Written by Dabney Tompkins, Host2Host President and co-host of Fire Lookout Tower

Host2Host is pleased to announce our newest representative to the Travel Portland Board, Becky Burnett. Becky is currently the Secretary/Treasurer for Host2Host and has been a short-term rental host in North Portland for over 6 years. Previously she was one of the co-founders of Ruby Jewel Ice Cream. 

Additionally, Travel Portland reached out to Host2Host to recommend another potential board member that is involved in the short-term rental industry. Host2Host recommended Ryan Tigner, with iTrip Vacations who happens to also be on the board of Host2Host. Ryan is a great fit for Travel Portland as he and his company manage over 250 short-term rental properties in NW Oregon and SW Washington.

The Travel Portland Board is an advisory board that relies on its members to disseminate information about Travel Portland to local travel industry stakeholders and to provide input to Travel Portland about issues that affect their segment of the travel industry.

We congratulate both Becky and Ryan!

Our friends at Together Anywhere have put together some very important and super helpful news that’s worth sharing with your guests. New for summer 2022, anyone (Oregon resident or visitor) arriving by personal vehicle or motorcycle needs a ticket to gain entry to the Historic Columbia River Highway including Multnomah Falls. Anyone using guided tours or shuttle services are exempt and cyclists are also able to access these areas without a ticket.

Together Anywhere provides audio-guided tours for Oregon visitors and locals alike. Share their resources with your guests and encourage them to see a totally different side of places you might think you already know well. Their helpful audio guides are free!

Host2Host is delighted to announce that Charity Kuahiwinui has accepted the new position of Executive Assistant. Charity will take up much of Jill Palamountain’s role, who is stepping back from the day-to-day running of Host2Host.

Charity was a long-time STR host in North Portland and is a charter member of Host2Host. She co-founded Ensourced, a company focused on improving the lives of short-term rental hosts by offering guidance to get started on the right foot with insights into listing and operational improvements. Along with her deep understanding of the short-term rental industry and Host2Host, she brings a solid HR and management background. 
 
Charity and her wife, Maylene, recently moved to Portugal, which is currently 8 hours ahead of the Pacific NW. So, while you aren’t likely to see Charity in person, she will be working behind the scenes to assist you with membership questions and keeping Host2Host with its many facets humming along. Charity is excited to offer her administrative support and we are excited to have her join the team. Welcome Charity!

Exciting news! Host2Host has just been short listed for the Consumer Champion Award.

Short Term Rentalz will host the third annual ‘Shortyz’ Short Term Rental Awards, in London on 18 May 2022, at The Skyline London. The Shortyz aim to recognize excellence among industry peers, highlight innovation and industry best practice, reward achievement and celebrate start-up technology, as the sector navigates the ‘new normal.'

Host2Host was selected along with ASTHRO, I-PRAC, Love Home Swap, Minut & NoiseAware for the Consumer Champion Award, sponsored by TouchStay. Voting is open until, April 29 and winners are announced on May 18. Vote for Host2Host now!

NoiseAware sponsored our April meetup with a thorough review of their product line and its value to hosts and their communities. Matt Williams, Director of Sales, and Natasha Garber, Senior Content Manager ended their presentations with a great discount offer to Host2Host (see that below).

Host2Host puts on monthly educational meetups.  Once a quarter, the meetup is of the “sponsored” variety,  in which a Host2Host business affiliate member presents the meetup.  These meetups help Host2Host meet our financial needs while bringing the latest relevant business information to hosts.  We make these “Sponsored” meetups free to the public.

NoiseAware began in 2015 after a party caused a host to lose a catastrophic amount of money and their right to host.  Invention followed and seven years later, the Dallas, Texas company employs 55 people and has monitored noise levels for over 3 million STR nights. The company’s goal is to help owners and managers have guests peacefully coexist within their neighborhoods. Another value to hosts is the reduction in costs for cleaning and damage that results from large parties.

Many jurisdictions seem to be jumping to strict control of STRs.  NoiseAware can reduce the friction between STRs and neighbors and may help avoid more reactionary responses by districts.  Some jurisdictions are even requiring NoiseAware or similar products to be utilized.  Many hosts make a point of letting their neighbors know when NoiseAware has been installed, to emphasize that the hosts are taking the issue seriously.

NoiseAware uses interior and exterior sensors to monitor the level of sound in a home.  The sensors are unlike Alexa or Google Home, in that they do not “listen” to conversations but rather measure the level of noise being produced.  And it’s not simply the loudest, momentary noise that the system responds to, like a dog barking one time.  The noise has to be sustained for a period of time. 

This type of monitoring must be disclosed in the OTA bookings. NoiseAware has helpful language to proactively communicate this to prospective guests and possibly avoid having those guests you really don’t want.

The sensors are plugged into existing electrical outlets and are fastened to make them difficult to tamper with (and tampering is something the system monitors as well).  The sensors can be installed in minutes.  The exterior sensors have adhesive backing to stick to a surface.  Even if you only want to monitor exterior noise, at least one interior sensor is required because it connects to the WiFi network.  The home owner or manager uses an app to set the level of noise to trigger alerts, typically 60-70 decibels.

Once on the network, the sensors in the home then relay noise levels to the NoiseAware monitoring service.  The home owner or manager receives alerts when noise exceeds the settings.  A historical record is maintained to assist in cases where a neighbor may complain about noise that did not actually exceed the city’s allowable threshold.

“Auto Resolve” is the newest product from NoiseAware.  When noise levels are exceeded during the specified time period, NoiseAware sends a text alert to the guest advising them that quiet hours are in place.  If the noise levels continue for the next 10 minutes, a second alert is sent.  If the noise subsides, no further alerts are sent.  The company is working on a version that will allow the messages to be customized.

In the next few weeks, NoiseAware will roll out another new feature, called “Occupancy”, again at no additional charge, that will report the number of devices like cell phones that are attached to the WiFi network.  If that number exceeds the configured threshold, the host will be notified.  

Cost:  The cost is per sensor per month;  for a month-by-month plan is $20/sensor per month.  For an annual plan it’s $15/sensor per month.

Now through May 7, 2022 use the special Host2Host promo code “h2hna22” to get a 20% discount for annual subscription plus one free indoor sensor.

Questions about NoiseAware? Contact:

• Matt Williams, Sales Director at matt@noiseaware.com or 630-240-4416 
  
• Natasha Garber, Senior Content Manager at natasha@noiseaware.com
  

Additional information:

From the NoiseAware Blog:

• Explanation of noise monitoring, great to share with guests (some of our customers put a link to this post on their website, or share it in their newsletter, etc)
• Best Practices to Prevent "Bad" Bookings And Avoid Neighbor Complaints

Suggestions On How To Inform Guests About Noise Monitoring:

• Rental Agreement Language & Disclosures 
  

Recent Case Studies:

• Fernway Vacation Rentals
  
• Wil Slickers - Recreation Vacation Rentals
  

Special Offer:

20% off annual subscription + 1 free indoor sensor with cart code H2HNA22 (can be used for up to 9 properties) Dedicated rep + special offer for 10+ properties. Offers good through May 7.  https://noiseaware.com/cart/?wt_coupon=h2hna22 

Here is an awesome new tool to share with your short-term rental guests. Travel Portland has created a QR code which links to relevant information on the Travel Portland website. Just point your phone's camera at the QR code to access Travel Portland.

Guests will find lots of information about things to do in Portland and the surrounds, upcoming events, cool neighborhoods, Portland's Patio Guide, Food Cart Finder, etc.

The card is available as a downloadable PDF for you to print or send to your guests. You could also convert the PDF to a JPG and add it to your STR listing photos. Or request a JPG image @ info@host2host.org. 

When we meet in person again, we'll have the printed cards available too. Lovin' it!

Congratulations to Host2Host charter member, Melissa Sheets, for being named the best woman Airbnb host in the US - In honor of International Women's Day!! We are so proud of you Melissa! And Brian, of course. Get the whole story @ KGW.com

Hope you caught the Vendor Showcase on March 9th. Sorry if you missed it, because you missed out on Ryan Tigner's surprise gift. $100 off an Itrip Vacation booking. 

We had a just-for-fun poll to vote for the best presentation of the evening. The winner would receive a special mention in this newsletter. Ryan Tigner of ITrip Vacations sealed the deal by offering attendees a bribe to vote ITrip Vacations as the best presentation. What? He won by a landslide and so did all who attended, because you had to be present to win. As luck would have it, Tyann Marcink with TouchStay had just booked with ITrip Vacations. She received her rebate on the spot. 
Thank you Ryan Tigner of ITrip Vacations!!

The showcase was a lot of fun. All of our business affiliates came with special offers for hosts and there was great comaraderie all around. Thank you Vendors:  

Charity & Maylene Kuahiwinui, Ensourced
Matt Williams, NoiseAware 
Becca Madigan, PriceLabs   
Andrew & Dani Taylor, Inn Style 
Melissa Wright, Short Term Rental Permits 
Amelia Melching, Wheelhouse 
Tyann Marcink, Touch Stay 
Arnaud Verstuyf, Together Anywhere  
Kim Gordon Cumbo, Heartwise Healing Paths
Amina Moreau, Radious 
Debi & Rob Hertert, Hosting Your Home Podcast
Carlos Camarena, Carlos Rafael Photography 
Ryan Tigner, Itrip Vacations

Host2Host members can view the meetup recording along with the special offers shared at the event. 
 

Wonderful things are happening in the media to interest travelers in Portland again. Our friends at Travel Portland shared the good news:   

The 12 Best Spots to Go ‘Plane-Spotting’ Across the U.S.

Fodor's Travel February 28, 2022

Beyond the Bahamas and Mexico: 10 domestic spring break destinations where you don’t have to mess with COVID-19 tests

Points Guy, The   February 21, 2022

The Best And Worst Cities For Traveling Alone, According To Solo Travelers Who Have Been All Over The Globe

BuzzFeed   February 19, 2022

12 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the United States

AFAR Magazine Online  February 17, 2022

Seattle Refined

KOMO-TV   February 17, 2022

Portland Profile

Lonely Planet   February 17, 2022

Insider Guide: Portland, Oregon

Sunset Magazine Online   February 14, 2022

Why You Should Plan A Trip To Portland, Oregon, This Winter

Forbes Online  February 12, 2022

Where To Get The Absolute Best Bread In The U.S.

Mashed  | Becki Robins February 10, 2022

Celebrating Black History Month? These 5 Cities Are Going All Out

NEW YORK TIMES - ONLINE, The   February 09, 2022

The Best Luxury Hotels in Portland, Oregon

Manual, The   February 08, 2022

Sustainable Venues for Greener Meetings in the Pacific Northwest

Meetings Today Online   February 08, 2022

Botanical Gardens Every Passionate Gardener Should Visit

Upscale Living Magazine Online  February 04, 2022

37 Products From Black-Owned Brands You'll Use On A Daily Basis

BuzzFeed   February 03, 2022

By David Boe, Host2Host Board Member, STR host in NW Portland and author of Secrets of an Airbnb Superhost. 

On February 2, 2022, a spirited group of Host2Host Business Affiliates met via Zoom for an engaging hour-long round-table style discussion about the state of the Short Term Rental industry during the second year of the global pandemic.

The meeting was energetically moderated by Carlos Camarena, proprietor of Carlos Rafael Photography, a photography and video business that is a longtime favorite among local Portland Airbnb hosts.

Host2Host founder Debi Hertert reminded us of the meeting’s purpose of creating an informal space where business owners could share ideas and experiences with one another around the common topic of short term rentals. 

During the general discussion, Host2Host Executive Director, Jill Palamountain offered a brief and optimistic overview of industry trends, including the continued upward arc of anticipated growth in short term rentals, despite or in some cases because of the realities of the Pandemic. In many cases, private homes like those offered by STR hosts have been seen as much safer places than hotels, which can expose guests to many more public interactions. 

Several business owners agreed with the assessment of increased opportunities, and shared a sense of optimism for the year ahead. Attendees included: 

Bruce and Cindy Eastman, of HealthMarkets; Lorinda Taylor, from InnStyle; Amina Moreau, from Radious; Greta Krost, from Coastline Lodging; and Juliana Ujka, of BnSellit.