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Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jeff Iloulian, the CEO of HostGPO, a game-changing buying group for short-term rentals. Discover Jeff's remarkable journey from lawyer to successful vacation rental operator. He founded HostGPO to solve the challenge of sourcing high quality, affordable products for vacation rentals. By leveraging collective buying power, HostGPO transforms the industry, making it easier for operators to access top-notch products at discounted rates.

In this episode, discover how HostGPO helps vacation rental owners save money in the long run by sourcing durable, commercial-grade furniture. We explore the challenges of dealing with property managers and homeowners, along with the valuable consulting and design services offered by HostGPO. 

Dive into the delicate balance between standardization and uniqueness in unit aesthetics. We also discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the vacation rental industry and how GPOs, like HostGPO, help alleviate decision fatigue for owners. Furthermore, we delve into the advocacy work for industry safety in vacation rentals. Tune in for insightful discussions on these topics and more, providing valuable insights for vacation rental owners!

Highlights of the Episode:
02:22 - Guest Intro: Jeff Iloulian
02:49 – Jeff and the company
06:11 – Company size and its operators
07:04 – Working with hosts big and small
08:15 – The process
09:58 – Dealing with property managers and homeowners
14:20 – Consulting and design service
17:42 – Homeowners upgrading their units
21:51 – Balancing standardization of units and uniqueness
24:59 – Going to the all-white model
28:33 – Covid exposed vacation rentals’ weaknesses
30:23 – Conversation with parents about transitioning
from practicing law to short term rentals
37:41 – Solving the decision fatigue
40:57 – Advocacy work for industry
42:08 – People are sleeping on safety
49:44 – Closing

This episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.

Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.

Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie’s List.

Connect with Jeff:

Website | Linkedin

Connect with Alex and Annie:
Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

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