Happy Monday!

Have you noticed it? The Poconos VRO has MOMENTUM!

You know that feeling when you're pushing something really heavy? At first, it takes everything you've got just to get it moving. You push, you strain, you wonder if you're making any progress at all. But then, slowly, it starts to roll. And once it's rolling, something pretty amazing happens.

Momentum takes over.

That's exactly how I'm feeling about the Poconos VRO these days. And I have to tell you, it's pretty darn exciting!

Just look at what's happening:

• Membership is booming! We've more than doubled our membership, and one of my favorite things is seeing former members come back into the fold.

• Our programming is growing! More webinars, new county meet-ups, and our first-ever STR Advocacy Summit, bringing owners, operators, industry leaders, and government affairs experts together.

• Member benefits keep getting better! Discounts for owners, exclusive perks for your guests, and our new Member Property Directory helping connect travelers directly with our members' properties.

• And advocacy? We're making things happen! From our work on HB 2303 to successfully pushing Pocono Township to reduce its annual TDU permit fee from $2,500 to $1,500 AND credit owners for previous overpayments toward this year's renewals. That's real money back in the pockets of STR owners! (WATCH the meeting video, it explains everything, and we're the STR "group" the lawyer refers to!)

And then there are the accolades! The Poconos VRO was recognized with VRMA's Advocate of the Year award, and we're finalists for TWO Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association awards: Manager of the Year and Employee of the Year!

But one of my favorite moments happened just this week at the Monroe County Bench Bar Conference. I challenged a room full of judges and attorneys to move away from the "easy button" of banning STRs and instead do the harder work of protecting property rights WHILE addressing legitimate community concerns. [CLICK to see my full remarks]

And they applauded! 

Now, I don't know about you, but getting a room full of lawyers and judges to clap after being challenged feels like a pretty good sign!

All of this tells me something important: We're being heard. We're making a difference. And we're building something that matters.

But here's the thing about momentum.

It only works if we keep pushing.

There's currently an anti-STR petition circulating with nearly 800 signatures. EIGHT HUNDRED.

That got me thinking. If we needed to collect 800 signatures SUPPORTING short-term rentals, how quickly could we do it? Would you sign? Would you share it? Would you encourage your neighbors, friends, guests, and local businesses to sign?

And consider what recently happened in a community near Syracuse, NY. STRs were banned. At the meeting where the decision was made, just THREE people showed up in support of STRs, compared to 15 opponents.

Three.

How many owners assumed someone else would show up? How many figured their right to rent was safe? How many now wish they'd rearranged their schedules for that meeting?

Here's my question: If your township or HOA was considering taking away your right to operate, would YOU show up?

I certainly hope so. But even more importantly, I hope you're paying attention BEFORE that happens.

Look, I know you're busy. You're running businesses, managing properties, juggling guests, employees, maintenance, marketing, and about a thousand other things. You're learning new AI tools, optimizing your pricing, improving your guest experience, and building increasingly sophisticated tech stacks.

And all of that is GREAT!

But here's a little reminder I keep coming back to:

The fanciest tech stack in the world won't do you much good if someone takes away your right to rent.

So I'm asking you to make two small investments.

Invest a little TIME to stay informed about what's happening in your municipality, HOA, and state. Read the updates. Attend a meeting. Respond when we put out a call to action. Don't assume someone else has it covered.

And invest a little MONEY in the association that's on the front lines fighting for you. At $150 a year, a Poconos VRO membership is a pretty small investment in protecting what, for many of you, is one of your largest financial investments.

If you're already a member, THANK YOU. You're part of the reason we have this momentum. And if you're not, what are you waiting for? Get on board! Better yet, bring another owner or operator along with you. (and get a referral bonus!)

Because the truth is, winning an award doesn't protect your property rights. Neither does doubling our membership or getting a round of applause.

What protects our rights is what we DO with the momentum we've built.

We've got the attention of decision-makers. We've got growing numbers, stronger partnerships, better resources, and a community that's finding its voice.

Now we need to make sure that voice is LOUD enough to be heard when it matters most.

Let's keep this momentum going. Together!

~ Rebecca

P.S. Here's a little challenge for the week: Think of ONE STR owner, operator, or industry partner who isn't a Poconos VRO member yet. Forward them this email and encourage them to join us at PoconosVRO.org. Because momentum is powerful, but there's strength in numbers. And we're going to need both!