Keynote Speaker
Speakers
Hugh Zaretsky
Real Estate Investor,
Best Selling Author, Trainer, & Coach
Hugh Zaretsky, was an IT executive until his wake-up call came on 9/11. Realizing how short life can be, Hugh transitioned his career to become a real estate investor, international speaker, best-selling author, philanthropist, and advocate for empowering individuals in their homeownership journey. Hugh started investing in the precursor to STRs and Airbnb back in 2005. His expertise in cash-flowing properties has allowed him to successfully train over 12,500 real estate investors & entrepreneurs to complete profitable real estate transactions, launch businesses, or take them to the next level. Hugh has been a certified real estate continuing education instructor in 4 different states and his latest book "The Launch Button" was an Amazon best seller in 4 categories including all of real estate. He recently spoke at the Humanity Summit in Portugal on the global issue of "Sustainable tourism (including STRs) and how to work with local communities". His dedication to mentoring and coaching aspiring entrepreneurs makes Hugh a highly sought-after speaker. Get ready to be inspired and gain invaluable insights from Hugh's wealth of experience.
Brenda Figueroa
Founder - Pocono Excellence-Women in STR's, Entrepreneur, Investor, Educator, Superhost, Podcast Host, Panels Emcee Co-Host
As a seasoned psychologist and entrepreneur with 30 years of experience managing my own business, I bring a unique perspective to the short term rental industry. With a passion for real estate investing, I have built a portfolio of multiple properties, successfully managing both long-term and short-term rentals. Leveraging my expertise in human behavior and social media, I have mastered the art of creating exceptional guest experiences and driving direct bookings. Additionally, I am the founder of Pocono Excellence, a professional association dedicated to empowering female short-term rental owners and operators. I am committed to sharing my knowledge and insights to help others succeed in this dynamic industry
Randy Detrick
Owner of Blue Ridge Winery, Olympic Skier,
Podcast Host, Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur
Olympian, entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, Randy has had the honor to race the World Cup in ski racing and is now the president of the 13th top ranked winery in the nation - Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery. Randy created and presents The Underground Experience, a consistently sold-out presentation pairing wine with the most powerful topics of life. His mission statement: To Add Value to Others with a Message of Hope and Encouragement to Pursue Your Purpose. Randy has enthusiastically presented live over 15,000 times, and everyday strives to add value to the world through a message of hope, trust and excitement for life. Randy's energy, excitement and abundance of determination will leave you inspired, energized and motivated to pursue your dreams into reality
Justin Ford
Director of Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway
International Vacation Rental Safety Expert
Justin Ford is a globally recognized Short-Term Rental (STR) safety expert and he has made significant contributions to elevating safety standards in STRs around the world. With featured appearances on ABC's Good Morning America and NBC's Today Show, Justin advocates for international initiatives to enhance STR safety. The Director of Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway, Justin has overseen 100,000+ STR safety inspections, driving Breezeway's mission to ensure STR safety through its property care software platform. An industry leading vacation rental agency owner for 20 years starting in 1997, a former US Coast Guard member, and a 15-year municipal firefighter, Justin's wealth of experience and passion for safety continues to shape the world of Short-Term Rentals.
Aaron Philemon Stowers
Motivational Speaker, Property Mgmt Expert,
Brand Builder, Podcast Host, Panels Emcee Co-Host
A lifelong and true entrepreneur, Aaron is the founder and CEO of several companies. He is a business coach, professional emcee, speaker, and consultant. Aaron has had the privilege of not only watching his own businesses succeed but helping others to do the same. "Fear," he says, "in business or life can be debilitating. But we can't let fear stop us from doing what needs to be done." Through hard lessons fought and learned, he has been able to aid several businesses to grow from 5 figure companies to grossing over a million dollars annually. He will share the lessons, techniques, and cheat codes to success.
"It starts with you!"
His portfolio includes his construction, cleaning & maintenance company (Stowers Home Services), event planning (ProTeam Entertainment), custom home builder (Stowers Homes), consulting firm, The Pocono Concierge Co., and motivational speaking. His branding and marketing blueprint has aided him in building successful brands. Join him as he passes on his expertise to you.
Tom Powers
Market Manager @ Guesty | Vacation Rental, Lodging & Property Management Expert
Tom Powers is a seasoned marketing expert and vacation rental industry veteran, serving as Marketing Manager at Guesty. With over 30 years of experience in real estate, Tom has developed a comprehensive understanding of the vacation rental landscape, having managed both short- and long-term rentals. His impressive background includes successfully scaling his own vacation rental management company, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges property managers face and the skills necessary to achieve success.
As a respected expert in the field, Tom is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise to help others reach their goals. His passion for the industry and commitment to excellence make him a valuable resource for property managers and industry professionals alike.
Michele Esquijarosa
Mortgage Banker & Advisor,
Financial Consultant, Investor
Michele Esquijarosa (es-kee-ha-rosa) has been a lifelong empath and absolutely loves to relive the rush of the journey to homeownership and real estate investing, by way of her clients. She entered the mortgage industry specifically because she noted (in her own journey) that there is a lack of guidance and a consultative, personal touch in the world of mortgage financing. She believes most people don’t delve into real estate investing due to bad advice, misconceptions and not knowing exactly how to find the professionals that can guide them. To that end, she and her team are committed to help clients not only purchase their very first home, but also to help them understand how to expand their real estate portfolios and remove the fears, doubts and skepticism that tend to get in the way of achieving the dream of passive income.
Michele is Cuban American, fluent in Spanish and is heavily focused on bringing home ownership and real estate investing education to the Latino/Spanish speaking community. She also loves to travel, is a pitbull advocate and is a really good salsa dancer.
Dave Menapace
President, The 5-Star Co-Host, LLC
Co-Founder, Launch Pad Consulting, LLC,
STR Secrets Coach
Dave Menapace is a renowned figure in the hospitality and real estate sectors, serving as the President of The 5-Star Co-Host, LLC, a company dedicated to managing luxury vacation rentals, and the Co-Founder of Launch Pad Consulting, LLC, a firm specialized in vacation rental consulting. An astute short-term rental investor himself, Dave has intricately combined his passion for real estate with a keen sense of hospitality, charting a successful career path that has not only revolutionized vacation experiences but also enabled property owners to maximize their investment returns. Aside from his own businesses, he is also a coach for the Short Term Rental Secrets Mastermind. He has a passion for helping others learn the world of co-hosting and leverages his expertise in mindset coaching to help students achieve their financial and business goals.
Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Dave is a celebrated best-selling author and an engaging podcast host for the show Hassle Free RE, where he shares invaluable insights into the vacation rental market, investment strategies, and the essence of customer service excellence in the hospitality industry. With over a decade of experience under his belt, Dave’s mission revolves around enhancing the vacation home experience for guests while equipping owners with the knowledge and tools to achieve their financial aspirations through real estate. His expertise and visionary approach have made him a sought-after speaker, where he inspires both new and seasoned investors to explore the lucrative potentials of the vacation rental industry.
Jeff Usner
Luxury STR Investor, Business Mentor, Cattle Rancher
With over $15,000,000 of his own Luxury STR properties, including the #1 performing STR inPA (as per AirDNA) and 3 of the top 12 - Jeff Usner is changing the game for STR LUXURY INVESTORS as well as for STR investors looking to get more direct bookings, increase average daily rates and get more profit out of 1 property in 10% of the time that others do with 5 properties combined.
As the mastermind behind LuxuryRentals.com, Jeff offers an exclusive mastermind and
bootcamp for investors looking to excel in high-end property investments.
His extensive portfolio also includes successful ventures like PA Luxury Rentals,
LeadStore.com, STRDigital.com, and the prestigious Grandview Farms. Jeff has built an
impressive portfolio of successful ventures & recently exited 3 of his past companies with a multiple 8 figure exit in 2021. Jeff also serves as Lead Pastor of LivingHope.com church focused on taking care of the poor, widow & the orphan through the GiveLivingHope.com Foundation.
Tiffanie Romey Bailey
Owner of Bairo Real Estate, Real Estate Investor,
Real Estate Broker
Tiffanie Romey Bailey is a seasoned real estate professional and entrepreneur, serving as the owner and founder of Bairo Real Estate. With a proven track record of success in real estate investing and brokerage, Tiffanie has established a reputation as a trusted and knowledgeable expert in the industry. As a licensed real estate broker, Tiffanie leads Bairo Real Estates' offices in Pennsylvania, Atlanta, and New York, providing expert guidance and support to clients across the country. Her extensive experience in real estate investing has equipped her with a unique understanding of the market, allowing her to deliver exceptional results for her clients.
Tiffanie's commitment to excellence and her passion for real estate have driven her success, and she continues to be a sought-after advisor and partner for individuals and businesses seeking to navigate the complex world of real estate.
Chris Barrett
President/CEO
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Since 2017, Chris Barrett has provided exceptional servant leadership for the Pocono Mountains region focusing primarily on the tourism and hospitality industry while working to support various initiatives in the business and nonprofit sectors. Barrett leads a strong team at the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau having provided critical
support to the community. Barrett and his team founded the Pocono Television Network (PTN), which is now available in more than eight million homes and businesses via cable, broadcast, and streaming devices in four States.Barrett and his team make it a point to give back to the communities they serve and provide
quality value services to members of the PMVB. An additional mission is to improve the overall quality of life in the Poconos and the vacation experience for visitors.
Crystina Cardozo
STR Financing Expert, Financial Investor,
Financial Literacy Coach, Consultant & Speaker
As a long time educator and math specialist, Crystina Cardozo has been passionate about making a difference in the lives of others ever since she became a teacher. From her experience of being an educator, she has unveiled the lack of financial literacy skills both at home and at school and it has driven her to make an impactful change business, Run The Numbers, was created to close the wealth gap and end the stigma that complicated math is needed in order to be financially literate. She is confident that she will be able to contribute life building skills that will make a meaningful impact on people's lives now and for generations to come.
Colter Robinson
Hostfully-Director of Business Development
Born and raised in the vibrant hospitality market of Aspen, CO, my journey has been deeply rooted in both the hospitality and technology spaces. After pursuing my education at the University of Colorado, I ventured into the tech world in Denver, CO, gaining diverse experiences with various companies. Driven by a profound desire to return to my roots, I found my calling back in Aspen in the world of short-term rentals, dedicating myself to enhancing guest experiences in the local market. With a wealth of knowledge in both hospitality and technology, I joined Hostfully in 2020, a platform that seamlessly merges my expertise, blending the warmth of hospitality with the efficiency of technology. Now residing in Sun Valley, ID, I spend my free time outdoors skiing, hiking, biking, or enjoying time with my wife and black lab.
Georgina Diaz
Owner of Spa Magic, Expert Jacuzzi Technician
Georgina Diaz is the owner operator of Spa Magic. A dedicated professional with expertise in all jacuzzi, pool maintenance and services. Representing also Aqua Leisure Pool and Spa Ms Diaz has over several years of experience in the industry. Georgina has honed her skills ensuring the proper balancing, relaxation, safety and rejuvenation for host and guest of short-term rentals in the Poconos. She specializes in preventative maintenance, efficient repair services, and personalized consultations to enhance the overall hot tub experience. Georgina is eager to share her knowledge, innovative solutions, and connect with industry host and guests at the conference.
Alessandra Colandrea
Hostfully-Director of Business Development
Currently a Director of Business Development at Hostfully, I earned my MBA in International Business. From a young age, I’ve learned first-hand about business sustainability and growth through my family’s business. As a proud short term business owner, with a vacation property on Aruba, I’m deeply embedded in the hospitality industry both professionally and personally. In addition to connecting with others in the industry, my passions include strolling beaches, enjoying sunsets, and exploring new cuisines during my travels or home at the Jersey shore.
Ricky Cortez
Executive Director
Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners
Ricky Cortez, Executive Director of Poconos VRO and area alliance representative for Rent Responsibly, has been a passionate 7 year advocate for sensible regulations in short-term rentals. With a proven track record of building collaborative relationships between local government, residents, and vacation rental owners, Ricky's expertise has helped shape policies that balance community needs with the growing demand for short-term rentals. As a local owner and vacationer himself, he understands the importance of preserving the character of the community while promoting responsible tourism. His dedication to finding innovative solutions has earned him recognition as a thought leader in the industry. Ricky is committed to ensuring that the Poconos region remains a desirable destination for both residents and visitors alike. Join him and the cause at the conference!
Steve Parisi
CEO & Founder of IBC Global Inc
Steve Parisi has been in the financial services and insurance industry since 2011. He gained experience in designing High Cash Value life insurance policies at firms that specialized in working with wealthy individuals, corporations, and banks. In 2015, Steve began an independent venture and started his company, IBC Global Inc. The company started in a garage with two desks and one part-time assistant. To date, IBC Global has grown to almost 40 employees. IBC Global specializes in setting up Whole Life Insurance policies for maximum cash value, and providing a high level of service to its clients. While being highly dedicated to his work, Steve always spends time with his wife, Tara, and his two dogs.
Juana Toribio
Owner of Ali's Attic, Finance Expert,
STR Manager, Super Host
A seasoned corporate tax accountant with 15 years of experience, I bring a unique blend of financial acumen and real estate expertise to the short-term rental industry. With 7 years of hosting experience and a proven track record as a Super Host, I have honed my skills in property management, listing optimization, and guest experience. My passion for real estate investing and short-term rentals has allowed me to build a successful portfolio of properties, and I am excited to share my insights and blueprint with you at the conference.
Swank Creative Studio
Brianna and Bianca - Founders
Meet Bianca and Briana,
The creators of Swank Creative Studio and your new secret weapons. We offer a variety of transformative services to help you accomplish your design goals. Come see us and learn at the conference.
Josh Messinger
Keller Williams Real Estate
Josh Messinger transitioned from owning a company in digital marketing to the world of real estate, with a focus on short-term rentals. Leveraging experience from a previous role at a company managing over 200 properties,then founded their own property management company, scaling it to 16 properties in just nine months with the help of a dedicated team. Josh brings practical insights into entrepreneurship, real estate investment, and team leadership, ready to share the lessons learned from starting and growing a business in a challenging and dynamic market.
Charlie Stewart
Owner of InHabit Media
Master Photographer & Videographer.
Social, Digital & Content Media Expert
Charlie Stewart is a Navy veteran turned photographer, property content creator, social media and marketing specialist. He started Inhabit Media because of his passion for photography, videography and media. He now uses his passions to help other businesses and people showcase their properties in the best possible light. Drone usage, social media, lifestyle shoots, lighting, angles and even tricks you can do with your own phone are topics you will enjoy hearing. Join him as he will show you what he does for everyone from STR owners to corporations, and how to understand and use media to benefit you and your company.
Cindy Carr Knecht, RSPS
Owner- Carr Realty
Cindy Knecht is the Broker/Owner of Carr Realty of the Poconos, a family-run real estate business with more than 60 years serving buyers and sellers in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. She serves as one of the Directors of the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors where she also serves as the Chair to the Short Term Rental Committee. She sits on the Government Affairs committee. She’s an active member of the Pocono Chamber of Commerce, and she sits on the Public Policy Committee.
As a young child, Cindy vacationed in the Poconos with her parents. Her father, Frank P. Carr III recognized the potential of the area and the family moved up full-time. Cindy chose to stay in the area and raise her family. She began working for her father in the 1990s. She recalls learning the ins and outs of the Pocono Real Estate Market long before she made her first sale. She also learned the importance of the personal touch, the face to face, the complete customer satisfaction experience. Her repeat clients are more family than business associates. She continues the family tradition working in both sales and property management. Carr Realty of the Poconos prides itself on being a family-run local real estate office and all her agents continue that tradition.
Sean Pincus
Real Estate Developer, Renovations Expert,
Real Estate Investor
Sean is the Owner & President of GRIT Construction. Sean is GRIT’s liaison with banking institutions, private equity partners, and clients.Sean has excelled in all aspects of real estate development throughout his career working as a financial analyst, real estate salesperson, property manager, construction superintendent, and project manager. After his graduation from Penn State University, Sean began his career at Vanguard where he served as a financial advisor to the company’s ultra high net worth clients.The financial expertise which Sean developed at Vanguard allowed him to excel immediately in the real estate business as a Commercial Real Estate Financial Analyst at O’Neill Properties Group. He quickly became the lead transaction manager for the acquisition, development, and disposition of real estate assets. Sean developed and maintained complex multi-phase proformas, cash flows, and budgets for all of O’Neill Properties projects. His portfolio includes real estate business including offices, retail town centers, multifamily residential apartments and even luxury residential housing on the Main Line.
Jeremiah Noll
Owner-Galvanized Property Management
Jeremiah started his professional career in the Poconos as a Math teacher. Trained to find patterns and to be a systems thinker he approaches real estate investing like an educator. Jeremiah became a landlord before he was 30 years old and continues to practice real estate in an effort to elevate the living conditions in the Pocono region. Jeremiah owns and operates a property management brokerage which employs 10 full time and 3 part time employees with over 130 units under active management. Quality control is very important to him and so he built his own handyman service and cleaning service to ensure his clients and guests are consistently satisfied.
Joseph V. Scorese
Lendmarq-Nationwide Direct Private Lender
Mentor, Educator, Strategist, Podcaster, Connector
In my role as Manager of Loan Origination, Joseph is eager to cultivate strong business relationships with investors. He specializes in providing financing solutions for a range of projects, including bridge loans for 1-4 Family Investment Properties, Multi-family, Mixed Use, Ground-up New Construction, Fix & Flip, Fix to Perm, and Bridge to Stabilization, STR & MTR. His expertise and commitment to client success make him a valuable addition to your team and STR journey.
Krystal & Eric (Nagle Media Co.)
Krystal & Eric are professional photographers and videographers, whose work can be seen in publications such as Maine Homes by DownEast Magazine, Discover the Blue, and across dozens of listing profiles and property social media sites.
Using their business acumen from their combined 20+ years of corporate experience, they built a media company that provides not only incredible, elevated imagery, but also a seamless professional experience for their clients. In addition to their technical skills in photo and video creation, they bring a unique perspective as avid travelers and have stayed in hotels and home rentals across the world and even lived on Airbnb. They understand the industry and what it takes to stand out to travelers. They specialize in creating cinematic video edits, lifestyle and product photography, and social media ads that elevate properties.
Kara Sincavage
Real Estate Expert-Custom Home Builder
Kara Sincavage, 4th generation land developer, is CEO of SINC Construction, a woman-owned custom home builder. She also owns Pocono Properties Rentals & Sales PoconoTourism.com and LikeWhatUSee.com with her daughter Mackenzie, a 5th generation partner and helicopter tour pilot, they offer a comprehensive approach to building, managing, and showcasing the best of the Poconos. From dream homes to vacation rentals, and tourism, they excel in creating unforgettable experiences.
Brian Bossuyt
Executive Vice President-Chief Marketing Officer Pocono Mtn. Visitor Bureau
Marketing the Pocono Mountains over the past 30 years has been a wonderful ride, and I've enjoyed every minute of it! Developing successful marketing campaigns aimed at two of the country’s largest and top DMAs, New York, and Philadelphia, has made me stay on top of my game by constantly learning and evolving to stay current and relevant. Launching our own television network six years ago and seeing it grow to be in over eight million households, on streaming platforms and more, has been a great experience and has really allowed our team to look at campaigning more effectively. We have moved all marketing, creative, and production in house at the PMVB. To ensure our budgets and marketing resources produce the best ROI, we’ve learned to adapt quickly, understand, and utilize accurate analytical data when planning strategies, develop strong partnerships, craft fun and engaging creative, to not be afraid to make mistakes, and to learn from those mistakes. These are all key factors to having successful campaigns. I love family, being a husband, dad and playing in the outdoors as much as possible. I like to keep things simple and to the point as you get more done that way. I’m pretty laid back and try to look at everything with as much optimism as possible! #PoconoProud
SAMUEL MISTRETTA
Owner Go STR Marketing.com
Coming from an enterprise IT background, Sam entered the Short-Term Rental (STR) business after learning key strategies from the STR Secrets Mastermind. After closing 12 deals in 12 months, he transitioned from W2 employment to launching 18 STR listings in 18 months, utilizing ownership and co-hosting models. Sam focused on leveraging data for email and text marketing to maximize direct bookings and profitability. Realizing the need for scalable STR marketing solutions, he assembled a team to develop an efficient revenue generation system. This system significantly boosted his direct booking revenue and average daily rate (ADR), leading him to establish Go STR Marketing, supported by industry-leading partners and real-world data.
Chris Tomasetti
Owner- NEPA WaterProofing LLC,
Chris Tomasetti founded NEPA WaterProofing LLC, a local family-owned business tucked away in the Pocono Mountains. NEPA Waterproofing LLC. focuses on exteriors, services like roofing, gutters, masonry, and anything that goes unnoticed that can cause issues. Chris has been in the construction industry for over 15 years and has seen it all. Being raised in the Poconos has made him extremely aware of the well-known “Pocono Promise”, promising himself and his team to uphold the highest standards of service excellence. NEPA Waterproofing LLC. restores the faith clients have in their Pocono homes day by day while staying true to their core values of self-growth, accountability, motivation, and professionalism. Chris is excited to share his expertise with residents of the Poconos at this year’s conference.
Cassandra Donahue
Senior Account Executive, StayFi
Cassandra Donahue is a seasoned sales professional and Senior Account Executive at StayFi. Cassandra has several years of experience in the tech industry and has developed a deep understanding of innovative solutions and exceptional customer service. As a trusted expert in her field, Cassandra is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise to help STR owners and operators increase revenue using cutting-edge technology. Her passion for technology and commitment to excellence make her a valuable asset to StayFi and a trusted partner for her clients
Rolando E. Nunez
CEO-President of NJ Credit Repair LLC
Rolando E. Nunez is the founder of NJ Credit Repair LLC, a company that has garnered a social media following of over 600k users. He also owns Truth Finance Academy, an innovative online learning platform dedicated to financial education. Over the past five years, Rolando's companies have empowered thousands of people across the USA to repair their credit and achieve their dreams of home ownership, with a special focus on serving the Latino community. As a dynamic public speaker, Rolando shares his expertise and passion for financial literacy with diverse audiences. In addition to his work in credit repair, he owns a life insurance company and a debt consolidation firm, and has successfully ventured into real estate. Rolando's commitment to improving the financial well-being of others has made him a trusted and influential figure in the industry.