2026 STR
Advocacy Summit

Find Your Voice: Advocate. Communicate. Lead.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 | Camelback Resort | Tannersville, PA

Short-term rental owners across Pennsylvania are facing challenges that threaten the very existence of their STR business. The PA Assembly, County governments, Townships, HOA Boards, and neighborhood groups are considering restrictions, higher fees and even bans on STRs. What can YOU do to stand up & speak up?

Showing up is not enough.

Owners need to understand the issues, communicate with facts, build trust, and take a more active role in the communities where they own or manage properties. The Pennsylvania STR Advocacy Summit was created to help operators do exactly that.

This half-day summit is designed for vacation rental owners, operators, community stakeholders, and local partners who want practical, professional tools for navigating the future of short-term rentals in Pennsylvania.

The goal is simple: help responsible owners become informed, prepared, and credible voices at every level.

The Program

This Summit is about education, communication, leadership, and facts.

Attendees will learn how to speak effectively at public meetings, understand the data behind the STR economy, communicate with boards and municipalities, and explore ways to get more involved locally, including serving on HOA committees & boards, municipal committees & boards, advisory groups, and other community leadership roles.

The afternoon will include practical training, state & local-level advocacy updates, communication guidance, and access to tools owners can use before regulations, restrictions, or misinformation become a crisis.

What You Will Walk Away With

A clear understanding of the current STR advocacy landscape nationally, statewide,
and across the state.
Practical guidance on how to speak at township, county, and HOA meetings with
confidence and credibility
Tools for communicating with neighbors, board members, municipal leaders, and
local stakeholders
A better understanding of where to find and how to communicate local data, economic impact numbers, and community facts
A roadmap for getting involved: prepare to serve on boards, committees, advisory groups, and other leadership roles
Your own Advocacy Kit with talking points, data resources, meeting guidance, and communication templates

Registration

Poconos VRO Members: $25
Non-Members: $49

Register Now

New to Poconos VRO? Join now for $150 and attend the Summit free.

Join & Attend for Free

Event Schedule

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM	Registration, Exhibitor Networking& Welcome	Arrive early, check in, meet our exhibitors, and connect with other owners, local partners, and community leaders before the program begins.
1:00 PM to 1:45 PM	The State of STR Advocacy in the Country, State, and Poconos	An overview of what is happening in short-term rental advocacy nationally, across Pennsylvania, and at local levels. Our expert panel will look at the trends, challenges, and local conversations shaping the future of vacation rentals.
1:45 PM to 2:15 PM	How to Speak So Communities Actually Listen	Whether you are attending an HOA meeting, township meeting, planning discussion, or public comment session, how you communicate matters. The goal is not to be the loudest person in the room. The goal is to be credible, prepared, and understood and HEARD. What you will learn: How to frame your message with facts, not frustration How to make public comments that are clear and useful What to say, what to avoid, and how to stay focused How to speak as a responsible owner and community stakeholder
2:15 PM to 3:00 PM	STRs By the Numbers	Owners need more than opinions. They need facts. This session will show attendees where to find useful data, economic impact numbers, local STR information, tourism figures, and community talking points that help strengthen conversations with boards, municipalities, neighbors, and decision-makers. What you will learn: Where to find reliable local and regional data Which numbers matter most in advocacy conversations How to use stats without overwhelming the room How to connect data to real community impact
3:00 PM to 3:30 PM	Break & Exhibitor Networking	This is a great time to network with attendees and connect with our exhibitors. These are businesses and professionals who support responsible vacation rental ownership.
3:30 PM to 4:15 PM	Playing the Long Game	The STR conversation is happening in HOA boardrooms, township meetings, advisory committees, neighborhood groups, and local elections. This panel will focus on how to become more involved to ensure STR-friendly voices have a seat at the table. This is especially valuable for anyone who wants a clear understanding of board service, committee involvement, election readiness, and productive relationship-building. What you will learn: How to get involved before there is a crisis Why HOA and township participation matters What it takes to serve on boards, committees, and advisory groups How owners can become more trusted voices locally
4:15 PM to 4:50 PM	STR Community Roundtable	Owners, HOA representatives, partners, and stakeholders will discuss current communication gaps, challenges, and opportunities facing vacation rentals *This is where we move from ideas to plans.* What we will cover: Attendees will have the opportunity to raise specific issues they’re facing, and as a group, we’ll crowd-source solutions.
4:50 PM to 5:00 PM	Closing & Action Items	We will close the Summit with clear next steps, owner takeaways, and practical action items attendees can use immediately. You will leave with more than notes. You will leave with direction.
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM	Advocacy Summit Cocktail Hour & Exhibitor Networking	Stay after the Summit for cocktails & light hor d’oeuvrees, exhibitor networking, and continued conversation with owners, sponsors, exhibitors, and community partners. This is your chance to build relationships, ask questions, and connect with the people helping support the future of responsible vacation rentals in Pennsylvania.

Sponsorship

Support Responsible STR Advocacy

Put your business in front of the owners, managers, HOA leaders, and community stakeholders shaping the future of vacation rentals in the Poconos.

The Poconos VRO Advocacy Summit is a focused half-day event designed to educate and activate vacation rental owners.

For sponsors, this is a direct opportunity to connect with the people who own, manage, support, and influence the vacation rental economy in the Poconos.

Why Sponsor

Reach vacation rental owners and property managers who are actively investing in their homes and communities
Build visibility with HOA leaders, local stakeholders, and community-minded operators
Position your business as a supporter of responsible STR ownership and practical local advocacy
Connect in person with attendees during registration, breaks, exhibitor networking, and cocktail hour

Become A Sponsor

Who Should Attend

Vacation rental owners especially in HOAs
Owners concerned about future township or HOA restrictions
Owners who want to better understand local advocacy
HOA board/committee members looking for productive communication with responsible STR owners
Property managers who support owner education and community relationships
Local businesses and partners connected to the vacation rental economy
Owners interested in running for HOA boards, serving on committees, or becoming more involved in township-level conversations

Why This Matters

Local policies are often shaped by the people who show up prepared.

The STR conversation in the Poconos is happening at township meetings, HOA board tables, committee discussions, and county-level conversations. Owners who understand the issues, know the facts, and can communicate clearly are better positioned to protect their properties, support their communities, and help shape fair, practical solutions.