Poconos VRO returned from the 2026 VRMA Annual Conference in Nashville with new relationships, new opportunities, and one very big reason to celebrate.

Poconos VRO Executive Director Rebecca Gallagher was named VRMA Advocate of the Year, a national recognition of the advocacy work she has led on behalf of responsible short-term rental owners and operators in the Poconos.

The recognition reflects years of work building relationships with municipalities, owners, industry leaders, and community stakeholders while making sure the STR community has a credible and consistent voice in the conversations affecting it.

For Poconos VRO, the award was also a reminder of just how far the organization has come in a relatively short period of time.

The VRMA Annual Conference brings together vacation rental professionals from across the country and beyond for education, networking, advocacy, and industry collaboration. VRMA expected more than 2,000 professionals at its 2026 Nashville conference. arrival.vrma.org

Poconos VRO used the opportunity to do exactly what a growing trade association should be doing: get in the room, build relationships, learn from other markets, and make sure people know what is happening in the Poconos.

Throughout the conference, Rebecca Gallagher and Membership & Marketing Manager Kaisha Rosa connected with industry leaders, technology companies, service providers, associations, and potential partners. Those conversations are already opening the door to new ideas for member education, partnerships, advocacy, and the 2027 Poconos STR Conference.

And one thing became very clear in Nashville:

People know the Poconos.

The work happening here is getting noticed nationally, and Poconos VRO intends to keep building on that momentum.

There is plenty more work ahead, but Nashville was a pretty good reminder that the Poconos has earned its place in the national conversation.