a draw. The event benefits from a city that is easy to reach, pleasant to be in, and conducive to the kind of informal networking that often produces the best outcomes at industry events. The 2026 edition sold out quickly in previous years, with over 250 attendees signing up in the first 24 hours of the launch.
Who it's for
European property managers, vacation rental companies, technology providers, and OTA partners.
Why you should go: A well-balanced European summit that blends strategy with practical operations — in a city that makes the trip worthwhile.
Phocuswright is not a short-term rental event per se — it is the most important travel industry conference in the world. Held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on November 17-19, 2026, it brings together the most senior executives from OTAs, hotel groups, airlines, travel technology companies, and investment firms.
For STR professionals who want to understand how the vacation rental industry fits into the broader travel and hospitality ecosystem, it is invaluable. The conference explores the competitive dynamics between hotels and STR, the evolution of distribution, and the role of technology in shaping the future of accommodation.
The short-term rental segment has grown in prominence on the Phocuswright stage as the industry has matured, and sessions increasingly explore the strategic and investment landscape that will define the next phase of the STR market. Attending Phocuswright is a statement of ambition — it positions you and your thinking within the wider context of where travel is heading, not just where vacation rentals are today.
Who it's for
Travel industry executives, investors, technology leaders, and STR professionals who want to understand the wider travel ecosystem.
Why you should go: The most important travel industry conference in the world — essential context for STR professionals thinking beyond their own segment.
Why STR Events Are Getting Bigger Every Year
There is a paradox at the heart of the short-term rental industry right now. The more digital, automated, and technology-driven it becomes, the more people are seeking out in-person connection. The appetite for industry events is not shrinking — it is accelerating.
Part of this is practical. The STR landscape is evolving so quickly — new OTA policies, regulatory shifts, AI adoption, distribution changes — that the lag between what is happening and what gets written about is too long for operators who need to make decisions now. Events compress that gap. You hear what is working, what is breaking, and what is coming — directly from the people making it happen.
But there is something deeper, too. Running a property management business can be isolating. Most operators are heads-down in their own markets, solving their own problems, rarely talking to peers who are doing the same thing in different cities and countries. Events break that isolation. They remind you that you are part of an industry — and that the people in the room share many of the same challenges, frustrations, and ambitions.
The best deals, partnerships, and ideas in this industry still happen in rooms, not on screens. That is not going to change any time soon.
How to Get the Most Out of STR Events
Attending an event is one thing. Getting real value from it is another. After years of attending and speaking at STR industry events across the US and Europe, a few things have become clear about what separates a productive event trip from a wasted one.
Come with a clear goal. Know what you want to leave with — whether that is three new technology partners to evaluate, a better understanding of a specific market, or introductions to potential clients. Without a goal, you will drift between sessions and leave with a bag full of business cards and very little else.
Book meetings in advance. The most valuable conversations at events are rarely spontaneous. Reach out to the people you want to meet before you arrive. Use LinkedIn, email, or the event's own networking tools to set up specific meetings. The hallway conversations are important, but the pre-arranged ones are where the real business happens.
Follow up within 48 hours. The energy and goodwill of a conference evaporates fast. If you met someone worth continuing a conversation with, reach out within two days. After a week, you are just another name in their inbox.
And finally — do not just attend panels. Work the hallways, the coffee queues, the evening receptions. The sessions provide the framework, but the margins of the event are where the real connections happen. Some of the most valuable relationships in my career started with an unplanned conversation during a break between sessions.
Looking Forward to 2026
Every year I attend several of these events — sometimes as a speaker, sometimes as a delegate, always as someone who genuinely enjoys being in a room full of people who care about this industry as much as I do. The conversations are getting sharper, the challenges are getting more interesting, and the people in this space continue to be some of the most driven and creative professionals I have encountered in any sector.
If you are planning your 2026 calendar, I hope this guide helps you decide which events deserve your time and investment. And if you are attending any of these — I look forward to seeing you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Going to any of these events in 2026?
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