In this episode, Heather Bayer welcomes back a long-time friend and industry innovator, Bart Sobies, founder of iBooked.Online and the creative mind behind the Strive to Thrive events in Australia and beyond.
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Bart joins Heather (from tomorrow, no less - Australia time!) to share insights on:
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• The power of in-person connections and how conferences can radically transform your business trajectory
  
  
• What’s happening right now in the Australian short-term rental market
  
  
• Why AI isn't a trend - it’s a revolution, and how it’s already reshaping our industry
  
  
• How to avoid the "tool trap" with AI, and instead solve real problems with the right tech
  
  
• Building human-centered hospitality businesses that are scalable, sustainable, and future-ready
  
  

Whether you’re a seasoned manager or new to the STR space, Bart’s global perspective and generous storytelling make this a must-listen.

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What You’ll Learn

• How Bart went from building websites for pizza shops in the pre-online-ordering days to launching AI-focused STR solutions
  
  
• The surprising reason why networking with competitors may be your most strategic move yet
  
  
• What makes Strive to Thrive more than just a conference - it’s a connected movement
  
  
• Why understanding how and when to use AI tools like ChatGPT can massively impact your daily workflows
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Resources + Mentions

• iBooked.Online – https://ibooked.online
  Website development, branding, and direct booking tools for STRs.
  
  
• Strive to Thrive Conference – https://strivetothrive.au
  Regional and international events empowering STR professionals through community and collaboration.
  
  
• Accommodation Professionals Network (Facebook Group) – Join the group
  
  
• Bart’s Podcast: The Accommodation Show – https://theaccommodationshow.com/
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Help Spread the Word

If you loved this episode, please:

• Share it on your social channels
  
  
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• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
  
  

We appreciate your support - it helps us bring even more value to short-term rental professionals around the world.

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