Author:
Ciara Alarcon
2025 has been an energizing year for Delegate, marked by a series of conferences and industry gatherings that brought together short-term rental (STR) operators, hospitality leaders, and innovators from around the globe. From North America to Europe to the Middle East, these events created opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and explore how combining human expertise with technology is shaping the next generation of hospitality.
Here’s a recap of the major events Delegate attended so far and the themes that stood out.
Hosted by TravelNet Solutions, the NEXT Conference in Minneapolis brought together vacation rental and hotel leaders under the banner “For the Love of Hospitality.” The focus was clear: growth powered by passion.
Here, operators shared how they’re pushing boundaries — experimenting with tech stacks, centralizing operations, and personalizing guest experiences. For Delegate, the conversations confirmed the rising demand for assistants trained in leading platforms like Guesty, Hostaway, and Jurny, who can help operators integrate tools seamlessly into daily workflows.
What started as a regional group has now transformed into a nationwide association, welcoming not only property management companies but also independent hosts.
For Delegate, the highlight was seeing a community-centric approach take center stage. Transparency, trust, and education were recurring themes, and conversations often circled back to how operators can scale without losing the human touch.
In London, the Short Stay Summit reaffirmed its role as one of the most influential gatherings for STR operators. Organized by the UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), this non-profit event was dedicated to education, best practices, and industry resilience.
The biggest takeaway? Operators are hungry for solutions that help them simplify workflows. At every session, the importance of guest communications, automation, and operational efficiency stood out, areas where Delegate’s trained assistants are already helping STR businesses stay ahead.
The Michigan Conference offered two days of hands-on strategies for maximizing returns and creating a top-tier guest experience. While focused on operators in the state, the lessons shared applied far more broadly.
Networking sessions highlighted how localized challenges mirror global ones, from staffing constraints to balancing growth with guest satisfaction. For Delegate, it reinforced the value of having flexible staffing solutions that scale with operators’ unique needs.
What began as an STR-focused summit has quickly evolved into a multi-business conference for entrepreneurs and creatives. At the Level Up Your Listing Summit, the energy was unmistakable: founders and operators looking not just to manage properties, but to build brands and expand their influence.
The event underscored a key theme: STR operators are no longer just property managers, they are becoming content creators, marketers, and investors. Delegating tasks to skilled assistants is no longer a luxury; it’s essential for keeping pace.
Delegate’s global journey extended to Dubai with Affiliate World, where e-commerce and marketing intersect with hospitality. While not STR-specific, the event provided fresh insights into branding, digital growth, and new revenue streams that operators can adopt.
It was a reminder that the future of STR isn’t confined to bookings. Operators are increasingly exploring affiliate marketing, partnerships, and cross-industry collaborations, all areas where skilled assistants can provide critical support.
The year also brought recognition: Delegate’s founder, Blendi Muriqi, was nominated at the Shortyz Awards, which celebrate innovation and best practices in the STR sector. While the focus of the event was on celebrating industry peers, the nomination itself reflected Delegate’s growing influence and role in shaping conversations around staffing and operational excellence.
Across every conference, one message rang clear: the STR industry is evolving faster than ever, and operators cannot do it all alone. Scaling successfully requires a blend of smart technology and skilled human support.
From community-building at VRNation to global expansion in Dubai, the recurring themes were:
Efficiency – Operators are looking for ways to streamline operations without sacrificing service.
Guest Experience – Personalization and responsiveness remain the heart of hospitality.
Scalability – Growth requires systems, tools, and trusted people to execute them.
Adaptability – The most successful operators are those embracing new roles beyond property management.
As the industry continues to grow and shift, Delegate remains committed to supporting operators at every stage. By providing top tier virtual assistants, already equipped to handle operations, communications, marketing, and finance, Delegate empowers STR businesses to scale smarter and buy back their time.
Learn more about how Delegate can help your business grow: www.delegate.co.
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