Meet the Team

Rebecca Gallagher serves as Executive Director of the Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners (Poconos VRO), bringing decades of experience in hospitality, tourism marketing, organizational leadership, and community engagement to the association.

Since joining Poconos VRO, Rebecca has helped lead a period of significant growth for the organization, expanding its membership, partnerships, educational programming, advocacy efforts, and presence throughout Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon counties. Under her leadership, Poconos VRO has continued to strengthen its role as a regional trade association and a voice for responsible short-term rental owners and operators.

Rebecca works closely with property owners, municipalities, tourism leaders, industry partners, and community stakeholders to advocate for practical STR policies, improve communication, and ensure the short-term rental industry has a meaningful seat at the table.

In 2026, her advocacy work received national recognition when she was named one of only two finalists for VRMA’s Advocate of the Year Award, highlighting both her leadership and the growing impact of Poconos VRO on the national vacation rental industry.

Before joining Poconos VRO, Rebecca spent more than 15 years as the award-winning owner and operator of the Historic Smithton Inn and served as Chair of the Discover Lancaster Board of Directors. Her background gives her a unique understanding of tourism from the perspective of an operator, business owner, destination leader, and advocate.

Today, Rebecca continues to lead Poconos VRO’s strategic growth, advocacy, partnerships, education, and industry initiatives while helping build a stronger and more organized future for responsible short-term rentals in the Poconos.