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Barefoot User Conference

October 26-28th, 2024

Thank You

Barefoot enjoyed a fantastic time at the recent user conference held at Dollywood's Heartsong Resort and Lodge. We cherished the opportunity to connect with valued clients and partners, sharing insights and best practices during our hospitality hoedown. We're already excited about the next conference. Stay tuned for more updates!

Click here to watch some of our presentation on Facebook.

Barefoot Conference 2024 Highlights

Schedule

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 10:00 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.

 

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: Move Beyond Dirty Data to Succeed in 2025.

In 2024, actionable data is available almost everywhere, yet not all data holds equal value in the vacation rental industry. Understanding the quality and origins of the data fueling your business's tech stack is crucial. Join us in the session as we delve into the current data landscape of the vacation rental industry and what's in store of the future. Plus, learn how to effectively harness this data to optimize revenue and enhance owner management strategies.

 

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 a.m.

What's New With You?

Exploring solutions Barefoot Clients have crafted to tackle market challenges.

 

8:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Data of Many Colors: Insights and Emerging Trends in the Vacation Rental Industry

Dan Leifeld, Key Data Dashboard

Cut the generalizations. Our world operates differently from market to market. This presentation will dive into the markets that matter most to you, the markets that our standing out, and the trends that are moving the needle. 

 

9:00 a.m. to 10:00  a.m.

Demystifying Marketing Reports: Interpreting Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making

In today's competitive market, it is more important than ever to use your marketing dollars effectively. Understanding which KPIs (key performance indicators) should guide your investments and strategic adjustments is pivotal to your success.

Join RealTech’s Caroline Ellis along with Tom Goodman as they work through a platform-by-platform overview of the metrics that really matter for gauging success and return and which ones are smoke in mirrors. Using practical examples, they will discuss how trends in the performance data and audience user signals for Tom impacted strategic shifts along with before and after results.

 

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 

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 -- Branded emails for guests and owners

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.

Testimonials

"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." 

PlazaVacationLogo

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! "  

SunCabo_Logo

David Girard            Broker & Partner

Thank You Sponsors

Platinum

Beyond Logo
tally logo

Gold

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RealTech
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