Barefoot 2024 User Conference

The Barefoot team is thrilled to invite you, our clients and partners, to our 2024 Barefoot User Conference at the new Dollywood Heartsong Resort from Saturday, October 26th to Monday, October 28th, 2024. The mountains will be at their most beautiful and the resort will be decorated in a Harvest theme. It should be another really special time together.

The theme is Hospitality Hoedown: Innovate and Educate to Support Your Operations. As always our focus will be to provide you with the best takeaways that will make a real impact on how you work and your business. The accounting track will be available. We are also bringing back the client 1:1 meetings on a first come, first served basis.

We do ask, please go ahead and register now. I think I've mentioned before there is a lot of stress with committing to the room block, so any help you can give us to meet that block early would be amazing.

Here is the link to the Heartsong Room Block.

Bring the whole family along for an unforgettable experience! While you attend the conference, your loved ones can enjoy a fun-filled time at Dollywood Theme Park at a discounted rate. Adult tickets are just $79 plus tax, and children's tickets are $69 plus tax. Don't miss out on this opportunity to combine work and play! Stay tuned for the ticket link coming soon.

Partners, we hope that you will join us! Please contact Madi for details about sponsorship and attendance.

Client Registration

$695

Per Person

2 jam-packed days: Dive deep into educational sessions designed to optimize your Barefoot operations and unlock new strategies for success. Gain valuable insights from experts and learn from real-world case studies.
Industry connections: Expand your network by connecting with fellow Barefoot clients and partners. Share best practices, exchange ideas, and forge lasting relationships that can fuel your business growth.
Partnership opportunities: Explore innovative solutions and connect with vendors showcasing the latest products and services relevant to your industry.
Fuel your day (and taste buds): Enjoy delicious meals and snacks throughout the conference to keep you energized and focused.
Dollywood adventure: Saddle up for an unforgettable evening at Dollywood theme park! Enjoy thrilling rides, captivating shows, and Southern-style treats with your colleagues and new connections.

Sponsorships

Starting at $4,500

Limited opportunities available

Prime Visibility: a 6-foot exhibit table to case your products, services, and expertise to a captive audience of industry professionals.
Industry Insight: Share your knowledge and gain valuable exposure by participating in a partner panel discussion. This is your chance to engage with thought leaders and potential clients on key industry topics.
Network & Connect: Two complimentary attendee registrations allow you to directly connect with potential clients and build lasting relationships. Make the most of networking opportunities throughout the conference.
Digital Footprint: Get listed as a sponsor on our high-traffic conference webpage, complete with a link to your website. Attract qualified leads and drive traffic to your online presence.
Face-to-Face Interactions: Mingle with potential clients, key decision-makers, and industry influencers in a relaxed and engaging environment.

Saturday, October 26	Main Room	Breakout Room
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Welcome Hoedown Join us for music, activities and great food and drinks. Thank you Beyond and Tally for being platinum sponsors.
Sunday, October 27	Main Room	Breakout Room
7:00 a.m. to 8 a.m.	Breakfast
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.	Conference Kickoff and Introductions
8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.	Roundup Review -- Development Highlights and Vote for Enhancements Our Barefoot team is excited to share with you new features and functionality. Then YOU will nominate up to 10 enhancements you'd like to see in Barefoot and the voting will begin!
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.	Keynote Speaker -- William R. Doyle, III William (Bill) Doyle serves as the Senior Vice President at Herschend Enterprises, the premier family-operated themed attractions company in America. Boasting over thirty years of seasoned expertise, Bill skillfully manages a distinguished portfolio of resort locations across Georgia and Tennessee while spearheading the initiation of new ventures nationwide. He is poised to divulge his insights on embedding Hospitality as a foundational pillar within Dollywood.
9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.	The Science Behind Storytelling Storytelling is an ancient art form. It's more than just entertaining; it's a powerful tool that connects us emotionally. The human brain is wired to respond to stories. Stories can inspire action, change perspectives, and even shape public opinion. They're a powerful tool for influencing the way we think and feel. This engaging presentation will be looking for some volunteers to help craft stories.
10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.	Partner Networking/Break
10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.	Partner Panel: Rounding up the Latest in the Vacation Rental Industry Gain insights from our partner sponsors as they share the latest trends observed in 2024, their anticipations for 2025, and the fresh innovations their teams are bringing to the table.
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.	Beyond Presentation Join us as our Platinum Sponsors, Beyond and Tally, unveil the latest trends in data and provide the newest insights into payment processing.
12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.	Lunch
1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.	Mapping Your Client Journey-- Working Session In this hands-on workshop, we'll dive into the art of creating a flawless customer experience. We'll examine how to utilize branded correspondence and text messages, in addition to designing an inviting welcome that fosters enduring connections with clients. Attendees are encouraged to bring their top three pieces of guest communication, whether letters or emails.	Accounting Working Session I
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.	Planning for Growth -- Owner Acquisition Working Session This interactive workshop will delve into innovative strategies for attracting new property owners, encompassing tactics for effective owner lead generation, communication techniques, and process optimization.	Barefoot Operations Tools -- Manager's Cleaning Report, Work Orders, Vendor Portal, Automated Emails, Inspections Immerse yourself in our comprehensive exploration of Barefoot's extensive features designed to enhance every facet of your operations. Whether you're a seasoned user or it's been some time since your initial orientation, this session promises enlightening discoveries that could redefine your operational efficiency.
2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.	Partner Networking/Break
3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Panel -- The Latest with Currency Join us as our payment processing partners unveil the newest developments in payment solutions. A spotlight will be cast on emerging payment methods poised to shape the future.	Optimizing VRBO & Airbnb -- Standard Amenities Keeping your VRBO and Airbnb listings optimized is a constant endeavor. Discover the newest features in Barefoot designed to enhance those connections, ensuring you're always ahead of the game.
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.	Barefoot @ Dollywood Theme Park -- Harvest Festival Together, we'll immerse ourselves in the enchanting atmosphere of Dollywood, beautifully adorned for the Harvest Festival, where legendary hospitality awaits us.
Monday, October 28	Activity/Session/Main Room	Breakout Room
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.	Breakfast
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.	What's New With You? Exploring solutions Barefoot Clients have crafted to tackle market challenges.
8:30 to 9:00 a.m.	Market Trends -- Looking at the Data Presented by Dan Leifeld of Key Data Dashboard
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.	Using the Correct Language in Operations Management to Create Empathy Enhance your operational communications with elevated language to foster empathy in your business practices.
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.	Partner Networking/Break
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.	Tips and Tricks Dive into one of our crowd-favorites! The Barefoot team is eager to unveil their insider secrets and favorite features within the Barefoot system, designed to elevate your experience.
11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.	Round Table Discussions by Topic Your feedback has been loud and clear: the opportunity to learn from peers is invaluable. Our round table discussions offer a dynamic platform to exchange insights on marketing strategies, navigating legal and compliance issues, managing guest reviews and feedback, and understanding local and state regulations.	Barefoot Portal Deep Dive Dive deep into the latest features of the new guest portal, explore enhancements for the owner and vendor portals, and submit your requests for further improvements.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m	Lunch	Barefoot Basics Dive back into the fundamentals with Jennica and Steve in our Barefoot Basics session. Rediscover the core elements of Barefoot and unlock efficient shortcuts guaranteed to save you time.
1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.	Staff Management and EOS Denise and Steve Trover Explore cutting-edge strategies and proven methods to nurture a team that's not only motivated and dedicated but excels in their performance. We'll dive into actionable tactics such as leveraging technology to boost communication, rolling out impactful training initiatives, and creating an environment where recognition and inclusivity are the norms. Are you in tune with the unique personalities within your team? Can you identify their strengths and areas for improvement? Do they grasp their roles fully and possess the desire and capability to perform effectively? Are your team members positioned where they can make the most impact? (Tools like PI and CI assessments can provide clarity here.) Elevate your operational effectiveness and enhance guest experiences by fostering a robust, engaged team geared for long-term success. Join us for insights on revolutionizing the employee journey and propelling your vacation rental enterprise forward.	Accounting Working Session II
1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.	Reporting in Barefoot Members of the Barefoot team will unveil what they consider the quintessential report within the Barefoot system, a must-know for every user. Additionally, we'll demonstrate how you can provide property owners with real-time performance updates of their properties through an integration with Key Data Dashboard, ensuring they're always in the loop.	Barefoot Technical Update Attention tech enthusiasts! COO Drew Forslind is set to deliver an exciting technical briefing, diving into our achievements over the past year and unveiling our forward-looking product roadmap.
2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.	Understanding Due Rules Working Session While the topic of due rules might seem rather mundane, it's actually the cornerstone of accounting within Barefoot. Participants will leave with fresh insights on leveraging these rules to optimize Barefoot's accounting features effortlessly.	Using the Rewards Module for Guest Retention Dave Girard from Sun Cabo will unveil his strategies for leveraging the rewards module to enhance guest loyalty. Discover the latest enhancements within the Barefoot Rewards module and explore innovative ideas for crafting your own custom rewards program.
2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.	Letters and Texting -- Hot off the press some ideas Discover innovative strategies for elevating your letter and email game, alongside the latest insights into the evolving regulations governing text messaging. This session promises to leave you inspired, ready to elevate your communication strategies to unprecedented heights.	Owner Contract Renewal and eSignature Delve into the innovative solutions for streamlining owner contract renewals through our exclusive wizard, designed to simplify your re-engagement process effortlessly. Additionally, discover the evolving world of eSignature technology, offering the freshest updates and capabilities.
3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.	Partner Networking/Break
3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m	Heart in Hospitality -- What New Stories Will You Tell About Yourselves Now?
4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.	Enhancement Round Up, Conference Take Aways and More

*Schedule subject to change.

Sunday night welcome party on steamboat in San Diego.

Clients, partners, and staff having a fun evening together playing poker.

Monday evening beach party

Clients receiving barefoot swag.

Educational sessions for clients

Partner panel to answer client questions and provide industry updates.

"I attended the Barefoot user conference last year in San Diego, California. The location was amazing and convenient as we stayed at the hotel where the conference was taking place.

We were engaged throughout the event in meaningful discussions and exchanged valuable information along with making new friends. This information was wonderful to bring back and use in our day-to-day operations.

Barefoot’s partners also attended, and we were able to meet them and have conversations throughout the event. Using a partner is great as it is an easy integration.

Overall, the conference was welcoming and accommodating, even with the presence of my new baby. If you are using Barefoot technologies or thinking about making the switch, I would recommend attending this conference and enhancing your knowledge and relationships with others in the industry."

Carrie Hinkson, Property Manager

"I recently attended the Barefoot User conference in San Diego, CA, and it was an enlightening experience from start to finish. Barefoot did an exceptional job curating a diverse range of sessions that I found very valuable to both myself and the team members that attended. The sessions were thought-provoking and highly informative.

Moreover, the networking opportunities were invaluable. I had the chance to connect with many peers and vendors who shared their knowledge and experiences, fostering meaningful discussions and potential collaborations.

Overall, the folks at Barefoot exceeded my expectations and left me feeling inspired and motivated to implement new strategies and ideas in my work. I highly recommend this annual conference to anyone seeking to stay ahead in their field and expand their professional network. Hope to see you there! "

David Girard Broker & Partner

Barefoot User Conference

About

Registration and Sponsorships

$695

Starting at $4,500

Schedule

Keynote Speaker -- William R. Doyle, III

Testimonials

Sponsors

Platinum

Gold